Chapter 23: The True Players
Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze swept the courtyard, pausing briefly on the Uchiha father and son before settling on Tsunade at the courtyard's center.
"Old man, why so late?"
"Getting old. Things don't happen as smoothly as before."
"Come," Tsunade turned, pulling Hyuga Kiyonari from behind her to the front. "Just like you said, this child is indeed excellent."
Kiyonari bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Lord Third."
Sarutobi Hiruzen studied the boy before him carefully. Though he'd already learned about him, this was their first meeting.
"Good."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded and pulled a scroll from his robes. "This is my gift to you. Shadow Clone Jutsu. I hope you'll walk your own path—one different from the Hyuga, different from Tsunade."
"Thank you, Lord Third." Kiyonari accepted the scroll and bowed again.
Shadow Clone Jutsu was an extremely versatile general technique. Advanced versions included Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu and Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu—very broadly applicable.
Tsunade knew Kiyonari wasn't comfortable in this environment. She patted his shoulder, signaling he could withdraw, then said to Sarutobi Hiruzen, "Old man, come sit in the hall for a while?"
Tsunade poured two cups of sake. Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't drunk since getting older, but today was celebratory—he could make an exception.
He accepted the cup, speaking meaningfully. "So now, do you still plan to go to Tanzaku Town?"
Tanzaku Town was the Land of Fire's most famous gambling district. If Tsunade answered "yes," it meant she'd only temporarily returned—taking a student was just a whim, and she'd still leave Konoha to continue her wandering life.
If she answered "no," it meant she'd decided to stay. And that decision would change many things.
Tsunade lifted her cup and drained it in one gulp. "Didn't I already say? I won so big lately that the casinos there are nearly bankrupt."
You? Winning money?
The excuse didn't need to be that flimsy.
"The legendary Legendary Sucker not going... what a tremendous loss for the casinos."
Tsunade immediately bristled. "I really did win! And I won a lot!"
This alone—she wouldn't allow anyone to question!
"Alright, alright."
Sarutobi Hiruzen repeatedly agreed, not intending to continue that topic.
"Just didn't expect this child would be what made you decide to stay." His voice carried mostly emotion. "His weight in your heart is far heavier than I imagined."
Tsunade fell silent for a moment, her expression extremely complex. "He's excellent. Truly excellent. He might even... do better than me."
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed inwardly but maintained calm outwardly. "I understand your feelings. If only you'd returned earlier. Even just one month earlier, before the main family's eldest daughter turned three. Now... if you intend to change certain things, the resistance will be enormous."
Tsunade smiled. "I'm just a doctor. I only know how to heal and save lives. Don't understand politics, no interest in changing anything."
"Is that so?" Sarutobi Hiruzen clearly didn't believe her. "You hold this apprenticeship banquet, invite major clan heads to attend—this doesn't seem like something someone who 'doesn't understand politics' would do."
"Just giving my student some backing." Tsunade shrugged. "Can't let him get bullied, right?"
Neither spoke too explicitly, but both understood perfectly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen held his cup, gaze wandering through the courtyard.
He saw the Uchiha father and son in the corner, saw Hyuga Hiashi's complex expression, saw other clan heads' faces showing anticipation or worry.
Tsunade had returned and decided to stay. With her status, strength, and reputation, once she showed interest in power, Konoha's entire political landscape would shake.
Even though Sarutobi Hiruzen knew Tsunade truly had no interest in power—but would others see it that way?
Someone would definitely try to dress her in that role.
Besides, Hyuga Kiyonari was ultimately branch family. As long as no method existed to remove the Caged Bird, he could never become Hokage—couldn't even hold important positions. Moreover, the child was still young, his shinobi talent still unknown. Too many variables.
But given Tsunade's personality and how much she valued him, she probably wouldn't let this go. The best method would be letting Kiyonari realize his ambitions in Tsunade's name.
And that... was Tsunade's real plan, wasn't it?
She was pretending to show interest in the Hokage position to exchange for others' support of Kiyonari. Investing in him meant investing in the future "Fifth Hokage."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze drifted to another precocious genius in the hall—Uchiha Itachi.
The boy he'd placed such high hopes in. A child who possessed Hokage-level thinking at merely eight years old. If judging by talent and ability, Hiruzen believed Itachi superior to Kiyonari. Itachi's wisdom, vision, strategic sense—all far exceeded his peers, even surpassing many adult shinobi.
But the current Uchiha... sigh.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed again in his heart.
"What are you thinking, old man?" Tsunade's voice interrupted Hiruzen's thoughts.
"Thinking about..." Sarutobi Hiruzen returned to himself. "Thinking about Konoha's future."
"I need time to consider." This time, Tsunade didn't explicitly refuse. "For me, this isn't a decision I can make easily."
"I understand," he nodded. "But time is short, Tsunade."
"I know."
Both fell silent again.
Sarutobi Hiruzen watched the crowd in the courtyard, heart churning with mixed feelings. He did want to retire, did want to set down the Hokage's burden. But when that moment truly arrived, he felt inexplicable reluctance and hesitation.
Could Tsunade really become a good Hokage?
Perhaps he'd truly grown old—always hesitating no matter what he did.
Did Konoha have other options now?
Danzo?
Too extreme. He'd lead Konoha into the abyss.
Orochimaru?
His most favored student, now only obsessed with illusory immortality, consorting with evil.
Jiraiya?
He wasn't as suitable as Tsunade in various aspects. Besides, he was too close to Mount Myoboku's toads.
As for the younger generation... Kakashi barely qualified, but lacked sufficient experience and prestige. As for Asuma, he didn't even meet candidate qualifications... Thinking it through, Tsunade really was the most suitable choice.
Could even say—the only choice.
Tsunade held her cup, eyes slightly narrowed, taking in everything in the hall, everyone's various states.
What he—what they were all thinking, she knew it all.
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