The group sat together, enjoying some of Tanzaku Town's well-known takeout dishes. Tsunade and Jiraiya were sipping sake, clearly beginning to feel its effects.
Kyōen sat with unease bubbling inside him.
Because ever since dinner started, Tsunade kept sneaking glances his way.
Wasn't it obvious? She was looking for an excuse to settle scores and squeeze something out of him.
But honestly, he really was doing it for Shizune's sake!
Kyōen buried his face in his rice bowl.
Jiraiya asked, "Tsunade, when do we head back tomorrow?"
"I never said I was going back."
Tsunade looked down. "You can take Shizune back for me tomorrow."
Kyōen wanted to fan the flames—badly—but knew this wasn't his moment to speak.
C'mon, Jiraiya, Shizune… back me up here!
"Lady Tsunade, I'm not leaving!" Shizune stood up in a panic. "Your health…"
She understood very well.
Tsunade might be incredibly strong, but she had hemophobia. If someone really wanted to capture her, they only had to make her bleed—an easy target.
How could she possibly leave Tsunade alone?
Jiraiya added, "Tsunade, you know your condition better than anyone. Are you really willing to take that risk?"
Kakashi and Kurenai looked on, full of doubts.
Lady Tsunade…
What's really going on with her?
They were curious, but didn't dare to ask.
Tsunade let out a cold chuckle. "A medical ninja with hemophobia. What use would I be back in Konoha?"
What?!
Kakashi and Kurenai's eyes went wide with shock.
Hemophobia?!
No wonder Lady Tsunade left the village.
For a shinobi, especially a medical-nin, such a condition practically meant the end of their career. Treating wounds always involved blood—it was unavoidable. If she couldn't operate, her medical ninjutsu would be meaningless.
And yet Tsunade was once the pride of Konoha's medical corps…
Kyōen was a bit surprised too.
Tsunade was dropping her guard.
But what truly caught him off guard—
She didn't wait for Jiraiya to reply. She turned to Kyōen directly.
"Kid, you had a lot to say earlier. So tell me—what good would it do if I went back?"
Her gaze was dim and unreadable.
Kyōen blanked for a second, but then a thrill sparked inside him. He quickly organized his thoughts.
Here it is—my chance!
"I don't know much about medical ninjutsu or hemophobia," he began, "but I do know that a ninja like you—your experience, your skills, your reputation—those are incredibly valuable. Just look at Shizune. Under your guidance, her medical techniques have been improving steadily, haven't they?"
Shizune nodded eagerly.
But Tsunade didn't respond. She just silently downed another cup of sake.
"If being a doctor isn't your goal… then why not aim to become Hokage?" Kyōen's tone grew firm. "If you disagree with Konoha's policies, then change them as Hokage."
"Konoha's medical system has saved countless shinobi. And you—your name, your prestige—you're more than qualified to lead."
"Kyōen!" Jiraiya panicked.
This kid just goes straight for the kill…
Hokage.
It was the one topic most sensitive to Tsunade.
Tsunade gave a cold snort. "You think you understand what it means to be Hokage?"
"I'm still young, so no—I probably don't. But I'll still aim to become Hokage, because I want to change things."
Kyōen's young face was deadly serious.
Kakashi and Kurenai didn't even blink. They were stunned.
The way Kyōen thought and spoke—it was like he was on the same level as Jiraiya or Tsunade, not a genin like them.
And above all—
So bold!
They'd never dare to speak to Tsunade like that.
Even Tsunade was caught off guard.
Now she understood what Jiraiya meant by "his mindset is different."
This kid didn't think like the others. He was on another level entirely.
In Kyōen, she seemed to glimpse the shadows of two familiar people...
Tsunade fell silent.
Kyōen just kept eating, totally oblivious to the attention.
He calmly chewed his rice, unbothered.
Jiraiya kept sipping his drink, but his eyes never left Tsunade.
He was half-expecting her to slam the table—
Maybe break it outright.
But—
Tsunade only smiled. Though the smile was… a little terrifying, she didn't make a move.
"You dissatisfied with the village?"
"I am."
Kyōen put down his chopsticks.
"I lost family in the war. A lot of us did. Should we just accept that and be content with how things are? No. I want to become Hokage and end the wars."
"..."
Jiraiya's eyelid twitched.
This kid really had the guts to dance on a landmine.
Tsunade propped her head on her hand, casting a sideways glance at Kyōen. Her expression was unreadably calm.
"End war? You think it's that easy?"
"If no one ever tries, there'll never be a chance. And I think… that's just wrong."
Kyōen began cleaning up his bowl and chopsticks.
Alright, speech delivered—time to bail!
He stood up and bowed.
"Sorry, I'm off to train."
Kakashi quickly scarfed down the rest of his food, nodded, and followed.
The tension in here's worse than any battlefield.
Training was the better option.
Tsunade leaned back slightly and turned to Shizune and Kurenai.
"You two aren't going to train?"
"I—I'm full!" Kurenai turned pale. She quickly put down her utensils, bowed, and fled.
Shizune still looked worried.
