Tsunade Returns 1

In Konoha, there was a place that struck fear into the hearts of all shinobi: Root.

They said it was a department established by the Third Hokage's assistant, Shimura Danzō. Any shinobi who entered it disappeared from Konoha completely. Even their closest family members would never see them again...

Deep inside Root Base, Shimura Danzō sat in a room that had once been dim but was now brightly lit, his single eye fixed on a map hanging on the wall. It showed the borders of the Five Great Nations, the locations of the hidden villages, and several places circled in red.

He had been sitting there for an hour, without moving.

When had things started slipping out of his control? The Uchiha Clan Massacre, his hands and eyes sealed, and Root severely weakened.

Shimura Danzō had thought that after eliminating the Uchiha Clan, no one in Konoha would dare challenge the Hokage's faction again, and he could take the opportunity to expand Root's ranks once more. But then someone had revealed the Hyuga Clan's Caged Bird, and the Hyuga had retreated to their compound like startled birds.

Danzō didn't consider that a bad thing. At least the Hyuga Clan was now like meat on Konoha's chopping board. They didn't dare leave Konoha, so they could be made to do whatever the village wanted. He meant to take advantage of the Hyuga's retreat and fear, seizing the opportunity to recruit a large number of Hyuga into Root.

Instead of supporting him, Sarutobi Hiruzen had reined him in and even transferred away the jonin under his command who specialized in Sealing Jutsu. Soon after, a battle over a Jinchuriki broke out in Takigakure, while the Jinchuriki of both Kumogakure and Iwagakure went missing at the same time. Since when had Jinchuriki become so vulnerable?

But the two villages had turned their accusations toward Konoha, and Danzō couldn't help feeling pleased. He saw his chance to become the Fifth Hokage.

"Still no word from Orochimaru?" Danzō's voice was hoarse, like sandpaper scraping against a steel plate.

"No," said the Root operative kneeling behind him, head bowed. "The people we sent out couldn't find Orochimaru. He seems to be deliberately ignoring us. He's moved his base, and none of our contact points have received a reply."

Danzō's single eye narrowed slightly, a flicker of anger brewing within it. He already considered himself the next Hokage, and he was displeased by Orochimaru's lack of respect. "Keep looking. Search every inch of the land if you have to. Find him."

"Yes." The Root operative accepted the order, but didn't immediately leave.

"What else?"

"Lord Danzō, there's news that—"

His words were cut off by the sound of hurried footsteps. Another Root operative ran from the end of the corridor and dropped to one knee at the doorway.

"Lord Danzō, Tsunade has returned to the village."

Danzō's body stiffened. "What did you say?"

"Lady Tsunade returned to Konoha this morning. She came in through the main gate without hiding her movements. Many people saw her. The Root operatives reported it as soon as they spotted her."

Danzō fell silent.

Tsunade was back? Jiraiya had searched the world for her, saying Sarutobi Hiruzen had asked her to return and help. She'd agreed, but hadn't shown up. Danzō had assumed Jiraiya's news was just Tsunade lying to him. After all, she'd been gone from Konoha for so many years and had never once come back.

But now she really had returned. Without warning, without fanfare, she had quietly walked through Konoha's gates.

"What did she say to the Third?" Though Tsunade had returned, Danzō knew she had hemophobia, so he wasn't worried she could threaten his position.

"She..." The Root operative hesitated. "She didn't go to the Hokage Building."

Danzō narrowed his eye and looked at the operative with a trace of impatience.

"She returned to the Senju Compound."

The corner of Danzō's mouth twitched. It was hard to tell whether he was smiling.

The Senju Compound had been abandoned for many years. The Senju had died or scattered, until only Tsunade remained. After she left Konoha, no one lived there at all. The lock on the gate had rusted, and weeds had taken over the courtyard.

Tsunade had returned to the village, but instead of going to see the Hokage, she had gone back to that abandoned home.

"And just before she went inside," the Root operative continued, "we received the latest report. After returning, Lady Tsunade sent people to contact several others."

"Who?" Shimura Danzō's voice turned cold.

"Descendants of the Senju Clan's Branch Family. The Kazamatsuri Clan, along with several other small, fallen clans. They all broke away from the main family and lived independently after the Senju declined."

A flicker passed through Danzō's eye as he considered Tsunade's actions. She was gathering the Senju Branch Family? What was she planning? She had never taken the initiative to contact those people before...

