[Looking at the relaxed smile on Naruto's face.]
[Tsunade's heart suddenly twitched.]
[Her failing eyesight was acting up again.]
[She saw the shadow of Nawaki.]
[But it was what Nawaki would have looked like after growing for about ten more years.]
[Perhaps... even more than that?]
[Tsunade sighed inwardly.]
[On the surface, she put on a heroic front.]
[Patting her chest, a confident smile curled at the corners of her mouth.]
["Use it, use it as much as you want!"]
["As long as it helps you, it's just an identity."]
["As for considering my reputation?"]
["There's no need for that."]
["At most, it's just a few more charges; I run from gambling debts every day anyway, I'm used to it."]
["No, that won't happen. After Lady Tsunade returns this time, you won't need to leave Konoha again. Even if someone has to leave, it won't be you. As long as you're willing to stay in Konoha, who would dare drive you away or force you?"]
[Naruto interrupted Tsunade's words.]
[Shizune was stunned; she heard the word'stability'.]
[Naturally, she yearned for it in her heart.]
[Moreover, these words were spoken by the big boy in front of her who made her feel incredibly at ease.]
[The credibility was extremely high!]
[She couldn't help but look at Tsunade.]
[But she saw Tsunade's brow furrowed.]
[Finally, she still shook her head.]
["No need."]
["I'm also used to..."]
["Then get used to a stable life, a life with hope, a happy life, a free and easy life!" Naruto said in an unquestionable tone.]
[Tsunade was taken aback.]
[Then, the corners of her mouth curled up uncontrollably.]
[Lifting her snowy white neck, she looked at Naruto with a half-smile:]
["Brat, stop acting on your own."]
["Who can't just flap their lips and talk big?"]
["Alright, with me, you don't need to intentionally pretend..."]
["I'm serious," Naruto interrupted her again.]
[Tsunade's smile slowly faded.]
["I once said I would never set foot in Konoha again."]
["You are in Konoha right now, and a large part of the reason is because of me," Naruto said.]
["So?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow.]
["If you want to step out of Konoha again, you'll need my nod first." Naruto met her gaze.]
[After a moment, Tsunade looked away.]
[Raising her small hand, she unconsciously brushed back the hair at her temples.]
["So young yet so fond of talking big."]
["As long as I want to leave, the road is right beneath my feet."]
["Then I'll take the feet... no, then I'll tear up the road!"]
[Shizune's shoulders trembled slightly beside them.]
[She wanted to laugh, but... she also felt her heart warm, and was happy for Tsunade.]
[This big boy's words were undoubtedly extremely overbearing.]
[And incredibly confident.]
[It was as if everything he said was true.]
[Tsunade opened her small mouth slightly, seeing Naruto's 'you can say whatever you want, but in the end I have the final say' expression.]
[Tsunade laughed out of frustration.]
["Fine~"]
["Then tell me, what do you plan to do next?"]
["What do you want to do with my identity?"]
[Naruto narrowed his eyes slightly.]
["Fifth Hokage."]
["No! I refuse!" Tsunade shook her head without hesitation.]
[Shizune slapped her thigh in shock.]
[Was 'Hokage' a position you could just take whenever you wanted?]
["Only a fool would become the Hokage!" Tsunade seemed to think of something, her tone unfriendly.]
["You don't want it?"]
["Then in the future, even the name 'Konoha' might not be preserved."]
[This decision was one Naruto had made after careful consideration.]
[While doing her a favor, it would also firmly tie Tsunade's heart down.]
[Otherwise, this woman might run off and rack up a mountain of debt again... Spanking her was out of the question, and as for scolding, he felt she might listen but wouldn't change.]
[Of course, as the saying goes, people change.]
[Moreover, maybe in the future, Tsunade would even thank him for this Hokage position.]
[Hmm... ten or eight favors would be no problem.]
["Not be preserved?"]
["Konoha?"]
[Tsunade's breath hitched.]
[The way she looked at Naruto changed.]
[This perverted brat has huge ambitions!]
[Meanwhile, Shizune was still in shock over the Fifth Hokage part.]
[Deep breath.]
[Don't let yourself lose composure.]
["Why?"]
[Naruto's lips curled slightly, skipping the topic for now.]
[In a moment, she would have the answer.]
[The groundwork was almost laid; in a short while, the plan—taking advantage of a weak point—would begin.]
[Swift, accurate, and ruthless!]
[Absolutely no dragging feet.]
[At this moment.]
[Around Naruto's old apartment.]
[Several Wood Clones were already on alert to prevent others from disturbing them.]
[Of course, the experiments on the White Humanoid Beings beneath the apartment were still ongoing.]
[Seeing that Naruto didn't answer directly, Tsunade changed her approach.]
["You... or Minato, should be capable of it too, right?"]
["He could even continue as the Fourth Hokage."]
["To reminisce about the days of being a puppet?" Naruto countered.]
[Tsunade: "..."]
[She lowered her eyes slightly.]
[Then she looked up, and when she looked at Naruto again, deep down, she already considered him a 'peer'.]
["So, your intention to use my identity is... to have me become the Fifth Hokage?"]
["More than that." Naruto chuckled and shook his head.]
[Tsunade frowned.]
[She always felt... this little perverted brat's smile was a bit wicked, as if he had ill intentions.]
[However, appearing on this handsome and youthful face, it didn't seem out of place.]
["Can I refuse?"]
[Before Naruto could reply.]
[Tsunade added: "You definitely won't agree."]
["Besides that, what else is my identity going to be used for?"]
["If it's the Fifth Hokage... indeed, if I were to say it publicly, those old fogies might not necessarily be able to stop me."]
["Hmph~!"]
["Sorry, Lady Tsunade, Lord... Naruto!"]
["I'll head out first."]
[Shizune suddenly snapped out of it.]
[Then she quickly grabbed Tonton from by Naruto's feet and stood up.]
["It's fine, Sister Shizune, you don't need to leave."]
["There's nothing in these words that you can't hear."]
[Hearing this, Shizune felt a warmth in her heart.]
[Immediately after, she subconsciously looked at Tsunade.]
[Tsunade naturally didn't answer, but her fair nose twitched slightly as she made a nasal sound.]
[Meaning she agreed with what Naruto said.]
[Only then did Shizune sit down somewhat nervously.]
[She felt like the world had gone mad.]
[The position of Hokage... she still knew what it meant.]
[Because of that, she still held a sense of awe towards it.]
[Therefore, how could she remain calm when Naruto and Tsunade were casually discussing the Hokage, or even directly deciding who the Fifth Hokage would be?]
[How could she stay calm?]
["Heh~"]
["Fine!"]
["Since I can't refuse, then I'll just change to a comfortable position~!"]
[Tsunade thought for a moment and finally slapped the table, saying.]
[Shizune: "???"]
[Tsu... Lady Tsunade, what are you saying?!]
[What kind of suggestive words are these?!]
[What if... what if it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy?]
[Bah~ why is my mind so messy today~!]