It was past seven in the evening by the time Kizaru finished reading the last document.
He left the Hokage Building and leisurely made his way toward the Shimura Clan's main residence, his hands clasped behind his back.
Along the way, countless villagers and children greeted him with bright, enthusiastic smiles.
Some shopkeepers even rushed inside their stores and returned with products they wanted to offer him as gifts.
Kizaru accepted their goodwill, but politely declined everything they tried to give him. He merely stopped to exchange a few words with each of them before saying goodbye and continuing on his way.
It was just as Itachi Uchiha had once told Naruto in the anime from Kizaru's previous life.
People did not acknowledge someone simply because they had become Hokage. Only someone who had already earned everyone's acknowledgment could become Hokage.
Ever since Kizaru first made a name for himself during the Second Shinobi World War, everything he had done—from his achievements on the battlefield to the reforms he promoted after the war—had brought tangible benefits to the village.
Thanks to Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo deliberately publicizing his contributions, the people of Konoha understood exactly how much Kizaru had accomplished.
His victories over powerful enemies and his role in protecting the village were only the most obvious examples.
From the moment Kizaru first proposed reforming the Ninja Academy to the time he personally became its principal and oversaw those reforms, both the shinobi clans and ordinary villagers had benefited greatly.
The Academy's classes had been reorganized, with instructors assigned according to their specialties. As a result, children from civilian families finally had the opportunity to gain access to a much broader range of knowledge and ninjutsu.
The developments produced by the Konoha Scientific Research Institute and Konoha Hospital had also created new sources of income, introduced useful products into people's daily lives, and even cured many villagers of illnesses that had once been considered untreatable.
Kizaru might not have personally conducted the research or invented those things, but the village's publicity made one fact clear to everyone.
He was the one who had supported and promoted those projects from behind the scenes. Without Kizaru's backing, many of those achievements would never have become possible.
More than three years of reform had produced visible results. The villagers who had personally experienced those benefits had come to fully acknowledge Kizaru as their new Hokage.
Their gratitude and affection for him were genuine.
Aside from his overwhelming strength, the support of the people was Kizaru's greatest source of confidence in securing his position as Hokage.
As long as he continued pushing forward with his reforms and improving the villagers' quality of life, their support for him would only continue to grow.
Of his current nine-percent planetary conquest progress, the villagers of Konoha probably accounted for at least two or three percentage points.
After spending the entire day reading through reports on the village and its daily affairs, Kizaru had also gained a deeper understanding of the lower- and middle-ranking shinobi who made up the majority of Konoha's forces, as well as the ordinary civilians living within the village.
As a direct descendant of a shinobi clan and a peerless genius from birth, Kizaru might never be able to completely understand the struggles of ordinary villagers.
Even so, he now saw their lives and circumstances far more clearly than before.
While walking home, Kizaru began to think that, as he continued down the path toward godhood, perhaps he could also lead the people who supported him toward a brighter future.
With the knowledge he had accumulated in his previous life and the authority he now possessed as Hokage, even a seemingly insignificant change could transform countless lives once it was implemented through an enormous organization like a hidden village.
Families that could not afford enough food would no longer have to endure hunger.
Families that barely had enough to fill their stomachs would occasionally be able to place meat on the table.
Parents who could not afford tuition would finally be able to provide their children with a basic education.
One small change at a time, accumulated year after year, would gradually improve everyone's lives.
Most ordinary people did not ask for much. They merely wanted enough food, proper clothing, a safe home, and a stable life.
In this Naruto world, where most regions still remained trapped in a feudal society with severely limited productivity, Kizaru only needed to improve people's lives a little.
Once he did, the loyalty and reverence required for his path toward godhood would naturally flow toward him like the tide.
Surrounded by the villagers' enthusiasm throughout his journey home, Kizaru suddenly realized that earning the loyalty and admiration of the people was surprisingly simple.
Treat everyone fairly and give them the chance to live better lives.
If he could accomplish that, they would naturally stand behind him.
"Kizaru, have you eaten yet? Why are you back so late? You must be exhausted."
The moment Kizaru entered the Shimura Clan's main residence, Keiko hurried over to greet him.
Judging by the fact that she was already waiting in the courtyard behind the gate, she had probably been there for quite some time.
