"But I don't think Hatake Sakumo would be willing to join the Hokage Guard," Raijin said, nodding as he continued to speak to Tsunade.
From both a power and emotional standpoint, the Hokage Guard isn't the best choice for Hatake Sakumo.
After all, the position of deputy captain in Anbu is definitely better than being a member of the Hokage Guard from any angle.
And the bonds formed from years of working in Anbu are not something that can just be easily cut off with a few words.
So, unless there's a reason Hatake Sakumo can't refuse, they need to offer enough benefits to convince him.
After all, neither Tsunade nor Raijin has much of a connection with Hatake Sakumo.
Even though the head of Anbu, Senju Osamu, is Tsunade's uncle, he's not a close relative.
Even if he were, whether someone would be willing to let go of a talent like that is a big issue.
That's still… Konohagakure's White Fang.
"But you must have a way, right?"
Hearing this, Tsunade suddenly turned and sat on Raijin's lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.
With Tsunade taking up so much space in front of him, Raijin had to lean back and tilt his head up just to barely see her face.
"What can I do? I'm just a lowly Jonin from Konohagakure. Even if my reputation on the battlefield is slightly higher than Hatake Sakumo's, that doesn't mean I can just knock him out and bring him here."
Raijin blinked and spoke to Tsunade with some frustration.
"But… right now there's a technique that only you can use in all of Konohagakure, isn't there?"
Upon hearing this, Tsunade gently tapped Raijin's nose.
Realizing what she meant, Raijin understood that Tsunade had thought this through completely.
"You mean…"
However, he really hesitated to help others master Senjutsu.
Should he help Hatake Sakumo? What about Might Duy? Or Kurama Kumo?
Suddenly, that's three people, and that's not a simple task that can just be brushed aside.
"The technique Hiruko developed, the Demon Seed Technique, is already quite mature."
Somehow, Tsunade produced a scroll and leaned back slightly from Raijin, placing the scroll into his arms.
"What are you…"
Am I the kind of person who craves Ninjutsu? Although using the Demon Seed Technique to potentially take down Uchiha Madara on a future battlefield does sound like a good idea.
Of course, if possible, Raijin still hopes Uchiha Madara won't show up.
Besides, that big eye on the moon is also a good option.
However, Raijin's need for this isn't very strong at the moment.
So, the Demon Seed Technique technique or something… is still quite important.
After all, the ninja world is one that values bloodlines.
Take Orochimaru, for instance. Even with the addition of Senjutsu, Orochimaru's hard strength will never catch up to his own.
"Come on, Raijin~"
Without further ado, Tsunade leaned down and pressed her lips against Raijin's mouth.
As the sun set, a few Anbu squatted by the wall of the Hokage building, smoking.
"Hokage-sama and Raijin-sama have such a good relationship."
One Anbu with a cat mask clicked his tongue, feeling somewhat emotional.
"Isn't that a good thing? Hokage-sama is the most outstanding genius from the Senju family in recent years. He even mastered the First Hokage's Wood Release, while Raijin-sama is the strongest in Konohagakure.
Now, these two are still a very loving couple. Isn't that something worth celebrating for Konohagakure?"
An Anbu with a dog mask replied.
"Hmph, even if our Senju clan's Wood Release reappears in the ninja world, it doesn't mean Uchiha Raijin is necessarily the strongest."
The cat-faced Anbu immediately said, displeased.
"To be fair, Raijin-sama isn't famous in the ninja world just because of his Sharingan."
An Anbu with a spiral mask quickly added,
"Lightning Release combined with Magnet Release— I can't think of any Ninjutsu that could beat it."
The dog-faced Anbu agreed, nodding.
…
Putting aside the Anbu's discussion, a sweaty Raijin first went home to take a shower before heading to the Anbu base.
"Knock, knock, knock."
Raijin knocked on Senju Osamu's office door.
"Hmm? Is that you, Raijin?"
