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Another group arrived shortly after.
Pale, shapely legs were the first thing to enter everyone's field of vision.
"Whoa! A beauty!"
Killer Bee's eyes went wide, glued to the sight.
"Bee!"
The Raikage's brow furrowed instantly. His own gaze had been drawn too, but he caught himself. He was a man respected by the Hokage; he couldn't appear so easily swayed.
With effort, the Raikage tore his eyes away. But his damn brother was still staring, unable to look away from those legs.
Such an embarrassment.
The Raikage drove a hard fist into Killer Bee's side.
"Ow!"
Amidst Killer Bee's yelp, Mei Terumi stepped closer to Heshu.
"Hokage, it's been a while."
As the Fifth Mizukage, Mei had shed the girlish charm of her youth, replaced by the poised allure of a mature woman.
"It has been." Heshu nodded politely.
In the next second, Mei leaned closer, her breath warm against Heshu's ear as she whispered, "Is it true you like women, Hokage?"
Damn it!
The corner of Heshu's mouth twitched. Are you people ever going to let that go?!
"If the Hokage ever feels lonely… you could always come find me, you know~"
Mei pulled back, flashing a wink filled with unspoken invitation.
"…"
Heshu's expression was blank as he thought, If it weren't for the binding contract of my current equipment, I'd challenge you to three hundred rounds right here!
"Ah! Host, shame on you! So shameless!"
A sharp, overly dramatic electronic shriek exploded in Heshu's mind.
"…"
Heshu felt a strong need to have Orochimaru develop something like… Brain Platinum. His good bro System needed the supplement.
"Bro System, we're all adults here. Don't be so squeamish," Heshu said inwardly.
The squeamish System didn't reply. It had already blushed itself into a deep pink.
Mei took a position to Heshu's left. To his right stood Rasa and the Raikage. Suddenly, Mei felt a scorching gaze on her back.
Hmph. My charm is simply undeniable. Even a Konoha shinobi falls for it.
Mei turned towards the source.
A heavy, dark gaze locked onto her. Shisui's pitch-black pupils held a darkness thick enough to drown in.
Just getting Heshu back on the right path was hard enough. Now this Mizukage has to stir the pot?
If Heshu really got tangled up with this woman… Shisui felt he might have to use Kotoamatsukami after all.
The corner of Mei's mouth twitched. That shinobi's stare… doesn't seem to have anything to do with admiration.
"Lord Hokage! Happy New Year!"
Poof!
A figure materialized right in front of Heshu. He had sensed the boy's chakra approaching from a mile away.
"Lord Hokage! My New Year's gift for you!"
With a shout, a white clay bird erupted into a flashy aerial explosion.
"…"
Heshu looked at the belated gift, his expression complicated.
"Thank you. I… appreciate it." He seized the chance to ruffle Deidara's long hair. "You've improved. But to reach my level? Still a ways to go."
A critique, followed by a sugar-coated compliment.
Deidara's blood boiled instantly. In his heart, Lord Hokage was the absolute pinnacle of Explosive Art. Praise from him was more thrilling than becoming Tsuchikage itself.
Deidara clenched his fists. I'll keep pushing! I'll make Lord Hokage acknowledge my art!
"Hokage, my apologies for Deidara's… enthusiasm."
The Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, arrived a step behind, sounding weary. The closer they got to Konoha, the wilder this talented disciple of his became. How could the old man hope to rein in the little tyrant of Iwagakure?
"Please, Lord Tsuchikage, no need for apologies. Deidara is a remarkably talented young man. How could he be a bother?" Heshu smiled at Deidara, a hint of indulgent fondness in his eyes.
Deidara immediately puffed up with pride, looking at his master. See? Lord Hokage himself says I'm a remarkable shinobi! He mentally upgraded 'young man' to 'shinobi'.
Many eyes now fixed on Deidara. Who was this kid who made such an explosive entrance? Despite his youth, many Chunin Exam participants already marked him as competition. Anyone praised by the Hokage, even a kid under ten, was no ordinary kid.
"Tsuchikage, still breathing? Ha! Thought you'd have kicked the bucket by now!"
A voice cut in, sharp with aggression. The Raikage. It made sense. Ōnoki had a hand in the death of the Third Raikage. Old grudges die hard.
Ōnoki gave the Raikage a calm, dismissive glance. "To think the Fourth Raikage would be so… impatient."
The Raikage's fists clenched. A tug on his arm from Killer Bee stopped him. Today was a welcoming ceremony for the Five Kage. The Great Nations had just achieved peace. He couldn't show open hostility here, in front of everyone.
The Raikage snorted heavily and fell silent.
Heshu smoothly extended a hand, smiling. "Ladies and gentlemen, Kage. Shall we proceed to your accommodations?"
The other four Kage nodded. A gathering of all Five Kage was rare. After a war, it was a miracle.
