The Strange and the Disappointed

"Ah, my head hurts so much."

Tsunade pinched her brow, her face flushed with an abnormal crimson.

"We've all told you to drink less, Lady Tsunade," Uchiha Sōgetsu said, secretly glancing at Hikari with a speechless expression.

Even though they were implanting false memories, making Tsunade drink for two consecutive days was a bit too much!

It was Yachihoko's doing; if it were anyone else, they would have been discovered long ago.

Little Hikari felt a bit guilty, lowering her head to avoid his gaze, her hands twisting together.

She wouldn't tell Uchiha Sōgetsu that it was because she was jealous.

"Kid, I can't walk anymore." As she spoke, Tsunade, to Hikari's shocked eyes, flopped onto Uchiha Sōgetsu's back, pinched the young man's cheek, and giggled, "We're almost there anyway. For the rest of the way, consider it payment for medical fees. Carry me back!"

Ninja clothing wasn't exactly plentiful, and Tsunade's bust was even more impressive.

The moment she pressed against him, he could feel the pressure on his back. Truly worthy of the title "Queen of the Boobs," she certainly had ample assets!

"Speaking of medical fees, Lady Tsunade, you still owe me five hundred thousand Ryo."

Uchiha Sōgetsu was full of helplessness. He couldn't just throw her down, so he could only carry Tsunade and continue on his way.

Sometimes, he even wondered if he had mixed any... inappropriate content into the psychological suggestion he'd given Tsunade back then.

How to handle the doctor-patient relationship was also a headache.

"Ah~~~ I'm sleepy."

Tsunade found a comfortable position and fell asleep on the young man's back.

Creak, creak

"Huh? What's that sound?"

Uchiha Sōgetsu was puzzled. Following the sound, he saw Hikari grinding her teeth, her eyes red as she stared at Tsunade.

Tsk. He almost forgot.

There was still one more patient here with more severe psychological issues.

All in all, the journey was barely manageable. Under his full suppression, no accidents ultimately occurred.

As they neared Konoha, Uchiha Sōgetsu woke Tsunade up.

He didn't want any more rumors about Little Hikari being a "cougar" or being kept by a rich older woman.

"Ah~ So comfortable!"

Tsunade stretched, her chest swaying: "Thanks, kid."

"You're welcome." Uchiha Sōgetsu moved his sore shoulders and said indifferently, "Just remember to pay me back my five hundred thousand Ryo."

"Hmph, so boring. It's just five hundred thousand, isn't it?" Tsunade pouted and said, "When I get back and wreak havoc, I'll pay you back immediately!"

Wait until you wreak havoc?

Heh, if that day ever comes, Konoha might lose half its population.

Uchiha Sōgetsu thought dismissively, nodding perfunctorily on the outside: "Ah, okay, okay, I'll be waiting."

As they chatted, the gates of Konoha came into view.

Eager to get rid of Tsunade, Uchiha Sōgetsu quickened his pace, wanting to deliver the mission to the Hokage and get some rest.

Their every move naturally did not escape Root's eyes.

Upon learning of Uchiha Sōgetsu and Tsunade's return, Danzō hadn't even warmed his seat. He didn't even use his usual ostentatious cane and rushed towards the Hokage's office with his legs moving swiftly.

During this period, the complaints within Root were almost beyond his ability to suppress.

Ninjas were inherently a high-risk profession, and Anbu was even higher risk. When those Root ninjas suddenly learned they were rejected by all the Medical Ninjas, they were on the verge of an uproar.

But the key problem was, their rioting was useless.

This time, the unified pressure from the Medical Ninjas not only involved Tsunade but also had the tacit approval of the Hokage behind it.

Danzō was naturally well aware of all this.

Root's influence and power were growing, making Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage, feel a sense of threat and unease.

This was using Tsunade to suppress and warn him, forbidding him from interfering in certain matters.

Having prepared himself mentally, Danzō pushed open the Hokage's office door, cast a subtle glance at Uchiha Sōgetsu, sneered inwardly a few times, and then turned his gaze to the main subject: "Ahem... Tsunade, old man..."

"Shut up."

Tsunade coldly interrupted Danzō, as if treating him as air, and continued speaking to the Third Hokage at the desk: "Old man, this is my new disciple. Let me introduce you."

