Until only Senju Tsunade remained.
At that point, if Tsunade ever learned the truth, she would likely tear down the entire Hokage Building herself.
Bang!
After a brief silence, Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed his hand on the desk and stood abruptly.
"Impossible! Tsunade must never learn the truth about the Senju Clan!"
"Hiruzen, we should make preparations in advance," Danzo Shimura said coldly. Unlike Hiruzen, who hesitated to act against his comrades, Danzo always chose elimination when it came to threats — even if that threat was Tsunade.
This time, even Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado spoke up to support him.
"That's right, Hiruzen. You should make plans early," Koharu urged nervously.
"Yes, we should let Tsunade decline along with the Senju Clan!" Homura added.
Their voices trembled. After all, they had both participated in the Senju Clan's gradual suppression. If Tsunade ever discovered the truth, she would crush them without hesitation.
Hiruzen's eyes hardened. "Anything else, I can tolerate. But this—absolutely not!"
Despite his compromises over the years, there was still a flicker of conscience left in him.
"Hiruzen!" Danzo glared at him, the frustration plain on his face. This indecision, this compassion — it was what Danzo hated most about Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Can't you just cut the Gordian knot?"
"Enough," Hiruzen growled, his voice carrying the weight of finality. "This matter is absolutely forbidden. Tsunade's identity is not something that can be trifled with. Killing her would destroy Konoha's foundation."
Danzo's expression didn't change, but his eyes grew colder. "Aren't you worried she'll threaten your position as Hokage someday?"
"If it ever comes to that," Hiruzen said firmly, "I will deal with it myself."
Their gazes met — two old comrades divided by ideology.
"For now," Hiruzen continued, his tone sharp as steel, "all of you, leave. This old man is still the Hokage."
Danzo's lips curled into a thin, disdainful smile. "You'll regret this, Hiruzen."
He turned and left, the door closing behind him with a dull thud. Koharu and Homura exchanged a fearful glance, then hurriedly followed him out, leaving Hiruzen alone in the silent office.
He sighed deeply, shaking his head. "Foolish… all of us…"
---
Outside, Danzo Shimura walked briskly down the corridor when the two elders caught up to him.
"Danzo! Danzo!" Koharu called, clearly anxious. "You and Hiruzen were the ones who proposed weakening the Senju Clan. If there's any real danger, you can't just abandon us!"
Danzo stopped, turning slightly. His gaze was sharp enough to make them flinch.
He had Root; Hiruzen had the Anbu. Both possessed Kage-level power.
But Koharu and Homura had nothing — just their titles as elders.
"If it really comes to that," Danzo said after a pause, "you can hide in my compound."
He inwardly despised their cowardice, but he still saw their usefulness in politics.
"That's… good to hear," Homura said in relief. Koharu also exhaled quietly.
Danzo said nothing more and walked off into the shadows.
---
Meanwhile, back home, Tsunade looked smugly satisfied.
"Hah! Did you see Koharu's face? That old hag looked terrified! This old woman's been wanting to do that for years!"
She laughed heartily, crossing her arms with pride. "In the past, I had to hold back because of politics. But now? Not punching her outright is already being polite!"
Her laughter faded after a while, and she frowned slightly.
"But… am I being too arrogant right now?" she muttered to herself.
After all, being too outspoken could make her a target. Even now, she knew she wasn't yet strong enough to defeat Hiruzen.
"Don't worry," came Aoyama Ryuyun's calm voice from across the courtyard. He was swinging his sword steadily against an iron stake. "I'm here."
The simple words dissolved Tsunade's anxiety. Her gaze softened as she looked at him.
"Oh, right," she said with a grin. "You must be exhausted after all that training, huh?"
"Isn't that obvious?" Ryuyun replied, not breaking rhythm. "If I'm not tired, what's the point of training?"
"That's not what I meant!"
Ryuyun stopped and glanced at her with a puzzled look.
"What I mean," Tsunade said, cheeks slightly flushed, "is that once you're done, I'll give you a massage."
---
"Hmm? You can give massages too?" Ryuyun raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"That tone—are you looking down on me?!" Tsunade barked, instantly defensive.
She'd been embarrassed to offer at first, but his reaction triggered her pride.
"Don't forget," she said, hands on hips, "I'm the greatest medical ninja in the world! Of course I understand the human body better than anyone!"
As a medical ninja, her chakra control and anatomical knowledge were second to none. Giving a massage was child's play in comparison.
"Alright then," Ryuyun said with a teasing smile. "I'll hold you to it."
"Hmph!" Tsunade huffed proudly and turned away, though a faint smile tugged at her lips.
---
Later that night.
"I'm wearing a yukata, so what's there to be embarrassed about?" Ryuyun asked lazily, lying face-down after his bath.
Tsunade stood behind him, her arms crossed. "Stop talking and close your eyes."
Of course she was embarrassed. She'd never actually given anyone a massage before. After a deep breath, she calmed herself and began.
"Hmm… not bad," Ryuyun murmured as her hands pressed firmly into his shoulders.
Tsunade smirked. "Hmph hmph, what did you expect? This old woman's amazing!"