The crowd went wild, waving their flags furiously.
"Lord Raikage! Lord Raikage!"
"Look over here, Lord Raikage!"
"I might just faint from your electrifying presence!"
Hearing the screams, the Raikage rubbed his reddening ears. "Ha… their words are rather… intense!"
Killer Bee started a little rap. "Yo! Big bro's super popular, it's true!"
"Lord Tsuchikage! Lord Tsuchikage!"
"Over here, Lord Tsuchikage!"
"Lord Tsuchikage looks like a little porcelain doll!"
"Hahaha…"
On the other side, Ōnoki's fans joined the fray. The old Kage's mouth twitched as he listened. At my age, I truly don't understand this youthful fervor.
"Explosion! Explosion!" Deidara chanted, walking without looking. Ōnoki had to split his attention to keep his disciple from tripping.
"Aaaaah! Lord Rasa!"
"Lord Kazekage!"
"Oh no, Lord Kazekage, I might faint from your handsomeness!"
"Lord Kazekage, make us some gold!"
The normally stoic Rasa's face darkened. The first parts were normal enough. That last line? What in the world was that?
Even Heshu was intrigued. What genius thought of such a brilliant money-making scheme?
"Ah! Lord Hokage is looking this way!"
Instantly, chaos erupted among the Kazekage's fan section. Several girls promptly swooned.
"…"
Heshu's face morphed into sheer terror. This is too much! He immediately averted his gaze.
"Lady Mizukage! Lady Mizukage!"
"Please! Punish me with your beautiful legs!"
"Lady Mei! Look at me!"
"I'm your most loyal fan!"
Mei smiled sweetly, blowing kisses towards the crowd. Another wave of people hit the ground.
Heshu rubbed his temples, already picturing the chaotic scene at Konoha Hospital. Is shinobi-world celebrity culture always this intense?
The thought had barely crossed his mind when a figure broke free from the crowd, lunging straight for him.
"Lord Hokage! I love you! I LOVE YOU!"
"Lord Hokage, please kiss me!"
"Or let me kiss your feet!"
The man charged, face twisted with manic devotion.
Shisui appeared before Heshu in an instant. His expression was stormy. He hoisted the fanatic up and vanished.
"Ah. I have a feeling Shisui might do something… not very nice," Tree said calmly.
"Then why aren't you stopping him?" Yazi snarled at Tree.
"Stop him? Why?" Tree retorted. "People that unhinged deserve to be taught a lesson."
"…"
Yazi was speechless. Tree had a point.
Heshu subtly quickened his pace. Too scary! Shinobi-world fans are terrifying! Terrifying and perverted! Can't handle it!
The other Kage immediately matched his speed. Yeah, who wasn't scared by that last bit? They're Kage, but even they couldn't handle that.
The four visiting Kage were housed in adjacent, specially guarded inns.
"You've gone to a lot of trouble, Hokage," the Raikage said gruffly. The others murmured their agreement.
Heshu shook his head. "You all honor me too much."
With the Kage settled, Heshu needed to go home and soothe his traumatized soul.
"I heard you were assaulted?" Hanzo asked the moment Heshu opened the door.
"…"
Word gets around fast. Heshu's face was blank.
Having lived with Heshu for so long, Hanzo had become adept at reading his subtle moods. This reaction confirmed the rumors.
"Sister!"
A wobbly little Naruto came toddling over and wrapped himself around Heshu's leg. His big blue eyes were sparkling.
"Up!"
"…"
Up, nothing. No up! Naruto's a big boy who can walk now. He needs to be independent! Heshu steeled his resolve.
"Wah…"
Seeing Heshu unmoved, Naruto's bright eyes immediately welled up with tears. His whiskered cheeks flushed a soft pink.
"…"
Damn it! So sneaky! Using the Cuteness Attack!
Heshu sighed in defeat and scooped the waiting toddler into his arms.
"Hehe!"
Naruto's tears vanished instantly. He giggled, wrapping his arms around Heshu's neck.
"…"
You little trickster.
"The village is a bit chaotic right now. Keep a close eye on him," Heshu instructed Hanzo.
"Understood." Hanzo nodded. When Heshu was out, she personally carried Naruto for any errands. She was confident that in Konoha, no one could snatch the boy from her grasp unnoticed. If anyone dared try and walked away from her watchful eye… she'd eat her own poison sac.
Inside the seal.
Kurama, having listened to the whole exchange, rolled his eyes inelegantly.
Tsukimi Heshu is, without a doubt, the most formidable woman I've ever met. And this 'ordinary' nanny, Hanzo? Another deep well of hidden power.
While Kurama hadn't seen Hanzo go all out, the memory of her instantly crushing the windpipes of two Jōnin that night was proof enough. Her strength was unfathomable.
Hopeless.
Kurama sighed. My only hope is that this brat turns out to be gullible.
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