---
"You must have many suitors around you, right?" Takuya asked curiously.
"Hokage-sama, my goal is to become as skilled a shinobi as you. My duty is to protect your safety, even at the cost of my life. Anything else is irrelevant," Uzuki Yugao responded firmly.
"Is that so? There's no one you care for?" Takuya pressed, a hint of insinuation in his tone.
"No," Yugao replied decisively.
Takuya smirked inwardly. Through this brief conversation, he had gained some insight into her character. Uzuki Yugao was clearly a workaholic, completely devoted to her duties. If he wanted to bring her into his harem, he would need to employ a more cunning strategy. Ordinary methods wouldn't suffice. He was resolute in his intent.
His expression hardened as he considered his next move.
"Uzuki Yugao," Takuya's voice turned cold, "you just said you must protect me, even at the cost of your life. Is that correct?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama. You can count on it," Yugao replied, though she felt a chill from his sudden shift in demeanor. Why had the usually approachable Hokage become so cold? The oppressive aura he now emitted was suffocating.
"Then come with me. I want to test your strength," Takuya said, activating Kamui and transporting them to a dense forest outside Konoha.
"Attack me with everything you have," Takuya ordered coldly.
"Understood," Yugao gritted her teeth, drawing her sword. "Shadow Clone Technique!"
With a puff of smoke, Yugao created two Shadow Clones.
"Be on your guard, Hokage-sama. Konoha-Style Kenjutsu: Dance of the Crescent Moon!" she called out, and her clones launched a coordinated attack on Takuya.
She didn't hold back, putting everything she had into the strike. Though confident in her abilities, she wasn't arrogant enough to believe she could harm the man who had established a new order in the shinobi world.
Yugao moved gracefully, her swordsmanship akin to a well-rehearsed dance. She constantly adjusted her stance, seeking a fatal opening.
"Too slow," Takuya remarked calmly, delivering three swift kicks.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Yugao and her clones were sent flying, crashing to the ground.
"Is this the best you can do?" Takuya asked coldly, staring down at Yugao. "Use all your strength!"
"As you command!" Yugao struggled to her feet, gripping her sword tightly with both hands. "Konoha-Style Kenjutsu: Hazy Moon Night!"
She leaped into the air, her sword leaving a trail of afterimages as she rushed toward Takuya once more. The shadows formed a massive full moon, obscuring all his blind spots.
"Kill!" Yugao's killing intent peaked as the sword shadows converged on Takuya.
Clang! The sharp sound of metal clashing echoed as the sword shadows vanished in an instant. Her sword flew from her grasp, clattering to the ground.
"Is this the power of Hokage-sama?" Yugao whispered in disbelief. She never imagined her strongest attack would be so effortlessly countered. He hadn't even moved.
"Is this the extent of your resolve to protect me with your life?" Takuya asked coldly.
"Please forgive me, Hokage-sama!" Yugao knelt, her voice filled with shame. She knew her performance had been inadequate.
"Tch! A swordsman who can't even hold their sword... With your level of strength, do you really believe you can protect me in a crisis? Don't speak of sacrificing your life when it holds no weight," Takuya sneered.
"You... are right," Yugao admitted through gritted teeth, feeling a deep sense of shame. "My strength is insufficient. If I've disappointed you, Hokage-sama, I will resign as your guard. Please, don't hold it against Minato-sama."
"Do you think I tested your strength just to make you quit as my guard? Is that all you amount to? If I didn't want you as my guard, do you think I'd waste my time here? If you give up so easily, your claim of sacrificing your life for my safety is just hollow words, isn't it?"
Yugao's eyes welled with tears at Takuya's harsh words. She had never been so severely criticized before.
"Hokage-sama, I was wrong," she murmured, her voice heavy with disappointment. She had never imagined that in the eyes of the Hokage, she was so inadequate.
"No need for apologies. Go back and reflect on this. I expect your answer tomorrow—will you stay or leave?" Takuya said, turning away.
Though he had the power and authority to make Yugao his with just a word, that wasn't what he desired. He wanted her to submit to him willingly, from the depths of her heart. Shattering her confidence now was a necessary step.
After Takuya left, Yugao rose unsteadily, her spirit crushed. The blow she had received today was overwhelming, leaving her in a daze. Despite the praise she had always received, why was she so worthless in the Hokage's eyes?
"Whether you want to stay or go, give me the answer tomorrow," Takuya's voice echoed in her mind. Yugao's heart was heavy as doubt crept in for the first time in her life.