"Keep watching her," Danzō said, his hoarse voice tinged with irritation. "Report any developments immediately."

"Yes."

The Root operative withdrew.

Danzō sat alone in the dim room, the light in his single eye flickering.

He still hadn't heard back from Orochimaru, and now Tsunade had returned. What she'd done since coming back was far more complicated than he had expected.

He had thought Tsunade would go straight to Sarutobi Hiruzen, help him deal with the mess, and then join Jiraiya in preparing the village for war, in case the matter of the missing Jinchuriki really did lead to a fight.

Instead, she hadn't gone to see Sarutobi Hiruzen. She'd returned to the Senju Compound first and summoned the descendants of the Branch Family, who had long since cut ties with the Senju.

What was this woman planning?

Danzō stood and walked to the wall, looking at the map. The red circles were like drops of blood, scattered densely across it.

"Tsunade..." he murmured. "You'd better not get in my way."

In the tallest building in Konoha, the Hokage Building, smoke rose from the pipe in Sarutobi Hiruzen's office, drifting through the afternoon sunlight like a thin veil.

Sarutobi Hiruzen sat behind his desk. The paperwork was piled as high as ever, but he hadn't read a single word all day. He kept staring out the window, as if waiting for someone to appear on the road leading to the Hokage Building, kick open the door, and say, "Old man, I'm back."

Jiraiya sat in the chair opposite him, legs crossed, holding a copy of his own Icha Icha Paradise. He turned a few pages, closed it, then opened it again. His mind was clearly elsewhere, and every so often he sneaked a glance at Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression.

"Sensei, don't worry," Jiraiya said, using the book to hide the corners of his mouth as they curled up, breaking the silence in the office. "Tsunade said she'd come back, so she will. You know what she's like. She keeps her word."

Sarutobi Hiruzen took his pipe from his mouth and tapped it against the ashtray.

"I know. I was just..."

"Just what?"

"Just thinking about what to do with her when she gets back." Sarutobi Hiruzen hesitated before speaking. He knew he was using his student, but he had no other choice now, just as he had once used another of his students.

"You know the village's situation. Someone needs to talk to the Hyuga, and the other shinobi clans need reassurance. Tsunade has the right credentials: Senju Hashirama's granddaughter and one of the Sannin. One word from her carries more weight than ten from me. With her help, we can stabilize things."

Jiraiya nodded. His teacher was right. Tsunade was indeed the best choice.

But was Tsunade willing? He hadn't told Sarutobi Hiruzen what she'd said to him in the woods near the Land of Whirlpools. She'd said she wouldn't simply be a tool.

At the time, he hadn't thought much of it, assuming Tsunade was just using it as an excuse not to return. Now, perhaps it hadn't been an excuse.

Footsteps sounded at the end of the corridor, drawing closer. Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes lit up. He set down his pipe and straightened his collar, trying not to look too eager.

Someone knocked at the door. They had actually knocked! Sarutobi Hiruzen and Jiraiya were both a little surprised. Tsunade had learned manners!

"Come in."

An Anbu opened the door and entered, kneeling on one knee in front of the desk.

"Lord Hokage, we have news."

The anticipation and surprise disappeared from Sarutobi Hiruzen's face. It wasn't Tsunade. No wonder they'd knocked. He picked up his pipe again, hiding his disappointment.

"Go on."

"Lady Tsunade has returned to Konoha. She entered through the main gate, and many villagers saw her."

The corners of Sarutobi Hiruzen's mouth lifted slightly. It was the first time he'd smiled in days. He asked eagerly, "Where is she? Why hasn't she come here yet?"

The Anbu fell silent for a moment, lowering his head even further as he answered reluctantly. "Lady Tsunade... didn't come to the Hokage Building. She went straight to the Senju Compound."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's smile froze.

"And," the Anbu continued, "as soon as Lady Tsunade returned to the village, she sent people to contact the leaders of the Senju Clan's Branch Family. They're all heading to the Senju Compound now. The Anbu received no orders, so we haven't stopped them."

The air in the office suddenly grew heavy.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's smile vanished completely, replaced by an expression that was difficult to read. It wasn't anger or disappointment, but something more like... unease. He picked up his pipe again, gripping it so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

Jiraiya's expression also darkened. He'd wanted to say something in Tsunade's defense, but swallowed his words. Tsunade hadn't even come to the Hokage Building. She'd gone straight to the Senju Compound and summoned the Branch Family. That couldn't be explained away by saying she was tired from traveling.

Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at Jiraiya, his gaze questioning and reproachful. Jiraiya lowered his head and avoided it. He had known in advance that Tsunade would return, but he hadn't known she would do this after she got back.

"Sensei, Tsunade might..." Jiraiya began with difficulty. "She might have her own reasons."

"Her own reasons." Sarutobi Hiruzen repeated the words, his tone giving no hint whether he agreed or was being sarcastic. "Yes, she's grown up. She has her own reasons now."

He stood and walked to the window, his back to Jiraiya.

The whole of Konoha lay spread out below. The streets weren't crowded, but he could see people walking in small groups, with the occasional Anbu darting across a rooftop. The Senju Compound was in the northeastern corner of the village, out of sight from here, but Sarutobi Hiruzen kept his gaze fixed in that direction.

"Jiraiya."

"Yes?"

"Tell me, did Tsunade come back to help me, or to do something else?"

Jiraiya was caught off guard by the question. He opened his mouth, wanting to say, "Of course she came to help you," but the words stuck in his throat.

He had already guessed a few things. Tsunade hadn't spoken casually in the woods near the Land of Whirlpools. She'd said she wouldn't be anyone's tool and that she wanted to change Konoha. The change she spoke of might not be what his teacher wanted.

"Sensei, Tsunade won't do anything to harm Konoha," Jiraiya finally said.

"I know." Sarutobi Hiruzen turned and walked back to his desk. "She's a Senju. She won't do anything to harm Konoha."

Jiraiya had no answer.

Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up his pipe, lit it, and took a deep breath. He slowly exhaled the smoke, which veiled his face.

"Let her do as she pleases." His voice was unnaturally calm. "It's enough that she's back. Just having her back is enough."

The news spread quickly. Before noon, word of Tsunade's return had reached all of Konoha.

The Hyuga Clan heard first. Although they had rarely left their compound during this period, Hyuga Hiashi had kept people using the Byakugan day and night to watch everything around the Hyuga Compound, including anyone entering the village, so they wouldn't be caught unprepared.

That morning, someone with an enormous amount of chakra had suddenly arrived in Konoha. As soon as Hyuga Hiashi received the report, he led people to investigate. When he saw that it was the familiar Tsunade, he relaxed and led his people back to the compound.

"Tsunade is back?" The Main Family elder was delighted when he heard the news.

They had been making little progress on the new Caged Bird seal. With Tsunade's help, they could surely make much faster progress. Besides, she was the only person they trusted in Konoha—and the only one they could trust. After all, only she bore the Senju name.

"That's right. She came back this morning, but went straight to the Senju Compound."

"She didn't go see the Third?"

"No."

Hyuga Tendou's brow furrowed, then relaxed. He said nothing; for now, he couldn't guess what Tsunade intended.

Hyuga Hiashi had guessed a little, but he couldn't say it aloud. The fact that Tsunade had returned without first seeing the Hokage said a great deal on its own.

The Hyuga Clan was currently holed up in its compound, acutely sensitive to what was happening outside. Tsunade had returned at this moment, and in this way—not as a Hokage ally, but as an independent force. Was that good or bad for the Hyuga? He couldn't yet say.

But at least Konoha's situation wouldn't be as one-sided as before.

The Ino-Shika-Cho clans, who had always claimed to belong to the Hokage's faction, received the news almost simultaneously.

Nara Shikaku was at home sorting through the information he'd gathered over the past few days. When he heard that Tsunade had returned, his pen paused, dropping a spot of ink onto the scroll. He put down the pen and watched as the ink slowly spread, like a black flower.

"Tsunade is back?" he asked.

"She is," his wife said as she poured him tea. "I heard she went straight to the Senju Compound and didn't go to the Hokage Building."

Nara Shikaku grunted and said nothing more.

He picked up his pen and continued writing, but the ink had already dried, leaving an irregular dot on the scroll. After a moment's thought, he left it there.

Meanwhile, Yamanaka Inoichi had been busier than usual lately. With the Hyuga Clan pulling back, many positions were short-staffed. He worked for the Interrogation Department, which usually wasn't too busy, so he'd been sent to fill some of the gaps left by the Hyuga.