Seeing Raijin, Senju Osamu looked a bit surprised. The Anbu and Uchiha Raijin can't be said to have a deep bond, but they also don't have any connection at all.
For a moment, Senju Osamu really couldn't figure out why Raijin was here.
"Lord Osamu, the Third Hokage hopes to form a Hokage Guard."
Raijin got straight to the point in front of Senju Osamu.
"Ah? Isn't the Hokage Guard enough with you?"
Senju Osamu was taken aback for a moment and then smiled as he asked Raijin.
With Raijin's words, Senju Osamu understood why he was here.
He was interested in someone from Anbu.
Who could it be?
"I'm just an ordinary Jonin; it's a bit difficult for me to serve in the Hokage's guard team, so I'd like some support from Anbu."
Raijin chuckled at this and said to Senju Osamu,
"Oh, then you really are just an ordinary Jonin."
Senju Osamu sneered at Raijin's words and nodded in agreement.
"Go on, who are you interested in?"
Senju Osamu played with a pen in his hand, looking at Raijin with a smile.
"Hatake Sakumo."
Raijin didn't hesitate at all and directly named the person he wanted.
"Clatter!"
The pen fell from Senju Osamu's hand and hit the table with a sharp sound.
He lowered his head to look at the pen on the table, hiding the flicker of conflict in his eyes.
Hatake Sakumo, known as Konoha's White Fang, stood out even among the elite of Anbu, holding the position just below Senju Osamu as the deputy commander.
Senju Osamu had been grooming Hatake Sakumo as the next commander.
"Sakumo... might not be willing to join the Hokage's guard team,"
Senju Osamu said, pressing his lips together as he spoke to Raijin.
To be honest, it was really hard for Senju Osamu to refuse Raijin's request.
After all, Tsunade was also a member of the Senju family, and Senju Osamu shouldn't be a hindrance to her regarding the Hokage's guard team.
First of all, Senju Osamu really liked Hatake Sakumo, and second, he felt that the Hokage's guard team didn't need to gather too many experts.
In this ninja world, were there really any ninjas who could threaten Tsunade's life?
If he had to say, it might be the Uchiha Raijin sitting right in front of him.
"So, does this mean you agree to let me take Hatake Sakumo?"
Raijin raised an eyebrow and asked Senju Osamu.
No matter what Hatake Sakumo thought, he needed Senju Osamu's approval first.
"Raijin, does the Hokage's guard team really need Hatake Sakumo?"
Senju Osamu sighed lightly, feeling somewhat helpless as he asked Raijin.
"Of course, what Tsunade means is that some strong ninjas could focus primarily on training, and I completely agree with that," Raijin said to Senju Osamu.
If all the experts in Konohagakure are gathered together to focus on their training, it would be easier to handle more challenging missions.
Imagine Sarutobi Asuma taking a few students to fight Kakuzu and Hidan.
In the end, Hidan survives, but Sarutobi Asuma dies.
But what if Sarutobi Asuma and his team of Ino-Shika-Cho were replaced with Hatake Sakumo, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru?
Against those three, both Hidan and Kakuzu would seem like a joke.
Especially on the battlefields of the future, what really matters is the fights between top-level warriors.
Ordinary Jonin will struggle to have a significant impact in the future.
The era of winning battles through sheer numbers ended with the conclusion of the Second Shinobi World War.
Future enemies will be a group that holds the most essential powers in this world.
So, Raijin is very supportive of Tsunade's idea.
"I see…"
Senju Osamu nodded in response, acknowledging that this plan is indeed quite good.
Having fully experienced both the First and Second Shinobi World Wars, Osamu understands what a top-level ninja means for a war.
During the Second Shinobi World War, Raijin demonstrated this role perfectly.
Moreover, Senju Osamu is one of the few in Konohagakure who knows that the shinobi world isn't as safe as it appears.
Osamu can't be sure how strong the hidden enemies are.
