Even if there were signs of discontent, they weren't shown openly.
For someone like Tsunade, who was accustomed to doing whatever she wanted in the Village, the situation was different this time. She was on a mission—and a high-level one at that.
So no matter how she felt, she couldn't just act freely.
"Alright, kid. How exactly do you want to explore? I'll accompany you properly today," she asked with a sigh, clearly exasperated.
Her face was filled with helplessness.
"Come here..." Jaxon called out, waving his hand at a nearby guard.
The shinobi, one of his personal escorts, immediately stepped forward and stood respectfully before the boy.
"Go tell my mother that I'll be exploring the Village first. She can head to the residence and rest."
"Yes, Young Master!" the guard replied without hesitation. He bowed respectfully, then turned and headed toward the second carriage.
Behind them, the two carriages—one containing Jaxon's mother, Fujiwara Norika—began moving deeper into Konoha under the protection of the remaining guards and staff.
Now that his family was taken care of, Jaxon finally allowed a spark of genuine excitement to show on his young face.
He turned his head from left to right, marveling at the sights lining the road. Shops selling ninja tools, street vendors shouting about freshly steamed dumplings, shinobi in uniform—everything fascinated him.
Tsunade, meanwhile, followed behind him with a lifeless gaze, walking like a zombie.
---
While Jaxon enjoyed the bustling village streets outside, a completely different scene was unfolding inside a certain building.
It was rectangular, had a red façade, and stood beneath the looming presence of the Hokage Rock. At its peak was a large platform, and emblazoned in the center of its structure was the kanji for "Hokage"
This was the Hokage Building, the political and administrative heart of Konoha Village.
Though not especially luxurious, it had a powerful presence. Built at the base of the mountain that bore the faces of the Hokage, it possessed a quiet grandeur. From the terrace on the top floor, one could see the entire village sprawling in all directions.
"The discussion ends here for now," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, setting down a document. "I believe the current priority must be stabilizing the surrounding villages."
He leaned back in his chair and took a long puff from his pipe. Smoke drifted through the room.
"Konoha is not ready to endure another large-scale war. Our primary task is to restore the village's economy and strength as quickly as possible."
As expected of the "Professor" among the Hokage, Hiruzen's tone remained calm and analytical even in the face of great pressure. His decisions, as always, were made for the greater good of the Village.
He set the pipe aside and continued, "Our recent trip to the Capital paid off. The Daimyo has approved an increase in our annual military budget—by an additional hundred million Ryo."
Murmurs ran through the room.
"So now," Hiruzen said firmly, "we must discuss how to properly allocate this new funding."
"Hokage-sama," came a voice from one of the clan heads, "the Uchiha Clan would like to request twenty percent of the budget."
The man who had spoken wore a blue robe with the Uchiha crest—like a ping-pong paddle—emblazoned on the back. It was Uchiha Tenjo, current head of the Uchiha Clan.
"Our Police Force has always been self-funded. Not a single ryo from the Village's main budget has ever supported us. This has long caused unrest within the clan. I hope Hokage-sama will consider this matter fairly."
Many in the room raised their eyebrows. The Uchiha were indeed Konoha's largest and most powerful clan, but for them to request such a large share of the new budget was bold—perhaps even reckless.
Before anyone else could speak, another clan leader stood up.
This one had a prominent X-shaped scar on his chin and a perpetually stern expression. He was Danzo Shimura.
"If every clan makes demands like the Uchiha, how will the Village ever progress?" Danzo asked coldly.
Tension filled the room.
"Enough," Hiruzen said, raising a hand. His voice cut through the argument like a blade. "We will discuss this later and present a reasonable plan. The final allocations will be communicated to each of your clans in due time."
Even though some present still harbored doubts about his leadership, no one dared challenge him directly. Hiruzen was still the Hokage—and in this world, the minority obeyed the majority, even in the ninja world.
---
Once the meeting dispersed, only four people remained in the Hokage's office.
Danzo Shimura stood silently, his arms crossed. To his right was Utatane Koharu, a stern-looking woman whose sharp eyes never missed anything. Beside her stood Mitokado Homura, calm and quiet. And finally, there was Hiruzen Sarutobi himself, still seated behind his desk.
"Tch... those damn Uchiha again," Danzo grumbled after a moment of silence. "Why are they always like this? We've been far too lenient with them."
"Danzo," Hiruzen said while exhaling smoke, "the outside of the Village is unstable, and the inside isn't exactly peaceful either. I advise you not to stir up more trouble."
He didn't sound angry, but his words carried unmistakable weight.
"The current situation hasn't settled yet. Let's not escalate things unnecessarily."
Utatane Koharu stepped forward, changing the subject.
"What we really need to discuss is that child from the Hoshino—no, I mean the Jaxon family. Are we truly going to let him roam freely around the Village?"
Her tone was sharp, concerned.
"Koharu, whatever you're thinking, stop now," Danzo said immediately, his face even colder than usual.
Everyone turned to look at him.
"You can plot about many things, but not this. That brat is not someone we can afford to underestimate," Danzo warned.
"If he wants to play, let him play. But assign Anbu to monitor him discreetly. Absolutely nothing can be allowed to happen to him while he's in Konoha."
"Danzo is right," Hiruzen added, nodding.
"Jaxon's family now controls the Ministry of Finance for the Land of Fire. On top of that, he's related by blood to the Daimyo himself. If anything were to happen to him here, the consequences would be devastating. The noble houses would turn on us instantly."
He tapped the ash from his pipe and gave Koharu a rare, serious glare.
Everyone knew Koharu had no ill will toward Jaxon, but even unintentional mistakes had to be prevented.
If something went wrong, not even the backing of the Village elders could protect them from the fallout.
"Relax," Koharu said defensively. "I have no hidden motives. I just think letting a child wander around the Village without restriction is risky."
"Tsunade is already assigned to protect him, and that should be enough. But just in case..." Hiruzen trailed off, then looked up at Danzo. "Have Sakumo go with them as well. He'll shadow them from a distance."
Sakumo Hatake—the White Fang of Konoha—was known for being sharp, silent, and efficient. If anyone could protect Jaxon without being noticed, it was him.
Hiruzen then picked up a folder from his desk.
It wasn't thick—only a few pages—but it was the full report on Jaxon, recently compiled by intelligence.
Despite its thinness, the weight of its contents rivaled that of any A-rank shinobi's profile.
---
Back in the streets of Konoha, Jaxon continued his exploration, still unaware of the political waves he was making within the Hokage Building.
From the way he looked around—eagerly watching street performers, asking questions about ninja tools, and even poking fun at outdated traditions—he seemed like nothing more than a sharp-tongued, spoiled rich child.
But behind those curious eyes and mischievous grin, his mind was already processing everything. Gathering information. Plotting moves.
He was no ordinary child.
He was the system itself.
Øóffer going on for diamond tier
pàtreøn (Gk31)