(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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News of Tsunade's impending ascension to Hokage swiftly reached the Land of Wind.
Baki, Sunagakure's interim leader, immediately convened an urgent council meeting.
Even the two reclusive elders were summoned to attend the crucial gathering.
Every subtle shift in power would influence Sunagakure's strategy, necessitating a thorough analysis of Tsunade's rise to power.
As the children of the Fourth Kazekage Rasa: Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro were granted permission to attend.
Incidentally, the three siblings had recently attained the rank of Chūnin in Sunagakure.
Temari found herself lost in thought upon learning that Colt had also been promoted to Jōnin.
Although it had only been a few days since the last time she had heard his name or seen him, it felt like an eternity had passed.
Ultimately, many Sand Shinobi officials decided to acquiesce to all of Konoha's proposed terms, signing a new peace treaty.
Faced with Konoha's formidable trio of Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Colt, they lacked the capacity to resist the proposed ultimatum.
Furthermore, forging an alliance with Konoha was essential to ward off the covetous eyes of the other nations.
"Temari, Temari!"
Hearing someone call her name, Temari snapped back to reality.
Gaara gazed at his sister with concern, "Are you alright?"
Since returning from the Land of Wind, Gaara, influenced by Naruto's infectious personality, had undergone a remarkable transformation.
He had resolved to follow Naruto's example and aspire to the position of the Kazekage.
His goal was to earn everyone's recognition and respect.
The first step was to nurture his relationships with his loved ones.
"I'm fine, just pondering on some trivial matters," Temari replied with a reassuring smile.
She felt genuinely happy about the improving bond with Gaara. With their father gone, the three siblings now relied on each other more than ever.
As the meeting concluded, Temari walked out of the Main Building, her eyes drawn to the swirling sand and wind in the sky.
She sighed wistfully.
Meanwhile, in Konoha, Colt focused intently on his training.
"[Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence]!"
Colt put his hands together, and many trees emerged from the flat ground, growing rapidly under the surging vitality and the flowing of Chakra.
In a blink of an eye, the clearing turned into a forest.
"Still a bit smaller than I'd like," Colt mused, slightly dissatisfied with his creation.
Simultaneously, he employed his healing technique to gradually restore his depleted vitality.
He finally understood why Hashirama Senju had died so young.
Using this technique was akin to sacrificing one's life force to manifest ninjutsu.
The growth of these trees was entirely sustained by the caster's vitality.
Hashirama Senju had perished not long after his epic battle with Madara in the Valley of the End.
It was likely that the legendary shinobi had been drained of vitality by his ultimate Wood Style techniques.
Fortunately, Colt had now attained the rank of Jōnin. Although the [Healer's Benevolence System] hadn't upgraded, the efficacy of his healing technique had significantly improved.
The lost vitality was swiftly replenished.
In essence, he had achieved a form of alternative immortality.
Even those around him could potentially live indefinitely under his protection.
However, despite the immense cost of the Wood Style, its power remained unparalleled.
It was the bane of all other ninjutsu.
"[Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation]!"
The roaring flames engulfing the forest increased to a new height, before they suddenly diminished rapidly, extinguishing within seconds.
The charred tree trunks regenerated, as if untouched by the inferno.
Utterly formidable.
Not only did the Wood Style boast high resistance to ninjutsu, but it also absorbed the enemy's Chakra to repair itself.
Colt clicked his tongue, feeling a twinge of sympathy for Madara.
How desperate must he have felt when battling Hashirama!
But now, Colt himself was the master of the Wood Style, and that was perfectly fine.
Let the enemy experience that desperation instead.
As noon approached, Colt concluded his training for the day.
"Phew"
Hinata and Ino had likely prepared lunch at home, eagerly awaiting his return.
The two kunoichi had fully embraced their roles as Colt's devoted companions.
From clothing and food to shelter and transportation, they covered all aspects of their daily life.
Sure enough, when Colt arrived home, the table was laden with a sumptuous feast.
The two beautiful kunoichi greeted him with warm smiles.
Their expressions seemed to ask, 'Would you like to eat first, or would you rather prefer us?'
Observing Hanabi playing around in the courtyard, Colt felt a tinge of exasperation.
It hadn't taken long for that little brat to become quite the handful.
He hoped his father-in-law wouldn't come after him in desperation.
One daughter had been taken, and the other was turning into a troublemaker.
If he were Hiashi, he'd likely seek divine intervention from the sage of six paths.
Perhaps the gods couldn't bear to see him so at ease, because an ANBU arrived before he had taken more than two bites of his meal.
"Colt-san, Hokage-sama requests your presence at the Hokage building..."
Noticing the ANBU kneeling respectfully, a flicker of annoyance crossed Colt's face.
"In the future, no ANBUs are permitted to enter my home without my explicit permission."
"Understood!" Cold sweat appeared on the ANBU's forehead.
"You may leave. I'll go after I finish eating," Colt said impatiently, dismissing the messenger.
The ANBU grumbled inwardly but obeyed the order and retreated.
Most people would immediately drop everything upon receiving a summons from the Hokage, rushing to arrive as quickly as possible, no matter the difficulty.
However, for Colt, even a meal took precedence over the Hokage's orders.
Yet, the ANBU dared not complain aloud.
Who in Konoha wasn't aware of Colt's close relationship with Tsunade?
Anyone with a discerning eye could see that he was the future Hokage in the making.
Why would he annoy him for no reason?
"Colt, is this really alright? Won't Tsunade-sama be angry?" Hinata, ever respectful, worried about the potential consequences of disregarding Tsunade's summons.
"Don't worry. If it were truly urgent, she wouldn't have sent an ANBU," Colt said nonchalantly, well-versed in Tsunade's temperament.
After lunch, he leisurely sipped a glass of juice before making his way to the Hokage building.
"What's the matter?" he inquired upon arrival.
Seeing Tsunade working at her desk, Colt felt a twinge of nostalgia.
Just a month ago, the Third Hokage had occupied that very seat.
Without looking up, Tsunade tossed him a scroll.
"After so many days off, it's time you got back to work. This is your next mission."
Colt found it strange and glanced around before casually asking, "What about Kakashi and the others? Shouldn't they be called for missions too?"
Tsunade sighed wearily.
"The village has acquired 30% of Sunagakure's missions, and with our previous losses, we're severely short on ninjas."
"Now that you're a Jōnin, teaming you up with Squad Seven would be a waste of resources. From now on, you'll be operating solo."
Colt eyed Tsunade skeptically.
Sending him on solo missions? Wouldn't that make him work more when he wanted to slack off with team seven?
This ruthless capitalist mindset!
She'd only been Hokage for a few days, and she was already thinking from the village's perspective...