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"Lord Fourth! Gojo Kaigetsu reporting as ordered!"
"Enter."
Gojo Kaigetsu strode into the Hokage's office, where only two people were present. Danzo, a familiar face, had already set sail for Kirigakure on a Konoha-built black warship, serving as Konoha's ambassador and taking full charge of Mist affairs. Only Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane remained in Konoha, holding down the fort.
Homura managed the village's finances and infrastructure development, while Koharu oversaw kunoichi rights, such as newborn care.
However, much of Homura's authority had been delegated to Gojo Kaigetsu, leaving him subtly sidelined with little more than infrastructure development under his control.
This had resulted in Homura's increasing displeasure towards Gojo Kaigetsu, constantly seeking opportunities to criticize and attack him.
And now, he had found another such opportunity.
"Lord Fourth, may I ask why I've been summoned?"
Minato offered his usual wry smile, glancing towards Homura, who sat beside him, scowling and adjusting his glasses.
"Oh, Elder Homura, is something the matter?"
"Gojo Kaigetsu! As a Konoha elder, not only do you fail to set a good example, but you also knowingly break the law, damaging our village's training grounds!"
"My goodness, is that so?" Gojo Kaigetsu feigned surprise.
"Yesterday afternoon, Training Ground 32. Don't tell me you weren't responsible."
"It seems I was indeed involved. So what?"
'Tch-How dare the gatekeeper complain? Once we're out of here, I'll strip him of his rank insignia and give them to Pakkun.' Gojo Kaigetsu grumbled internally, readily admitting his involvement without offering any excuses, which left Homura feeling like he'd punched cotton.
"You will compensate the village for the damages and submit a written apology. You are suspended until you have thoroughly reflected on your actions!"
"Compensation is fine; I have plenty of money. As for the report and reflection, let's skip those."
Gojo Kaigetsu plopped down onto a chair, striking his signature inverted triangle pose. "And Elder Homura, do you think you're Elder Danzo? You can't order me around and suspend me.Â
"I only answer to one person, and that's Lord Fourth!"
"You… I…"
Homura's face darkened, his finger pointing at Gojo Kaigetsu as he sputtered, unable to form a coherent sentence.
Everyone in Konoha knew that Gojo Kaigetsu and the Fourth Hokage were practically two peas in a pod. Asking Minato to punish him? It was harder than asking Hiruzen to discipline Danzo.
"A single training ground costs ten million ryĹŤ to construct. Where would you, with your elder's salary, get the money for compensation?!"
"The Gojo family is quite well-off. It's an inheritance from my parents who emigrated to Konoha."
"It's just one training ground, right? I'll pay for two… no, three! Triple the damages, is that enough?"
Money was just a worldly possession.
Thanks to the royalties from his literary… endeavors, Gojo Kaigetsu raked in nearly ten million ryō every month. Coupled with the profits from "Iki" sitting untouched in the publishing house's account, he wasn't short on funds. Among Konoha's public officials, Gojo Kaigetsu was the wealthiest.
"This isn't about money! Just because you're rich doesn't mean you can do whatever you want! What kind of attitude is this?!"
Knowing this tactic wouldn't work on the scoundrel, Homura redirected his attack towards Minato. "Lord Fourth, are you really not going to punish Advisor Gojo?"
"An ordinary person damaging a training ground would not only be fined but also imprisoned by the Military Police Force, depending on the severity. If wealth allows one to act with impunity, then no villager will need to abide by Konoha's laws!"
"Just step on something, toss down some cash, and all is forgiven?"
"He hasn't just trampled on the training ground; he's slapped Konoha in the face, slapped your face, Lord Fourth."
Homura's words erupted like a Great Fireball Jutsu, leaving Gojo Kaigetsu momentarily stunned.
This old geezer had clearly been diligently honing his rhetoric. At this rate, he'd be ready for graduate school soon.
The bond between Minato and Gojo Kaigetsu couldn't be broken by such words, but as Hokage, Minato bore the responsibility of a judge.
