After returning from meeting Uzumaki Mito, Arata moved out of his old place and directly into Tsunade's house.
Since they were already preparing to get married, Arata wasn't planning on living alone anymore.
And Tsunade—being the heiress of the entire Senju clan's estates—was practically a one-woman real-estate empire. Arata absolutely wasn't going to be polite with her about it.
Right now, Tsunade hadn't left the village yet, nor had she fallen into gambling to numb herself. So she still owned more than a dozen mansions in Konoha's most luxurious districts—she was a true rich lady in every sense of the word.
After moving in, Arata shared everything he discussed with Mito.
Though honestly, even if he didn't say anything, Tsunade—being as curious as she was—would definitely have asked on her own.
First, Arata explained everything about Danzō and Hiruzen—their darkness, their plotting.
Things like the earlier assassination attempt on him, and even the Senju clan's extermination.
Tsunade initially refused to believe any of it. The teacher she respected so deeply… being that kind of person?
But when she learned the witness was Uzumaki Mito—her grandmother, the closest person in her life besides Nawaki—her confidence shook. Mito had no reason to lie to her.
And when she recalled some of Hiruzen's suspicious decisions over the years… she began to believe it.
A bitter disgust toward the village she once loved seeped into her heart. Her worldview trembled; she nearly collapsed on the spot.
Arata quickly pulled her into his arms, comforting her:
"Don't worry. Once I become Hokage, I'll change everything. And your parents… I'll make sure they get the justice they deserve."
Tsunade had not yet lost her lover or her brother, so her deepest regret was her parents' early deaths. Hearing Arata promise justice, her heart trembled.
Most people, after learning just how dark Konoha was, would have wanted to run.
But Arata stayed—because of her.
He even said he would fight for the title of Hokage. He had never said something like that before.
Back then, Arata trained hard, but becoming Hokage never interested him. This change… was all for Tsunade.
"Arata… thank you…"
Hearing her call his name, Arata leaned in mischievously.
"Still calling me that? Shouldn't you be changing how you address me?"
Tsunade froze, then remembered—they were already engaged. The engagement ceremony was only a few days away. Changing how she called him now… made sense.
"…Husband."
Hearing Tsunade whisper it shyly, Arata felt another life objective checked off his list.
---
Meanwhile, inside the tower outside the village, Uzumaki Mito kept her youthful form and no longer disguised herself as an old woman.
Her attendants noticed, of course, and immediately reported to Hiruzen.
But since Mito dared to do it openly, she clearly didn't care whether Hiruzen came looking for trouble. If it really came to a fight, there wasn't a single person alive in the current shinobi world who could defeat her.
Feeling bored, she decided to use her crystal ball to observe Konoha's happenings.
Thinking of Arata earlier, she chuckled softly:
"Let's see how that kid is doing. After talking so big earlier, he should be training like crazy now, right?"
She focused the crystal ball on Arata—
Only to see him and Tsunade getting handsy with each other.
Mito's eyebrow twitched.
"That brat… he's not even married yet and already acting so shamelessly."
Years of isolation, plus witnessing Konoha's corruption, had made her cold and detached.
But seeing this scene after so long, a small amused smile crept onto her face.
Fortunately, Nawaki appeared just in time, preventing Arata from "succeeding."
Mito quickly turned the crystal ball away, refusing to watch a second longer.
---
Arata hadn't stopped because he was being proper—it was because Tsunade's little brother chose the worst possible moment to appear.
Seeing Nawaki suddenly pop up in front of him, Arata wanted to cry.
Of course this kid would pick the exact wrong time—he was just about to make progress!
"Brother-in-law! You're back! Quick, train with me! I already mastered that Fire Style you taught me!"
Young and oblivious, Nawaki didn't pick up on the intimate atmosphere at all. He only yelled excitedly, begging Arata to train with him.
Over the years, Arata had buttered up Nawaki just as much as he had Tsunade.
And this hot-blooded, straightforward kid was the easiest person in the world to win over—just teach him ninjutsu and he was as loyal as they came.
Even without the Jōnin Conference incident, Arata could have used Nawaki to get close to Tsunade anytime.
Seeing her brother, Tsunade immediately panicked and fled back to her study.
Arata sighed. Clearly, today wasn't going to work.
He'd have to find another chance later.
"You brat… come on! Let me see how well you've trained!"
With an exasperated shout, Arata dragged Nawaki out into the courtyard.