"Tsunade? Wouldn't that be a waste of her talents? She's still the head of the Medical Department," Sarutobi Hiruzen said hesitantly.
The difference in ideology between the leader of a ninja village and the leader of a nation made it difficult for him, for the moment, to understand the importance of the Land of Whirlpools.
The Third Hokage had also never carefully considered that the Land of Whirlpools was a country wholly belonging to Konoha, rather than merely a place to establish a branch ninja village.
Thus, in Sarutobi Hiruzen's mind, sending Tsunade to the Land of Whirlpools was still a waste of her talents, less worthwhile than having her serve as head of Konoha's Medical Department.
Sarutobi Toru shook his head. "The Medical Department no longer needs much guidance from Tsunade. It can already treat virtually all common illnesses. Uzumaki Kanao has also grown up now. Aside from developing new Medical Ninjutsu, Tsunade hardly has any opportunities to treat patients personally."
"And developing Medical Ninjutsu is no different whether she's in the Land of Whirlpools or Konoha Village."
"Besides, if we send someone else to the Land of Whirlpools, there's a good chance they'll be sidelined by the Uzumaki Clan. Then it will grow too powerful to control, and it won't be easy to take it back later."
"Once the Land of Whirlpools has stabilized after a few years, we can transfer Tsunade back."
The Third Hokage pondered for a while after hearing this, then nodded. "All right, let's do that. Have Tsunade hold the fort there for a while."
A smile immediately appeared on Sarutobi Toru's face.
That night, at the Senju Estate.
Sarutobi Toru lay on the bed, gently caressing Tsunade's trembling body. As he enjoyed the soft sensation against him, he told her about what had