To the west of the Land of Fire lies the Land of Rivers.
Sunagakure had suffered certain losses in their previous battles against Konoha, after which the conflict between both sides reverted to a more traditional model—continuous small-scale skirmishes without end.
Fights broke out almost nonstop from morning to night—but each battle remained small in scale. Squad-level engagements became the main form of combat.
In total, this style of warfare didn't result in fewer casualties than large-scale operations—it simply shifted the damage pattern from massive single losses into scattered, ongoing attrition over time. *Death by a thousand cuts,* and just as heartbreaking.
This kind of small-scale fighting suited ninja best—it was how they fought most comfortably and where they could unleash their full strength. Both sides adapted well to this kind of war.
However, Sunagakure's shift back to conventional tactics was essentially forced upon them. They couldn't keep up with Konoha, especially once Konoha started deploying jinchuriki in battle. Against clustered targets, the tailed beasts held overwhelming superiority.
Konoha could raise the stakes like that in warfare, but Suna couldn't match them—which hurt badly. Hence, they chose to fight smaller and slower.
Without question, Orochimaru's transformation was deeply intimidating to Sunagakure, further easing Konoha's position on the Western Front.
This change in battlefield conditions should have been major news—but it's only painful when you compare. Almost at the same time Orochimaru caused such a stir, Haseo had instantly killed the Third Raikage in the north...
What can one even say about that?
Well... what is there to say?
Now, Tsunade needed to return to Konoha.
"In any case, watch out for Chiyo from Sunagakure. Though we've stabilized things for now, the slightest oversight could cause everything to collapse again. With me returning to Konoha, her poison may become even more deadly."
"Try to keep your movements secret as much as possible."
"It'll definitely be possible to keep things hidden while leaving the front line, but once I get back, Suna will eventually hear about it. After all, once I return to Konoha, my actions will have to be public ones. Unless Suna has zero intelligence channels inside Konoha at all… Spies do exist, after all — everyone knows that."
"Don't worry about frontline matters anymore. Compared to that… How should I put it? Right now, I actually feel like 'We've finally reached this point.' To speak plainly, I feel like Konoha is falling into dangerous hands—if we're not careful, we might fall into irreversible ruin."
Jiraiya's way of speaking—*"falling into dangerous hands"*—was certainly exaggerated and playful, yet his concerns were deeply rooted… The path ahead truly seemed bleak.
Tsunade instinctively wanted to defend Haseo, but… she bit her tongue.
"In fact, I have my doubts too. The Third would definitely not wish to see something like this happen. However, at the moment, the village has no other moves left on the board."
Orochimaru fell silent, quietly contemplating something within… If Haseo became Hokage, one potential problem for Orochimaru would come from whether or not he regarded Konoha as his personal domain. If so, then certain research-minded scientists might find themselves unable to operate freely within the village.
Orochimaru didn't believe that once Haseo reached the peak, it would bring him any real advantage.
Putting aside whatever thoughts each of them had, after making a few arrangements on the Front Line, Tsunade immediately returned to Konoha via Shikkotsu Forest using the fastest and most convenient route.
Because the war situation across all fronts was dire, Haseo's few friends couldn't return to the village—they needed to keep a close eye on the Front Line. But Tsunade absolutely had to go back… After all, nobody could possibly get married Cloud-style!
Of course, this method of non-participation and distant blessing might actually be a good thing—for some people?
When Tsunade returned to Konoha, Haseo was arranging his new workplace inside the Hokage office building. From now on, there was no way he'd continue working from the underground space like before.
Sure, Haseo hadn't really worked a day in his life, but appearances still mattered.
However, he hadn't taken over the Third Hokage's office. Although it had always been the traditional office for every previous Hokage, Haseo wasn't particularly concerned about this tradition.
Instead, on the second floor of that same building, he selected a wide, comfortable, sun-facing office as the new Hokage office.
Then, under his orders, his attendants redecorated and arranged everything in this place.
"Lord Haseo," Kohei Sarutobi asked while directing others to set up the tables, chairs, bookshelves, and other furniture they had brought here. During a brief break, he took the opportunity to ask this question, "why not inherit the upper office? If you're worried about what others might think, I assure you it's completely unnecessary. That room has always been a public office for Hokages, not something personal."
He figured Haseo was trying not to hurt Sarutobi's feelings.
Rationality aside, emotionally speaking, many people would need time to accept certain changes, especially regarding such a significant status shift.
"You're overthinking," Haseo replied calmly. "My reasoning isn't complicated—firstly, occupying a new space better suits my habit. Secondly, since I wasn't officially chosen as successor by the Third Hokage, my position as Fourth is somewhat informal, so I prefer not to crowd into that space."
It wasn't some bold move—it was just a simple decision. Honestly? Purely because it felt more comfortable.
