"Tsunade, aren't you going to introduce me?"
Hiruzen's kindly smile and grandfatherly demeanor were masterclass acting—as if he were just some benign old neighbor.
Tsunade's lips twisted slightly.
As Hokage, he'd obviously already investigated both Shizune and Sasame's backgrounds.
This whole charade served only to create a favorable first impression.
"This is Shizune."
Her introduction was perfunctory.
"Shizune..."
Hiruzen's voice took on a nostalgic tone. "How you've grown. If only your uncle could see you now."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Old man, shut it."
"My apologies—memories got the better of me."
Hiruzen turned to Sasame. "And who might this be?"
"Sasame. My new apprentice."
Tsunade instantly realized Hiruzen's true target—he must have already questioned Nonō about the boy.
"An apprentice? How unusual."
Hiruzen crouched, reaching to pat Sasame's head. "Tell Grandpa, which clan do you hail from?"
Crafty old fox.
Sasame had anticipated this earlier than Tsunade.
As one of the Sannin, any apprentice she took would inevitably draw scrutiny.
An orphanage kid? Nonō would be the first source consulted.
But as his adoptive mother, she'd never betray him—at most revealing his Senju lineage.
Which sufficiently explained Tsunade's interest.
Instead of answering Hiruzen, Sasame deliberately looked up at Tsunade first.
Noticing those expressive eyes, she couldn't help smiling—this kid's sharp.
"He carries Senju blood. I recognized his ninja potential."
"I see."
Hiruzen showed no surprise.
He had questioned Nonō after all.
But he'd never connected the dots to Wood Release.
After the Senju disbanded into Konoha's population, Hiruzen maintained exhaustive surveillance—hoping to identify any Wood Release awakenings.
Decades passed without a single case.
As the "Professor," Hiruzen understood the reason—physiology.
Hashirama's freakishly potent cells retained terrifying vitality even posthumously.
That was likely the key to Wood Release.
His "head pat" just now confirmed Sasame's chakra levels were pathetically weak—no way he'd awakened it.
With suspicions alleviated, Hiruzen offered: "Sasame looks school-aged. I'll arrange his Academy enrollment."
"No need."
Tsunade instinctively rejected—she disliked the idea of him leaving her side. "I'll teach him myself."
"You know the Academy's benefits."
Hiruzen remained unruffled. "Proper foundational knowledge. Social connections."
Tsunade frowned.
He wasn't wrong—hence why she'd let Shizune attend.
"Sasame, what do you think?"
Hiruzen shifted tactics. "Wouldn't you like making friends at school?"
Decades of propaganda made him confident about manipulating children.
Sasame feigned hesitation.
He actually wanted to enroll—more connections meant more opportunities to harvest Fate Points.
But playing hard to get served his purposes better.
"I'll follow my teacher's decision."
Hiruzen blinked.
Not the scripted response!
Did my PR campaigns fail?!
Tsunade's lips quirked at this loyal answer.
"We'll consider enrollment later."
"Very well."
Hiruzen smoothly pivoted to official business. "Minato and Kushina's funeral is in three days. 8 AM."
Tsunade's smile vanished as she nodded.
"Goodbye, Hokage-jiji!"
Sasame and Shizune chorused.
(Shizune meant it sincerely. Sasame? Performance art.)
As Hiruzen departed, he remained unworried—within Konoha's walls, nothing escaped his notice.
Inside, Tsunade assigned Shizune a bedroom before summoning her to the living room.
The girl blinked at the sight before her—Sasame curled adorably on the sofa like a white kitten.
"Sasame-kun, how old are you?"
"Seven. And you, nee-chan?"
"Fourteen!"
Shizune puffed out her modest chest proudly. "Already a genin! Rely on me anytime!"
Her overt friendliness stemmed from assuming Sasame had been Tsunade's apprentice longer.
"Okay!"
Sasame's delight was genuine.
With Tsunade, Shizune, and Kabuto?
Konoha's top three healers in my corner—I'd have to try to die.
"You two seem compatible."
Tsunade descended with a medical textbook for Shizune.
The girl paled upon seeing it was just a reading list.
Sasame peeked and shuddered.
Medical school?
May lightning strike those who recommend this path.
"Memorize these first," Tsunade declared. "Practical training comes later."
Then she turned to Sasame. "With me. We need to talk."
He could guess the topic—the Academy.
Once alone, Tsunade asked directly: "Do you want to attend ninja school?"
Her original plan involved leaving Konoha with Shizune.
But Sasame complicated things—dragging a child through nomadic life seemed cruel.
These past days had endeared him to her immensely. While schooling offered benefits, the dilemma remained.
Sasame hesitated before answering: "I'll follow your lead."
Tsunade noted his microexpressions—he clearly wanted to go.
His "obedience" only highlighted his considerate nature.
Which made her more determined not to shortchange him.
She lifted him onto her lap, those legendary assets pressing against him as she cooed:
"What a thoughtful, good boy you are~"