---
**Konoha Village**
The streets were particularly lively that night. Laughter and joy echoed throughout the bustling village, a reflection of the prosperity that had transformed Konoha into the heart of the ninja world—a place revered by all.
Yet, amidst the cheer, Uzuki Yugao felt only irritation. Senju Takuya's words kept echoing in her mind. Never before had she been criticized so harshly, and to be rebuked by the strongest shinobi in the world only deepened her sense of disappointment.
"Yugao?!"
A familiar voice called out behind her. Yugao heard it but chose to ignore it. Soon, she heard rapid footsteps approaching.
"Yugao, what a coincidence!" Gekkou Hayate greeted her cheerfully.
"Hayate, is there something you need?" Yugao replied, her gaze fixed ahead, her tone flat.
"It's nothing, really. I just saw you and thought I'd say hello." Hayate smiled, trying to mask his nervousness.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be on my way." Yugao's voice was calm, but there was an edge to it. She wasn't in the mood for conversation.
"Yugao, is something wrong? Did something happen today?" Hayate asked, concerned.
"Hayate, let me be clear," Yugao said coldly, "There can never be anything between us. Stop following me."
Hayate faltered, taken aback by her words.
"I heard you became Lord Hokage's bodyguard," he said, forcing a smile. "I just wanted to invite you to dinner, to celebrate."
"There's no need," Yugao refused, her voice icy. "Stop following me, or I will kill you."
Hayate stopped in his tracks, stunned by the genuine killing intent radiating from her. As he watched her walk away, a sigh escaped him.
"Yugao, what can I do to make you notice me?" he murmured to himself, despair settling in.
Back home, Yugao lay on her bed, replaying the events of the day in her mind. Earlier, when she learned she'd been chosen as Lord Hokage's personal guard, she had been overjoyed. It was an honor reserved for the elite. But when she finally stood before Lord Hokage, her excitement had quickly turned to despair.
The swordsmanship she had spent years honing was rendered useless before him. His critique had shattered her pride.
"Your willingness to sacrifice your life is meaningless if your strength is insufficient," Takuya's words rang in her ears. He was right. How could she protect Lord Hokage if she couldn't even survive one of his attacks?
Yugao curled up on her bed, hugging her knees as tears began to flow. But after a while, she wiped her eyes and took a deep breath, determination hardening her resolve.
"I won't give up," she vowed to herself. "Lord Hokage is right—strength is more important than determination. I'm willing to give my life for him, so I must become stronger. He must believe in my potential, or he wouldn't have taken the time to correct me."
Yugao clenched her fists. No matter how harsh the criticism, she would endure. She would train harder, and she would prove herself.
---
**Hokage Building**
In the Hokage's office, Senju Takuya looked at Yugao, who was wearing her ANBU mask.
"Have you made your decision?" he asked, his voice calm.
"Yes, Hokage-sama!" Yugao replied firmly.
"Tell me what you've decided."
"I want to stay," Yugao said with conviction. "I will train harder and never let you down like I did yesterday."
Takuya nodded. "Take off your mask. You don't need to wear it all the time."
"As you wish." Yugao complied without hesitation. Though she was an ANBU operative, Hokage-sama's orders were absolute.
"You… did you train all night?" Takuya asked, noticing the dark circles under her eyes and the bandages wrapped around her hands and feet. Spots of blood were visible on the bandages.
"My strength is too weak," Yugao admitted quietly. "I have to work harder."
"Nonsense!" Takuya's tone was stern as he reached for her hands, infusing her with a surge of chakra filled with vitality. Yugao felt a wave of relief wash over her as her injuries healed, the fatigue in her body melting away.
"Is this… Hokage-sama's power?" Yugao marveled at the sensation. She had heard that Lady Tsunade was the best medical ninja in the world, but even she couldn't compare to this.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!" Yugao exclaimed, dropping to one knee in gratitude. She couldn't believe that the same man who had been so harsh yesterday was now showing her such kindness.
"Don't push yourself so hard in the future," Takuya advised calmly.
"But… my strength…" Yugao hesitated.
"No buts," Takuya interrupted. "From now on, I'll personally help you train."
Yugao's eyes widened in shock. Did she hear him correctly? The Hokage himself—the leader of the Senju clan and the strongest shinobi in the world—wanted to train her personally?
"Lord Hokage, are you serious?" she asked, her voice trembling with disbelief.
Takuya smiled, seeing the astonishment on her face. "Absolutely."
---