He believed that as the highest judge, he needed to adhere to the following principles in resolving internal disputes: never act impulsively; never misjudge any wrongdoing; ensure all judgments are fair and just!
Only then could he earn everyone's respect and work together to steer the village towards positive development.
He cleared his throat:
"Ahem, Advisor Gojo, regarding the report of you damaging Training Ground 32 yesterday afternoon… what exactly were you doing there with Chunin Might Guy?"
Frankly, Minato didn't believe his friend would damage village property without reason. There had to be an explanation.
But…
His friend excelled in cultural and internal affairs, and even his mistakes often had positive consequences. However, Minato couldn't fathom why he would damage a training ground.
"Sigh… it seems I can't hide it any longer." Gojo Kaigetsu shook his head, feigning disappointment. "Actually, I was trying to save young Guy."
"Save Chunin Might Guy…?"
"As everyone knows, I'm just an ordinary Chunin. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't be capable of causing that level of damage to the training ground. Even with your prejudice, you have to admit that, Elder Homura."
Homura hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly, acknowledging Gojo Kaigetsu's words.
A Chunin might be able to use a few powerful jutsu, but the extent of the damage to the training ground clearly pointed to a Jonin, specifically one proficient in destructive techniques.
"Actually, Might Guy did all the damage. I had nothing to do with it. I was giving him special training, and he lost control, destroying the grounds."
"I couldn't bear the thought of him shouldering a debt of ten million ryĹŤ at such a young age, so I chose to take the blame. Isn't that saving him?"
"Might Guy did it all? Do you even hear yourself, Advisor Gojo?" Homura questioned. "Might Guy is just a Chunin, and he's currently hospitalized. According to the medical ninja, his elbow is swollen and red, as if bitten by a Black Mamba ninja snake."
"Who else was at the training ground yesterday afternoon? Who are you covering for?"
Gojo Kaigetsu responded with a question of his own: "Elder Homura, do you know who Guy's father is?"
"Might Guy's father…" Homura pondered for a moment. "Might Duy."
"And Might Duy's history?"
"An unremarkable Genin, but during the Kirigakure invasion, he unleashed astonishing power, single-handedly slaying four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, changing the tide of the war. A hero of Konoha."
As he spoke, realization dawned on Homura. He blurted out, "The Eight Gates! You mean Might Guy has trained the Eight Gates to the point where he can enhance himself to Jonin level?!"
The Eight Gates was a forbidden jutsu from the Scroll of Seals. Throughout Konoha, perhaps only Might Duy had a recorded instance of using it in actual combat. Due to the scarcity of users and those with the aptitude for it, few in the village paid it much attention, himself included.
There were records of Might Guy training in the Eight Gates during his Ninja Academy graduation, but no one had witnessed him using it. Over time, the matter had been forgotten. Now that it was brought up again… Might Guy's name entered Homura's field of vision.
Surprise flickered in Minato's eyes as well.
Had Might Duy's son also Enhanced the Eight Gates to such a high level?
"How many gates can he open?" Homura asked urgently, temporarily setting aside his animosity towards Gojo Kaigetsu.
Might Duy, a mere Genin, had used the Eight Gates to fight seven and kill four elite Jonin of Kirigakure wielding legendary swords. Now, Might Guy was a certified Konoha Chunin. What astonishing power could he unleash?
For those in high positions like him, it was a matter of placing all the village's combat power on the chessboard, engaging in a strategic game against the leaders of other villages.
If another ninja war erupted, Might Guy could be used as a secret weapon, like his father, to unleash a devastating surprise attack and eliminate enemies.
As for Might Guy's ultimate fate, that was outside Homura's consideration.
"That's a secret."
"A secret? Don't I, as a Konoha elder, have the right to know?"
"The right to know?" Gojo Kaigetsu chuckled coldly, retorting without hesitation. "Let me guess what you're thinking, Elder Homura. You want to Keep Might Guy as an explosive tag, to detonate himself and take out the most dangerous enemies, since the Eight Gates, once exposed, will be anticipated and guarded against."
