To Be Hokage for Peace!

The inn.

The group sat together, eating takeout from one of Tanzaku Town's more famous establishments, while Tsunade and Jiraiya drank sake, already showing signs of being tipsy.

Kyohiko felt uneasy in his heart.

Because from the moment they started eating, Tsunade's gaze had been drifting toward him every now and then.

It wasn't like he had done anything more than make an excuse to fleece her for a bit of wool, right?

He was truly doing this for Shizune's own good!

Kyohiko buried his head in his rice.

Jiraiya asked, "Tsunade, when are we setting off tomorrow?"

"When did I say I was going back?"

Tsunade lowered her head. "Tomorrow, you can take Shizune back with you."

Kyohiko sat to the side, wanting to fan the flames further, but he knew very well that now was not the time for him to speak.

Jiraiya, Shizune.

You two need to step up!

"Lady Tsunade, I'm not leaving! Your condition..."

Shizune was so anxious she stood up.

She understood all too well.

Although Tsunade's strength was formidable, she suffered from hemophobia; if an opponent truly intended to capture her, they could easily subdue her just by drawing blood.

How could she possibly feel at ease?

Jiraiya said, "Tsunade, you know your own situation. Are you really going to take that risk?"

Kakashi and Kurenai Yuhi were filled with doubt.

Lady Tsunade...

What exactly is wrong with her?

They listened with curiosity, yet they didn't dare to ask.

Tsunade sneered and said, "A medical ninja with hemophobia—what could I possibly do if I went back?"

What?

Kakashi and Kurenai Yuhi were instantly shocked.

Hemophobia!!

No wonder Lady Tsunade had to leave Konoha!

Once afflicted with such a condition, one could basically bid farewell to a career as a ninja.

This was especially true for medical ninjas.

In the course of treating wounds and illnesses, one inevitably had to use blades and see blood; having this condition meant surgery was essentially off the table.

And yet, Tsunade was the pride of Konoha's medical ninjas...

Kyohiko was also slightly surprised.

Tsunade's defenses had crumbled.

What he hadn't expected was—

Without waiting for Jiraiya to answer, she looked directly at Kyohiko.

"Kid, you were quite talkative before. Tell me, what use could I possibly be if I went back?"

Tsunade's eyes were dim.

Kyohiko was stunned for a moment, but then, feeling a surge of joy, he immediately organized his thoughts.

The opportunity had arrived!

"I don't know much about medical ninjutsu or hemophobia, but I do know that for a ninja like you, your experience, techniques, and reputation are incredibly useful. For example, Shizune—hasn't her medical ninjutsu been improving day by day under your guidance?"

Shizune nodded repeatedly.

Tsunade didn't answer, simply drinking another cup in silence.

"If teaching isn't your pursuit, then why not try to become the Hokage? If there are policies you aren't satisfied with or don't agree with, you can resolve them from the position of Hokage."

Kyohiko's expression was serious. "Konoha's well-established medical ninja system has saved so many, many ninjas, and your status and prestige are more than enough to become the Hokage."

"Kyohiko!"

Jiraiya panicked.

This kid was saying the most reckless things imaginable.

Hokage...

This was the most sensitive topic for Tsunade!

Tsunade let out a cold sneer.

"Kid, the Hokage... what do you know about it?"

"I am young, so I truly do not know much, but I will make the Hokage my goal and accomplish what I set out to do."

Kyohiko's youthful face wore an expression of solemnity and earnestness.

Kakashi and Kurenai Yuhi didn't even blink.

Kyohiko's way of thinking and his manner of speaking gave them the impression of a peer to Jiraiya and Tsunade, not a child of their own age.

Furthermore—

How incredibly bold!

How could they ever dare to say such things?

The person they were facing was Tsunade!

Tsunade was also stunned.

She finally understood what Jiraiya meant by "mindset and ideas."

This child's way of thinking was not on the same level as an ordinary child; it was practically a dimensional strike.

In Kyohiko, she seemed to faintly see the shadows of two other people.

Tsunade paused.

Kyohiko continued to shovel food into his mouth, completely oblivious to being the center of attention.

He ate his meal with composure.

Jiraiya drank his sake, but in reality, his gaze never left Tsunade.

