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Roshi learned that Tsunade's attempt had failed.
Late that night, she stepped into the Western Suburbs Old House—a faint scent of sake lingering around her—clutching an empty sake flask.
Unlike her usual boisterous self, the Senju Princess walked in quietly, placed the flask beneath the veranda, and rasped out, "Water."
Roshi handed her a cup. She drained it in one gulp.
"I'm in a bad mood," she muttered, her voice low and thick.
When she first returned to the village, things had gone smoothly enough. But lately, Hiruzen's cautious stance regarding Naruto had begun to gnaw at her patience.
"Hmm. I suppose I was too optimistic," Roshi said softly, meeting her eyes. "Take rest, Lady Tsunade."
That calm, steady tone unsettled her. Tsunade frowned, reached out to press a hand against his forehead, and asked dryly, "You sick? Or did all that training rattle your brain?"
"If it's difficult to start from the top," Roshi continued, unfazed, "then start with Naruto's surroundings. I'll discuss it with Hayami and the others."
"…That might actually work." Tsunade leaned back, her expression easing slightly. The idea had merit.
The remaining Senju scattered throughout the village had long taken on different surnames—their goodwill wouldn't appear as a coordinated clan effort. But through them, the villagers' attitudes could be nudged, shaped slowly over time.
"How effective it'll be, I can't say," she murmured, "but it's better than nothing."
"Speaking of which, Lady Tsunade," Roshi added, "when Hayami visited last, he asked if you'd join their gathering in the Western Suburbs."
"About that…" Tsunade sighed and rested her back against the veranda pillar. "Let's not. You've handled those things well enough. I'll leave it to you."
"You're still as lazy as ever."
It wasn't praise—but it felt oddly fitting. Tsunade just chuckled under her breath, stretched out, and lay on the cool wooden floor, eyes drifting to the bright full moon above.
The sake haze softened her edges, and her voice grew slow and drowsy.
"About the Uchiha situation… Danzo's still against it, of course. But the Old Man and the others—we'll probably reach an understanding."
"This time it's the Jinchūriki," Roshi replied. "There'll likely be more disputes later."
"The two advisors are cautious by nature," he added after a pause. "You don't need to concern yourself too much with their objections."
Homura and Koharu always sought the safest, least controversial solution. They would complain—but as long as the Hokage's will held, they'd never stand in the way. Danzo, however, was another matter.
"I know, I know, stop lecturing me…" Tsunade's eyes closed, her tone languid. "Once the Chūnin Exams are over, we'll continue the reform of the Uchiha Military Police."
"Who are you planning to send in?"
"The Hyuga Clan," Tsunade said. "They're strong enough—and with their own dōjutsu, they can stand on equal footing with the Uchiha. That balance should keep them from being bullied."
It was a wise choice. The Hyuga were powerful, disciplined, and far less volatile than the Uchiha.
"What about that Uchiha Anbu squad?" Roshi asked, recalling another matter.
"Them?" Tsunade thought for a moment. "I've assigned them to assist Shisui—they're stationed near the eastern coast, watching the Hidden Mist border."
"Hidden Mist?"
"Something strange is happening there. They've gone unusually quiet, yet have started sending ninja across the sea." Tsunade's tone turned faintly wary. "I figured I might as well have Shisui investigate. It's a long-term mission—they won't be back soon."
"At first, I didn't want to give them anything too sensitive—no point in agitating those high-strung Uchiha…"
Her words trailed off, growing softer, thinner, until only steady breathing remained.
Roshi turned to her. The moonlight spilled gently across her face—serene, unguarded. Her chest rose and fell evenly; she'd fallen asleep right there on the veranda.
The night breeze had turned cool. Roshi rose, went inside, fetched a blanket, and draped it over her shoulders.
As the date of the Chūnin Exams' main event drew near, Konoha once again buzzed with life.
The Land of Fire's Daimyō and his retinue arrived first, followed by nobles, merchants, and dignitaries from neighboring countries, all eager to witness the spectacle.
For a time, Konoha's streets brimmed with opulent carriages and elegantly dressed visitors. Inns overflowed, taverns thrived, and the markets flourished with trade and excitement.
Thanks to Konoha's recent redevelopment, the village managed to accommodate the influx of guests—though even so, the Military Police Force and Anbu were busier than ever.
Perhaps because of the lingering familiarity from the Guardian Ninja incident, shortly after the Daimyō's arrival, Roshi received a summons to the Hokage Building.
The meeting went as expected. The Daimyō was cordial but perfunctory, offering a few polite words about village affairs before dismissing him.
After leaving the reception hall, Roshi didn't head out immediately. Instead, he turned down the corridor toward Tsunade's office.
Pushing open the door, he found the golden-haired Senju Princess hunched over a stack of documents, deep in thought.
"You're here?" Tsunade said without looking up, recognizing his footsteps. "Done chatting with the Daimyō?"
"Just the usual small talk." Roshi took a seat opposite her.
Tsunade sighed and finally set down the papers, propping her chin on one hand. "Honestly, I can't figure out what the Old Man's thinking. He actually agreed to this nonsense. These Daimyō really don't know when to stop."
"Daimyō?" Roshi raised an eyebrow.
"Remember that incident with the Land of Tea at Deai Port?"
"I do."
"One of the Daimyō who came this time brought up a… proposal." She gave a humorless chuckle. "He wants to establish his own Ninja Village."
Roshi blinked. "Which country?"
"The Land of Rivers?" he guessed after a moment—some small nation with ambition, perhaps.
"No."
"…Don't tell me it's the Land of Tea again."
"It's the Land of Sound," Tsunade said, sliding a document across the desk toward him. "That's their official application."
He took it, skimming through the polished, bureaucratic phrasing.
"The Land of Sound Daimyō claims it won't affect their current mission quotas or financial contributions to Konoha," Tsunade continued. "They just want a local ninja organization—something that can handle domestic issues more efficiently."
"The Land of Sound…" Roshi muttered. The name struck a faint, familiar chord.
"Did they specify what they plan to call this new village?" he asked.
"They did," Tsunade replied, crossing her arms. "Hidden Sound Village. Otogakure." Her brow furrowed. "I just can't figure out how the Land of Sound has the resources to sustain a shinobi village without cutting into what they already pay us."
Roshi's gaze darkened slightly as his fingers drummed against the edge of the parchment. Hidden Sound Village… Orochimaru's Village.
"What did the Third Hokage say about this?" he asked quietly.
Tsunade leaned back in her chair. "The Old Man said Root already conducted an investigation. They found nothing suspicious. In fact, they've even signed an alliance agreement with Konoha—and promised to send participants to the Chūnin Exams every year."
"Root handled the investigation?" Roshi's tone cooled.
If he remembered correctly, although Danzō had once supported the mission to eliminate Orochimaru, he later renewed contact with him—continuing their secret collaboration in the shadows.
The real question was whether Hiruzen knew that the so-called Hidden Sound Village belonged to his beloved disciple, Orochimaru.
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