Marula, You've Caused Big Trouble! Tsunade, Do You Want to Be Hokage?

Tsunade's sudden outburst of rage startled Minato Namikaze.

However, Tsunade didn't have time to deal with Minato Namikaze at the moment.

Because in this instant, Tsunade felt a strong sense of being toyed with, which sent her into a fury.

Thinking about how much effort she had put in for Dan Uchiha, how much guilt she had shouldered, only to find out he was all an act, the anger in her heart simply wouldn't subside.

Tsunade's thoughts were like opening Pandora's Box, completely unstoppable.

He had been lying to her, lying to her about so many things.

Why did he lie to me?

To survive?

Alright, Tsunade truly understood how difficult Dan Uchiha's past seven years had been.

Even if she realized some things belatedly, she couldn't blame him for constantly scheming to survive, even scheming her into it, deliberately using methods to make her help him escape danger.

In fact, what Tsunade truly cared about wasn't this at all, because she could understand some things.

What she truly cared about was Dan Uchiha's increasing concern for her, his acceptance, the change in his attitude, and the occasional intimacy that made her heart race – were they real?

If these were all true, and Dan Uchiha had already passed the danger, why would he still lie to her?

If these were all fake...

The mere thought flashed through her mind, leaving Tsunade's brain blank, her whole body unsteady.

All fake?

All of Dan Uchiha's feelings for her were fake?

Was everything just deception and manipulation?

And if she hadn't come to find Minato Namikaze today and coaxed some information out of him, she would still be in the dark about many things.

Some things were like a thin veil of paper; Tsunade had long suspected, but she had been self-deceiving, comforting herself.

But now that this veil had been torn, Tsunade couldn't even deceive herself anymore; her mind was completely a mess.

"Sister Tsunade, are you alright?" Minato Namikaze asked cautiously from the side.

It wasn't just Tsunade's head that was buzzing; his head was suddenly in a mess too.

Because he realized he might have said something wrong.

Or perhaps he had let slip some information his brother had deliberately hidden from Sister Tsunade, causing her to suddenly have some terrible associations.

Damn it, I've caused a huge problem!

At the Konoha Hospital, Dan Uchiha finally finished work.

Glancing again at the empty desk opposite him all day, Dan Uchiha felt inexplicably uneasy.

I must be confused; what could possibly happen?

Could I be missing Tsunade?

Impossible, absolutely impossible!

Besides, they would see each other tonight; what was there to be conflicted about?

After filing some documents and adjusting his mindset, Dan Uchiha happily left work.

However, upon arriving home, Mito Uzumaki told Dan Uchiha that Minato Namikaze would be staying at a classmate's house that day and wouldn't be back tonight.

Dan Uchiha was immediately amused.

Did this kid cause trouble? Is he afraid of me scolding him?

Speaking of which, is this how your brother sees me in your heart? When have I ever truly gotten angry with you?

Dan Uchiha didn't bother with Minato Namikaze's little schemes.

He's just a child; children have strange moments.

Around nine o'clock in the evening, Dan Uchiha, as usual, prepared to be summoned to Shikkotsu Forest via the Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Summoning Technique).

But he waited and waited, yet didn't receive the summons from the Toad Sage.

In his confusion, Dan Uchiha frowned, activated his senses, and discovered Tsunade's chakra signature by the small river where they had previously had a private talk.

Somewhat puzzled, Dan Uchiha went out that night and appeared beside Tsunade.

But before he could speak, he was met with Tsunade's ferocious expression and her tear-reddened eyes.

Dan Uchiha, being incredibly intelligent, immediately realized Tsunade had discovered something, and his heart tightened instantly.

But he quickly reacted.

Why am I panicking? Wasn't it only a matter of time before I was found out?

And isn't this the only way I can leave without any burdens?

But why is there a sudden sharp pain in my heart?

This is unscientific!

Tsunade, however, spoke up angrily at this moment.

"You're leaving?"

Uchiha Dan was taken aback by her words, his eyes involuntarily darting away as he seemed to ponder how to deceive Tsunade.

At the same time, he cursed Minato Namikaze a hundred times in his heart.