Ignored, Danzō didn't get angry. He had anticipated this situation before coming and waited quietly.

"H-hello, my name is Hikari." Little Hikari acted timidly at the right moment, clutching her sleeves and hiding behind Tsunade, revealing only half her face: "You can call me Little Hikari."

"Hehehehe, I didn't expect you to take in a disciple too, in the blink of an eye."

Hiruzen Sarutobi stroked his beard, a reminiscent look on his face, and said kindly, "Good, she looks like a good child. But I have to say something, Tsunade. Since you're a teacher now, you can't go gambling anymore, or what if you set a bad example for Little Hikari?"

"Alright, alright, stop nagging me."

Tsunade flicked her ear and said impatiently, "I'm just telling you, I'm leaving if there's nothing else."

"Mm, wait a moment." Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his hand to stop her, glanced at Danzo beside him, and said, "Don't be in such a hurry to leave. Such a big incident has occurred, it needs to be resolved, right?"

"Lord Hokage, I'll take my leave then."

Uchiha Hikari, having reported on her mission, said knowingly upon seeing this.

"Mm, alright, you may go."

Hiruzen Sarutobi, not forgetting his indoctrination, added, "I will have Danzo give you an explanation for this matter. Don't worry, we are all from the same village, and I won't mistreat you."

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

As Uchiha Sōgetsu left, he couldn't resist giving Danzo a cold glare.

Danzo's expression remained unchanged, and he sneered inwardly, Just a mere Uchiha. Once this matter is over, I'll have plenty of ways to kill you.

Sensing his inner thoughts, Uchiha Sōgetsu's lips curved into a slight arc as he stepped out of the Hokage's office, "Kill me? Heh. I'm looking forward to it. Please don't disappoint me."

The perspective returned to the Hokage's office.

Little Hikari was taken away by the Anbu arranged by the Hokage, leaving only the three of them.

Knock knock!

Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped his pipe, refilled it with tobacco, and lit it, taking a deep puff. "Let's talk. How should this matter be resolved? If this continues, it's not conducive to internal stability, nor to Konoha. Especially now, when other ninja villages are restless. If this escalates, it will be embarrassing."

Tsunade sat on the sofa, crossing her legs, not even looking at Danzo.

Seeing that the main party remained silent, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but feel a headache coming on. He then looked at Danzo with a hint of pressure, "This matter originated with you. How do you plan to resolve it?"

Knowing he would have to pay a price, Danzo took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "Hiruzen, I will not interfere in this Hokage election, and I will cede some members of 'Root'. Is that acceptable?"

This price, while not crippling, was certainly heavy.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with satisfaction and then looked at Tsunade, "What do you think?"

"He intends to kill Uchiha Sōgetsu," Tsunade said, her eyes ice-cold. "And this is how it's going to be settled?"

Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned, his expression darkening slightly.

Those who knew him well understood this was a sign of extreme dissatisfaction. However, due to Tsunade's status, he still said, "Regarding Uchiha Sōgetsu, I will compensate the Uchiha Clan and warn Danzo not to make a move against him again. Will that suffice?"

"It's that simple?"

Hearing yet another measure for maintaining stability, Tsunade became furious. "Danzo colluded with outsiders to assassinate a Konoha Jonin, and there's no punishment at all in the end?"

"Tsunade, I am acting from a broader perspective. You must understand my difficult position!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi, being challenged by his disciple, also grew angry. "You need to be considerate of me. Danzo has also made contributions to Konoha, and the ninja world is not peaceful right now. We need the strength of Root. If we rashly punish Danzo, we will only be weakening ourselves!"

"Broader perspective! Broader perspective! Always the broader perspective!"

Tsunade slammed the table and stood up, looking at her former heroic teacher with utter disappointment. "You keep saying it's for the broader perspective, but what about White Fang..."

Those two words struck Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart like steel needles.

"Silence! Tsunade!" He slammed the table with force, his face extremely grim, and said chillingly, "This matter is settled!"

Looking at her teacher, whose eyes were fierce as if he were about to devour her.

The last shred of hope in Tsunade's heart slowly cooled. That familiar face had become utterly strange.

December 22nd, Clear

I met a fortune teller this morning who said I was a dragon among men. I was so moved that I asked my editor: "Do I have the potential for platinum?" The editor was silent for a long time before replying: "I think you look like a derp."