Sarutobi Hiruzen

Tsunade returned home to find Nawaki and Kushina already asleep. Today's sword training had truly worn them out.

She went to the bath, took off her clothes, and submerged herself completely.

She recalled everything that had happened while they were drinking today.

She had pressed Kawafune's head against her chest and kissed him, and there had been Sakumo's utterly astonished expression. Tsunade's face began to flush again.

She splashed several handfuls of water onto her face, but it somehow only seemed to turn redder.

Then she remembered how Kawafune had held her as they slept soundly together. Tsunade shyly covered her face and sank her whole body beneath the water.

Only after soaking for a long, long time did Tsunade finally calm herself.

She firmly believed that she and Kawafune were completely innocent. Even if the worst came to pass, he was still willing to take responsibility. What a good man.

Without even bothering to eat, Tsunade returned to her room and collapsed onto the bed. The effects of the alcohol had not fully faded, and even her breath carried a hint of Sauce Fragrance.

She rolled the blanket into a bundle and held it in her arms. It did not quite feel right, but she could only make do with it.

Early the next morning, Nawaki came to ask Tsunade to go to the Hatake Clan, but she refused. She had important business to attend to.

Kushina was also kept behind by Mito to study Sealing Jutsu. The Ninja Academy was on break recently, or she would not have had so much time.

Nawaki went to the Hatake Clan alone. In Konoha, few dared to openly make a move against him, not even Root. Danzo was also Tobirama's disciple.

Kawafune got up early and was feeling extremely energetic.

Though he felt slightly disappointed not to see Tsunade, it did not affect his efforts to establish a friendly, mutually beneficial relationship with Nawaki.

He warmly received Nawaki, set him up with a horse-stance and basic Sword Art training package, then went off to practice the Flying Thunder God Slash on his own.

He was very interested in this technique.

He took out the scroll and studied it carefully. Flying Thunder God relied on objects marked with a Flying Thunder God Technique Formula, using spatial movement to reach the enemy's blind spot and deliver a fatal strike.

It shared the same underlying principle as the Hatake Clan's one-strike kill, except its use of power was more advanced.

One relied purely on speed, while the other used the power of space.

First, he needed a Flying Thunder God Technique Formula. The scroll explained this in detail, and marking one was easy enough.

The objects were even simpler. Whatever kind of weapon Kawafune wanted, he could have Old Tie forge it.

The first step now was to establish a connection with the formula and use it to produce the effect of spatial movement.

Kawafune first copied the method described in the scroll and learned how to mark the formula.

As long as one's Chakra control was precise enough, this would not stump many people. The next step was the crucial part.

With a lift of his hand, an Eight-Faced Han Sword appeared in Kawafune's grasp. Without any visible movement from him, the Senju Clan crest—two fork-like shapes—appeared on its hilt.

He threw the Eight-Faced Han Sword toward a distant tree, and it embedded itself straight into the trunk.

Kawafune began sensing the Flying Thunder God Technique Formula he had left on the sword, but he could only feel a faint connection.

Forget spatial movement—he could not even sense the power of space yet.

Tsunade turned down Nawaki's invitation. After washing up, she left to seek an audience with her teacher, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

When she arrived at the Hokage Building, naturally no one stopped her. She went straight up to the third floor, where Sarutobi Hiruzen's office was located.

She knocked on the door. Hiruzen already knew Tsunade had arrived, so he set down the pipe in his mouth.

Putting on a smile, he said, "Come in."

Only then did Tsunade push open the door and enter. Hiruzen sat behind his desk, which was covered with documents. On either side sat the two Crouching Dragons and Young Phoenixes, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.

"Good morning, Teacher. Good morning, Two Advisors."

Tsunade politely greeted them. At this point, she still held some goodwill toward Hiruzen. He was not only her teacher, but also a ninja who had inherited the aspirations of her two grandfathers.

"Tsunade, what brings you to see me today?"

"Is it still about your proposal to assign Medical Ninja to mission squads?"

Hiruzen smiled warmly, perfectly displaying the kindness and benevolence of an elder.

"No, Teacher."

"I came today to ask you to approve a plot of land large enough to build a hospital."

Tsunade was not suited to beating around the bush, so she stated her purpose right away.

"Build a hospital? Why?"

"Besides, you probably do not have that much funding, do you?"

Hiruzen frowned. His first thought was what impact this would have on Konoha, and whether it posed any threat or benefit to himself.

Upon hearing this, the Two Advisors also stopped their work and looked at Tsunade curiously. This did not seem like something a gambling addict like her would do.

Was she not afraid of gambling the hospital away?

"It's like this. The Hatake Clan is preparing to work with me to build a hospital."

"First, it can benefit Konoha. Second, it can train Medical Ninja."

"This would bring nothing but benefits to Konoha."

Though Tsunade was reckless, she could still explain the pros and cons clearly.

"The Hatake Clan? They have indeed become quite wealthy in recent years."

As he spoke, his brow furrowed even deeper. Was the Hatake Clan trying to grow even larger?

"I cannot give you an answer immediately."

"After all, this is a major matter. I need to discuss it with the higher-ups."

"And even if the land is approved, the payment cannot be lacking. Konoha's land belongs to all the villagers."

Hiruzen set the tone for the matter. Whether it succeeded or not could be discussed later, but if it did, they had better pay enough.

"Teacher, this is also something that would benefit the villagers."

"What is there to discuss?"

Tsunade wanted to argue her case, but Hiruzen interrupted her. He sighed, wearing a helpless expression.

"You have never sat in my position, so you do not understand my difficulties."

"Not everything can be decided by me alone."

Those two sentences left Tsunade unable to say another word. If she pressed further, she would be going too far. After all, her teacher was also warning her.

"Fine. Then I will wait for your answer, Teacher."

Tsunade's expression had already turned unpleasant. After speaking, she turned and left the office.

She even looked back resentfully twice. How had such a good matter become so full of twists and turns?

"What do you two think about what Tsunade proposed?"

Hiruzen asked his two old companions for their opinions.

"I do not think it is much of an issue. The Hatake Clan may be wealthy, but they have few members. They cannot amount to much."

That was Mitokado Homura's view. He did not believe opening another hospital would strengthen the Hatake Clan. No matter how wealthy they were, they were still merely a small clan with few members.

"That is not necessarily true. Hatake Kawafune and Hatake Sakumo are both outstanding Jonin."

"With financial backing, if they open a hospital and build prestige within the village, they might gain a group of supporters."

"Still, I do not think it will affect you, Hiruzen."

"Danzo may be the one with a headache over it."

Utatane Koharu had her own view. Hiruzen was already the Hokage, so the Hatake Clan's growth would only threaten Danzo, the man who wanted to become Hokage.

"Koharu is right. Then let us choose a plot of land."

"The money from selling the land can also be used to build some infrastructure for the villagers."

"I would be benefiting the villagers. It is good for both me and the Hatake Clan."

Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe with a smile. The three settled the matter in no time and continued working.