Tsunade almost burst out laughing but held it in, forcing her expression back to something serious.
"It seems the assistant head of Konoha's Medical Department has pretty decent Medical Ninjutsu. You should go find her instead."
"…I seem to recall you're the head of Konoha's Medical Department," Hiruzen said flatly.
You, the one in charge, won't lift a finger — but you're recommending your assistant? Was she mocking him?
Truthfully, the so-called Medical Department existed entirely because of Tsunade. Every medic-nin in it was little more than her subordinate.
Some were talented, yes — but none could match even half of Tsunade's skill.
Hiruzen finally understood: she was rejecting him.
His eyes shifted briefly toward Aoyama Ryuyun, who had remained silent the entire time, calmly sipping tea.
It clicked immediately. Ryuyun must have told her everything.
That was why she refused.
Hiruzen's old face darkened as he rose to his feet.
Both Tsunade and Aoyama Ryuyun watched him quietly, utterly unbothered.
Two Kage-level shinobi — what could he do, really? Even a "Ninja Hero" would think twice before crossing that line.
"…Since you need time to adapt to your new strength, Tsunade, this old man will take his leave."
His voice was calm, but each word dripped with bitterness.
He turned without another glance. Staying any longer would only humiliate him further.
"Hahahahaha!"
The moment Hiruzen stepped outside, Tsunade's laughter burst out — loud and unrestrained, echoing through the Senju compound.
Anyone with half a brain could hear the mockery in it.
Hiruzen froze mid-step. His face went black.
"You haven't even waited for me to leave the yard… you're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"
Indeed… this Aoyama Ryuyun's existence only corrupts Konoha. Even Tsunade has become like this.
Anger burned in Hiruzen's chest. But rage alone wouldn't serve him.
He'd deal with Ryuyun first — and then, when the time was right, Tsunade.
With a flicker of movement, his figure vanished from sight.
Back inside, Aoyama Ryuyun chuckled as Tsunade continued to laugh heartily.
"It seems Hiruzen Sarutobi's begun to resent you as well," he said, amused.
"You didn't just refuse him — you insulted his intelligence."
"Hmph! Let him resent me. You think this old woman's afraid of him?"
Tsunade waved her hand dismissively, still grinning.
If you've got the guts, come fight. See what happens.
If Tsunade didn't care, Ryuyun cared even less.
He was actually waiting — curious to see what form Hiruzen's next move would take.
"But really," Tsunade muttered after a moment, "that Sarutobi Shinnosuke is completely crippled now."
Without her medical ninjutsu, an elite jōnin who specialized in complex ninjutsu was as good as useless.
If he couldn't form proper hand signs, his career was finished.
"My Senju Clan is gone," Tsunade said coldly. "What's wrong with him losing a son?"
Compared to the destruction of her clan, the loss of Hiruzen's child was nothing. If anything, it felt like justice.
---
Meanwhile, in Konoha's Medical Department—
Though no one dared raise their voice, the air was thick with tension.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was a mask of cold fury as he stared down the assembled medics.
"Why!" he demanded. "Reattaching an arm is a simple matter for Tsunade — yet none of you can do it?"
Silence.
One of the senior medics finally stepped forward, bowing deeply.
"We're sorry, Hokage-sama… but we are not Senju Tsunade."
"…"
That was the truth. For Tsunade, such a surgery was trivial.
For everyone else, it was nearly impossible.
Hiruzen exhaled heavily and turned away. "Forget it."
As he stepped out of the medical hall, he saw Shinnosuke waiting at the entrance.
His son's eyes held a faint, desperate hope.
But when he saw Hiruzen's expression, that hope shattered instantly.
"Father…"
Hiruzen forced a small smile. "Don't worry. There are one-handed hand-sign techniques in Konoha's sealing archives. I'll teach them to you myself."
"I understand," Shinnosuke said quietly.
But deep down, he knew what that meant.
One-handed hand seals required years to master. His strength would stagnate — maybe even decline.
Even if he succeeded, his fighting ability would never return to its peak.
The proud spirit of Sarutobi Shinnosuke had been broken by Aoyama Ryuyun.
Hiruzen saw it clearly, but said nothing.
Some demons a man had to face alone.
Aoyama Ryuyun…
Hiruzen's hands clenched behind his back. I'll make you pay for this.
Without another word, he led his son away.
---
Days later, after a brief period of uneasy calm—
Aoyama Ryuyun was in his yard, finishing his morning training.
On the porch, Tsunade and Kurenai Yūhi sat side by side, chins propped on their hands, quietly watching him.
Suddenly, an ANBU operative flickered into view, kneeling before them.
"Lord Liu Yun. Lady Tsunade."
Even though the ANBU served directly under the Hokage, none of them dared show the slightest disrespect to the two before them.
"Tsunade," Ryuyun called lightly without even glancing over.
"Coming."
After spending so much time together, Tsunade immediately understood.
She rose, stepped toward the ANBU, and extended her hand.
"Give it to me."
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