He was terrified that Tsunade would slam the table!

The kind that would shatter it.

However.

Tsunade only smiled, and although the smile was a bit terrifying, it...

She didn't resort to violence after all.

"Are you dissatisfied with the village?"

"I am!"

Kyohiko set down his bowl and chopsticks.

He said earnestly: "We have all lost loved ones in the war; how could we possibly be satisfied with the current state of the village? I want to become the Hokage and eliminate war!"

"..."

Jiraiya's eyelids twitched.

This child had a certain heroic spirit that felt like dancing on a grave.

Tsunade rested her head on her hand, eyeing Kyohiko sideways, her expression surprisingly calm.

"Eliminate war? It's not that easy."

"If you don't try, you won't be disappointed? I don't think that's right."

Kyohiko gathered his bowl and chopsticks.

The output was complete, time to run!

He stood up and bowed.

"Excuse me, I'm going to train."

Kakashi finished his meal just as quickly, chimed in, and seized the chance to bolt.

The atmosphere was too stifling!

Training was better than this.

Tsunade leaned back, looking at Shizune and Kurenai Yuhi, her tone calm.

"Are you two not going to train?"

"I, I'm full too!"

Kurenai Yuhi's face turned pale with fright; she immediately abandoned her meal, set down her utensils, offered a bow, and left in a hurry.

Shizune was still a bit worried.

Tsunade's presence was intimidating right now, but—

She was more worried that Tsunade would ignore her and leave while she wasn't looking.

Tsunade was capable of that.

She hesitated for a moment and said, "I'll go outside."

Only Jiraiya and Tsunade remained in the room.

The two drank in silence, neither speaking a word.

A few seconds later, Tsunade let out a cold huff, downed the drink in her hand, and gloomily reached for another.

Jiraiya stopped her.

"Stop drinking."

"Can't even have a drink now?"

Tsunade shot him a glance, then silently finished the next cup, though she didn't pour another.

After a long while, she tossed the bottle aside.

"I'm leaving."

"Where to?"

"The roof to catch some air."

Tsunade waved her hand.

The two arrived on the roof.

Looking down from this vantage point, they could see the training progress of Kyohiko, Kakashi, and the others below.

"Hokage—what's so good about that position?"

"..."

Jiraiya had no answer.

He wasn't particularly keen on the Hokage seat himself; otherwise, he would certainly have been among the nominees for the next generation.

Tsunade raised her eyes.

"I've been lectured like this by your student, aren't you going to show some initiative? For instance, why don't you stand guard for your student and change those old fossils in the village?"

"Cough, cough, cough. If I were to become Hokage, you'd be looking to solve the problem of me."

Jiraiya's old face flushed red.

Tsunade toyed with the bottle, a flash of coldness crossing her eyes: "Let's go back and see first. We need to find out exactly who sent these guys after us."

"If it's safe, I won't stop you from leaving."

Jiraiya said.

Tsunade lowered her head, not following up on his words.

Below—

The three were working quite hard.

"We'll see."

[You have successfully persuaded a wandering Kage-level ninja (injured) and an elite genin to return to the village.]

[Successful talent acquisition is the key to the village's prosperity. Please continue your efforts, Hokage.]

[Reward: Strength of a Hundred (Beginner)]

Holy crap!

It actually worked!

Kyohiko spent a moment internalizing the information, gaining a rough understanding of the Strength of a Hundred technique.

The beginner-level Strength of a Hundred only provided basic techniques and knowledge; deeper mastery required personal insight and practice. Furthermore, this technique demanded extremely precise chakra control.

At the beginner level, one had to grasp that aspect for themselves.

In other words.

There was a certain risk in using it?

Wait!

This reward didn't seem right. Tsunade had returned, so why was it only a beginner-level Strength of a Hundred?

Kyohiko scanned the description.

"Temporary," "Injured."

It seemed...

The problem lay with those two factors.

Fine.

Kyohiko had no better options for now, so he could only console himself—

Why complain?

Learning the Strength of a Hundred was already good enough!

He would explore and practice it slowly, and there was still hope of grinding it up to proficiency or even higher by finding ways to squeeze more rewards out of Tsunade later.