At this point, how could he not know who had caused the mess?

No wonder Minato Namikaze suddenly didn't dare to go home; he was truly afraid of his anger!

This matter isn't over until I give your backside eight pieces!

Ten seconds later, Uchiha Dan let out a long sigh and nodded, "Can you not be so perceptive? You put a lot of pressure on me!"

What he didn't know was that this was Minato Namikaze's later tactic to quell Tsunade's anger by diverting the conflict.

By revealing his intention to leave, he aimed to keep Tsunade too preoccupied to focus on Uchiha Dan's deception.

However, Tsunade naturally wouldn't betray Minato Namikaze and merely asked with resentment, "Why?"

"Why else?" Uchiha Dan gave a wry smile. "Konoha is home to you, your belonging. To me, it's a cage. I've wanted to leave for a long time."

"I didn't leave before simply because I didn't have the chance. Now that the opportunity is ripe, why wait?"

"So, once you've completely mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, you'll leave?" Tsunade asked again.

"According to the plan, yes." Uchiha Dan didn't hide anything and sighed, "I'll fake my death to escape then."

"Because I'm not a ninja, just a doctor."

"Even if they suspect I faked my death, they'll only investigate secretly and won't make it public. So you just need to pretend you don't know."

"But the situation has changed now!" Tsunade almost shouted. "You already have the power to protect yourself, and I'll protect you with all my might. Why do you still want to leave?"

"Because I don't want to lose control one day and kill Utatane Koharu, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Shimura Danzō. Is that reason enough?" Uchiha Dan said with a wry smile.

"Not enough! You're not that impulsive. Are they going to do something to you again?" Tsunade asked urgently.

"No!" Uchiha Dan shook his head and sighed. "Utatane Koharu still wants me to continue working for her for free, and I'm not willing anymore."

"Hiruzen Sarutobi wants to get his hands on the medical ninjutsu I created, and I don't want to give it to him anymore."

"That guy Shimura Danzō, day in and day out, tells Hiruzen Sarutobi that this evil Uchiha must be eliminated as soon as possible. It was he and Utatane Koharu who persuaded Hiruzen Sarutobi to change his mind five years ago."

"Even Mitokado Homura, who always plays the mediator, thinks I shouldn't stay long, reasoning that my existence will affect the unity among the village elders."

"Everything seems peaceful now, and I've indeed gotten through this immediate crisis, but conflict is inevitable."

"Once the conflict escalates, they will definitely make a move against me."

"And I will never sit idly by."

"Rather than face a foreseeable terrible future, why should I stay?"

"Is it because of me?" Tsunade suddenly interjected.

"What?" Uchiha Dan asked in surprise.

He was genuinely surprised. Why was Tsunade so perceptive today? How could she see through everything?

"Is it because of me that you gave up on revenge?" Tsunade had talked with Minato Namikaze for a long time today, and combined with some hints from Mito Uzumaki, she had figured out many details.

That is, although Uchiha Dan was not inherently bad, he was not a magnanimous person either. He had wanted to kill Utatane Koharu for a long time.

Once he had the strength, he would definitely do it.

But why did he suddenly change his mind?

Besides considering her feelings, Tsunade couldn't think of any other reason. Minato Namikaze had said the same thing.

His thoughts exposed by Tsunade, Uchiha Dan fell into a long silence.

That's right, he no longer wanted to compromise himself. This would inevitably put him at odds with the Konoha elders.

But he didn't want to make Tsunade difficult, so executing the original plan was the best choice.

"I forbid you to leave!" Having gotten the answer she wanted, Tsunade took a step forward, grabbed Uchiha Dan's hand, her tear-filled eyes blurring her vision. "You're so smart, there must be another way, right? Tell me, what should I do?"

Uchiha Dan shook his head. "Why bother?"

"Tell me!" Tsunade asked again with great determination.

"There is a way, but it's too difficult, and it will make you suffer a lot. It's really unnecessary."

"I want to know!" Tsunade said firmly again.

"Sigh!" Uchiha Dan sighed and asked Tsunade, "Tsunade, do you want to be Hokage?"

"What?" Tsunade was instantly stunned, thinking she might have misheard.