The Real Player Behind the Scenes

Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze swept across the courtyard, lingering for a moment on the Uchiha father and son before settling on Tsunade in the middle of the courtyard.

"Old man, what took you so long?"

"I'm old now. I don't get things done as quickly as I used to."

"Come here." Tsunade turned and brought Hyuga Kiyonari, who had been standing behind her, forward. "Just as you said, this child really is outstanding."

Kiyonari bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Third."

Sarutobi Hiruzen studied the boy before him. He had already learned about Kiyonari, but this was their first time 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 can find your own path, one different from the Hyuga's and different from Tsunade's."

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

The Shadow Clone Technique was an extremely versatile ninjutsu. Its advanced versions included the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique and the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, and it had a wide range of applications.

Tsunade knew Kiyonari wasn't used to the surroundings, so she patted his shoulder to send him off. Then she asked Sarutobi Hiruzen, "Old man, why don't you come sit in the hall for a while?"

Tsunade poured two cups of sake. Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't drunk since he'd gotten older, but he was in a good mood today, so he could make an exception.

He took the cup and said meaningfully, "Are you still planning to go to Tanzaku Town?"

Tanzaku Town was the Land of Fire's most famous gambling district. If Tsunade answered yes, it would mean she was only back temporarily. Taking a disciple had been a spur-of-the-moment decision, and she would still leave Konoha and continue wandering.

If she answered no, it would mean she had decided to stay, and that decision would change many things.

Tsunade lifted her cup and drained it. "Didn't I already tell you? I won big at the casinos there recently. I nearly won them out of business."

You? Winning money?

Couldn't you at least come up with a less flimsy excuse?

"The legendary Big Fat Sheep won't be going back? What a tremendous loss for the casinos..."

Tsunade immediately protested, "I really did win! And I won a lot!"

That was the one thing she wouldn't let anyone question!

"All right, all right."

Sarutobi Hiruzen agreed repeatedly, unwilling to keep the conversation going.

"I just didn't expect this child to be the one who made you decide to stay." His voice was full of emotion. "He means far more to you than I imagined."

Tsunade fell silent for a moment, her expression complicated. "He's exceptional. Truly exceptional. He might even... surpass me."

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed inwardly, but kept his expression calm. "I understand how you feel. If only you'd come back sooner. Even a month earlier, and the Main Family's eldest daughter wouldn't have turned three yet. Now... if you intend to change anything, I'm afraid you'll face a great deal of resistance."

Tsunade smiled. "I'm just a doctor. I only know how to treat the sick and save lives. I don't understand politics, and I have no interest in changing anything."

"Is that so?" Sarutobi Hiruzen clearly didn't believe her. "You held this apprenticeship banquet and invited the heads of all the major clans. That hardly seems like something someone who 'doesn't understand politics' would do."

"I'm just helping my disciple make an impression." Tsunade shrugged. "I can't exactly let people bully him, can I?"

Neither of them said anything outright, but they both understood what the other meant.

Sarutobi Hiruzen held his cup as his gaze wandered around the courtyard.

He saw the Uchiha father and son in the corner, Hyuga Hiashi wearing a conflicted expression, and the other clan heads with looks of anticipation or worry on their faces.

Tsunade had returned, and she had decided to stay. Given her status, strength, and reputation, if she showed any interest in power, Konoha's entire political landscape would be shaken.

Sarutobi Hiruzen knew Tsunade truly had no interest in power. But... would others believe that she had no interest?

There would certainly be people eager to put a cloak on her shoulders.

Besides, Hyuga Kiyonari was still a member of the branch family. As long as there was no way to remove the Caged Bird, he could never become Hokage, or even hold an important position. And the boy was still young; his talent as a ninja was yet unknown. There were too many uncertainties.

But given Tsunade's personality and how much she valued him, she probably wouldn't let the matter rest. The best approach would be to let Kiyonari pursue his ambitions under Tsunade's name.

And that... was Tsunade's real plan, wasn't it?

She was merely pretending to show interest in the Hokage Position, in exchange for others' support for Kiyonari. Investing in him was investing in the future "Fifth Hokage."

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

The boy he had pinned his hopes on, who had possessed the mind of a Hokage at only eight years old. In terms of talent and ability, Hiruzen thought Itachi was more outstanding than Kiyonari. Itachi's intelligence, perspective, and sense of the bigger picture far surpassed those of his peers—even many adult shinobi.

But the Uchiha now... sigh.

Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed inwardly once more.

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

"Thinking..." Sarutobi Hiruzen came back to himself. "Thinking about Konoha's future."

"I need time to think it over." This time, Tsunade didn't give him a firm refusal. "For me, this isn't a decision I can make lightly."

"I understand." He nodded. "But there isn't much time, Tsunade."

"I know."

The two fell silent again.

Sarutobi Hiruzen watched the people in the courtyard, his heart a tangle of emotions. He truly wanted to retire and lay down the burden of being Hokage, but now that the moment had come, he felt a strange reluctance and uncertainty.

Could Tsunade really become a good Hokage?

Perhaps he really was old. He hesitated over everything these days.

Did Konoha have any other options now?

Danzo?

He was too extreme. He would lead Konoha into the abyss.

Orochimaru?

He was Hiruzen's favorite disciple, but now he was obsessed with the illusory promise of immortality, his interests aligning with evil.

Jiraiya?

He was a worse fit than Tsunade in every respect. Besides, he was far too close to the toads of Mount Myoboku.

As for the younger generation... Kakashi could barely be considered, but he lacked the experience and reputation. As for Asuma, he wasn't even qualified to be a candidate... After thinking it over, Tsunade really was the best choice.

You could even say she was the only choice.

Tsunade held her cup, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in everything in the hall and the many expressions around her.

She knew exactly what he—and all of them—were thinking.