Chapter 271: Concerns
Tonari was quite familiar with the personnel and structure of the Medical Division, given that he himself was the deputy head under Sarutobi Hiruzen's leadership. Thus, it was relatively simple to start there. He planned to gradually promote his trusted subordinates to more significant roles within the division.
Beyond Root and Anbu, what Tonari valued most was the Education Division—more specifically, Konoha's Ninja Academy. Although it was just one institution, it played an irreplaceable role in Konoha's foundation. Created by the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama, the academy had continuously provided Konoha with a steady flow of ninja talent. This enduring pipeline of new recruits was one of the key factors that enabled the village to survive and rebuild, even after enduring devastating conflicts like the Fourth Shinobi World War.
The academy wasn't just a place for training young ninja; it was the very seedbed of Konoha's future. Hiruzen Sarutobi had always placed great importance on the academy, serving as its principal and personally delivering lectures on the "Will of Fire" to new students. His goal was to instill loyalty to Konoha and a sense of purpose in these budding ninjas from their first day of training.
Recognizing the academy's vital role, Tonari intended to follow suit, taking a hands-on approach and serving as its principal. He understood that shaping the next generation of ninja was critical not only to the village's survival but also to its growth and prosperity.
Next came the Operations Command Division. This division was largely staffed by members of the Nara and Yamanaka clans. The Nara clan's natural aptitude for strategy and high intelligence made them excellent planners, while the Yamanaka clan's unique mind-transfer techniques were invaluable for battlefield communication and intelligence gathering. Together, these clans formed the backbone of Konoha's military command structure.
Tonari viewed these clans—along with the Akimichi clan—as among Konoha's most trustworthy. While they had close ties to the Sarutobi family, they consistently demonstrated loyalty to the Hokage, whoever held the title. Over the generations, they had served under Tobirama, Hiruzen, and now Tonari, without showing ambition for political power. This unwavering dedication to supporting the village's leadership was one of the reasons Tonari felt comfortable relying on them.
In particular, Tonari maintained a strong relationship with Nara Shikaku and his father, Nara Shikahisa. He planned to have Shikaku manage the Operations Command Division, with Shikahisa continuing to oversee one of Konoha's elite jonin squads until his eventual retirement.
After that, Tonari turned his attention to the Intelligence Division, Interrogation Division, and other key departments, gradually learning the intricacies of each. Hiruzen provided a detailed briefing, and Tonari knew it would take more than one afternoon to fully grasp the scope of his new responsibilities. He planned to hold one-on-one discussions with key figures in each department over the next few days to ensure a smooth transition and clear alignment of goals.
When Tonari finally left the Hokage's office that evening, the moon was already high in the sky. He had plans for the night—a dinner gathering with some of his closest students and friends.
"Lord Fourth!" "Hokage-sama!" "Tonari-sama!"
As Tonari walked through Konoha's streets, villagers and shinobi alike greeted him warmly. Their faces glowed with smiles, reflecting their pride and excitement at the smooth transition of leadership. To them, the Hokage was more than a ruler; he was their protector and the symbol of their village's unity. Tonari's ascension reassured them that their village remained stable and secure.
Shops and businesses celebrated his appointment with special promotions:
"Half off everything! In honor of Lord Fourth's inauguration, everything in our shop is fifty percent off today!" "Buy one, get one free! Congratulations to Lord Tonari on becoming Hokage!"
The festive atmosphere was palpable. Even those who rarely ventured out after dark joined in the revelry.
Suddenly, a familiar voice called out. "Tonari-sensei! Over here!"
Turning his head, Tonari spotted the small group he had invited for dinner. Among them were his students: Asuma Sarutobi, Might Guy, Kurenai Yuhi, Shisui Uchiha, and Itachi Uchiha. Joining them was his quasi-student Kakashi Hatake, as well as Kushina Uzumaki.
Tonari smiled warmly and approached them. This was part of the reason he had chosen to stay in Konoha. Despite his guarded nature, years of teaching and mentoring had forged bonds that couldn't be easily broken. His students and close friends represented the human connections he had come to cherish, even if he hadn't initially intended to.
"Seems like I'm running late again," Tonari said with a sheepish grin.
Kushina rolled her eyes but smirked. "What's the deal, Lord Hokage? Now that you're in charge, you're too busy for us?"
Her teasing tone was familiar. To Kushina, Tonari's rise to power didn't change their dynamic. She still saw him as one of their little trio from back in the day—just another friend who happened to fulfill a shared dream. Even so, she couldn't help feeling a bit wistful. While she had once aspired to become Hokage, she had long since accepted that it wasn't a realistic goal for her, given her origins and the burden of being the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki. Still, seeing Tonari succeed stirred a mix of pride and nostalgia within her.
"My treat tonight—consider it my apology for being late," Tonari offered.
Kushina huffed but relented. "Fine, but don't think you're off the hook that easily."
The group laughed and made their way into the restaurant. As Tonari glanced at each of them, he noticed something off. Among his students, Asuma seemed unusually subdued, and Shisui's usual cheerful demeanor was dimmed. Even young Itachi, who often mirrored Shisui's mood, appeared quieter than usual.
Once inside, Tonari gently pulled Asuma aside. "Asuma, can I talk to you for a moment?"
The others understood and headed into the dining area, leaving the two behind.
Sitting on a nearby step, Tonari gestured for Asuma to join him. "Something on your mind?" he asked, his tone light but concerned.
Asuma hesitated, his brow furrowing. "Sensei... is something going on between you and my old man?" he finally asked. "He's been coming home really late, looking stressed out. I overheard my mom mention your name... I mean, I know you guys have your differences, but..."
Tonari smiled gently. "It's nothing serious. Just some disagreements during the Hokage transition. A lot of decisions had to be made in a short amount of time."
Asuma still looked uncertain. "But I keep hearing people talk about him... not in a good way. I mean, I don't always see eye to eye with him, but—"
Tonari cut him off with a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Asuma, your father dedicated his life to Konoha. He's made difficult choices for the village's sake. You should take some time to talk with him. I'm sure you'll gain a better understanding of his perspective."
Asuma mulled this over, then nodded.
"Thanks, Sensei," he said. "I'll think about it."
Asuma stood, looking more at ease. "We should get back inside. Don't want everyone worrying about me."
Tonari nodded, standing as well. "And Asuma... if you ever feel stuck or unsure about things, don't hesitate to step back and see the world. Sometimes a different perspective can make all the difference."
Asuma gave him a quizzical look. "That's weird. My dad said the same thing not long ago."
Tonari chuckled. "Maybe he's not as different from me as you think."
The two of them headed into the restaurant, where the others were already enjoying their meal. Though Asuma still had much to reflect on, he felt a sense of relief. His teacher's calm demeanor had a way of putting things into perspective.
As the night went on, laughter and lively conversation filled the air. Tonari looked around the table and saw the bonds that tied them all together. For now, that was enough.
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