Tsunade's presence tonight was downright overwhelming, but…
What worried Shizune more was the possibility that Tsunade might sneak off alone while everyone else was gone.
Tsunade was totally capable of that.
After a moment's hesitation, Shizune said, "I'll get some air outside."
Now only Jiraiya and Tsunade remained in the room.
They sipped their sake, neither speaking.
After several seconds, Tsunade let out a grumble, drained her cup, and reached for another.
Jiraiya reached out to stop her.
"Don't drink so much."
"What, I can't even drink now?"
Tsunade shot him a glare, but still finished her next cup and didn't pour another.
After a while, she tossed the bottle aside.
"I'm going."
"Where?"
"Up to the roof, to get some air."
She waved him along.
The two of them stepped out onto the rooftop.
From here, they could see Kyōen, Kakashi, and the others training below.
"Hokage… what's so great about that position?"
"..."
Jiraiya had no answer.
Truthfully, he didn't want the job either. Otherwise, he'd be one of the frontrunners to succeed the current Hokage.
Tsunade looked up.
"Your student just lectured me like that, and you've got nothing to say? At the very least, you could stand in for him and shake up those old geezers running the place."
"Ahem… If I became Hokage, then the problem you want solved becomes me."
Jiraiya scratched his cheek, visibly embarrassed.
Tsunade toyed with the empty bottle, eyes glinting coldly. "Let's go back first. Figure out who exactly sent those bastards after me. We'll investigate, then decide."
"If it's safe, I won't stop you from leaving," Jiraiya said.
Tsunade didn't respond. She just looked down below.
The trio were training with full focus.
"…Let's see how things go."
[You have successfully convinced a wandering Kage-level shinobi (partial) and an elite chunin to return to the village.]
[Talent acquisition is the cornerstone of a strong village. Keep it up, Hokage!]
[Reward: Super Strength (Beginner)]
Holy crap!
It actually worked?!
Kyōen took a moment to process it. He quickly grasped the nature of the reward.
The Beginner level of Super Strength meant he only had the basics—some theory and rudimentary technique. To master it, he'd need practice and exceptional chakra control.
The beginner level was just a starting point.
In other words—
Using it carried risks.
Wait a second…
This reward's kinda underwhelming, isn't it? Tsunade came back, and all he got was beginner-level Super Strength?
Kyōen checked the description again.
"Temporary." "Partial."
Ah.
That's why.
Fair enough.
He didn't have a better plan right now, so he comforted himself—
Why complain? Getting Super Strength at all is already a win!
With time, training, and maybe a few more tricks to squeeze more rewards out of Tsunade, he'd get there eventually.An inn.
The group sat together, enjoying some of Tanzaku Town's well-known takeout dishes. Tsunade and Jiraiya were sipping sake, clearly beginning to feel its effects.
Kyōen sat with unease bubbling inside him.
Because ever since dinner started, Tsunade kept sneaking glances his way.
Wasn't it obvious? She was looking for an excuse to settle scores and squeeze something out of him.
But honestly, he really was doing it for Shizune's sake!
Kyōen buried his face in his rice bowl.
Jiraiya asked, "Tsunade, when do we head back tomorrow?"
"I never said I was going back."
Tsunade looked down. "You can take Shizune back for me tomorrow."
Kyōen wanted to fan the flames—badly—but knew this wasn't his moment to speak.
C'mon, Jiraiya, Shizune… back me up here!
"Lady Tsunade, I'm not leaving!" Shizune stood up in a panic. "Your health…"
She understood very well.
Tsunade might be incredibly strong, but she had hemophobia. If someone really wanted to capture her, they only had to make her bleed—an easy target.
How could she possibly leave Tsunade alone?
Jiraiya added, "Tsunade, you know your condition better than anyone. Are you really willing to take that risk?"
Kakashi and Kurenai looked on, full of doubts.
Lady Tsunade…
What's really going on with her?
They were curious, but didn't dare to ask.
Tsunade let out a cold chuckle. "A medical ninja with hemophobia. What use would I be back in Konoha?"
What?!
Kakashi and Kurenai's eyes went wide with shock.
Hemophobia?!
No wonder Lady Tsunade left the village.
For a shinobi, especially a medical-nin, such a condition practically meant the end of their career. Treating wounds always involved blood—it was unavoidable. If she couldn't operate, her medical ninjutsu would be meaningless.
And yet Tsunade was once the pride of Konoha's medical corps…
Kyōen was a bit surprised too.
Tsunade was dropping her guard.
But what truly caught him off guard—
She didn't wait for Jiraiya to reply. She turned to Kyōen directly.
"Kid, you had a lot to say earlier. So tell me—what good would it do if I went back?"
Her gaze was dim and unreadable.
Kyōen blanked for a second, but then a thrill sparked inside him. He quickly organized his thoughts.
Here it is—my chance!
"I don't know much about medical ninjutsu or hemophobia," he began, "but I do know that a ninja like you—your experience, your skills, your reputation—those are incredibly valuable. Just look at Shizune. Under your guidance, her medical techniques have been improving steadily, haven't they?"
Shizune nodded eagerly.
But Tsunade didn't respond. She just silently downed another cup of sake.