Kizaru lazily rolled his neck and stretched his shoulders.
"Being Hokage and all... what a troublesome job."
Keiko removed the white Hokage haori from his shoulders and carefully folded it. Hearing his complaint, she could not help laughing softly.
"The Hokage is the pillar supporting the entire village. Of course the job is exhausting," Keiko agreed. "I attended the ceremony this morning. You looked incredibly handsome standing on that platform."
"Hahaha... What an embarrassing compliment, Keiko-nee."
Although he spoke as if he were embarrassed, Kizaru was clearly pleased by her praise.
"Everyone is happy that you became Hokage," Keiko continued as she helped straighten his clothes. "I heard people praising you throughout the entire journey home. They all said that now that you're Hokage, the village's future will only continue getting better."
Her voice carried unmistakable pride.
She had watched over Kizaru since he was young, almost as though he were her own little brother. Seeing him become Hokage filled her with happiness from the bottom of her heart.
"Keiko-nee, what are we having for dinner?" Kizaru asked expectantly, finally remembering how hungry he was.
"Beef sukiyaki—your favorite. Everything is already prepared. I was only waiting for you to return."
Kizaru rubbed his stomach. Hearing her answer only made him feel even hungrier.
"Ooh... then let's hurry."
Keiko covered her mouth and chuckled before accompanying Kizaru back to his residence within the clan compound.
After finishing the dinner she had prepared, Kizaru returned to his room, closed his eyes, and rested for a while.
At nine fifty, he opened his eyes, yawned, and lazily rubbed the back of his head before leaving the room.
Precisely at ten o'clock, Kizaru arrived at Danzo's residence.
Inside the study, Danzo had already been waiting for some time.
When Kizaru entered, Danzo made no attempt to rise from his seat. He merely smiled and spoke in a deliberately teasing tone.
"Fourth Hokage-sama, please, take a seat."
"Ooh... Elder Danzo, how very courteous of you."
Kizaru played along without hesitation.
Their exchange left the atmosphere light and relaxed as Kizaru pulled out the chair across from Danzo and sat down.
"After you left the office, Homura and Koharu voiced quite a few concerns about the changes you proposed to the village's administrative structure," Danzo said, immediately moving to the subject at hand.
Kizaru understood that Danzo was not voicing his own concerns. He was merely passing along the opinions of the two advisers.
"Those are only minor issues. Two advisers who have already fallen behind the times won't affect the overall situation."
Kizaru genuinely did not think highly of either of them.
Whether it was based on the anime he had watched before coming to this world or everything he had personally witnessed since arriving here, Kizaru had never seen either adviser demonstrate much influence or ability.
His teacher, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was different.
Although Hiruzen had made many foolish decisions in his old age during the original story, his accomplishments still outweighed his mistakes. His contributions throughout the three Shinobi World Wars were undeniable.
The same applied to Danzo.
Danzo's hands were stained with blood, and his methods were often ruthless. In the original story, he had also become increasingly selfish and extreme as he grew older.
Even so, no one could deny that he had handled countless dirty matters for both Konoha and its Hokage.
The adult world could not always be divided neatly between good and evil.
People possessed different positions, pursued different goals, and fought for different interests.
Both Hiruzen and Danzo had their merits and their faults, but they had still devoted a great deal of their lives to the village.
As for the two advisers, Kizaru truly could not recall them accomplishing anything meaningful.
Administrative work could certainly be considered a contribution, but judging by Homura and Koharu's actual administrative abilities, Kizaru believed any two competent shinobi from the Nara Clan could perform their duties better.
"Homura and Koharu are still quite capable. Don't underestimate them."
Danzo still possessed a certain degree of affection for his former comrades. Hearing the contempt in Kizaru's voice, he could not help speaking in their defense.
"Let's leave those two aside for now. We have more important matters to discuss."
Kizaru brought the first topic to an end.
The moment Danzo heard those words, his expression became serious.
He had been eagerly awaiting what Kizaru intended to say next.
Kizaru looked directly into Danzo's expectant eyes. His usual lazy manner disappeared as he spoke with complete seriousness.
"Uncle... let's unify the shinobi world."
Danzo's body trembled.
His hands clenched tightly as he stared at Kizaru.
He had been waiting to hear those words for longer than he could remember.
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