Hikaru had approached Antelope on his own initiative, and naturally, he had his reasons.
To put it simply, his foundation inside the ANBU was still far too shallow.
Because of that weakness, he had chosen extremely drastic methods earlier—going so far as to disband an entire division just to establish authority.
But he couldn't continue being that ruthless forever. If he remained that hard-line, it would eventually become a problem for him.
So the next step was obvious.
He needed to win people over.
And among those worth winning over, the First Division was the best target—especially since Hikaru had not touched it yet.
In truth, he could have started with the First Division back then. After all, choosing between two divisions would not have seemed strange.
But in the end, he deliberately targeted the Second Division.
That decision had been made to preserve the image he had carefully built.
After all, he had once served in the First Division. Many of the shinobi there were his former comrades.
If Hikaru had turned his blade on his own old unit, a label would immediately stick to him—
Ruthless.
That label had its advantages.
A man willing to strike down his former comrades would certainly make others fear him.
But it would also severely damage his future reputation.
Hikaru's ambitions had never been limited to being the Minister of ANBU.
His sights were set much higher.
"Get up," Hikaru said with a small smile, shaking his head.
"You used to be my captain. Seeing you like this makes me uncomfortable."
"Yes, Minister," Antelope replied quietly, rising to his feet.
"But things are different now. You are the Minister of ANBU, and I am your subordinate."
"Yes… my luck has been quite good," Hikaru said with a faint smile.
"A few months ago I was only a squad leader. Now I'm the Minister of ANBU."
"Luck is also a kind of strength," Antelope said with his head lowered.
"If you didn't possess that strength, you might have already died in the Land of Wind. Without strength, you would never have been able to deal with the previous minister."
He abruptly stopped there.
Truthfully, Antelope still couldn't figure out what mindset Hikaru had when he eliminated Murashima Takumi.
Perhaps it had been deliberate.
Opportunities like that were rare. Grasping one and climbing upward without hesitation—
That alone was something many people would take pride in.
After all, Hikaru had said it himself.
For those climbing to the top of the food chain, mercy was a luxury.
There was only one rule:
Become the hunter—or become the prey.
If Hikaru intended to be the hunter, then the people who died by his hands were simply prey.
But such matters were not glorious.
No one knew what this new minister truly thought.
"Perhaps," Hikaru replied calmly, still smiling.
"Whether it's luck or strength, the fact remains—I reached this position."
"Yes, Minister."
This time Antelope spoke sincerely.
"Thank you, Captain," Hikaru said.
He had noticed the shift in Antelope's tone, and the smile on his lips grew slightly deeper.
"People must look forward. Some things will inevitably change. Even if everything seems fine now, the future ultimately belongs to the younger generation… doesn't it?"
"Perhaps."
Antelope's eyes flickered.
By now, he already understood why Hikaru had called him here.
In truth, he had always known this day would come.
But Hikaru's attitude surprised him.
There was no pressure. No arrogance.
Only calm… and even a hint of respect.
It was very different from Murashima Takumi or Captain Zhuwu.
This was the Konoha Nightingale he remembered.
Perhaps it was all an act.
After all, Hikaru had worn a mask for years without anyone discovering his true intentions.
That alone proved how frightening his mind could be.
But even if it was an act, Antelope still felt respected.
And for someone in his position, that was already enough.
Still, he needed to see something tangible before making a choice.
"Don't say 'perhaps,'" Hikaru said, his tone slightly firmer.
"Birth, aging, illness, and death—when people grow old, their energy declines. That's a natural law."
"And remember—help offered in the snow is far more valuable than flowers placed on brocade."
"Captain Antelope is a reasonable man. I'm sure you know how to choose."
"Besides… ANBU still requires many reforms. When new people enter the game, others must inevitably leave it."
"I understand, Minister. Thank you for your guidance."
Antelope bowed respectfully.
And this time, he truly began thinking.
Hikaru knew the first step had already succeeded.
Now it was time to push further.
Whether Antelope was pretending or not didn't matter.
Hikaru would still reveal his next move.
After all, it served two purposes.
First, it would tempt Antelope further.
Second—
If Antelope reported everything to Hiruzen, that would suit Hikaru perfectly.
Because Hikaru's real goal was to force Hiruzen into making mistakes.
After all, the changes he intended to implement in ANBU were impossible to hide forever.
If they were going to become public anyway, revealing them now also allowed him to test Hiruzen's reaction.
And if necessary—
push him into a corner.
Hikaru walked slowly toward the window and looked out at the towering Hokage Monument.
Then he turned back toward Antelope.
"I'm not someone who enjoys making promises," Hikaru said calmly.
"I prefer doing real things."
"So tell me, Captain Antelope—what do you think of the current ANBU structure?"
"The ANBU structure?"
Antelope frowned.
"It has been passed down since the founding of ANBU. As a subordinate, I have no right to evaluate it."
"A cautious answer," Hikaru chuckled.
"After all, avoiding mistakes is the safest strategy."
Then he continued.
"But I believe ANBU simply doesn't have enough manpower."
"The organization still follows the structure established when it was first created."
"Even though the rank and待遇 have improved, the size has barely changed."
"That limits what we can accomplish."
"So I intend to expand ANBU entirely."
