XX-level Hokage

Mashiro quietly ate her meal, glanced at Shouhan kneeling on the ground, and said, "I told you, you would come begging to me yourself." "You knew all along?" Shouhan said in a low voice.

She sacrificed herself to allow Gaara and Kankuro to leave Konoha. It can be said that she placed all her hopes on her two younger brothers. Now that Gaara has been captured and his fate is uncertain, her heart feels as cold and desperate as if she were drowning.

"Perhaps," Mashiro said, sipping her milk.

"Then why didn't you stop it beforehand? You could have done it." Shouhan grabbed Zhenbai's collar and said excitedly.

"Shouhan, you seem to remember how a maid should speak to her master." As Shouhan grabbed her collar, Zhenbai's eyes gradually darkened.

The servility she had developed over three years made her immediately fearful when faced with the oppressive presence of Mashiro. She released her grip on Mashiro's collar and knelt humbly on the ground in a dogeza (a traditional Japanese swearing posture).

"Master, please save Gaara."

Mashiro continued eating slowly and methodically, while Temari knelt silently beside him. After finishing her meal, Mashiro gently wiped her mouth and said, "Temari should know what to offer when making a request, right? I told you, you would ask me to do something excessive to you on your own initiative."

With a pale face, Shouhan got up and began to take off his clothes.

"Don't force me like I am, although I quite like to force people. Someone will send over some clothes later. You have this morning to think about what you should wear when I come back this afternoon." After saying that, Mashiro got up and left.

"Yes, Master." He knelt on the ground again, his voice hollow and respectful. Leaving the Hyuga residence, Mashiro vanished into the shadows and instantly arrived at the Hokage's office.

"Mashiro, you've come at the right time. You must have heard about the Fifth Kazekage being captured, right? The Sand Village has already sent a letter to Konoha requesting reinforcements," Tsunade said upon seeing Mashiro.

"Are you asking if I should send reinforcements to help the Sand Ninja rescue the Fifth Kazekage?" Mashiro asked, sitting down on the sofa.

“Yes, there is a great deal of disagreement among the higher-ups on this matter. Because of the increasingly close cooperation between Konoha and Sand Village in recent years, some higher-ups are willing to send reinforcements to help, while others are still resentful about the Sand Village’s attack on Konoha three years ago when it joined forces with the Sound Village,” Tsunade said with a sigh.

When the letter requesting help arrived, she sent people to inquire with all the senior officials. The results were completely polarized, and some people were ambiguous and didn't know what they were talking about.

"So, Tsunade, what are your plans?" Mashiro stood up, went behind the Hokage's desk, sat on Tsunade's lap, and asked.

"In my opinion, the relationship between the Sand Village and Konoha only gradually improved after the First Kazekage took office. In my opinion, we must provide assistance, but it's still difficult to decide on the personnel at the moment," Tsunade said, reaching out to hug Mashiro.

“I agree with you. We definitely need to send aid. As for the personnel, don’t worry too much. Someone will come looking for us.” Mashiro lowered her head slightly and rested it against Tsunade’s chest, speaking lazily.

"Tch, I thought you were going to go there yourself," Tsunade said, flicking Mashiro's head. "I'll go if there are a few more people, maybe I'll go myself," Mashiro said nonchalantly.

Just then, Shizune walked in. Seeing the two of them pressed together, she sighed helplessly and said, "Lady Tsunade, Mashiro, Naruto is here."

Mashiro got up from Tsunade and said, "I told you, someone would come looking for us." A moment later, Naruto pushed open the door and walked in, followed by a very helpless Kakashi.

"Grandma Tsunade, Mashiro is here too." Naruto waved to Mashiro. Mashiro smiled and responded.

Just like in Mashiro's previous life, Tsunade really likes Naruto, whose personality is similar to her younger brother.

“Grandma Tsunade, I want to go save Gaara,” Naruto said earnestly. “No,” Tsunade refused.

"Why?" Naruto immediately collapsed.

"If this organization is truly targeting Jinchūriki as the information suggests, then your going there would be tantamount to walking into a trap," Tsunade said seriously. "It's precisely because we are both Jinchūriki that I understand Gaara's feelings. Just as he once said, we are the same kind. I promised him I would succeed..."

"As his friend, if I don't rescue him now, I think he'll be very sad." Naruto clenched his fist and said seriously.

Looking at the hot-blooded idiot in front of her, Tsunade couldn't bring herself to refuse, so she changed the subject, saying, "No matter what, you'll definitely have to go alone."

"That won't work, even with Kakashi."

“I’m not the only one,” Naruto said.

Immediately afterwards, Shikamaru, Kiba, Neji, Lee, Tenten, Shino, Ino, Choji, and others also walked in from outside, and together they asked to join Naruto in rescuing Gaara.

This made Mashiro marvel once again at Naruto's powerful personal charisma, which was able to persuade Rock Lee, who was almost killed by Gaara, to join in rescuing Gaara.

Seeing the scene before her, even Tsunade couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.

"Lady Tsunade, please grant their request," Mashiro said with a smile.

