Chapter 4: 4
Tsume swiftly embraces her and organizes a dinner celebration for her achievements and new role as the meeting concludes. She assumed the duty of contacting all their friends. Kushina promptly consents.
During the day, Hiruzen presents her to different staff members as they arrive. She's also familiarized with various paperwork by a chunin named Daikoku, who stuttered whenever she approached.
Specifically, mission allocation; another chunin dealt with payment slips but was occupied today, and they only exchanged greetings once.
Hiruzen presented him with correspondence from Nobles and entrepreneurs intended solely for high-level executives. He also informed her that certain important letters were intended solely for Hokages. He urged her to take her time in learning.
As the day concludes, Hiruzen informs her that it is not essential for her to don the Shinobi attire while employed here.
Recommending that she put on something formal. He also informs her that she will get her table in the Hokage's office by tomorrow or the following day.
Kushina arrived home around 7, where Naruto joyfully welcomed her, sharing tales of the pranks he played on older bullies, which greatly entertained her. She swiftly prepares him for the party, greatly pleasing him with consecutive parties.
Today, the Inuzuka Matriarch reserved a buffet at a different Akemichi location. When Kushina arrives, Mikoto wraps her in embraces.
"Well done, Kushi-chan, I believed you would succeed." "What fantastic news! You would serve as an inspiration to all Kunoichis by becoming the first female Kage."
Before long, Hitomi arrives to congratulate her once more and extend her best wishes for the future. Likewise, Yoshino from Naras and other women extend their congratulations to her.
All of them have brought their children with them, much to the enjoyment of the kids as they sample different candies and dishes under Choji Akimichi. Children are observed by their respective guardians while the women engage in their conversations and beverages.
Before long, the celebration concludes. As the celebration wraps up, attendees depart individually. Mikoto pulls her aside and softly asks, "Have you spotted any charming guy at the office?" With a flush on her cheeks, she responds, "Mikoto, that's not my purpose there." In addition, I possess Minato.
Mikoto chuckles softly, "I'm not really asking you to consume them." I just inquired about attractive males. "You are the person with impure thoughts."
With a sigh of frustration, she tries to move away, but Mikoto grabs her hand. "I know you, Kushina, and we were on the same team, so if you need assistance with any formal nonsense, as you used to call it, don't hesitate to ask for support." "I understand that as a clan matriarch, these issues can be frustrating at times."
Returning the smile to her friend, she embraces her, "I will hold you to that."
They said their farewells. Kushina quickly arrives at their house, contemplating what lies ahead for her.
While she sleeps that night, she dreams of her face carved into Hokage mountain beside her Husband's, with herself standing over her likeness gazing at the village. She had little idea of what the future had in store for her.
—
A week has passed since she officially assumed her duties as deputy Hokage in Konoha. She gained a deeper insight into Kage's work. It wasn't the high-profile hero they portrayed it to be; just a courageous, bold leader safeguarding the Village.
That definition was applicable only when the Village faced an attack or danger. On all other days, regular days, it could only be glorified office tasks filled with paperwork and a great deal of paperwork.
It always appeared to continue indefinitely.
Regardless of how much she cleared the stacks, they consistently stayed completely piled up. Two days prior, Hiruzen had laughed at her as she gazed at the desolate, confused expression on those piles.
Aside from that, it was an enjoyable week. Although studying various processes had not been enjoyable, Kushina grasped how they functioned.
Additionally, Old Ma-no, Hiruzen, she still attempted to avoid calling him that, yet he had informed her that typically her subordinates were expected to prepare reports for her on essential issues.
It was the higher level or top-profile cases that required her to utilize her expertise. He had yet to introduce her to those kinds, stating she must learn from the lower to upper level.
Her shifts typically concluded around 7 or 8 PM, and on a few occasions, she had asked Hiruzen to join her for dinner. He had participated with them once when he had a light load on Tuesday.
Naruto was thrilled to meet his faux grandpa, as Hiruzen shared some thrilling tales about Shodaime that day.
Typically, Hiruzen stayed at the office until about 11 PM. She had invited him to remain, but he had rejected her, stating that she was still inexperienced in the role, and he would gradually help her acclimate as she learned more about the position.
Kushina couldn't explain why, but a shiver ran down her spine when she heard his tone, and he laughed in a manner reminiscent of the unsettling Sannin Orochimaru. She pondered whether all Sannin received quirks from him.
Jiraiya, whom she had prohibited from entering her home without Minato, was a self-declared super pervert. She still recalled the moment he had the audacity to spy on Minato and her during their wedding night.
Perhaps he inherited perviness from Hiruzen. Orochimaru was completely unhinged, exhibiting a creepiness that was limitless. Perhaps he obtained it from the shadowy aspect of Hiruzen that she encountered briefly today.
And at last, Tsunade, her somewhat removed cousin, was an alcoholic and a gambler. They mentioned she started gambling due to Shodaime, but what about her being intoxicated?
She wasn't certain, but these three players had influenced her current irritable and frustrated self. Anyone cohabiting with those three would require psychological assessment within a year, and unfortunate Tsunade had to spend the majority of her Kunoichi life alongside them.
She trembled at that thought.
In a joyful manner, as she emerged from the tower, both citizens and shinobis bowed or welcomed her, while kids, particularly girls, gazed at her in wonder.