"Especially the administrative branch. There are too few clerical staff to properly categorize and analyze intelligence."
"We need more people. More trustworthy people."
"Do you understand what I mean?"
"I do, Minister."
Antelope swallowed.
Expanding ANBU…
That proposal alone was shocking.
Fortunately, it seemed Hikaru was only referring to administrative staff.
That was easier to accept.
Still, a small part of Antelope felt disappointed.
More personnel meant greater power.
And he was already a Division Commander.
If ANBU expanded, his authority would expand with it.
But perhaps the new minister was still being cautious.
However—
Just as that thought formed, Hikaru continued.
"And there's another issue."
"The number of combat personnel is far too small."
"One 'division' currently functions like a small squad."
"That may have been tradition."
"But traditions don't always suit new eras."
"A division should look like a division."
"With sufficient manpower, we can respond to the unpredictable changes of the ninja world and protect Konoha more effectively."
"What do you think, Captain Antelope?"
Antelope fell completely silent.
Hikaru's ambition was far greater than he imagined.
Not just administrative expansion—
But combat forces as well.
That would completely reshape ANBU.
It was practically tearing apart long-standing rules.
And yet…
Antelope was tempted.
If this plan succeeded—
He would become a true Division Commander.
The power under his command would surpass even what past ANBU ministers controlled.
Faced with fear, ambition, and hesitation…
He chose silence.
"Silence is not a good answer," Hikaru said softly.
"Especially when I'm offering you an opportunity."
Antelope snapped back to attention and knelt.
"My apologies, Minister."
"You did nothing wrong."
Hikaru shook his head.
"Go."
"I won't make things difficult for you—but I hope you won't make things difficult for me."
"I've already decided what I'm going to do."
"All you need to do is cooperate."
"Understood?"
Antelope raised his head.
"I will not disappoint you, Minister."
"I will cooperate."
"Good," Hikaru said gently.
"I look forward to it."
Antelope bowed and left.
The door closed.
Only then did Hikaru allow a faint smile to appear.
"You humans really are hypocritical."
The voice of the little Nine-Tails echoed in Hikaru's mind.
"You clearly don't care whether that man lives or dies, yet you pretend that you do."
"You don't actually care whether he's loyal, yet you act like you hope he chooses your side."
"And that man is the same. He's already tempted but still acts ambiguous."
"Doesn't living like that exhaust you?"
"It does," Hikaru replied silently.
"But that's one of the biggest differences between humans and beasts."
"Animals act purely on instinct."
"Humans think."
"We consider sympathy, morality, order—even when it's inconvenient."
"Human conflict is never the same as animal conflict."
"We think more. So we do more."
The little fox listened… then simply snorted.
"Boring."
And promptly went back to sleep.
Hikaru could only sigh.
Killing someone was easy.
But winning people's hearts was far harder.
Soon after, Hikaru summoned Kakashi and Trout.
When they arrived, both looked exhausted.
Kakashi had been rebuilding the disbanded Second Division.
Trout had been managing the unstable Third Division.
"You've both worked hard," Hikaru said with a smile.
"But you'll be even busier soon."
He pushed a stack of documents across the desk.
They opened them.
Both froze.
ANBU expansion.
Even the combat divisions would grow to match the size of regular shinobi battalions.
Kakashi answered first.
"I understand. No problem."
For him, the matter was simple.
Hikaru had saved his life, saved Minato, and saved the village.
He would carry out any order without hesitation.
Trout hesitated slightly—
But finally nodded.
"I understand as well."
"Good."
Hikaru gave the orders.
"Kakashi, you will remain acting commander of the Second Division."
"Trout, you are now the acting commander of the Third Division."
Both bowed.
"Yes, Minister!"
Meanwhile…
Deep within ROOT headquarters—
CRASH!
Danzō smashed everything in his office.
Flower pots.
Documents.
Furniture.
Ever since the incident involving Pakura, his anger had never faded.
That damned Senju brat had killed his subordinates—
and even sent their heads back to him as an insult.
Worse—
Danzō had been punished harshly.
But Hikaru faced no consequences.
Then came the Nine-Tails attack.
Danzō thought he had found an opportunity.
If ANBU suffered heavy losses defending the village—
and he controlled the Uchiha because of the Sharingan in the Nine-Tails' eyes—
he could gain enormous influence.
But everything collapsed.
An unknown elder named Uchiha Shin suddenly appeared.
The Uchiha moved.
And worst of all—
That Senju brat used Wood Release.
He stopped the Nine-Tails.
Then helped Minato seal it.
And became a hero.
Now—
He had become Minister of ANBU.
The position Danzō had coveted for decades.
"WHY?!"
Danzō roared in fury.
"Why him?!"
Hikaru had stepped onto the political stage.
And Hiruzen seemed to have accepted it.
Even worse—
Although Hiruzen had regained control as Hokage, he still hadn't lifted Danzō's restrictions.
That betrayal burned.
Finally, Danzō calmed down.
His eyes were cold.
"Very well, Hiruzen."
"If you are unjust…"
"Don't blame me for being ruthless."
"If the only reason I'm like this is because I'm not Hokage…"
"Then I'll become Hokage."
"You always say I overstep my bounds?"
"Then I'll show you what real overstepping looks like."
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