After glancing at Mashiro, Tsunade finally said, "Alright, you guys go ahead. I'll send Guy over with Kakashi. Their safety is in your and Guy's hands." Kakashi sighed and reluctantly agreed.

After everyone left, Tsunade said, "You were so comfortable letting Ida go with you. What backup plan did you have?"

“I’ll have Sasuke take some Roots with him. You should also have Sakura and Karin go with them. It would be best if Shizune went too, to broaden her horizons and expand her experience,” Mashiro said with a smile.

"Hmm? Looking for someone?" Shizune, who had been idly standing to the side, suddenly heard her own name mentioned.

"Shizune, you should come along. Since someone is willing to let their cute little sister risk her life, it probably won't be too dangerous," Tsunade said. "Alright then," Shizune could only reluctantly agree.

In the afternoon, Mashiro returned to the Hyuga residence and went to her courtyard. Pushing open the door, she found Tehan already waiting for her.

"Welcome back, Master," Shouhan said obediently and respectfully.

Mashiro looked at Temari, who was currently wearing an extremely revealing maid outfit and cat ears.

Of all the sexy outfits that Mashiro sent over, this post-war maid outfit was the sexiest. To her surprise, Shouhan not only chose this outfit but also added cat ears from other sets. Combined with Shouhan's fluffy hair, the effect was doubled.

At this moment, Shouhan's hair was partially exposed, revealing almost everything, and the cat ears on her head added to her playfulness and allure.

Mashiro reached out her hand to Temari, and although she was smiling, Temari's body trembled slightly. The expected touch did not come; Mashiro's hand gently stroked Temari's hair.

"Don't be so scared. I originally wanted you to follow the rules, but now it seems that following the rules too much has made it less fun." Mashiro said, pulling Han up to the sofa. Mashiro said softly, "I've already discussed the matter of rescuing Gaara with the Hokage. The rescue team should set off tomorrow morning."

Upon hearing this news, Shouhan's face showed disbelief.

Mashiro smiled and pulled Han into her arms, saying softly, "Do you think I only came back in the afternoon? Some people in the higher-ups disagreed with sending someone to rescue him."

It took me a long time to convince them.

Shouhan naturally knew that because of what had happened before, many people in Konoha would be unwilling to help the Sand Village, but she didn't expect that Mashiro would go to persuade them this morning.

"Then why did you say those things this morning?" Shouhan asked, puzzled.

"Because you've been a bit arrogant lately, I originally wanted to scare you a little, but I didn't expect even a little wildcat like you to be so easily frightened, ending up in this miserable state," Masashi said with a smile.

"You, you..." Shouhan's face turned a little red.

"As soon as the news of your brother's abduction reached us, I dispatched Root to rescue him. I also discussed the specifics of the rescue with the Hokage this morning. After three years together, don't you know me well?" Mashiro pinched Han's cheek and said with a smile.

You scoundrel, pervert, lecher. "Having freed herself from despair, Temari began her counterattack against Mashiro. In the three years they spent together, although Mashiro sometimes frightened him, he mostly indulged her."

Blocking the menacing hand, Mashiro pulled a bracelet from her pocket, the most eye-catching feature of which was a large cat's-eye stone.

"Because of Gaara's matter, you seem to have forgotten that today is your birthday. This cat's eye stone should be the largest in the entire Land of Fire. It matches your hair color and hand perfectly. Happy birthday." In the dazed light of Shouhan, Mashiro put the bracelet on Shouhan's hand.

“No one has ever celebrated my birthday,” Shouhan said hoarsely.

All the emotions from the past two days piled up, and with tears streaming down his face, Shouhan kissed Zhenbai's lips.

Shouhan took Zhenzi's hand and placed it on his body. At this moment, Shouhan was asking for something. There was still a long time to go.

Chapter 57: On the Way

Mornings are always a joyful time. When Shizuka opened her eyes, the sunlight was already streaming onto her bed.

She reached out and touched him, but he wasn't beside her. Mashiro got up and went to the living room. There was a sizzling sound coming from the kitchen. Mashiro was about to wash up when she came over from the kitchen carrying a plate.

"Let's eat first, then we can wash up," Shouhan said.

Mashiro looked at Temari, who was currently wearing only an apron and was completely naked. Feeling Mashiro's gaze, Temari's face inexplicably flushed.

"You're dressed very nicely. Have you been reading some strange books or comics behind my back?" Mashiro said as she sat down at the table.

"Don't look at me with your strange ideas. I just woke up late today and was afraid of being late for breakfast and not having time to get dressed," Temari said, head held high.

"Oh, really? Then I'm in luck today, getting to feast my eyes on this rare sight." Mashiro didn't expose anything, picked up her chopsticks and started eating. Whether it was the cat-eared maid yesterday or the apron this morning, it was indeed something she learned from a manga.

The source of the manga is also very strange. It was found in Daikoku's mouth (Daikoku is the Shadow Eater soldier that Hinata and Hanabi raised like a dog).