Now that there was a fresh new office available, naturally, Haseo wouldn't want to cram among those outdated pieces of furniture. As for the symbolic meaning traditionally associated with the upper office—he truly didn't care… A Hokage is still a Hokage no matter where they work; so what's the big deal about location?
"But your comment just reminded me—I should publicly claim that I moved downstairs out of respect and nostalgia for the Third. This will greatly boost the favorability of the ninja population, because people respect those who stay grounded and honor tradition."
Kohei Sarutobi: "..."
He felt uneasy now—would his father still end up shouldering the blame even after his death?
Most of the detailed tasks didn't require Haseo himself to get involved. The process of succession as Hokage was something subordinates would surely handle well, so in the midst of all the busy people around him, Haseo appeared somewhat superfluous everywhere. Yet at the same time, he was still required to approve and oversee each matter, meaning that everywhere, he remained an unavoidable presence.
It was a rather strange state—Haseo wasn't actually doing anything, yet he felt busier than anyone, running around nonstop.
Actually, Tsunade had been experiencing exactly the same since returning to Konoha.
Though what followed was supposed to be their wedding ceremony, these two still ended up separately occupied with their own things.
It wasn't until they got home at night that the couple finally saw each other.
"Oh, is this a bit too much to bear?"
Haseo saw Tsunade, who had arrived home earlier, apparently organizing the clothes she'd need for the day, so he walked over to help while speaking up.
"Preparing my own wedding? That's just ridiculous."
The inauguration of the Fourth Hokage was naturally Konoha's top priority at the moment. However, ultimately, it was merely ceremonial; the real key priority lay in the war. Even Haseo's hurried ascension had stemmed from considerations of its positive impact on the war effort, so on many occasions, ceremonies had to give way to practical matters.
This special period caused Konoha to commit minimal resources toward either the Hokage succession or the Hokage's wedding, forcing Tsunade to personally handle those affairs herself.
However, her original intention in saying such words was simply to complain that Haseo hadn't shown his face the whole day—he'd been careless and laid-back, like a hands-off boss.
But Haseo misunderstood, thinking he finally understood her meaning: "Right? Whether it's the new Hokage's inauguration or the wedding, these kinds of ceremonial things really are somewhat unnecessary. Lately I've constantly felt like I'm being used like a puppet."
Tsunade paused mid-motion, then gave Haseo a look that made one's heart skip a beat.
"…What? What's wrong?"
"Haseo, I suggest you try talking less. Actually, I've always understood your personality very well..."
"…"
Well then. It took Haseo a moment to catch on.
He wasn't truly clueless—it was just that when he was relaxed around someone close, he often spoke without thinking, blurting out whatever came to mind.
In reality, that was an exception: even with the closest people, there are still things one should be careful about saying.
"My point is, life won't change dramatically because of a ceremony alone. Strip away all the fancy stuff, and what's left is what really matters. For instance, adding another ceremony won't make me miss you any more or less when we're apart."
"Miss? How could you miss someone like that?"
"This isn't really something measurable by degrees… Still, when I think of someone, it's always you."
"But when you passed through the Western Front last time, you didn't even stop by at all, right?"
"Cough, that's the difference between public duty and personal affairs—they shouldn't be mixed up. Back then, the Northern Front was in urgent crisis, but the Western Front had already passed its critical phase."
"Still… if I speak just from a personal angle, the reason I don't want to stay is that if I pause even for a second to look at you, I'll end up wanting to say something. And once I start talking, I'll want to keep hanging around… This would never end, right? Which means I'd totally lose focus on what's really important."
Haseo was pretty strange. He had already buried himself in concrete and sunk to the bottom of the sea, yet he still somehow managed to rescue himself successfully. It almost seemed unfair.
"Fine, leave the wedding details to me. You wouldn't be much help anyway."
"Mm, I trust your judgment..." Haseo inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, then added jokingly, "By the way, according to customs across various countries, worlds, and cosmic timelines, when the bride gets married she must bring some property into the household. Tsunade, where's your property?"
This so-called "property"—you know what people usually call it? A dowry.
And Tsunade? Well, she's famously broke.
The question made Tsunade so flustered, her face flushed bright red. Eventually, she bit her lip and leaned in, murmuring something into Haseo's ear.
After listening, Haseo nodded this time with clear satisfaction. "That makes me feel better."
Well, well. Didn't expect that.
From an economic and sociological perspective, the most fundamental value of a person is their 'self.' A person's very existence constitutes the original 'immovable asset' they were born with.
As we all know, when such 'immovable assets' start moving, they generate value. And different ways of movement produce different values.
Lately, Haseo has been in pretty good health.
"By the way, there's one more thing—we might need to move to a new house soon?"
As he ran through a few things in his head, Haseo suddenly thought of something else.
"Why? This place is my home."
"No, what I mean is, shouldn't the village assign housing to the Hokage? The ownership should come with the position..."
"...I'll go find out which area in Konoha is the most valuable right now."
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