Tsunade Changes Her Mind

In the following days, Jiraiya relentlessly tried to subdue Tsunade in various ways.

Tsunade, on the other hand, perfectly exemplifies what it means to be completely impervious to reason.

She accepted Jiraiya's invitation without hesitation.

Anyway, she wasn't the one who paid for the drinks.

He treated Jiraiya as if they were old friends reuniting, and ignored Jiraiya's repeated advice.

All the efforts Jiraiya put in seemed to be in vain.

But humans aren't plants or trees; how can they be without feelings?

Konoha held too many painful memories for Tsunade, so she was unwilling to return to Konoha, fearing that revisiting the place would trigger painful memories and stir up old feelings.

Women are always very emotional.

During their drinks Jiraiya, the two inevitably reminisced about the past, recalling his gentle and reliable lover Dan Katō, his always energetic younger brother Nawaki, and the glorious days when they fought alongside the Sannin in the Third Hokage Squad.

The more Tsunade recalled those warm memories, the more heartbroken she became.

The grief of losing Nawaki and Dan in succession devastated Tsunade, one of the Sannin, and she chose to escape, leaving Konoha and never returning.

Therefore, Jiraiya suggested that she go back and succeed the aging Third as the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade resolutely refused.

Hokage?

It's just a joke.

Tsunade has met too many people: her grandfather and great-uncle, and the brilliant Minato Namikaze, who sacrificed himself to protect the village before he could fulfill his ambitions after becoming Hokage.

Her beloved younger brother, Nawaki, and her dearest lover, Dan, both perished on their path to pursuing their dream of Hokage.

Sacrificing one's life so easily... is something only a fool would do.

The Hokage... is utterly useless; only an idiot would want to be one!

In front of Jiraiya and Naruto, Tsunade said this without giving them any face at all.

Over the past week, Jiraiya's words to her have stirred up too many memories she usually dared not recall.

Tsunade was no longer willing to get entangled with Jiraiya. Before leaving, she spoke her mind without reservation.

But is this really what Tsunade truly thinks?

Hokage...

Those were the two most important people in Tsunade's life, Nawaki and Dan, and their dreams.

How could Tsunade belittle their dreams?

She simply couldn't let go of their deaths; it was an unbearable pain in her life. To escape this feeling, she chose to blame everything on the position of Hokage.

The two people she loved died while pursuing their dream of Hokage, so she resented the Hokage.

That's all.

So when she saw Hokage, who was once again training and striving with all his might to become Naruto, the softest spot in Tsunade's heart seemed to be touched.

When she saw Naruto, who had collapsed from exhaustion after training, trembling as he stubbornly stood up to refute her.

"Becoming Hokage is my dream!"

Naruto's stubborn figure, uttering those words, was reflected in Tsunade's eyes.

It's filled with the youthful shadows of the people Tsunade loved.

Tsunade was stunned.

At that moment, she abandoned the idea of quietly leaving.

He made a bet with Naruto.

It's a gamble that Naruto, who's been making no progress in his training like a complete idiot, can master the Summoning Technique and summon powerful summoning beasts within a week.

The stakes are that Tsunade returns to Konoha to protect the village, and perhaps even becomes the Fifth Hokage.

And Tsunade's treasured possessions, including Nawaki and Dan's keepsakes, precious jewelry that embodied her dream of becoming Hokage.

Conversely, if Naruto fails to do so, Tsunade will take all the money from his wallet.

Completely asymmetrical betting.

Because she didn't want to win.

For the first time in her life, Tsunade hoped she would lose her bet.

She wanted to see a miracle happen.

Naruto is so much like the deceased Nawaki. He's just as arrogant and defiant, always wearing that silly, bright smile, and has the same dream.

Even his age is the same as when Nawaki died...

Every time Tsunade sees Naruto, it's as if she's seeing her deceased brother.

Perhaps, if Naruto succeeds, that encouragement could awaken in her the courage to face her grief?

However, despite Naruto's frantic training for a whole week, he made no progress. Could he master the Summoning Technique within the week stipulated in the bet?

Tsunade knew very well that hard work didn't always guarantee success, and sometimes it could even lead to failure on the path to one's dreams, just like Nawaki and Dan. In this bet, her chances of winning were extremely high.

She saw absolutely no possibility that Naruto could learn the Summoning Technique within a week.