Besides staying in Mashiro's yard, Daikoku is occasionally carried over to play by Hinata and Hanabi. A few days ago, when Daikoku came back, it was holding a book in its mouth. When it opened its hand, it turned out to be a comic book.

Out of boredom, Shouhan started reading it. At first, it was normal, just depicting the daily life of two sisters who had been separated for a long time. But the more he read, the more something seemed off. After finishing it, Shouhan blushed and realized that it was an erotic comic. Shouhan was furious about this and read it several more times.

After finishing their meal, Mashiro got up to wash up, and Temari cleared away the dishes and put them back in the kitchen. Once Mashiro was done washing up, Temari came over to help her get dressed.

“I might be gone for a day or two. Although I’m quite confident about this rescue operation, I’ve decided to go along just in case,” Mashiro said.

Shouhan paused in his movements, his expression becoming slightly more serious. He then tucked the collar of his white coat into his clothes and said softly, "Be careful in everything you do."

“You don’t have to stay in the yard all the time. I’ve already spoken to the others. You can go out for a walk when you’re free. If you buy anything, you can get reimbursed by the clan.” Zhenbai clasped his hands together, then turned and left.

Shouhan gently patted Mashiro's departing figure.

"Temari's favorability +1" [Name: Temari]

Gender: Female Age: 16 Affection Level: 89 Relationship: Master/Servant

Favorability Reward (50): Wind Release Mastery (50) [Frequency Reward Obtained (90): Sandstorm Technique]

"It seems difficult to break through 90% favorability without taking the final step," Mashiro muttered to herself.

On their way to aid the Sand Village, Naruto and the others were riding on a skylark drawn by Sasuke, rushing on their way without stopping. The rescue team consisted of familiar faces.

The original Team 7 consisted of Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura; Team 3 consisted of Lee, Neji, and Tenten; Team 8 consisted of Kiba, Shino, and Hinata; and Team 10 consisted of Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino.

Also present were Shizune and Karin, as well as Sai and Yukikaze, members of the "Root" unit sent by Mashiro. Finally, there were Kakashi and Guy, who were responsible for the safety of all of them.

This rescue was an extremely dangerous mission, but as Mashiro said, it was also an excellent opportunity to enhance one's resume. After all, there aren't many opportunities to participate in the rescue of other leaders, and this would be an outstanding resume.

This is why they were willing to involve Hinata and persuaded Tsunade to send out her three disciples, Sakura, Shizune, and Karin.

If they don't do this, even if Naruto convinces Shikamaru and the others, their families won't agree. But if even the head of the Hyuga clan sends his sister and the Hokage sends his three disciples, then it's a different story.

This means the rescue operation is absolutely safe, and since it's absolutely safe, they naturally won't let go of this golden opportunity to enhance their resume.

Mashiro sent Sai and Yukikaze with the same purpose: they are both absolutely loyal to Mashiro. By simply boosting their resumes, Mashiro can promote them to high-ranking positions within "Root".

"I don't know if this rescue operation will be dangerous," Shizune said with some helplessness. She hadn't carried out many missions and didn't have much combat ability, so she was very worried.

“Senior Sister Shizune, don’t worry. Since Master is willing to send us here, there shouldn’t be any major danger,” Sakura comforted her. On the other side, Yukikaze was also a little worried and said uncertainly, “Am I really capable of participating in this kind of mission?”

Yukikaze's full name is Hayakawa Yukikaze. She is an orphan raised by the "Root" organization and has the natural ability to communicate with animals. She was trained as a reconnaissance ninja from a young age and is now mainly responsible for making coffee for Mashiro and organizing documents.

"If you don't even have this much confidence, you should go back as soon as possible," Sasuke said coldly. He could understand sending Sai back to life, but he really didn't know why Mashiro had sent Yukikaze.

Although she has good reconnaissance skills, with the Hyuga clan's Byakugan and the Aburame clan's insects in the team, her reconnaissance skills are completely useless.

The most crucial point is that Mashiro emphasized to the two of them before setting off that they must bring her back safely, so for Sasuke, Yukikaze is not only a task but also another mission.

"Don't worry, it was Lord Mashiro who specifically instructed us to come here. There are also so many people from various families in the team, so safety shouldn't be a problem. Our biggest challenge is whether we can successfully complete the mission," said Sōbin gently.

Hearing Mashiro's name, Yukikaze felt a little relieved.

Within the shadows of Yukikaze, a pair of eyes were watching everything unfold. Mashiro observed the group through the eyes of the shadowy soldier. This was the fundamental reason she could guarantee their safety; she had planted a backup plan in front of Yukikaze beforehand.

In Konoha, Mashiro was calmly processing the documents left behind by Root when a Root member suddenly entered the office, knelt on the ground, and respectfully said, "Lord Mashiro, Lord Torune has something to discuss with you."

Upon hearing the name Aburame Torune, Mashiro's face showed an interesting expression. A year ago, he sent Aburame Torune with some people to the Land of Grass to search for traces left by Orochimaru. Did they find them so quickly?

"Where is he now?" Mashiro asked.