Beneath the Hokage Building, in a corner lit by dim streetlamps, quite a few ninja who witnessed the scene could not help clicking their tongues in astonishment.
Could it be that Princess Tsunade of the Land of Fire had really found herself an Uchiha?
This joke had gone way too far.
"L-Lady Tsunade."
Dan Katō approached with a sunny smile on his face. He did not even glance at Uchiha Yoru, instead looking at Jiraiya and Orochimaru with a respectful smile.
"What is it?"
Facing the unfamiliar Jonin Dan Katō, Tsunade spoke calmly, though her tone clearly carried a trace of arrogance.
Before Princess Tsunade, Dan Katō revealed a sincere smile.
"Lady Tsunade, I think the medical system you proposed before was the right one."
Tsunade merely nodded calmly at Dan Katō's flattering words. However, Dan Katō gritted his teeth. If he missed this chance, it would not be so easy to get another.
"My younger sister died in the war when the village was attacked at night a year ago. That is why I deeply agree with the medical system brought up during the meeting. Could I speak with you some more about it, Lady Tsunade?"
Dan Katō's smile was filled with sincerity, as though it came from the depths of his heart. After all, as ninja who had both lost family members, they should have something in common to discuss.
He had lost his younger sister, while Tsunade had lost her younger brother.
Uchiha Yoru was speechless as well. Sure enough, taking the initiative and being passive were completely different. This was exactly the sort of tactic Dan Katō had used in the original story.
(In Episode 91 of the anime, during Tsunade's recollection, Dan Katō said that he had lost his younger sister.)
What a pity.
After hearing those words, Tsunade knew that someone was trying to scheme against her. She had not expected them to be so persistent.
Suppressing the anger in her heart, Tsunade put on a lazy smile and waved her hand.
"Forget it. I've already said everything that needed to be said. The Third Hokage made a lot of sense. What matters most right now is winning this war first."
Tsunade did not give Dan Katō any more opportunities. Instead, she turned to Uchiha Yoru with a smile.
"Yoru, I can examine your body tonight."
With a soft laugh, Uchiha Yoru stiffly wrapped an arm around her slender waist, and the two vanished beneath the dim streetlamps.
Quite a few jonin walking out of the Hokage Building stared wide-eyed. Princess Tsunade had really found herself an Uchiha.
This was explosive news!
As Tsunade disappeared into the distance, Jiraiya's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. Only after a long while did he cry out theatrically.
"No wonder Tsunade never found anyone all these years. She likes them young!"
Although Jiraiya was acting ridiculous, Orochimaru's hoarse laughter made it clear that he and Jiraiya exchanged a look. They had both noticed something was off.
The two of them simultaneously glanced at Dan Katō from the corners of their eyes, because they understood Tsunade.
Naturally, they had no idea whether she truly liked younger men, but Dan Katō had been far too eager just now and exposed a flaw.
Trying to cozy up to her like that, even bringing up his dead younger sister—wasn't he using that as an excuse to approach Tsunade?
After letting out two awkward dry laughs, Dan Katō turned and left into the distance.
At the Hokage's temporary office building under the night sky, inside the Hokage's Office.
"Third Hokage-sama, the jonin meeting has ended, and Lady Tsunade..."
Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could say anything after hearing the ANBU's report, Utatane Koharu frowned, revealing a trace of displeasure.
"Hiruzen, what is Tsunade doing?! What does she want?! Does she not know how dangerous the Uchiha are?!"
After three consecutive questions, Mitokado Homura beside her also frowned and pushed up his glasses, revealing his displeasure. However, he was comparatively more composed.
"Hiruzen, did Tsunade discover something?"
Clearly, with a ninja's powers of observation, they had also noticed that something was wrong with Tsunade.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep draw from his pipe, then slowly raised his head and looked at the two with a calm expression.
"I imagine Dan Katō's earlier actions disgusted Tsunade. During the jonin meeting, Tsunade secretly summoned a Summoning Beast, which led to the scene outside."
At that point, Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a thick cloud of smoke and shook his head.
"Senju and Uchiha. This must be Tsunade's counterattack."
Yet the Third Hokage's calm words caused Utatane Koharu to reveal deep dissatisfaction and wariness.
"Hiruzen, the village only achieved peace after all our efforts. Tsunade has gone too far this time. Her identity is far too sensitive, and this was only Dan Katō's personal action."
Dan Katō was merely a jonin without any backing. Even if he possessed a clan secret technique, he could not influence much.
"Senju and Uchiha—even Tsunade being with a ninja from any major clan would only bring turmoil to the village."
Utatane Koharu spoke in a grave voice with a frown. Clearly, what they feared was the influence of Tsunade's identity.
Tsunade represented the Senju. They could allow her to find any weak and isolated jonin, but she absolutely could not choose someone from one of those major clans.
Dan Katō's secret investigation into Tsunade's information had naturally not escaped their notice. In fact, it was because of their tacit approval that Dan Katō had been prepared for the jonin meeting.
After all, Tsunade's report on the medical system had long since been submitted to the Hokage. This jonin meeting had merely brought it up before all the jonin.
Seeing Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura's concerns, Hiruzen Sarutobi gravely waved his hand.
"Tsunade may have gone too far this time, but the war in the Land of Rain outweighs everything else right now."
At the mention of the war in the Land of Rain, both Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura revealed grave expressions.
"Hiruzen, White Fang's prestige in the village is far too great now. Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade should also shoulder greater responsibilities."
Facing their suggestion, Hiruzen Sarutobi gave his two old friends a deep look. He could not help exhaling a puff of smoke, a resolute expression appearing on his face.
"You are right. With a great war imminent, every country is eyeing the Land of Fire like tigers. I absolutely cannot allow any turmoil within Konoha.
I intend to have Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya lead a ninja corps to the Land of Grass, forming a pincer with the ninja corps currently under White Fang's command on the Amegakure battlefield. Once the war in the Land of Rain expands, Orochimaru and the others can enter the Land of Rain battlefield at any time."
Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura were discussing current ninja deployments in the Land of Rain, the door was suddenly pushed open.
With a bang, Danzo, one eye covered, poked his head in with an angry expression.
"Hiruzen, Senju and Uchiha coming together is such a major matter, yet you are still not doing anything about it!"
Good heavens, Shimura Danzō had started berating him the moment he entered. But this was the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi at the height of his power. How could he tolerate his authority being challenged, especially during wartime? He immediately bellowed in reprimand.
"Danzo! I am the Hokage!"
"Hiruzen! You will regret this!"
Shimura Danzō glared furiously. This was going too far!
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura exchanged a look and helplessly sighed.
"Danzo, the situation in the Land of Rain war is unfavorable right now. As for Tsunade's matter, Hiruzen has his own judgment."
Faced with Utatane Koharu's advice, Shimura Danzō angrily flung the door open and rebuked him.
"Hiruzen, leave that Evil Uchiha brat to me!"
"Danzo, you—"
Mitokado Homura opened his mouth, intending to stop him. Yet facing Danzo as he left in anger, Hiruzen Sarutobi raised a hand to stop the two of them and instead said hoarsely.
"Let Danzo go. The Land of Rain battlefield is what matters most right now."
While the Hokage's Office was discussing the Land of Rain battlefield, this night was far from peaceful.
Tsunade had actually found herself an Uchiha?
Before you continue