The Anbu operative stood stiffly, clutching a scroll that was clearly addressed to Aoyama Ryuyun.
"This…" he began hesitantly. "Hokage-sama has ordered me to deliver this mission scroll to Lord Liu Yun personally!"
Tsunade paused, her golden eyes narrowing slightly. After a moment, she smiled—a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Liu Yun is busy right now," she said coolly. "You can just give it to me."
The Anbu stiffened further. "But… I dare not disobey Hokage-sama's orders!"
Tsunade's expression flattened. The warmth vanished from her voice as her killing intent leaked out, heavy and suffocating.
"If you don't hand it over," she said softly, "this old woman will kill you. Understand?"
The poor Anbu, barely a Special Jōnin, broke into a cold sweat. His legs trembled.
"U-understood! Understood!"
He hastily presented the scroll with both hands.
"Hmph!" Tsunade snorted, waving her hand dismissively, as though shooing a fly.
The Anbu vanished immediately—he wasn't foolish enough to linger around the two most dangerous people in Konoha.
Tsunade returned to the porch and sat down again, frowning slightly as she turned the scroll in her hands.
Aoyama Ryuyun finished his sword-swinging routine, his blade cutting through the air in a clean arc before he sheathed it and approached.
"What's wrong?" he asked, noting Tsunade's troubled expression.
Tsunade didn't mince words. She handed the scroll over.
"The higher-ups are setting you up," she said gravely. "This mission sends you out of the village alone—to 'investigate the surrounding areas.' But the truth is obvious. They plan to ambush and assassinate you."
Aoyama Ryuyun unrolled the scroll, scanned it briefly, and chuckled. Tossing it aside, he smiled faintly.
"I've been expecting this for a while. Nothing to worry about."
He reached out and gently smoothed the crease between her brows.
"Don't frown. Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzō Shimura join forces, they can't do a thing to me."
Tsunade's hardened expression softened slightly, her lips curving into a quiet smile.
"I'm not worried about them," she said softly. "I'm worried about you."
Their eyes met for a moment—enough to make Kurenai Yūhi, sitting nearby, look away with a huff.
It was irritating how well they fit together.
I wish I could grow up faster…
Although she didn't fully understand the political darkness behind the Hokage's actions, Kurenai wasn't naive.
"Liu Yun-nii," she said softly, "if this mission is dangerous… why not refuse it?"
To her, his safety mattered more than anything.
"If I refuse," Ryuyun replied, amused, "wouldn't that mean I'm afraid of them?"
"But—" she began again, only for him to cut her off with a wave.
"Don't worry," he said calmly. "I've long anticipated this. I'm curious, actually… to see just how far they'll go to try and take me down."
And if Hiruzen himself takes action… perhaps I'll end it once and for all.
"I'll go with you," Tsunade declared suddenly. Her tone left no room for argument.
Even knowing Ryuyun's power, she couldn't help the knot of unease tightening inside her. She was Kage-level herself now—she could fight beside him.
"No." Aoyama Ryuyun's tone grew firm, his gaze steady.
"Stay in Konoha and watch. Your man is destined to stand above the clouds. No one in this village can touch him."
With that, he turned, calling out to his two subordinates.
"Kumoki. Sakura-ju. Let's go."
Without another word, Aoyama Ryuyun strode out through Konoha's gates.
"Liu Yun-nii!" Kurenai called after him, her voice trembling slightly. She didn't try to stop him—but worry clouded her eyes.
Tsunade, uncharacteristically, didn't tease her. Instead, she placed a firm hand on Kurenai's shoulder, smiling with pride.
"Don't worry," she said. "The man this old woman chose won't fall so easily."
"Mm!" Kurenai nodded, her expression brightening slightly. She truly believed it—Aoyama Ryuyun would not lose.
Then, after a pause, realization dawned on her. She turned, glaring at Tsunade.
"Wait—what do you mean, 'the man you chose'? Liu Yun-nii's wife will definitely be me!"
"Tch." Tsunade rolled her eyes. "This brat…"
Shaking her head, she turned back toward the house, her cloak swaying as she walked away.
---
Meanwhile, in the depths of Konoha's underground base, Danzō Shimura stood before his assembled Root operatives.
"The timing is perfect," he said coldly. "Move out."
At his command, dozens of masked figures vanished into the darkness. Danzō followed shortly after, his expression hidden behind his bandages.
Back in the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi received simultaneous reports—one confirming Aoyama Ryuyun's departure, the other that Danzō had already mobilized.
"Hokage-sama." The kneeling Anbu awaited his instructions.
"Proceed as planned," Hiruzen said quietly, his tone devoid of emotion. "No matter what happens… no one is to intervene."
The Anbu hesitated briefly, then bowed. "Yes, Hokage-sama."
As the room emptied, Hiruzen stood before the window, gazing toward the Hokage Rock. The mask of age and benevolence slipped from his face, replaced by something grim and cold.
"A genius who cannot be controlled must be erased," he muttered. "Everything I do… is for Konoha."
---
At the main gate, Aoyama Ryuyun stood still, one hand resting lightly on his sword's hilt. His eyes sharpened as he extended his senses outward—Kenbunshoku Haki sweeping through the forest like an invisible wave.
No hostile presences.
"So they're lying in wait ahead," he murmured, a faint smirk curling his lips.
He glanced once more at the mission scroll, then exhaled slowly.
"Very well. Let's see what kind of welcome the 'Will of Fire' has prepared."
Visit patreon.com/Akeyno to get 30+ chapters