Wen Lan had just lain down when an ANBU suddenly appeared in the courtyard, dropping to one knee.
"Lord Wen Lan."
"Ah, come on, give me a break!" Wen Lan groaned irritably as he sat up, scratching his head.
"I just want to rest for a couple of days. Is that really so hard? I'm still a kid, you know!"
The corner of the ANBU's mouth twitched beneath the mask, but he still reported:
"The Hokage requests your presence in the office."
"Fine, I got it."
Wen Lan looked thoroughly annoyed, yet he still stood up, dusted off his pants, and strolled lazily toward the Hokage Building.
When he pushed open the office door, he froze.
Besides Minato and Shikaku, there was also a young girl.
She had teal-colored hair, wore a shinobi outfit, and bore the forehead protector of Takigakure.
"You're back," Minato said with a gentle smile.
His gaze was warm, though tinged with a hint of seriousness.
"This is Fū from Takigakure—
the Seven-Tails' jinchūriki.
Recently, she was attacked. The attackers nearly wiped out her entire village.
Takigakure believes they can no longer guarantee her safety, so they've sent her to Konoha."
Wen Lan's mouth twitched.
Great.
Another person he had to protect.
He fell silent for a moment, then asked:
"So… you want to keep her here?"
"Waaaaah—! You're Lord Wen Lan, right?!"
Fū suddenly rushed forward, eyes sparkling with excitement.
"You're my idol!
You're the one who split a Tailed Beast Bomb with a sword and became a Kage-level shinobi while still a child! You're amazing!
You're the youngest person in history to reach Kage-level strength—and the youngest to hold real power!
During the Third Great Ninja War, even the Mizukage personally gave you the title Golden Thunderflame!"
Wen Lan blinked in surprise.
This girl was way too familiar for someone he'd just met.
He instinctively stepped back half a pace and coughed awkwardly.
"Well… titles and stuff are mostly rumors. Don't take them too seriously."
Minato chuckled softly at the scene.
"Wen Lan, we believe the best place for her to stay is with you.
After all, there's nowhere safer in the village."
Wen Lan froze.
Obito was currently collecting Tailed Beast chakra.
If Fū stayed at his place, how would that work?
He was just about to refuse—
when Fū suddenly ran up beside him, cupping her cheeks with delight.
"I get to live with my idol! I'm so happy!"
Minato's smile remained gentle, but his tone left no room for argument.
"It's settled.
You'll be responsible for her protection. This is also your duty to the village."
Shikaku nodded in agreement.
"Keeping the Seven-Tails' jinchūriki in Konoha benefits both sides.
And you—are the most suitable person for the job."
Wen Lan glanced at Fū's eager expression, then at Minato's resolute face.
He sighed helplessly.
Great. Now I'm basically a babysitter.
Out loud, he could only say:
"…Do whatever you want."
"Yay!"
Fū jumped excitedly, grabbing his wrist with both hands and shaking it enthusiastically while chattering nonstop.
Wen Lan felt slightly dizzy from the shaking.
Sure enough—
anyone capable of becoming a perfect jinchūriki had to be a little unhinged.
If they had normal emotional stability, the Tailed Beast's influence would've driven them into rage long ago.
He glanced at the girl beside him, bubbling with excitement.
Despite his annoyance, something in her clear, innocent eyes softened him.
Perhaps protecting such pure smiles—
was exactly why shinobi existed in the first place.
She kept talking animatedly about how she wanted to become as strong as he was someday, her eyes shining like the morning sun.
"Someone!" Wen Lan finally called out, his head buzzing from the noise.
An ANBU appeared instantly.
"Take her to my residence and explain the situation to Pakura."
"Yes, sir."
The ANBU stepped beside Fū and gestured politely.
"Please follow me."
Fū blinked, reluctantly releasing Wen Lan's arm.
Before leaving, she turned back with a bright smile.
"Idol, you're so kind to me! You must want me to get some rest early! I love you!"
Then she skipped away happily.
Not once did she suspect that Wen Lan had simply been overwhelmed by her chatter.
Nor did she show any unease about being in a completely unfamiliar environment.
Wen Lan stared at her retreating figure, speechless.
Then he turned to Minato and Shikaku, his mouth twitching.
"That girl is harder to deal with than a Tailed Beast.
Is she always this hyper?"
Minato laughed softly and patted his shoulder.
"Youth is a wonderful thing, Wen Lan.
You'll get used to it."
Even Shikaku allowed himself a faintly teasing smile.
Wen Lan rubbed his temples.
Since he was already here, he might as well stay.
The three of them sat down and resumed reviewing documents.
Time passed quickly.
Before long, it became Year 60 of Konoha.
This was also the year when the Konoha Twelve officially graduated.
Why "officially"?
Because Tenten, Neji, and Rock Lee had been one year ahead.
On this day—
Minato lay asleep on the sofa.
Wen Lan and Shikaku were busy reviewing paperwork.
Suddenly, both men frowned.
An ANBU had appeared without prior notice.
That only happened when something serious occurred between nations.
A shadow flickered—
and an ANBU materialized instantly, kneeling with a scroll in hand.
Shikaku leaned forward to read it.
His brow furrowed.
"The other villages are getting restless."
Wen Lan raised his hand slightly.
The scroll flew into his grasp.
He opened it quickly and scanned the contents.
The report stated:
A spy hidden within Kumogakure had been exposed.
However, instead of killing the spy, Kumogakure had used him to send information outward.
The message was clear:
One month from now, they would host a Chūnin Exams.
Kumogakure would participate.
Joint Chūnin Exams between villages were rare.
When they did happen, it meant political undercurrents were stirring.
Testing.
Posturing.
Power plays.
Unless villages had formal peace agreements, such cooperation rarely occurred.
Konoha had long-term peace treaties with Sunagakure and Kirigakure.
But relations with the other nations remained delicate.
Kumogakure's move was clearly strategic—
using the Chūnin Exams as a pretext to probe Konoha's strength.
"They come with ill intent," Shikaku said quietly.
"It looks like Kumogakure has recovered its strength and wants to test us.
If we show weakness… war could follow right after the exams."
Indeed, Wen Lan had never personally fought A, Ōnoki, or Rasa in open conflict.
Their knowledge of his strength came mostly from rumors.
And powerful leaders trusted only what they saw with their own eyes.
Only battle could establish authority.
Just then—
three more ANBU appeared, each carrying a scroll.
After reading the reports, Wen Lan and Shikaku exchanged glances.
Wen Lan clicked his tongue.
"This Chūnin Exams is going to be interesting."
Because both Sunagakure and Iwagakure had also sent word—
they would be sending their genin to participate.
—------------------------------
Pat reon Advance Chapters: patreon.com/YonkoSlayer