After meeting with Sarutobi Hiruzen, Senju Hikaru finally achieved one of his short-term objectives.
Strictly speaking, of everything he'd said to the Third Hokage, nine out of ten sentences had been lies.
Yet there was one thing that was absolutely genuine.
He wanted to become Hokage.
And he intended to do it step by step—starting from the shadows of ANBU, moving from dark to light, until one day he would stand openly on the stage, becoming the most dazzling existence not only in Konoha, but in the entire shinobi world.
Of course, all of this required time.
Fortunately, time was precisely what Hikaru did not lack.
The moment at which he had crossed into this world had given him ample room to prepare.
As for the position of ANBU Division Commander, Hikaru felt that—so long as Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't suddenly change his mind—that seat would inevitably be left for him.
Even if Hiruzen had not made a single explicit promise.
After all, to those who truly stood at the top of Konoha's power structure, the position of Division Commander was hardly worth mentioning.
Especially when ANBU itself was firmly under Hiruzen's control.
Using a post that others viewed as priceless to curry favor, while subtly telling Hikaru "following me is far better than following Namikaze Minato"—
That kind of maneuver was practically textbook politics.
Still, because there had been no concrete promise, Hikaru decided that he would treat the upcoming evaluation seriously.
Accidents always happened.
And he had no intention of letting one happen to him.
What he hadn't expected, however, was that this assessment really would come with an "accident."
Yet it wasn't trouble.
Because during the exam, Hikaru discovered—utterly stunned—that his test paper actually contained a hidden answer sheet.
"…This isn't just favoritism anymore."
For a moment, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Put generously, Hiruzen's action was a way to ensure his success beyond all doubt.
Put bluntly, it meant the Third Hokage didn't believe Hikaru could pass on his own.
At the same time, Hikaru couldn't help but entertain a darker thought.
Was this Hiruzen deliberately setting a trap—for him and for Minato?
Thinking with the worst assumptions and the greatest malice was something Hikaru disliked…
But it was also something he forced himself to do.
Even so, in this matter, he didn't believe Hiruzen would truly sabotage him—the so-called "piece placed beside the Fourth Hokage."
After the exam ended, Hikaru quietly removed the answer sheet from the test paper.
He would leave behind no evidence.
Even though ANBU was, in practice, entirely under Hiruzen's control, a truly competent subordinate was one who never forced their superior to worry or clean up after them.
Hikaru understood this principle very well.
He would never leave behind a loose end.
After the exam, Hikaru knew it was time to meet Namikaze Minato again.
Ever since he had used the Flying Thunder God Technique to defeat Lone Wolf, he and Minato had not met once.
Firstly, Hikaru himself had been busy—ANBU missions, and on top of that, serious preparation for the assessment.
Secondly, Minato had been equally busy.
Hikaru had once seen Minato accompanying Uzumaki Kushina for a medical checkup.
By the timeline, there were only a few months left before that troublesome little brat—Naruto—would be born.
With both of them occupied, there had naturally been no chance to meet.
But now the exam was over, and Hikaru finally had some free time.
He could properly sit down and talk with Minato.
"And there are also some matters that need to be reported to the clan elder."
Thinking of the Senju clan made Hikaru's head ache slightly.
All of his plans had deliberately avoided involving the clan.
He didn't want unnecessary interference.
But now, he could no longer avoid it—especially since he intended to seize full control of the clan sooner rather than later.
The Senju might be weakened, but their foundations were still deep.
Ignoring that would be something Hikaru could never forgive himself for.
"Still… this can wait. At least until the official appointment is announced."
With that thought, Hikaru took out the sealing scroll Minato had given him and quickly activated the Flying Thunder God mark left upon it.
It was already past midnight.
After finishing the assessment, Hikaru hadn't been granted any rest. Since the appointment hadn't been finalized, he was still officially just a squad leader under the First Division.
The results of the exam were unknown, so the Division Commander could only assign him work as usual.
Hikaru had no complaints about this.
After all, he'd already enjoyed a long break previously.
As his chakra flowed in, he quickly established a connection with the Flying Thunder God mark.
Minato's Flying Thunder God was not the original version created by Tobirama Senju—it was a modified form.
Every technique had an original framework, and every user would adjust it to suit their own circumstances.
Hikaru, however, was an exception.
Because of the System, he required no modification at all.
More importantly, regardless of how the technique was altered, the underlying mechanism of every Flying Thunder God mark remained the same.
Which meant—
Hikaru could use any Flying Thunder God mark.
"Hikaru-kun."
As he was thinking, a voice suddenly sounded.
At the same time, a figure appeared before him.
"Hokage-sama."
Hikaru immediately bowed slightly. "Summoning you so late—I ask for your forgiveness."
The person who arrived was naturally Namikaze Minato.
This time, he appeared almost instantly.
He looked to be in a good mood—whether because of the child on the way, or because he was seeing Hikaru again, it was hard to say.
"No need to be so formal, Hikaru." Minato smiled and shook his head.
"Actually, I should be congratulating you—and thanking you for the sacrifice you made."
The congratulations were for Hikaru's victory, especially one achieved through the Flying Thunder God.
The thanks, however, were for something else.
In Minato's eyes, Hikaru could have directly taken the Division Commander position.
Instead, he had chosen to participate in the assessment.
To Minato, this was a sacrifice.
Hikaru's decision had protected Minato's reputation within ANBU, but at the cost of potentially losing the commander position himself.
Hearing this, Hikaru sighed inwardly.
He had clearly been misunderstood—but he had no intention of explaining.
