Unlike other departments where delays could be excused, the Anbu's operations had to be handled promptly. Otherwise, chaos could ensue.
"No discussion. Either you take the post, or I do. It's as simple as that," Tsunade said, leaning against the door frame with a calm gaze, hoping Shinki would understand her predicament.
"Or... maybe I should go?" Shinki considered. Staying in the village meant constant interactions with the Third Hokage and the F4 group's scheming. The battlefield might be a preferable alternative. Plus, after Tsunade left, who knew what tricks the Third Hokage and his followers would pull?
"Don't even think about it," Tsunade said, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge and taking a couple of sips. "I've wanted to leave for a long time. Managing everything here is exhausting, and every problem needs to be relayed back and forth with you. It's better for me to be out there while you manage things directly in the village."
"Besides, I'm not cut out for looking after kids. One Kushina is enough; with Nawaki and Minato added, it's overwhelming."
"Are you not worried I might clash with the old guard after you leave?" Shinki asked, exasperated.
"Worried? If they push you, push back. As long as you don't compromise the village's interests or act recklessly, it's fine. The old men are already worn out; whether they can even stir up trouble is questionable," Tsunade replied, unconcerned. She had faith in Shinki's ability to handle things.
"Alright, you're the boss."
Shinki yawned and began heading upstairs.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"To bed. With only three days left of my break, I might as well enjoy it."
"....."
Why was she dragged into this conversation just for him to walk off to sleep?
The days of rest passed quickly. On the appointed day, Shinki followed Tsunade to the Anbu headquarters for the first time. Tsunade had summoned all available Anbu operatives stationed in the village to return to the headquarters.
The headquarters was close to the Hokage's office building, as Anbu was originally created as an extension of the Hokage's direct command. However, over time, the Third Hokage had diluted its control for political trade-offs.
"Minister!"
The hall was full of personnel. Without their masks, Anbu members appeared more human, their expressions varying as they noticed Shinki.
"Yes," Tsunade acknowledged before addressing the room in a commanding voice. "I believe you all recognize this man beside me. Starting today, he will serve as deputy minister of the Anbu. In my absence, he will oversee all operations."
Deputy minister? With Tsunade planning to leave, what difference was there between this and being the full minister? It felt like a direct promotion.
Faces in the room showed surprise and uncertainty.
"I know some of you may not be convinced," Tsunade said, her tone turning cold. "But remember your duties. I made this decision. If anyone has a problem, come to me. Or, you can go to Shinki directly—but remember, he's not as accommodating as I am."
Was she kidding? Complaints to the minister meant a scolding. Complaints to the deputy meant looking for a fight.
The legend of the God Slayer still circulated widely.
Under normal circumstances, appointing Shinki as deputy would have stirred up significant resistance. But now, he entered with a record of achievements few could rival. The transition was smooth, met with quiet acceptance, albeit tinged with discomfort.
After the introductions, Tsunade led Shinki to the office area.
"Anbu members must return their equipment at the end of each day and retrieve it for missions. You'll need to remember that."
Tsunade gestured at a wall covered with masks.
Shinki glanced at the collection of masks and asked, "Can I pick something else?"
They were animal-themed—cats, dogs, monkeys—and some higher-ranking masks were even more outlandish, resembling clown faces.
Tsunade immediately understood his critique of the design. "I'm showing you these so you can distinguish the different Anbu ranks, not for you to pick one out!"
Did he think as a leader he'd get a personalized mask?
With a knowing glance, she pointed at the wall again. "Each mask has a number correlating to an Anbu member's code name. You'll need to memorize them."
She then led him to the main office.
"The Anbu was established during my second grandfather's era. Initially, it was meant for specialized assassination missions. Over time, its power expanded to include guarding, protection, and intelligence gathering.
"After I leave, be wary of the two elders. They think the Anbu holds too much power and may try to undermine it."
Before Anbu was placed under Tsunade's command, no one questioned its influence. Now that she led it, criticisms about its power being excessive emerged.
"And, of course, the Third Hokage likely nudged them. He won't say certain things directly, so he has the elders do it. Shimura Danzo would have been their prime advocate, but he's still in prison."
Tsunade patted a thick folder on the desk as they walked into the office.
"These are the profiles of all Anbu members. You need to familiarize yourself with them as soon as possible—it's crucial."
She pointed to the pile of documents and scrolls. "These are daily reports and cases. Each needs reviewing and addressing promptly."
"The files and scrolls in the back are intelligence reports from various sources. They also need sorting. Managing this office involves a lot of work."
Shinki's eyes twitched at the sight of the sheer volume. He suddenly understood why Tsunade wanted to be on the battlefield. With her temperament, sitting in an office and handling administrative tasks was torture.
"Ahem," Shinki cleared his throat and said seriously, "Can we reconsider? The battlefield suddenly seems quite appealing."
Do you think that's an option?
Tsunade looked at him with a gaze that spoke volumes: Not a chance.
>>>>>
Up to Chapter 290 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
Gimme power stonesssss
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