"I don't care about you."
Saigoji Youmu's words were calm but carried an unmistakable weight.
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned slightly.
"Oh? You know?"
"I know a little about Konoha."
Saigoji admitted it simply.
He had no reason to hide his knowledge.
Sarutobi took a slow breath before speaking.
"I see."
Youmu gave a slight nod.
"I'll tell him."
"Thanks."
He wasn't interested in making an enemy of Konoha—
If it wasn't necessary.
With that, he opened the door and stepped out.
As soon as Saigoji Youmu walked out of the Hokage's office—
He saw Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Konan standing at the door.
"...What are you guys doing?"
His eyes moved between Tsunade and Orochimaru in confusion.
Konan was expected—she had simply been waiting for him.
But why were the other two still here?
Tsunade quickly approached, looking at him intently.
"You didn't argue with the old man, did you?"
Her golden eyes scanned his face as if searching for clues.
Youmu raised an eyebrow.
"Argue? About what?"
Tsunade blinked, then sighed in relief.
"Hah… Looks like you two had a good talk."
She relaxed.
Youmu smirked slightly.
"Tsunade, you underestimate the Third Hokage."
Though Hiruzen Sarutobi was old, he was anything but a fool.
His handling of Shimura Danzo, Uchiha Sasuke, and Uzumaki Naruto proved as much.
Youmu wouldn't claim Hiruzen was completely clean, but at the very least, he was the last Hokage who could be called good.
Right now, he was still in his prime—his future weaknesses had not yet emerged.
"What did you talk about?" Tsunade asked.
"He's letting me live in Konoha and promised to handle the necessary procedures."
"Also, he told me that you'd handle my housing situation."
Tsunade froze.
"What? Me?"
Even Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with amusement.
Tsunade crossed her arms and frowned.
"What's that old man thinking…?"
Orochimaru, watching from the side, smirked knowingly.
He had already figured it out.
Tsunade had never shown concern for any man like she did for Nawaki.
Not even for Jiraiya, Orochimaru, or her younger brother Nawaki.
And the most interesting part?
Tsunade herself hadn't realized it yet.
"Forget it. I'll handle it."
Tsunade shook her head, dismissing the thought.
She assumed Hiruzen had simply assigned the task to her because they could communicate better.
Youmu, of course, didn't argue.
With the matter settled, Orochimaru took his leave.
"Since Youmu-kun's situation is resolved, I'll be on my way."
Tsunade nodded, and Orochimaru left without another word.
Now, only Tsunade, Youmu, and Konan remained.
Tsunade turned to them.
"Come on, I'll show you around Konoha."
Jiraiya was still in the Land of Rain, and Orochimaru had his own business.
That left her as their guide.
"Alright."
Though he already knew much about Konoha from stories, seeing it with his own eyes was different.
Tsunade thought for a moment, then smirked.
"The ninja school should be finishing soon."
"Let's go there first."
"I haven't seen my little brother Nawaki in a while either."
Youmu shrugged.
"No problem."
Konan remained quiet but seemed curious about this "Ninja Academy".
At the Academy Gates
Tsunade's timing was perfect.
When they arrived, school had just ended.
Tat tat tat—
Children rushed out of the building, laughing and calling out to their parents or heading home.
Tsunade crossed her arms, scanning the crowd.
"I wonder if that brat Fly Tree is actually studying hard."
She was looking for her younger brother while chatting with Youmu.
He smirked.
"The young master of the Senju Clan, with a sister like you?"
"I'd bet he's been causing nothing but trouble for the teachers."
Tsunade's eyebrow twitched.
"Hah?! What do you mean by that?!"
Youmu chuckled, stepping forward.
"Let's find out, shall we?"