The clan heads off to the side all lowered their eyes, pretending to study the floorboards.
They couldn't afford to offend the Elders—
but they also couldn't afford to offend Senju Tsunade, granddaughter of the First Hokage and the last heir of the Senju name.
Even if she technically held no political position, her identity alone was something they absolutely could not provoke.
"Ahem… Tsunade," Hiruzen coughed lightly, trying to steer things back on track.
"We all grieve for White Fang, but this matter has nothing to do with the Elders."
He could not—would not—allow anyone to imply that the Elders drove Kakashi's father to death, even if everyone in the room knew exactly what had happened.
Tsunade only let out a cold, sharp huff.
She wasn't stupid.
Before reaching enough strength, openly tearing her relationship with Hiruzen would bring no benefit.
But Hiruzen still felt uneasy.
Has she already learned something…?
He suppressed the thought and continued:
"Back to the war. The border with Sunagakure has come under attack again.
Tsunade, you will continue as commander."
Sand shinobi excelled in poisons.
Tsunade, as the greatest medical-nin alive, was the most suitable to lead.
Her superhuman strength also countered puppet users directly.
"Tsunade, what are your thoughts?"
"Hmph. Fine."
She wanted to refuse at first—
but she remembered Shiki's words:
'If you want to become Hokage, you need strength and achievements.'
Leading a battlefield was exactly the kind of achievement she needed.
"Hmph!" Koharu clicked her tongue loudly, still bitter from earlier.
Tsunade's eyes snapped toward her immediately.
"What are you humming for? Got a problem?
If you've got the guts, YOU go fight the Sand shinobi!"
"What—?!"
Fight?
Koharu would rather swallow her own tongue.
Even Hiruzen didn't want to step foot on the battlefield again.
"Alright, alright—enough," Hiruzen sighed.
If he weren't physically present, Tsunade probably would have broken Koharu's jaw already.
Tsunade shot Koharu one final look of contempt but didn't escalate.
Koharu trembled with rage, unable to get even a single word out.
"Ahem. Tsunade, you may select the shinobi who will join your campaign."
"Hmm. Same as before—Ino–Shika–Chō."
At the mention of the three clans, Nara Shikaku, Akimichi Chōza, and Yamanaka Inoichi all nodded respectfully.
"Well chosen," Hiruzen agreed. "Anyone else?"
"ME!"
Jiraiya nearly jumped forward.
"Tsunade, let me come! I'm perfect for—"
Orochimaru said nothing, but his quiet gaze made it clear he was also willing.
Tsunade rolled her eyes at Jiraiya's theatrics…
then turned her head toward Shiki.
"…Shiki?"
She didn't force him.
The battlefield was dangerous, and even if she could handle it...
she wouldn't drag him along if he didn't want to go.
But she asked, because—
She wanted him there.
Shiki could tell from Tsunade's eyes that she genuinely wanted him with her on the battlefield.
That alone made him smirk.
"Alright, I'll go with you," Shiki replied calmly. "If you went alone, I wouldn't feel very reassured."
"D-Don't say stupid things like that!"
She snapped back instinctively—
but her voice wasn't angry at all.
It sounded… embarrassingly close to shyness.
The surrounding clan heads stiffened as if turned to stone.
Senju Tsunade.
Princess of Konoha.
Daughter of the God of Shinobi's bloodline.
One of the Legendary Sannin.
Acting like… that?
Over a boy?
Even Hiruzen stared, then looked at Shiki, confused and speechless.
Realizing everyone's eyes were glued to her, Tsunade's face flared and she exploded:
"What the hell are you all staring at?!"
The entire room swung their heads away instantly.
Shiki only chuckled quietly.
"Hmph!" She crossed her arms. "Whatever. Ino–Shika–Cho will go with me. And Shiki."
"Very well," Hiruzen nodded. "Approved."
When it came to war, Hiruzen didn't play around.
Once the commanders and squads were assigned, the meeting dissolved.
Soon, only Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzō, Koharu, and Homura remained in the Hokage office.
"That Tsunade girl," Koharu finally erupted, unable to contain herself anymore.
"Completely presumptuous! Hiruzen, is THIS the apprentice you trained?!"
She didn't dare yell when Tsunade was here—
Tsunade would literally punch her through the wall—but yelling at Hiruzen was safe.
Hiruzen didn't even look at her.
He calmly lit another cigarette.
"Honestly…" Danzō scoffed. "When Tsunade was here just now, I didn't hear you complaining."
Koharu flushed with embarrassment and fury.
Danzō always despised her and Homura—
no strength, yet they never shut up.
Hiruzen ignored their bickering and exhaled a stream of smoke.
"Hirzuzen, you must have noticed it too," Danzō said quietly.
"…Yes."
"You two mind explaining?" Koharu demanded.
"It's simple," Danzō continued coldly. "Tsunade knows something about Hatake Sakumo."
Koharu and Homura froze.
"That— that should be impossible…!" Homura muttered.
"No one outside this room should know—!"
Danzō's lips curled in disdain.
"Hmph. Even if she knows about White Fang, that's nothing. But if she learns the truth behind the decline of the Senju clan…"
He didn't finish the sentence.
He didn't need to.
Everyone present understood.
If Tsunade,
the granddaughter of Hashirama Senju—
learned her clan was systematically weakened by Hiruzen, Danzō, and the Elders…
The consequences would tear Konoha apart.
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