So if Naruto really mastered the Summoning Technique, it would be a miracle!

That must prove that Nawaki and Broken's persistence and efforts were not in vain!

That proves that miracles can happen.

Even in a game where I have absolutely no luck in gambling, a miracle will surely happen to stop me from winning, even if I'm facing a sure win!

--That's what Tsunade was thinking.

However, that didn't happen.

The first time has passed, but Naruto's training still hasn't made any progress.

Second, Naruto summoned a tadpole with legs.

Third, tadpoles evolved into Toad.

Fourth, Toad. Fifth, tadpole. Sixth, Toad.

There was absolutely no hope of winning the bet.

Tsunade's face grew increasingly grim. What good would winning the bet and taking all the money from Naruto's wallet do to her? Keeping her treasured jewelry only made her more unhappy!

People who want to become Hokage are all idiots!

This is the last one. If I win the bet, I'll just leave! I'll never... return to Konoha.

Tsunade made up her mind.

Around noon on the seventh day.

Having exhausted his Chakra, Naruto managed to summon a few tadpoles but still gained nothing.

"Hateful!"

Naruto collapsed to the ground in despair!

Is the bet over?

Tsunade pursed her lips and remained silent.

She called out to Shizune, already preparing to turn and leave.

"It seems there's no other way, Naruto!" Jiraiya, suddenly said with unusual seriousness, "You can't learn the Summoning Technique using conventional methods, but I have another way..."

"Really? I want to learn!" Naruto exclaimed excitedly!

"This method gives you a very high chance of learning Summoning Technique..."

Jiraiya, then said coldly!

"Because this method awakens the enormous energy hidden within you, helping you learn Summoning Technique."

"But if you don't learn it, you'll die! Whether you learn it or not is up to you!"

Naruto's expectant expression froze on his face.

Tsunade frowned and stepped forward to stop Jiraiya: "Jiraiya, it's just a Ninjutsu. There's no need to risk your life if you can't learn it. Forget it!"

But a scarred hand stopped him.

"No, I will learn from Tsunade! Even if it means death, I will not run away!"

Tsunade turned around and looked at Naruto, who was looking at her solemnly and seriously.

At this moment, Tsunade felt as if she had returned to that Natsuhi afternoon decades ago.

She advised Nawaki to protect himself on the battlefield and to learn how to escape if he encountered danger.

"Sister, I'm a man! Even if I encounter danger, I can't run away!"

The expression on Nawaki's face back then was exactly the same as Naruto's in front of him!

Shortly after Nawaki those words, Nawaki died on the battlefield.

Tsunade's eyes widened!

Naruto continued—

"This Ninjutsu is very important to me; I must learn it to awaken that power! So please don't stop us; I've made up my mind!"

Yes, we must learn to harness the power dormant within him.

In Team 7, Sakura has already mastered so many powerful Ninjutsu, and Sasuke has awakened his Sharingan and embarked on his own path. How can Naruto tolerate being the only one standing still, constantly looking up at his teammates' advancing backs?

How could Naruto allow Sakura and Sasuke to fight alongside him against powerful enemies, while he had to accept their protection?

To become Hokage, one must possess the power to protect one's comrades Konoha!

Naruto's path is to awaken the immense Chakra buried within him and gain power from the beast that resides in his body!

Even if it means risking one's life in spiritual practice, I would not hesitate!

"Naruto will die!"

Tsunade's face was extremely pale.

This life-or-death decision reminded her of the passing of Nawaki and Dan. She didn't want to see this boy, who always wore a sunny smile and whose arrogant personality and dreams were so much like Nawaki's, die...

Naruto simply responded with a bright smile.

Death... is certainly terrifying.

But loneliness is a hundred times more terrifying than death.

Naruto had had enough of being alone.

Finally, he gained the approval of his comrades. Finally, he took the first step on the road to becoming Hokage.

How could Naruto allow himself to stagnate and once again fall into the abyss of loneliness?

"Becoming Hokage... is my dream!"

"I will never fall before I become Hokage!"

"Let's begin, Jiraiya- sensei!"

P. S. [Merry Christmas Eve! The next chapter will be the end of Volume 3, and the differences from the old version are getting bigger and bigger, so those of you who are still reading the old first-person version on other sites should hurry up and read the new version here!]