But he understands that if they're hiding in the shadows, then the role of a strong fighter becomes even more critical.
Therefore, he strongly supports Tsunade's plan.
From this perspective, letting go of Hatake Sakumo seems reasonable.
However…
Senju Osamu pressed his lips together. Truthfully, when it comes to making a decision, he still hesitated.
After a long pause…
"I agree with Tsunade's plan. As Tsunade's and your uncle, I should support you both."
Raijin listened to Osamu's words, feeling no stirring of emotions within.
He knew this didn't necessarily mean Osamu agreed with it.
After all, if Senju Osamu truly agreed, there wouldn't be so many words, nor would the word "should" even be mentioned.
"But Raijin, I'm getting old, and it's becoming a bit hard for me to handle things in Anbu. Sakumo is, after all, the vice-captain I trained myself."
"If he leave the Anbu like this... sigh... you have to think about me too."
Sure enough, after the initial setup, Senju Osamu changed his tone and began to complain to Raijin.
Clearly, what Senju Osamu meant was that while Hatake Sakumo could be given to him, it would come at a price.
Raijin chuckled to himself but kept a straight face; this situation was really to be expected.
"With so many elite Anbu members, I believe with your abilities, it shouldn't be too hard to train a successor."
But, you can't just say what you want directly and throw out a price.
If you do that, things won't work out, and you'll just gain another enemy.
So, Raijin decided to flatter Senju Osamu a bit to give him a way to suggest a price himself.
"Sigh... after all, I'm getting older and don't have the energy I used to, but I heard Raijin recently developed a technique that has great recovery effects for stamina."
Senju Osamu clearly enjoyed Raijin's compliment.
Although many people in the Anbu would praise Senju Osamu, it was different coming from Raijin, someone who could directly change the outcome of a battle.
"Don't worry, once Hatake Sakumo joins the Hokage Guard, I will help you master Senjutsu as soon as possible."
Raijin nodded at this. While he often turned down the tasks arranged by Tsunade, it was mostly in jest.
In a more formal situation, Raijin wouldn't be so hesitant.
Besides, helping Senju Osamu master Senjutsu wouldn't be a problem.
But the premise was that Hatake Sakumo had to join the Hokage Guard first.
Trying to take advantage of me? Not going to happen!
This way, it would also fully engage Senju Osamu's enthusiasm.
In fact, he wouldn't even need to persuade Hatake Sakumo personally.
"Don't worry, Hatake Sakumo will be joining the Hokage Guard tomorrow."
Having gotten what he wanted, Senju Osamu straightforwardly told Raijin.
Senju Osamu couldn't guarantee that Hatake Sakumo would be willing to go to the Hokage Guard, but he could ensure that Hatake Sakumo would lose his position as vice captain of the Anbu.
There's always a way.
"Then I'll wait for Hatake Sakumo in the Hokage office."
Raijin chuckled and nodded in response, standing up and addressing Senju Osamu.
At that moment, a dirty deal was struck between the two of them.
Hatake Sakumo was definitely not getting away.
"Mm."
Senju Osamu nodded and watched as Raijin left his office.
Senju Osamu let out a soft sigh and, with his hands behind his back, slowly walked to the office of the deputy commander next door.
Even though he had lost Hatake Sakumo, the ninja he favored, Senju Osamu had also gained what he wanted.
That old bastard Uchiha Motohide had mastered Senjutsu for a whole year now.
If Senju Osamu didn't get this technique directly through Raijin, he would have to wait at least another two years until Senju Tobirama or Tsunade could help someone else learn Senjutsu.
In that case, how far behind would he be compared to Uchiha Motohide? This was something Senju Osamu simply couldn't accept.
"Sakumo, are you still busy?"
As he pushed open Hatake Sakumo's office door, Senju Osamu smiled at Hatake Sakumo, who was focused on handling Anbu documents.
(End of chapter)
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