(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
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In the Land of Rivers, Uchiha Itachi and Kisame returned to the Akatsuki's hidden base, looking noticeably embarrassed. Their disheveled appearance surprised the other members who were present.
It was unusual to see Uchiha Itachi in such a state.
"Well, well, isn't this the fearsome man who supposedly committed genocide against his whole family on his own? A simple intelligence task left you like this?" Deidara taunted, clearly enjoying Itachi's predicament.
He had always disliked Itachi's arrogant demeanor.
Itachi remained composed, stating, "We encountered a troublesome opponent and suffered a setback."
"Was it someone from Konoha?" An indifferent voice inquired.
Everyone turned to see Pain, his purple Rinnegan fixed on Itachi.
Pain was genuinely curious, as everyone in the organization was highly skilled. Based on existing information, it seemed unlikely that anyone in Konoha could pose such a challenge to them.
"We encountered Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, and Kamiyo Colt guarding the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki," Itachi explained softly.
Konan, who had been silent, raised her head in interest.
Pain's expression shifted slightly. "Did Jiraiya defeat you? That's not entirely surprising…"
Hearing his former teacher's name stirred something in Pain's iron-cold heart.
The rest nodded their heads, the Sannin were quite famous.
However, Itachi shook his head calmly. "It wasn't Jiraiya, but Kamiyo Colt."
"Kamiyo Colt?" The unfamiliar name puzzled everyone as they tried to recall any information about this person.
Itachi continued, "He is a Konoha prodigy. At just 13 years old, he's mastered various powerful ninjutsu and forbidden techniques. He also possesses the Mangekyō Sharingan and thoroughly outmatched even me."
The revelation caused everyone's eyes to flicker with interest.
"Konoha never seems to run short of geniuses," Sasori's hoarse voice commented from within Hiruko.
Pain silently committed the name to memory, though he remained unperturbed.
In his eyes, even the most talented ninja would be no match for a god.
As the group dispersed, Kisame returned to his room, unsurprised to find a man in a spiral mask waiting for him.
"Is what Uchiha Itachi said true?" The masked man, Obito, asked in a low voice.
He suspected Itachi might have had other motives for returning to Konoha, but fortunately, he had placed a spy by Itachi's side.
"Of course," Kisame grinned. "Itachi-san and I were intercepted by the Copy Ninja Kakashi as soon as we entered Konoha, and then that kid appeared and thoroughly thrashed us."
Kisame carefully observed the single Sharingan visible through the mask, noting subtle changes that confirmed everything Colt had said. Especially at the mention of the name Kakashi.
His grin widened.
'Uchiha Obito, your time is running out,' he thought to himself.
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In Konoha, with the looming threat of Orochimaru dispelled and her trauma cured, Tsunade naturally accepted the position of Hokage.
The next day, under the eager gaze of countless villagers, Tsunade stood atop the podium, radiating confidence.
Her golden ponytails fluttered in the breeze, and her youthful appearance drew admiration from many young women. They wondered how Lady Tsunade, in her fifties, managed to maintain such a flawless complexion.
"From this day forward, I am the Fifth Hokage of Konohagakure!" Tsunade declared.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
This declaration was ushering in a new era for Konoha.
However, Tsunade's initial pride quickly turned to dismay once she entered the Hokage's office.
"Damn it! Shizune! We've been duped!" Tsunade exclaimed, staring at the mountain of paperwork covering her desk. Village administration, reconstruction efforts… it was overwhelming.
Barely ten minutes into her new role, Tsunade was already regretting becoming a Hokage.
"Tsunade-sama, I suggest you conserve your energy while reviewing these documents," Shizune sighed, too exhausted to complain further. Even Tonton the pig seemed weary atop her head.
Tsunade reluctantly began her work, adamantly denying that Konoha's promise to clear her gambling debts had anything to do with her compliance.
A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.
"Come in," Tsunade called wearily.
Colt entered, accompanied by Ino, Hinata, and Shikamaru.
"What brings you here?" Tsunade asked, momentarily puzzled.
"The Chūnin exams," Shizune whispered, reminding her.
Tsunade's eyes lit up with recognition.
"Right, of course."
"Let's cut to the chase – you're all promoted to Chūnin as of today, except for you, Colt. You're now a Jōnin."
Her decision was swift and resolute.
"What a drag. Being a Genin was fine too," Shikamaru complained lazily as he accepted the Chūnin vest from Shizune.
Colt's promotion to Jōnin didn't surprise him at all. In fact, it would have been strange if Colt hadn't been promoted.
As for Ino and Hinata, while their match had been more of an exhibition, their tactical understanding and overall performance were sufficient for the Chūnin rank.
"Say one more word, you little brat, and I'll have you admitted to the Konoha Hospital!" Tsunade threatened, a vein pulsing on her forehead.
The work in the hospital wasn't bad, but it did not end until late at night, which was a nightmare for a slacker.
Shikamaru immediately straightened up, mentally upgrading Tsunade's "troublesome level" well above his own mother's.
After congratulating the four, Tsunade dismissed the others and asked Colt to stay behind.
"Colt, how about becoming the Hokage's assistant?" Tsunade offered, trying to appear enticing.
"I'll have to decline. I still have much to learn, and I'm too inexperienced for such a role," Colt politely refused.
"Tch, I knew a smart brat like you wouldn't fall for it," Tsunade grumbled, disappointed at her failed attempt to rope someone else into her workload.
Colt, seeing her frustration, decided to change the subject.
"If that's all, I'll be going. Also, is it alright if I don't wear this Jōnin vest? It's not exactly stylish."
Tsunade waved dismissively.
"Do as you like. There are no strict regulations about it in the village."
She paused, then added, "However, since you won't be my assistant, you'll need to take on the role of captain in Konoha's Anbu, and you'll also be in charge of the Konoha Hospital."
Colt recognized this as Tsunade's way of elevating his status.
With dual roles in the Anbu and the Konoha Hospital, he would now be considered a person of significant influence in the village, without being bogged down by mundane tasks.
It was a generous offer, and Colt appreciated the thought behind it.