"Am I right, Elder Homura?"
"And what if I am?"
Homura's face remained impassive. "Dying a meaningful death is our destiny as shinobi, and a key manifestation of the Will of Fire. Sacrificing oneself to nourish the new leaves."
"The greatest use of the Eight Gates is as a surprise attack. If he survives, it's his skill; if he doesn't, it's his destiny."
The older generation of ninja were often stubbornly set in their ways.
For the village, they would even sacrifice their entire clan, driving them to near extinction. For the collective good of the village, they were willing to sacrifice any clan at any time, let alone a single commoner like Might Guy.
"You're right, but Might Guy has been assigned to my personal guard and will now only answer to me, Gojo Kaigetsu. And as a member of my guard, I will apply for a special allowance for him."
Guy's life was hard.
Taijutsu specialists often faced various injuries that couldn't be treated with conventional medical methods. Especially someone like Guy, who trained in the Eight Gates. Every activation was like driving nails into his body, causing excruciating pain when they flared up.
Of course, there were solutions to the problems faced by Taijutsu specialists.
Muscle supplements and secret medicines, advanced medical ninjutsu from the Konoha Hospital, and potentially even ice-based physiotherapy developed with the help of Haku…
These all cost money!
Guy, a taijutsu fanatic who spent his days doing handstand laps around the village and thousands of push-ups, couldn't balance earning money through missions and training his body.
Gojo Kaigetsu was kind-hearted. Guy's injured elbow wasn't in vain. Gojo Kaigetsu decided to do something for this "ordinary person" who, in theory, would become the second strongest in Konoha's future.
"What?! A personal guard? Under your command? The Hokage Guard only answers to the Hokage! You can't just disregard the rules!"
Homura was taken aback. In Konoha, only the Hokage was supposed to have a personal guard.
The Hokage Guard was even more exclusive than the ANBU. Even within the ANBU, there were factions, with some still loyal to Hiruzen, and by extension, Danzo.
If the Hokage disappeared, the village elders still had authority over the ANBU, even if it meant using a majority vote to exclude Gojo Kaigetsu.
But the Hokage Guard was different.
They received a government stipend and only followed the Hokage's orders. If the Hokage disappeared, they acted independently, prioritizing the Hokage's protection above all else. No one in Konoha had the authority to interfere with the Hokage Guard.
If Might Guy were an ordinary ninja, Homura could issue orders as an elder. If he were an ANBU member, Homura could collaborate with other elders to have Might Guy brought before them. But if Might Guy was a member of the Hokage Guard… it would be procedurally improper.
Having reached the position of elder, Homura knew the law best.
"Lord Fourth, what's going on? I wasn't aware that new Hokage Guard members had been announced."
"Ahem…"
Minato explained with a slightly embarrassed look. "It's not the Hokage Guard, but rather, Advisor Gojo's Guard."
"What?!"
"Why weren't we, the elders, informed of this? How can an advisor have their own personal guard? This is akin to having a private army within the village! This is absolutely unacceptable!"
"Because I'm weak, Elder Homura."
Gojo Kaigetsu rested his head on his hand, explaining leisurely. "With Kirigakure acting independently, I must go to the front lines to take command. As a Chunin, I lack the ability to protect myself. If I die on the way to the front, wouldn't the Kirigakure operation be deemed a failure?"
"Other villages would then know that the highest-ranking Konoha officer killed in action was the Hokage's advisor. How would that look for Konoha?"
"That's still no excuse! You could simply issue a mission to assemble ninjas to escort you, or deploy the ANBU…"
"Issuing a mission would be perceived as the Hokage's advisor abusing his authority and exploiting ordinary ninjas, creating internal conflict. Deploying ANBU into another village's territory without their consent is tantamount to a declaration of war, putting Konoha at risk."
Homura fumed. "Who would spread such rumors? I think you're just trying to create a pretext for establishing your own private army!"
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