Aftermath

With the Uchiha Clan gone, the hospital's construction had become a foregone conclusion.

Kawafune led everyone away.

The construction workers, who had been scared witless just moments ago, also returned to work normally.

With Earth Style and the workers' impressive stamina, the hospital would be completed in just a few months.

Utatane Koharu had already pieced together the cause and effect of the matter along the way. This had been a trap laid by Hatake Kawafune against Danzo.

And she had merely been an important chess piece he had brought into the game at a high price.

Now was the time for her to play her important role. After sorting through her thoughts, she arrived at the Hokage Building.

She went up to the third floor and pushed open the door to the Hokage's office.

The Third Hokage and Mitokado Homura were handling documents, planning how to allocate and use the money the Hatake Clan had paid for the land.

"Koharu, you're here."

The Third Hokage bit down on his pipe, exhaled smoke through his nose, and greeted Utatane Koharu.

"Danzo is dead."

Yet Utatane Koharu opened with a bombshell.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's pipe fell from his mouth and struck the desk.

Mitokado Homura wore the same stunned expression.

"What happened? How could Danzo have died?"

The Third Hokage clearly could not believe that Danzo, who commanded Root, had died.

"Today, Tsunade invited me to observe the start of construction at the hospital site."

"Danzo joined forces with the Uchiha Clan to cause trouble at the site."

"A conflict broke out between the two sides, and Danzo was killed by Hatake Kawafune."

Utatane Koharu concealed her own role in it. They were all old foxes, after all; claiming that Danzo had tried to assassinate her would be far too laughable.

That was merely the official story.

"Hatake Kawafune? I never expected our decision to drive Danzo to such actions."

"He brought this upon himself."

Mitokado Homura did not think highly of Danzo either. If he was dead, then he was dead.

"Ambition."

Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head, composed himself, and picked up the pipe on the desk.

"Where is his body?"

"Gather up the remaining Root personnel and hand them over to the Anbu."

The Third Hokage swiftly arranged the aftermath. As for Danzo's death, there was no need to explain it to the villagers.

After all, he existed in the darkness, beyond the reach of ordinary civilians.

"I've already sent the Anbu to look for it."

"This Hatake Kawafune is no simple man."

Utatane Koharu had made the arrangements before coming in, and now she instead began speaking about Kawafune.

"He is exceptionally strong, and he supports Tsunade. That isn't necessarily a bad thing."

"With someone like him backing her, perhaps that girl Tsunade can inherit our teacher's will."

The Third Hokage still held high expectations for Tsunade. Whether in terms of strength or her identity as a member of the Senju Clan, Tsunade becoming Hokage would not draw much opposition.

"Give Danzo a proper burial."

"And tell Hatake Kawafune that conflicts need not end in a fight to the death."

"I don't want there to be a next time."

The Third Hokage had Utatane Koharu pass on the message as a warning to Kawafune.

Fortunately, Utatane Koharu had been involved. Otherwise, Danzo's death could not have been brushed aside so easily.

Danzo's death was settled here. Kawafune had successfully used Utatane Koharu to avoid drawing trouble onto himself.

He had brought no risk to himself or the Hatake Clan, and had even eliminated Danzo, a future threat, in one stroke.

The greatest winner of this scheme had to be Tsunade. Big breasts really were amazing.

She had not spent a single coin or used her brain, yet she had plucked the biggest fruit.

With the matter resolved, Kawafune and the others no longer needed to keep watch.

The Construction Team, even more so, did not dare slack off.

That evening, in the Hatake Clan dining hall.

All kinds of drinking snacks had already been laid out on the table. It was another feast.

"Kawafune-kun, will Sensei take his anger out on you because of Danzo?"

Tsunade was still somewhat worried. Only the Third Hokage himself knew how much weight Danzo carried in his heart.

"He'll definitely be angry, but with Koharu Advisor involved, at most he'll just give me a warning."

"Nothing will happen."

Kawafune had studied the Third Hokage thoroughly. He had sentiment, but not much of it.

"Come, drink."

Sakumo was much simpler. Just drink, and that was that.

He clinked cups with Tsunade.

"I saw you discussing with the Construction Team today about digging a large underground chamber beneath the main building?"

Tsunade could not figure out what the underground chamber was for, so she only brought it up now that there were no outsiders present.

"It's a laboratory I'm building for you."

"For conducting all kinds of research. Otherwise, how will you improve your medical skills?"

Kawafune was telling the truth, though he had selfish motives as well.

Without a proper laboratory, how could he research Hashirama Cells?

"I see. I won't say anything more."

Tsunade raised her cup and clinked it against Kawafune's.

"Actually, Sensei has a great ambition."

"He simply has never been able to realize it."

After putting down her cup, Tsunade began to speak freely.

Kawafune and the others listened attentively.

A bite of food, a gulp of wine—it was thoroughly satisfying.

"Ever since Grandfather passed away, Sensei has wanted Konoha to produce another ninja capable of using Wood Style."

"He gathered a group of Medical Ninjas to research Grandfather's Cells."

At this point, Kawafune was already beside himself with excitement. He had never expected the Third Hokage's actions to have never been hidden from the Senju Clan.

He picked some food for Tsunade, signaling for her to continue.

"Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. Grandfather's Cells possess an intense assimilative nature."

"Not a single researcher who voluntarily participated survived. They all became withered trees."

"Even quite a few blood relatives of my Senju Clan died."

Tsunade's mood visibly sank as she spoke.

"With this laboratory, I want to research Grandfather's Cells and see whether I can restore the glory of Wood Style."

Kawafune had not expected Tsunade to voice his own idea before he could. It saved him from having to persuade her later.

"I support you. But why didn't you participate personally?"

"I was still young back then. By the time I grew up, the experiments had already ended."

"Sensei sealed them away. There were too many deaths and injuries; Konoha could not bear such pain."

"So I won't conduct Live Experiments lightly until there is a breakthrough."

Tsunade spoke of her plans.

"My Cellular Activity is very high. I hope I can help you when the time comes."

This was also Kawafune's greatest source of confidence in wanting to fuse with Hashirama Cells.

"Good. We will definitely restore Grandfather's Wood Style to the Shinobi World."

Tsunade was full of spirit. She still did not know that even if Hashirama Cells were thoroughly researched, they were not something just anyone could transplant.

Kawafune did not say anything discouraging. As long as he could fuse with them, the laboratory would not have been built in vain.

He was also certain Tsunade had the ability. After all, Naruto's severed arm in the original story had been cultivated from Hashirama Cells researched by Tsunade.

Sakumo and Nayuki, listening nearby, were equally stirred at the mention of Wood Style. It was the powerful Kekkei Genkai that could pin the Nine-Tails to the ground and beat it.

If Tsunade could research it successfully, all of Konoha would likely change because of it.

No shinobi village would be willing to provoke a ninja capable of wielding complete Wood Style.

"Next, once the hospital is finished, we can bring in the equipment."

"Use the best for the laboratory. I'll pay for it."

"Don't try to save money for me. Everything will be yours in the future."

Even while discussing serious matters, Kawafune did not forget to tease Tsunade again.

Tsunade did not reply. She rolled her eyes at Kawafune, looking utterly captivating.

As expected, the four of them got drunk again at this celebration feast.

Sakumo lay on the floor, still shouting, "Cheers!"

Tsunade, her face flushed, clung to Kawafune and refused to let go, while Kawafune had already fallen asleep.

Only Nayuki retained the last trace of consciousness and called for the Ghost Mastiff to fetch someone.

In the end, the servants carried the four of them back to their rooms one by one.

It was another night of sweet dreams.