Chapter 172: One Month

"Advisor Danzo," Minato said as he pulled out a kunai, casually flicking it. The kunai, engraved with the Flying Thunder God Technique, spun before embedding itself in the office desk with effortless precision. "I didn't quite catch that. Could you please repeat what you just said?"

Danzo's face flushed with anger, turning red and white as he glared furiously at Minato.

Behind him, Yuto, dressed in the ANBU uniform, grinned silently. That was the advantage of wearing a mask; no one could see the expression on his face.

Even a mild person like Minato, known as the Yellow Flash, who had slain countless enemies on the battlefield and kept both shinobi and clans in check, was not someone who could be easily manipulated.

"Alright, alright," Hiruzen said, tapping his newly repaired pipe on the table. "Danzo, the Jinchuriki is also a part of this village. I won't approve of your plan to sacrifice Kushina. Remember, her purpose as a Jinchuriki was always for the sake of Konoha... And you, Minato, put away that kunai. The former Hokage on the mountain are watching."

After calming the two down, Hiruzen continued, "There's only a month left before Minato's inauguration as Hokage officially begins. You both need to coordinate well. Don't let personal grudges cause any trouble... Yuto, have you finished the guest list for the Four Great Nations?"

"Yes, Hokage-sama, please have a look," Yuto said, placing the scroll in front of Hiruzen. "All the shinobi villages have replied. When the time comes, all visiting shinobi will be allowed entry according to the list, and the patrol range will be extended to..."

...

After leaving the Hokage's office, Yuto and Minato naturally walked together.

"You did well, Yuto-kun. Hokage-sama is pleased with your work," Minato praised.

Receiving a compliment from someone of Minato's caliber, Yuto couldn't help but feel proud. He chuckled lightly, "Koharu-sensei helped me a lot. She's experienced three Hokage successions and knows the procedures well... But speaking of which, this is Konoha's first power transfer with both Hokage in good health."

"This will become the norm in the future," Minato said, his blue eyes shining with determination. "Konoha will only grow stronger." He paused, then draped an arm around Yuto's shoulders with a smile, "After all, the village has both of us, doesn't it?"

"...I'll take your word for it."

Just a few days ago, Yuto had privately proposed a plan to capture a Tailed Beast, and Minato had agreed without much hesitation.

With the combined strength of the Yellow Flash and the Lone Lion, capturing a Tailed Beast wouldn't be too difficult.

However, while the plan was set, the exact timing remained uncertain. The Tailed Beasts were no longer in the wild; they were either sealed within Jinchuriki, or under strict surveillance. Any attempt to capture one would likely lead to conflict with other villages.

To add another Tailed Beast to Konoha's assets, they would have to wait for the right opportunity.

As they walked and chatted, Yuto noticed how much more cheerful Minato had become. The fact that Minato would soon be inaugurated as Hokage and would marry the love of his life soon after was something that made him genuinely happy. He was the epitome of a life's winner, and it showed in the spring in his step.

After walking a few more blocks, they parted ways, with Yuto heading back to the Senju clan grounds.

Perhaps due to the influence of the First Hokage, the Senju grounds were lush and green, with gardens and groves everywhere.

It only took Yuto a few steps to spot Tsunade in the flowerbeds, catching bugs.

As an expert in medical ninjutsu, Yuto immediately recognized that his sensei was collecting a rare insect known as the Multi-Winged Gale, likely for research on new medicines.

A thought crossed his mind as he walked up behind Tsunade, "Tsunade-sama, I'm on ANBU duty. Please cooperate."

Tsunade rolled her eyes. She was very familiar with Yuto by now—the scent, the voice, the tone, the choice of words, and the chakra signature. Even without turning around, she knew it was her mischievous student, who, despite his outwardly serious demeanor, was always trying to get handsy with her.

She was so engrossed in catching bugs that she responded casually, "Cooperate with what?"

Before she could finish speaking, something hard pressed against her waist—it was a kunai!

"The Hokage's office lost an important document. As ANBU, I must conduct a search. Forgive me for the intrusion, Tsunade-sama," Yuto said, keeping the kunai pressed against her waist with his right hand while his left hand rested on her shoulder, gently pressing her against a tree.

"Your shoulder guard might have a hidden compartment..."

"Hey, hey, hey, aren't you going too far..."

"No talking, that's an order from the ANBU captain." Yuto hooked his finger around the ring of the kunai, and the sharp edge lightly traced the curve of Tsunade's rear.

The blonde woman stiffened, her red lips lightly biting, and her breathing grew a bit rapid. Surprisingly, she didn't say anything more.

Yuto stretched out his hand.

"Shoulder guard... no issues."

"Sleeves... no issues."

"Inner lining... no issues."

"Chest..."

*Crack!* Tsunade's hands, which were resting on the tree, instinctively dug into the bark, her nails sinking deep.

Yuto raised an eyebrow, realizing that this was likely Tsunade's limit. If he pushed further, he would definitely receive a punch enhanced with monstrous strength.

Knowing when to stop, Yuto refrained from undoing anything, instead stepping back and helping Tsunade straighten her clothes.

'Hmm, I'm actually quite the gentleman. My character is impeccable.'

"Tsunade-sama, thank you for cooperating. On behalf of the ANBU, I express my gratitude... So, what are we having for lunch?"

The blonde woman turned around, leaning against the tree. Her fair skin was tinged with a faint blush, and her eyes glistened as if on the verge of tears.

'This little brat always manages to leave me hanging... Does the Hyuga clan's training include these antics? What a degenerate clan... Hmph!'

...

Days passed by smoothly, and Yuto was living quite comfortably.

ANBU missions were going well, his Sage Mode training was just a step away from completion, and the tasks assigned by Hiruzen Sarutobi were being handled excellently. In his free time, he would chat and have tea with Minato or deepen his bond with Tsunade, making life very pleasant.

In contrast, Kakashi Hatake was in a terrible state.

A week after Yuto's battle with the Mist Trio, the Three-Tails incident occurred.

To stop the Mist's plot to release the Three-Tails in Konoha, Kakashi had to kill Rin Nohara with his Chidori-covered hand.

On that night, Kamui was born.

Since returning to the village, Kakashi had been like a wilted plant, dazed and disoriented, with only Guy's youthful energy managing to stir him slightly.

As for Yuto, he watched it all with a detached calmness from within ANBU.

The agreement between him and Madara Uchiha was simple: Madara wouldn't reveal the Moon God's plan, and in return, Yuto wouldn't interfere with Obito's transformation. This truce would hold at least until Madara's death.

As for the Rinnegan, their struggle and negotiations over it had never ceased.

Before he realized it, a month had passed.

Today was Minato Namikaze's inauguration as Hokage.

(End of Chapter)