Tsunade stepped through the gates of Konoha, dust billowing up beneath her feet.
Finally… I'm back.
But there was no joy on her face.
Her honey-colored eyes swept across the familiar streets. Beneath her dusty green vest, her full chest rose and fell with her sharp breathing. Her figure alone was enough to turn heads—yet the oppressive aura radiating from her made pedestrians instinctively detour within ten meters.
I'm going to find that old man and demand an explanation.
"Hey~ Tsunade, you're back too? Where's Dan? Wasn't he with you?"
A familiar, teasing voice came from the side. Tsunade didn't even need to turn around to know who it was.
She spun on her heel.
Jiraiya.
White hair. Arms crossed. Leaning casually against the curtain of Ichiraku Ramen, wearing the same carefree grin he used on barmaids.
"Huh. You actually had the nerve to stroll around the village," Tsunade sneered."I thought you'd already gotten stuck peeping into some women's bathhouse and couldn't crawl out."
She stepped forward.
The sheer pressure of her presence made Jiraiya straighten up instantly.
"Dan stayed behind in the Land of Earth to maintain their defensive line," she continued coldly."But you—I didn't think Sensei would even bother calling you back."
Her eyes burned.
"Tell me, has the old man been sitting in the Hokage's office so long that the smoke from his pipe finally fogged his brain?!"
Her voice dropped, every word dripping with fury.
"Letting a ten-year-old child become the core of a plan to assassinate Hanzo?How did he even come up with something that insane?!"
She jabbed a finger toward Jiraiya's nose, her eyes bloodshot.
"And Danzo! Isn't he usually the first one to oppose Sensei? Why is he silent this time? Hiding underground all day must've rotted his brain too! A suicidal plan like this is something you would think up after hanging around bathhouses all day—and yet he didn't say a word!"
"Whoa, whoa—Tsunade, you're still as terrifying as ever," Jiraiya said quickly, backing away with a strained smile."Look… Sensei must have his reasons, right? I was shocked when I got the letter too, but—when has he ever acted without confidence?"
He tried to sound reassuring.
He failed.
Even Jiraiya wasn't convinced.
Hiroki…The last thing Jiraiya remembered was that kid destroying his shadow clone in one move and sending him crashing into a bathhouse. What kind of monster had Orochimaru turned him into after that?
Sending Hiroki against Hanzo?
It sounded more ridiculous than bad fiction.
And yet… the handwriting was unmistakably Sensei's.
Tsunade snorted and grabbed Jiraiya by the collar.
"Enough excuses. We're going now."
She dragged him toward the Hokage Tower.
"You're not running anywhere. You're also reporting everything you learned from the Hidden Cloud Village. I want to hear exactly what kind of 'considerations' Sensei thinks justify this madness!"
"Hey—wait! Don't pull me like that! I have a reputation to maintain!" Jiraiya protested, to no effect.
The Hokage's office was thick with smoke.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sat behind his desk, a massive map of the ninja world spread before him, marked with red arrows and symbols.
Outposts.
Nearly every frontline position showed signs of unrest.
Since the Second Hokage's death, the other nations could no longer restrain themselves. Their fangs were showing.
"Sensei."
"Teacher!"
"Ah… Jiraiya, Tsunade. Come in."
They entered.
Despite her rage, Tsunade held back, allowing Jiraiya to report first.
"The Hidden Cloud Village is in chaos," Jiraiya said, his tone serious."Internal conflict over selecting the next Eight-Tails jinchūriki. The beast's recent rampage forced them to choose children early."
"Their sealing techniques haven't advanced, and they never obtained Konoha's methods."
He paused.
"The attempted kidnapping was the action of extremist hawks who learned Uzumaki Kushina had arrived in the village. It had nothing to do with Hiroki Sawada."
Sarutobi nodded calmly.
Just as expected.
Hiroki's own response to his earlier test had already confirmed this suspicion.
Jiraiya's report merely sealed it.
Sarutobi turned to Tsunade.
She slammed her hand onto the desk and pointed sharply at several locations on the map.
"The Land of Earth is worse," she said grimly."They're stockpiling supplies along the border."
She hesitated, then continued more quietly.
"I infiltrated one of their towns. Every casino and tavern was packed—but only with young people. The veterans are gone."
Her voice hardened.
"They're ready for total war."
The room fell silent.
Sarutobi drew on his pipe and exhaled slowly.
Just as he feared.
The Fire Nation's land was fertile—unlike the others. That alone made it the ultimate target once war began.
"I see," he said at last."Then we can no longer wait."
His gaze sharpened.
"When war comes, we strike first—decisively. We crush their ambition before it reaches our borders."
Tsunade finally exploded.
She slapped the map, sending papers flying.
"Teacher!"
"If we're going to fight, we should be on the front lines! Battle-hardened jonin—not a ten-year-old child!"
She glared at him.
"What kind of 'decisive strike' relies on a kid? What is he supposed to do—cry in front of Hanzo and beg?"
Sarutobi met her gaze calmly.
"Tsunade… never underestimate a ninja."
A faint smile touched his lips.
"Especially that one."
She stared at him in disbelief.
"Don't believe me?" he said lightly. "Then let's make a bet."
"A bet?" Her gambling instincts ignited instantly.
"One month," Sarutobi said."In one month, Sawada Hiroki will show power beyond your imagination—and earn your approval."
"If I win, you will follow his tactical decisions without objection."
"And if I lose…" He smiled bitterly."I'll abandon the plan—and step down as Hokage."
"Sensei, you're still in your prime!" Jiraiya blurted out.
Tsunade ignored him.
After a long silence, she nodded sharply.
"Fine. I'll take the bet."
She turned away, doubts gnawing at her chest.
One month.What could a child possibly achieve in one month?
As they walked down the corridor, a pale figure approached.
Long black hair. Golden, snake-like eyes.
"Orochimaru," Jiraiya said. "When did you get back?"
Orochimaru smiled faintly.
"A simple assignment from Sensei."
His gaze lingered on Tsunade.
"You don't look pleased."
"That ridiculous plan of his," Tsunade snapped."You trained Hiroki. Tell us the truth—how much can that brat improve in one month?"
Orochimaru chuckled softly.
"One month?"
"You're still underestimating him."
"For that child… a single week is enough to change everything."
Their expressions froze.
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed.
"And by the way—Sensei already asked Hiroki for his opinion."
"He agreed."