"Oh, right," Minato asked curiously, "how did the exam go? I heard it was quite difficult. Do you feel confident?"
"Confident…?"
Hikaru hesitated briefly, then nodded seriously.
"There should be no problem. If nothing unexpected happens, I should become the Division Commander."
In the end, Hikaru still didn't mention his meeting with Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Even though he had prepared for it tonight—
When the words reached his lips, he swallowed them back.
Originally, Hikaru had summoned Minato with the intention of revealing his meeting with the Third Hokage.
Doing so would have been beneficial in some ways—but it also carried severe risks.
For one thing, Minato already harbored buried doubts toward Hiruzen, planted subtly by Hikaru over time.
Learning the truth now might plunge him straight into despair.
Especially considering Hiruzen's private evaluation of Minato—both humiliating and deeply wounding.
At such a moment, Hikaru approaching Minato and declaring his stance would carry extraordinary weight.
The current Fourth Hokage, bluntly speaking, possessed almost nothing.
No stable power base.
No real control over his own authority.
Much of what should have belonged to him was firmly out of reach.
To put it harshly—he was a Hokage in name only, a puppet in all but title.
If Hikaru moved closer now, displaying his value, it would be the very definition of aid in a snowstorm.
But benefits always came with drawbacks.
Hikaru's Senju background alone would raise doubts in Minato's heart.
And if Hikaru met Hiruzen first, then turned around to pledge loyalty to Minato—
Wouldn't that imply he could do the same in reverse, playing both sides?
Moreover, such information could further fracture the already fragile relationship between the Third and Fourth Hokage.
That, in turn, would inevitably damage Hikaru's own standing with Minato.
This was not a decision to be made lightly.
Although Hikaru had never formally chosen a side, he couldn't deny that Minato—who treated others with genuine sincerity—was far better than Hiruzen.
Hikaru was dark-hearted, cautious, and could be called morally empty without exaggeration.
Yet he was not without gratitude.
Minato's guidance and kindness were things he never forgot.
He wasn't truly as cold and heartless as he had appeared before Hiruzen.
And between him and Minato stood Hatake Kakashi.
Even though Kakashi's issues had been resolved through a persona Hikaru deliberately constructed—combined with precise timing that struck at the core—their relationship was undeniably good.
Toward strangers and enemies, Hikaru could calculate and scheme without hesitation.
But toward friends and classmates, continuing to evaluate them solely by utility felt unnecessary.
Life was already bitter enough.
Beyond basic vigilance, there was no need to make it harder on himself.
"So even without making a choice, my heart has already tilted. In that case… some things are better left unsaid."
With that thought, Hikaru decided to remain silent.
Minato could be treated this way.
Hiruzen was another matter entirely.
Between them, there was almost no relationship at all—
Except for Hiruzen's intention to place Hikaru beside the Fourth Hokage as a piece on the board.
Hiruzen's generosity—nearly handing him the Division Commander position, even leaving behind incriminating "answers"—seemed extravagant.
But in truth, that answer sheet posed no danger to Hiruzen whatsoever.
If Hikaru truly tried to stir trouble, the one who would die in the end would be Hikaru himself.
Being a triple agent was never easy.
No side truly trusted you.
"Even if my heart leans one way, I still can't openly take a side."
Choosing sides was serious business.
Especially when both options carried enormous concerns.
He knew very well that if he chose now, with his knowledge of the future, gaining power, status, and authority would be effortless.
Positions and influence would be within arm's reach.
And either Hokage backing him would greatly benefit his own path toward becoming Hokage.
Yet the choice itself was tormenting.
Hikaru disliked Hiruzen deeply—his actions, and the things he allowed Danzō to do, were hard to accept.
More importantly, the Senju clan harbored clear hostility toward the Third Hokage.
Hikaru had been raised and nurtured by that clan.
He could not simply deny that bond.
As for Minato—
Everything about him was good.
His character. His ideals. Even his current predicament.
Though Minato seemed to have nothing now and was disadvantaged on all fronts, that was precisely why his potential was terrifying.
After all, what was more unforgettable—adding flowers to brocade, or delivering coal in the snow?
"It's just a shame… he's destined to die young."
Shaking his head, Hikaru forced himself to stop thinking.
If there was a way to change the future, he would try.
But even then, he would have to carefully weigh the gains and losses.
"What's wrong, Hikaru-kun?"
Minato looked at him with confusion.
Why had this kid stopped halfway through his sentence?
"Nothing, Hokage-sama."
Hikaru snapped back to reality and smiled.
"I said I'm confident, but I can't help feeling a bit uneasy. I hope you won't blame me."
"That's only natural." Minato chuckled.
"Honestly, I think you've already gained something beyond imagination—haven't you?"
"The Flying Thunder God…?"
Hikaru glanced at Minato, momentarily at a loss for words.
Did this Fourth Hokage not realize how much influence the Division Commander position would bring in the long run?
Mastering the Flying Thunder God elevated Hikaru himself.
But from Konoha's perspective, it was an unimaginable boon to the entire village.
Clearly, Minato was thinking purely from Konoha's standpoint.
It was noble—but perhaps too noble.
"Flying Thunder God is extraordinary, but my understanding is still incomplete," Hikaru said, shaking his head.
"My own strength has also reached a bottleneck. I was hoping for some guidance from you, Hokage-sama."
With his decision made, Hikaru pushed aside the lingering thoughts.
Since he had chosen not to speak, he needed a reason—an excuse—for summoning Minato so late.
After some thought, the simplest solution remained the best.
A proper spar.
Not merely an exchange about Flying Thunder God—
He wanted more guidance than that.
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