"Danzo is in big trouble this time."
Watching the self-proclaimed Hokage Danzo's expression slowly twist into terror, the surrounding Konoha shinobi all silently chose to stand aside.
Especially Shikaku, Choza, and the other clan-born ninja, every one of them looked thrilled to watch Danzo suffer.
Don't be fooled just because they fought side by side a moment ago.
Whether civilian-born or clan-born, there isn't a single ninja here who hasn't suffered under the so-called "Darkness of Konoha."
"Lord Garp… did I say something wrong?"
After only a few seconds facing that crushing gaze, Danzo was already pale, drenched in sweat.
"Are you teaching me how to do things?"
Just as Danzo's mind and spirit were about to collapse, Garp finally spoke.
"N–No… I wouldn't dare."
Danzo stammered, too terrified even to show anger.
"Good. You shouldn't even try it.
Your little schemes, and that dirty business between you and Hiruzen, I can't be bothered to bring it up.
But you'd better understand something.
Don't think that just because I beat Iwagakure and Kumogakure into the ground, you can get cocky and start treating me like just another Konoha shinobi."
Garp's voice was calm, but every syllable hit Danzo's chest like a heavy hammer.
"This time I came out of retirement for one reason only, I won't let the last bit of Senju blood end up like Nawaki, ruined in your hands."
"I understand." Danzo nodded frantically.
Now he finally understood what those Cloud shinobi had felt moments before.
The pressure of a legendary hero of the shinobi world was simply too terrifying.
Compared to this man, the so-called "Kage" of the village era really were just children.
"Uncle Garp, what do you mean 'ruined'?
You make it sound like I'm a chicken waiting to be slaughtered. I'm one of the Sannin. Who can ruin me?"
Hearing Garp's words, Tsunade had to speak up in protest.
"Sannin? Oh, terribly impressive. If I had arrived just a few minutes later in the Land of Earth back then, whole Senju family would've been neatly wiped out.
If that had happened, that fool Hashirama would probably be begging me from the Pure Land to hurry and join him."
Garp snorted.
"…"
Tsunade looked down, embarrassed.
"Sigh. You're not young anymore. I don't want to lecture you.
But little Tsuna… the Senju clan remains until only you remain. It's time you stopped worrying about every little village matter and spent some effort on your own life.
I'm not saying you have to restore the Senju to their former glory, but at least leave an heir.
And one more thing, choose your man carefully. Don't bring home some weakling who looks like he'll faint at a breeze."
As Garp spoke, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
When Hashirama and Tobirama were alive, the Senju clan had over a thousand members, the largest clan in the entire shinobi world.
And now? The brothers had been gone only a few years, and the entire clan had withered to just Tsunade.
Every time Garp thought about it these past few days, he felt like punching a hole through the Pure Land and dragging those two idiots out to ask what exactly they built Konoha for.
Aside from the Sarutobi clan flourishing, which clan wasn't in decline?
The Senju were considered lucky, they at least had Tsunade left.
Many clans that had joined Konoha in its founding days were now nearly extinct, their members long gone to meet the previous Hokage.
"Looks like the First Hokage still managed to leave a tiny bit of security for his granddaughter."
Off to the side, Shikaku and the others heard Garp's words, especially his phrase "little village matters", and felt a mix of amusement, sorrow, and envy.
Their clans had suffered horribly too.
Not as badly as the Senju, but they were shrinking year after year.
Who knew when they might become the next Senju?
"As for romance… it's not that I'm not interested. It's just… so hard. Not like fighting, one punch and it's solved."
Talking about this in front of everyone, Tsunade couldn't help blushing, losing all the boldness of the strongest kunoichi.
"How hard can it be? I haven't been out long and barely know any Konoha ninja, but I've still seen a few promising ones."
Garp's eyes drifted toward Dan.
In his memory, that was who Tsunade ended up with.
"Uncle Garp, stop messing around. I have zero interest in guys who look more delicate, and weaker, than me.
If I take him outside, people won't be able to tell whether he's the woman or I am.
And being girly is one thing, but he's as skinny as a bamboo stick. Just like you said, looks like he'll break if you pat him too hard.
Forget carrying me, I'm afraid if I hug him a little too tightly, it'll turn into an accidental murder."
Following Garp's gaze, Tsunade said this almost automatically.
"…"
Dan's face turned white.
Let's be honest, what single male ninja in Konoha didn't have thoughts about Tsunade?
But he never imagined he'd be eliminated before he even had a chance.
"Uh… Dan, don't misunderstand. I'm not specifically targeting you. I just meant… my type is more like uncle Garp."
Seeing Dan's devastated expression, Tsunade hurriedly tried to explain.
"No need, Lady Tsunade. I understand."
After hearing that, Dan's beautiful face, prettier than most girls, lost the last trace of color.
Compared to labels like girly, stick thin, or weak, he would've preferred receiving a simple friend-zone card with Tsunade's signature.
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[Bonus chapter, next one on 400 stones.]
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