"If being a doctor isn't your goal… then why not aim to become Hokage?" Kyōen's tone grew firm. "If you disagree with Konoha's policies, then change them as Hokage."
"Konoha's medical system has saved countless shinobi. And you—your name, your prestige—you're more than qualified to lead."
"Kyōen!" Jiraiya panicked.
This kid just goes straight for the kill…
Hokage.
It was the one topic most sensitive to Tsunade.
Tsunade gave a cold snort. "You think you understand what it means to be Hokage?"
"I'm still young, so no—I probably don't. But I'll still aim to become Hokage, because I want to change things."
Kyōen's young face was deadly serious.
Kakashi and Kurenai didn't even blink. They were stunned.
The way Kyōen thought and spoke—it was like he was on the same level as Jiraiya or Tsunade, not a genin like them.
And above all—
So bold!
They'd never dare to speak to Tsunade like that.
Even Tsunade was caught off guard.
Now she understood what Jiraiya meant by "his mindset is different."
This kid didn't think like the others. He was on another level entirely.
In Kyōen, she seemed to glimpse the shadows of two familiar people...
Tsunade fell silent.
Kyōen just kept eating, totally oblivious to the attention.
He calmly chewed his rice, unbothered.
Jiraiya kept sipping his drink, but his eyes never left Tsunade.
He was half-expecting her to slam the table—
Maybe break it outright.
But—
Tsunade only smiled. Though the smile was… a little terrifying, she didn't make a move.
"You dissatisfied with the village?"
"I am."
Kyōen put down his chopsticks.
"I lost family in the war. A lot of us did. Should we just accept that and be content with how things are? No. I want to become Hokage and end the wars."
"..."
Jiraiya's eyelid twitched.
This kid really had the guts to dance on a landmine.
Tsunade propped her head on her hand, casting a sideways glance at Kyōen. Her expression was unreadably calm.
"End war? You think it's that easy?"
"If no one ever tries, there'll never be a chance. And I think… that's just wrong."
Kyōen began cleaning up his bowl and chopsticks.
Alright, speech delivered—time to bail!
He stood up and bowed.
"Sorry, I'm off to train."
Kakashi quickly scarfed down the rest of his food, nodded, and followed.
The tension in here's worse than any battlefield.
Training was the better option.
Tsunade leaned back slightly and turned to Shizune and Kurenai.
"You two aren't going to train?"
"I—I'm full!" Kurenai turned pale. She quickly put down her utensils, bowed, and fled.
Shizune still looked worried.
Tsunade's presence tonight was downright overwhelming, but…
What worried Shizune more was the possibility that Tsunade might sneak off alone while everyone else was gone.
Tsunade was totally capable of that.
After a moment's hesitation, Shizune said, "I'll get some air outside."
Now only Jiraiya and Tsunade remained in the room.
They sipped their sake, neither speaking.
After several seconds, Tsunade let out a grumble, drained her cup, and reached for another.
Jiraiya reached out to stop her.
"Don't drink so much."
"What, I can't even drink now?"
Tsunade shot him a glare, but still finished her next cup and didn't pour another.
After a while, she tossed the bottle aside.
"I'm going."
"Where?"
"Up to the roof, to get some air."
She waved him along.
The two of them stepped out onto the rooftop.
From here, they could see Kyōen, Kakashi, and the others training below.
"Hokage… what's so great about that position?"
"..."
Jiraiya had no answer.
Truthfully, he didn't want the job either. Otherwise, he'd be one of the frontrunners to succeed the current Hokage.
Tsunade looked up.
"Your student just lectured me like that, and you've got nothing to say? At the very least, you could stand in for him and shake up those old geezers running the place."
"Ahem… If I became Hokage, then the problem you want solved becomes me."
Jiraiya scratched his cheek, visibly embarrassed.
Tsunade toyed with the empty bottle, eyes glinting coldly. "Let's go back first. Figure out who exactly sent those bastards after me. We'll investigate, then decide."
"If it's safe, I won't stop you from leaving," Jiraiya said.
Tsunade didn't respond. She just looked down below.
The trio were training with full focus.
"…Let's see how things go."
[You have successfully convinced a wandering Kage-level shinobi (partial) and an elite chunin to return to the village.]
[Talent acquisition is the cornerstone of a strong village. Keep it up, Hokage!]
[Reward: Super Strength (Beginner)]
Holy crap!
It actually worked?!
Kyōen took a moment to process it. He quickly grasped the nature of the reward.
The Beginner level of Super Strength meant he only had the basics—some theory and rudimentary technique. To master it, he'd need practice and exceptional chakra control.
The beginner level was just a starting point.
In other words—
Using it carried risks.
Wait a second…
This reward's kinda underwhelming, isn't it? Tsunade came back, and all he got was beginner-level Super Strength?
Kyōen checked the description again.
"Temporary." "Partial."
Ah.
That's why.
Fair enough.
He didn't have a better plan right now, so he comforted himself—
Why complain? Getting Super Strength at all is already a win!
With time, training, and maybe a few more tricks to squeeze more rewards out of Tsunade, he'd get there eventually.