The True Player

Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze swept across the courtyard, lingering briefly on the Uchiha father and son before finally settling on Tsunade in the center.

"Old man, why are you only just arriving?"

"I'm old now; I'm not as nimble as I used to be."

"Come," Tsunade turned and pulled Hyuga Kiyonari in front of her, "just as you said, this child is truly exceptional."

Kiyonari bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Third Hokage-sama."

Sarutobi Hiruzen scrutinized the boy before him; although he had already read the reports, this was their first meeting.

"Good."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded and pulled a scroll from his robes: "This is my gift to you—the Shadow Clone Technique. I hope you will carve out your own path, one different from the Hyuga, and different from Tsunade."

"Thank you, Third Hokage-sama." Kiyonari accepted the scroll and bowed again.

The Shadow Clone Technique was a highly versatile, universal ninjutsu. Its advanced versions, such as the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique and the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, had an incredibly wide range of applications.

Sensing that Kiyonari was uncomfortable in this environment, Tsunade patted his shoulder to signal him to step back, then said to Sarutobi Hiruzen, "Old man, why don't you come into the main hall and sit for a while?"

Tsunade poured two cups of sake. Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't touched alcohol since he grew old, but today was a happy occasion, so he could make an exception.

He took the cup and said with profound meaning: "Now, do you still intend to go to Tanzaku Town?"

Tanzaku Town was the most famous gambling hub in the Land of Fire. If Tsunade answered "yes," it meant she was only back temporarily and that taking on an apprentice was merely a whim; she would still leave Konoha to continue her wandering life.

If she answered "no," it meant she had decided to stay, and this decision would change many things.

Tsunade raised her cup and downed it in one gulp: "Didn't I tell you? I won big recently; the casinos over there were almost forced to close because of me."

You? Winning money?

There was no need to come up with such a flimsy excuse.

"If the legendary Big Fat Sheep stops going, that would truly be... a massive loss for the casinos."

Tsunade immediately grew agitated: "I really did win! And I won a lot of money!"

She would not allow anyone to question this, of all things!

"Fine, fine, fine."

Sarutobi Hiruzen replied repeatedly, not intending to continue this topic.

"I just didn't expect that it would be this child who made you decide to stay." His voice was filled with emotion, "He carries much more weight in your heart than I imagined."

Tsunade fell silent for a moment, her expression complex: "He is excellent, truly excellent, perhaps even... capable of doing better than I ever could."

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed inwardly, though his face remained calm: "I understand your feelings, but if only you had returned sooner. Even if it were just a month earlier, the main branch's eldest daughter would not yet be three. Now... if you intend to change certain things, I fear the resistance will be immense."

Tsunade smiled: "I am just a doctor. I only know how to treat illnesses and save lives; I don't understand politics, nor do I have any interest in changing anything."

"Is that so?" Sarutobi Hiruzen clearly did not believe her, "You hosted this apprenticeship banquet and invited the heads of every major clan; that doesn't sound like something someone who 'doesn't understand politics' would do."

"This is just to support my disciple." Tsunade shrugged, "I can't exactly let him get bullied, can I?"

Neither of them spoke too explicitly, but both understood the implications perfectly.

Sarutobi Hiruzen held his cup, his gaze drifting across the courtyard.

He saw the Uchiha father and son in the corner, he saw the complex expression on Hyuga Hiashi's face, and he saw the anticipation or anxiety on the faces of the other clan heads.

Tsunade was back, and she had decided to stay. Given her status, strength, and prestige, once she showed any interest in power, the entire political landscape of Konoha would be shaken.

Even if Sarutobi Hiruzen knew that Tsunade truly had no interest in power, would others see it that way?

There would certainly be those who would try to force the mantle of leadership upon her.

Furthermore, Hyuga Kiyonari was, after all, a member of the branch family. As long as there was no way to remove the Caged Bird seal, he could never become Hokage, nor could he hold a high-ranking position. Besides, the child was still young, his potential as a ninja remained unknown, and there were too many variables.

But given Tsunade's personality and the value she placed on him, she likely wouldn't let it rest. The best approach would be for Kiyonari to realize his ambitions in Tsunade's name.

And this... was this not Tsunade's true plan?

She was feigning a lack of interest in the position of Hokage to trade for others' support for Kiyonari; to invest in him was to invest in the future "Fifth Hokage."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze drifted toward another precocious genius in the hall, Itachi Uchiha.

That was a boy he had high hopes for, a child who possessed the mindset of a Hokage at only eight years old. In terms of talent and ability, Hiruzen believed Itachi was superior to Kiyonari. Itachi's wisdom, vision, and grasp of the big picture far exceeded his peers, and even surpassed many adult ninja.

But the Uchiha of today... sigh.

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed once more in his heart.

"What are you thinking about, old man?" Tsunade's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"I was thinking..." Sarutobi Hiruzen snapped back to reality, "I was thinking about the future of Konoha."

"I need time to consider." This time, Tsunade did not give a flat refusal, "For me, this is not a decision that can be made lightly."

"I understand," he nodded, "but time is running out, Tsunade."

"I know."

The two fell into silence once again.

Sarutobi Hiruzen watched the crowd in the courtyard, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He truly wanted to retire, truly wanted to lay down the heavy burden of the Hokage, but now that the moment had truly arrived, he felt an inexplicable reluctance and hesitation.

Could Tsunade truly become a good Hokage?

Perhaps she was truly getting old, for no matter what she did, she always felt indecisive.

Did Konoha have any other choices now?

Danzo?

He was far too extreme and would only lead Konoha into the abyss.

Orochimaru?

He had been his most favored disciple, yet now he was obsessed only with the illusory pursuit of immortality, his nature reeking of evil.

Jiraiya?

He was not as suitable as Tsunade in any regard, and furthermore, he was far too close to the toads of Mount Myoboku.

As for the rest of the younger generation... Kakashi could barely be considered, but he still lacked the seniority and prestige. As for Asuma, he could not even reach the qualifications of a candidate... After much thought, Tsunade was indeed the most suitable choice.

One could even say she was the only choice.

Tsunade held her wine glass, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in everything in the hall, observing the myriad expressions of the crowd.

He—they—she knew exactly what they were all thinking.