He'd been forced to work all night again. He had only just finished and finally made it home to rest. He had barely returned from outside and hadn't even changed his clothes when he heard the news.

Yamanaka Inoichi stood in the courtyard for a while, looking at the few pots of flowers by the wall. His wife had planted them. They were in full bloom in autumn, their golden petals layered one over another and filling the air with fragrance. She'd planted them so he could sleep more comfortably.

"Inoichi, what's wrong? Come eat something, then get some rest." His wife stepped out of the house wearing an apron. She knew he'd been up all night again, so she'd sent the children to their cousin's home early, so her husband could sleep in peace later.

"Nothing," Yamanaka Inoichi said, shaking his head. "I heard on the way home that Tsunade had returned."

His wife paused. "Isn't that good news?"

"Whether it's good news is hard to say." Yamanaka Inoichi went inside and took off his coat. "The way she returned was unusual."

"How so?"

"She didn't go to see the Hokage." Yamanaka Inoichi briefly explained what Tsunade had done. "She went straight to the Senju Compound and summoned the Kazamatsuri Clan."

His wife understood some of what he meant, but only said, "Oh." Then she ushered him inside and pushed him toward the table. "Eat first, then go to bed. You're a grown man, but you still don't know how to look after yourself."

Yamanaka Inoichi went along with her, sat in his chair, and picked up his chopsticks. As he ate the meal she'd specially prepared for him, he wondered what Tsunade's return meant for Konoha.

The village was a powder keg, with Sarutobi Hiruzen sitting on the lid and trying to keep it from blowing up. Had Tsunade returned to help him hold it down, or to toss another match inside?

He didn't know. But he was sure the answer would soon become clear, because a pack of wolves had arrived at the edge of that powder keg...

The air in the Akimichi Clan's compound was always filled with the aroma of food, making anyone who entered salivate and feel their appetite stir.

Akimichi Choza happened to have the day off. He was munching on potato chips when he heard the news. The hand holding a chip stopped in midair, the chip hovering by his mouth for two seconds before he finally popped it in. After chewing twice, he set down the bag. For once, he didn't keep eating.

"What's wrong?" His wife hadn't heard the usual steady crunching, so she came out of the kitchen in surprise and saw the retreating figure of an Akimichi clan member.

"Tsunade is back," Akimichi Choza told his wife, repeating the news the clan member had just brought.

"That's good news."

"Yes, good news." Akimichi Choza stood and walked to the doorway. "But good news isn't always easy to deal with."

He leaned against the doorframe and looked at the fruit trees in the courtyard, heavy with fruit. Soon, everyone would know Tsunade had returned. Everyone would have their own opinions and suspicions.

Konoha hadn't been this lively in a long time.

The three clan heads met at the Yamanaka home. Nara and Akimichi knew that Inoichi hadn't been home all night, so they planned to discuss things and then let him get some rest. They sat on the veranda at Inoichi's home, tea and snacks prepared by his wife set out in front of them. No one spoke first.

In the end, Yamanaka Inoichi yawned, took a sip of tea to wake himself up, and broke the silence.

"She didn't go see the Third."

"Mm," Nara Shikaku replied.

"She called the Kazamatsuri people to the Senju Compound."

"Mm."

Yamanaka Inoichi looked at him, unable to hold back any longer. "Can't you say more than one word?"

"I can." Nara Shikaku glanced at him and said with an inscrutable expression, "But it wouldn't sound good."

Yamanaka Inoichi fell silent. It was true: some things were better left unsaid.

Akimichi Choza stopped sampling the snacks Inoichi's wife had prepared and couldn't resist asking, "Shikaku, what do you think Tsunade is planning?"

"I'm not sure." Nara Shikaku gazed at the tree in the courtyard. Most of its leaves had turned yellow, and autumn was nearly over. "But one thing seems certain: the reason she came back may not be what Lord Hokage expected."

"What do you mean?"

"Lord Hokage asked her to come back because he wanted her to clean up his mess. Reassure the shinobi clans, settle things with the Hyuga, and steady people's nerves. With Tsunade stepping in, a lot of problems could be suppressed. But..." Nara Shikaku stopped there, but the other two understood. "Now she hasn't even gone to see the Hokage. She went straight to the Senju Compound and called in the Branch Family..."

Judging from what had happened so far, Tsunade and the Third weren't completely on the same side. At the very least, she hadn't come back simply to be someone's tool...