"So… Danzō Shimura is gone?"
Tsunade's golden eyes widened slightly, genuine surprise flashing across her face.
She had imagined many outcomes — Danzō might be beaten half to death, or perhaps Root would be dismantled piece by piece.
But she hadn't expected this.
That the man himself would be erased entirely.
Looking at Aoyama Ryuyun, who stood before her with that calm, confident smile, Tsunade found herself momentarily speechless.
Then, suddenly, her lips curved. "That's great!"
There wasn't a trace of sadness in her voice — only unrestrained satisfaction.
If Hiruzen Sarutobi had been the silent accomplice in the decline of the Senju clan, then Danzō Shimura had been its executioner.
And now, that executioner had finally met his end.
"Liu Yun… this old woman truly loves you!"
After her brief burst of joy, Tsunade stepped closer, her tone softening, her expression serious.
If not for him, she might still have been a loyal, naïve Konoha jōnin — dutifully serving a system that had long since betrayed her clan.
"Only love me?" Ryuyun teased, smiling faintly.
Tsunade's brow twitched. Her eyes narrowed, playful yet daring. "Then what else do you want?"
"Something a little more… practical," he said with a grin.
For a heartbeat, they stared at each other — neither speaking, both smiling.
And that night, no more words were needed.
---
By the next noon, Aoyama Ryuyun sat under the eaves of his courtyard, lazily drinking from a half-empty bottle.
"Liu Yun-gege, why are you so happy today?"
The question came from Kurenai Yuhi, her tone curious and slightly pouty.
Ryuyun tilted his head, amused. "Why do you say that?"
"Because you only drink like that when you're happy!" she replied, pointing at the bottle in his hand.
Having spent so much time together, she'd come to understand his small habits — and this one was unmistakable.
He chuckled, swirling the wine. "You're still too young. I'll tell you when you're older."
"What the heck!"
Kurenai's cheeks puffed up in frustration.
He always said that. Always treated her like a child.
And though part of her enjoyed being doted on, another part — growing stronger by the day — wanted him to look at her as an equal.
At that moment, Tsunade stepped out from the house, sunlight glinting off her pale hair.
Her face was faintly flushed, her expression calm but… different.
Without a word, she walked over and leaned casually against Ryuyun's shoulder.
"Recovered already?" he asked, smiling teasingly.
She shot him a glare. "Are you underestimating the Senju clan's vitality — or my title as the Medical Saint?"
As a Senju, her recovery ability was extraordinary.
Combined with her medical ninjutsu, there was little she couldn't heal — even on herself.
Ryuyun raised his hands in mock surrender. "I wouldn't dare underestimate you now."
Tsunade's expression softened, but her mind briefly replayed last night's memory — heat rushing to her cheeks again.
"Honestly, what's wrong with you two?"
Kurenai crossed her arms, frowning. She couldn't follow a word of their exchange.
"Are you two playing some secret guessing game?"
Tsunade smirked, mimicking Ryuyun's usual gesture as she flicked Kurenai's forehead lightly.
"Little girl, you're still too young. You'll understand one day."
"…"
Kurenai froze, glaring furiously.
It was one thing when Liu Yun-gege said that — but you too?!
If she were stronger, she might've actually tried to hit them both.
Instead, she could only glare harder, puffing up like an angry kitten.
I'm super fierce! she told herself.
---
In the days that followed, life around Aoyama Ryuyun settled into a rare peace.
No threats, no summons — only quiet days and slow mornings.
But peace for him meant trouble elsewhere.
---
In the Hokage's Office
"Hiruzen, now that Danzō is gone, and you already have control of the ANBU," Utatane Koharu said firmly, "the remaining Root forces should be transferred under our authority."
Homura Mitokado stood beside her, nodding in agreement.
When they first learned of Danzō's death, they had been shocked — briefly.
But that shock had quickly turned into calculation.
Root's resources were vast, its intelligence network invaluable.
And now, with Danzō gone, those assets were free for the taking.
They weren't mourning a comrade.
They were dividing spoils.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in silence, pipe resting in his hand, eyes shadowed.
If he and Danzō had at least shared camaraderie once upon a time, then Koharu and Homura were far colder — loyal only to power.
"I've decided," Hiruzen said finally, his voice cutting through the air like steel. "Root will be disbanded."
The words struck like a shuriken.
"What?!" Koharu and Homura shouted almost in unison.
The idea of losing that power — that influence — was unthinkable.
"I disagree!" Koharu snapped.
"This old man is the Hokage," Hiruzen shot back, slamming his hand against the desk. "Do you have any objections?"
For a moment, the room went still.
This was the same man who had once been called the God of Shinobi — and when it came to internal politics, his will was absolute.
He could be hesitant against foreign enemies, but within Konoha's walls, his word was law.
"You—!"
Koharu pointed at him angrily, but Homura grabbed her arm, holding her back.
They both knew the truth: their strength barely reached the level of elite jōnin.
Against Hiruzen Sarutobi, even in his age, they stood no chance.
He gave them both a long, disappointed glance.
What a joke.
They didn't even understand their own limits.
"If either of you were at Kage level," Hiruzen said coolly, "then perhaps I'd consider it."
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