Arrival at the Daimyo's Mansion

By evening, Tsunade led her team into the Daimyo's Mansion, and news of this soon reached the Daimyo.

After presenting her calling card, Tsunade stood outside the Daimyo's Mansion and waited patiently.

As the sun set, the sky gradually darkened.

"So Tsunade has arrived outside the gates and is waiting there?"

The Daimyo lounged lazily in his chair and asked Mū.

Mū knelt on one knee. "Yes. She brought two squads. According to our intelligence, Tsunade set out two mornings ago."

As a subordinate, Mū never offered his own judgment without prompting.

He was merely a tool. So long as his master gave no orders, he only needed to do his assigned duties properly.

"Two days ago... if they traveled at full speed, arriving around this time makes sense."

The Daimyo lightly rubbed his nose, a faint smile appearing on his face.

"Here's what we'll do. Send someone to tell her that I'm feeling somewhat fatigued today and have already retired for the night. Have Tsunade stay at the Guest Villa. You keep watch from a distance. I want to see whether Kurenai Yuhi will come to find her tonight!"

"Yes!" Mū answered, then vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.

The Daimyo looked into the distance with a chuckle, his eyes full of gloom.

If Kurenai Yuhi came over, that would be interesting.

Would Tsunade be able to bear the charge of spying on the Daimyo?

"Lady Tsunade, the Daimyo is unwell and has already gone to sleep. Please proceed to the Guest Villa to rest!"

Having received the reply, Tsunade frowned. She looked up at the sky and said, "Please report once more. There are still matters in the Hidden Leaf Village awaiting my attention. Ask the Daimyo to spare just the time it takes to drink a cup of tea and see me. If this can be settled today, I still need to return to the Hidden Leaf Village to handle official business!"

The attendant shook his head. "Lady Tsunade, no one can change the Daimyo's orders. Please go to the Guest Villa and rest."

"I..." Tsunade raised her hand, about to lose her temper, when Hikari tugged at her clothes.

"Lady Tsunade, how about we wait another day? The Daimyo isn't feeling well. As his subordinates, we shouldn't cause him trouble at a time like this."

"Fine." Tsunade agreed reluctantly.

"Then I'll come visit again tomorrow."

"Lady Tsunade, please follow me!"

The attendant led the way. Mū, who had been hiding behind the gate, quietly returned to the room and reported the situation to the Daimyo.

"Master, Tsunade appeared very anxious. If not for the clever person beside her stopping her, she might have forced her way in today."

The Daimyo wore a mocking expression. "If she wants to barge in, let her. I'd like to see whether Hashirama Senju's granddaughter has any regard for me, the Daimyo."

Mū remained kneeling in silence, awaiting the Daimyo's instructions.

"Since she's in such a hurry, then tomorrow I'll still be indisposed. I'm sure the Hokage will be quite anxious."

"I really do want to see what Tsunade looks like when she's worried!"

No matter what people said behind his back, even if they looked down on the Daimyo.

When they stood before him, they still had to observe the proper etiquette.

These rules were troublesome, but no one could break them.

Now, the Daimyo was relying on his status to continue to toy with Tsunade, while also seeing what benefits that old man Danzo could still offer him.

Guest Villa.

Tsunade returned to her room in anger. She then ordered Hikari to stay behind while the other few left.

"Tell me honestly. What are you thinking about the Daimyo's situation?"

The only person Tsunade could count on now was Hikari. As for the other three—Might Guy, Kotetsu Hagane, and Izumo Kamizuki—they were fine in a fight, but asking them to assess the situation was too much.

Isn't this forcing me to expose myself?

If Tsunade discovers my talent, will I still be able to slack off in the future?

Swish!

Tsunade stepped forward and grabbed Hikari's arms with both hands, her expression solemn. "Kid, I'll say it again. If you have a solution, use it. I truly don't know what to do anymore!"

The excuses Hikari had been about to utter were instantly swallowed back down.

Damn, Tsunade really does have sharp eyes. Even though I hid it so well, she still noticed!

It wasn't really her fault. These ninjas had never received a political education. People like Danzo, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu were already among the best at this sort of thing.

But that's exactly why I can enjoy myself!

Forget it, I'll help her this once. If Tsunade really steps down, the plot will develop differently from what I expected.

Tsunade let out a sigh of relief.

Though she had no idea what political education was, nor what a plot meant, as long as Hikari could help her overcome the current crisis, she would have time to consider those things later.

"I already used a Shadow Clone to infiltrate the Daimyo's side. After learning that Lady Tsunade was in such a hurry, the Daimyo decided to delay meeting you. And that is exactly what I want."

Tsunade: ???

Delaying things is what you want?

Why don't you just fly into the sky while you're at it?

Ignoring Tsunade's puzzled little gaze, Hikari continued with his deductions. "I just received intelligence from my clone. Danzo has an envoy here with the Daimyo, and the reason the Daimyo refused to see you today was to see what better conditions Danzo could offer."

Tsunade frowned.

"Why is that old man Danzo still causing trouble behind the scenes? Doesn't he know the Hidden Leaf Village can't withstand too many risks right now?"

Heh, isn't that Third Elder's fault? If he hadn't become Hokage again, Danzo wouldn't have been so determined to pursue his dream of becoming Hokage.

Danzo: If you, Hiruzen, could become Hokage again, why can't I? Now that Hiruzen is dead, whether by seniority or strength, no matter how you look at it, shouldn't it be my turn?

Hikari had no intention of commenting too much on Danzo's actions.

"The Hidden Leaf Village's situation isn't that serious yet. We can still wait. Since the Daimyo wants to drag things out, it will also make it easier for me to gather intelligence. As long as we find the Daimyo's weakness, this operation can end perfectly."

Tsunade released Hikari, turned around, and sat down in a chair, beginning to consider the situation before her.

The more she thought about it, the more her head hurt.

You old fossils, I didn't want to wipe you all out. But you insist on forcing me out of the Hokage's seat. You were the ones who begged me to come back.

Tsunade was deeply dissatisfied with Danzo's actions.

If Danzo were standing before her, Tsunade would definitely use a Super Strength Punch to hammer him into a flat little pancake.

"Ugh, I'm done thinking."

She rubbed her brow and stopped pondering.

"Let's leave it at that for now."

"Isn't it just the position of Hokage?"

"If Danzo can persuade the Daimyo not to support me, then I have nothing to say. At worst, I'll travel around again. It's no big deal."

"Alright, I want to rest for a while. Handle the rest as you see fit. Oh, and have your clone bring Genma Shiranui and Aoba Yamashiro back soon."

Damn, how heartless!

I analyzed everything for you, and you won't even give me a warm hug!

Hmph, heartless woman!

But then again, if Tsunade leaves, with this face of mine, Danzo won't let me go either.

Hmm, while Tsunade still has some authority, should I just retire and stop being a ninja?