Third Time's the Charm

Half an hour later.

Tsunade pushed open the door to the Hokage's office and stormed out.

Shizune, who had been waiting outside, hurried after her and couldn't help asking:

"Lady Tsunade, did something happen with Lord Hokage?"

"Little brat, stay out of grown-ups' business."

Tsunade ruffled Shizune's hair. Remembering what the Third Hokage had said in his office, she could only sigh to herself.

The Uchiha problem had lingered since Konoha's founding. Even the Second Hokage, who had worked tirelessly to govern, hadn't been able to resolve it completely.

Now, in the Third Hokage's hands, there was finally hope of a solution.

Even if the process was full of schemes, one thing was clear to Tsunade: if they could truly resolve the Uchiha problem,

it would only benefit Konoha.

It would also give the village a little more ability to protect itself in the coming war,

instead of being caught between a stalemate at the front and a fire in the backyard.

Seeing the worry on Shizune's face, Tsunade added:

"The old man has his own plans. We shouldn't interfere."

"It's been ages since I went to Konoha's casino. I wonder if they've come up with anything new. Come on, watch me win us a whole building tonight!"

"You're going again?!"

Shizune's smile instantly fell.

Ever since her uncle, Dan Katō, passed away, Tsunade had taken her in, and she had followed Tsunade ever since.

She'd accompanied Tsunade to casinos all over the Shinobi World, so she knew perfectly well that Tsunade had neither any luck at gambling nor any sense of her own ability.

Win a whole building...

It was over.

Lady Tsunade was definitely going to gamble away everything she owned tonight!

"Lady Tsunade, maybe we should skip it. There are plenty of other fun places in Konoha besides the casino!"

"I heard..."

"Aren't you curious about Lord Jiraiya's new student?!"

At Jiraiya's name, Tsunade hesitated for a moment, but the very next second she tossed the thought aside:

"How could his student be more interesting than a pachinko machine?!"

"Come to think of it, I've never won at one of Konoha's pachinko machines. Tonight's the night!"

With that, Tsunade hurried off toward a nearby casino.

Shizune watched her go and helplessly rubbed her face, thinking that, in the end, she was the one who had to bear it all alone.

She stamped her foot and hurried after Tsunade.

Sitting in his office, the Third Hokage watched them go with an amused smile:

"Tsunade hasn't changed one bit. If only her illness could really be cured..."

"Forget it."

"No point thinking about that now."

"At least it's finally quiet in here. If I don't get through these files, I'll be working late again."

"Biwako's been complaining about this for ages."

As he spoke,

the Third Hokage took a puff from his pipe. Smoke curled from his mouth and nose as he turned his attention to the files in his hands.

He was just about to focus on his work when he seemed to sense something and looked up.

Bam!

After another muffled crash, the door to the Hokage's office was kicked open once more.

This time, the door, which had already been hanging by a thread, finally gave way and crashed to the floor.

The Third Hokage looked up at the person in the doorway, the corner of his mouth twitching:

"Orochimaru?"

"When did you learn to do this, too?!"

Orochimaru, dressed in a Jonin flak jacket, silently lowered his leg. He looked at the fallen door, then at the Third Hokage, and said:

"It's not that I learned it. It just feels like something's missing if I don't do it."

"I must have the worst luck in the world to have taught you three little monsters!"

The Third Hokage nearly bit his pipe in half. He stared at the empty doorway, his eyelids twitching:

"You're paying for the repairs!"

"..."

Orochimaru didn't reply. He walked over to the Third Hokage's desk and plopped down in a chair.

"You're here to ask about Setsuna Uchiha, too?!"

The Third Hokage spoke with ill humor:

"Orochimaru, let me tell you something honestly."

"Of the three of you, you're the one I'd most like to see inherit the Hokage's position..."

"Save that kind of trick for fooling Jiraiya, that idiot."

Orochimaru glanced at the Third Hokage's desk. Two deep handprints were clearly visible:

"Oh, and Tsunade."

"Besides, even if I really wanted to become Hokage, would you actually support me?!"

Before the Third Hokage could finish, Orochimaru cut him off.

What Orochimaru himself hadn't noticed was that his cold, snake-like face now held a trace of a smile.

The Third Hokage took a puff from his pipe and said meaningfully:

"At least I wouldn't hurt you."

Orochimaru paused, then shook his head:

"The Hokage's position isn't that important to me. If I get it, fine; if not, I won't regret it."

"I came to ask for research funding. Several of my research proposals have been stuck with you for ages, unable to move forward."

"These projects are important to the village."

At the mention of funding, the Third Hokage stiffened. Reluctantly, he pulled Orochimaru's funding applications out of his desk drawer.

He read them over again and, after confirming there were no issues, signed his name.

"Thanks, old man."

"Heh."

The Third Hokage's eyelid twitched:

"Before I sign, I'm Teacher Sarutobi. After I sign, I'm the old man..."

Orochimaru ignored the Third Hokage's complaint and turned to leave. At the doorway, he suddenly stopped and looked back to warn him:

"Whether it's you or Danzo, you're both playing with fire!"

"Be careful you don't get burned!"

The Third Hokage didn't respond. He watched Orochimaru's back until he disappeared from view, his expression growing complicated.

Of the Third Hokage's three students, Orochimaru was undoubtedly the most gifted and intelligent.

Unfortunately, he couldn't get past the most important hurdle to becoming Hokage: conviction.

"Don't disappoint me..."

"Orochimaru!"

Deep in the Uchiha Clan Compound.

The doors of an old house were opened again for the first time in years.

The furniture inside had rotted away over decades. Even the slightest touch sent heaps of debris crumbling to the floor.

The air was thick with the damp smell of mold.

Toma Uchiha pushed the wheelchair slowly into the mansion.

"Lord Setsuna, this place has been deserted ever since you were imprisoned. If you want to move in, we can have it cleaned first."

"The Patriarch has arranged a new place for you. Would you like to—"

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Toma Uchiha was interrupted by a sudden bout of coughing.

Setsuna Uchiha, seated in the wheelchair, bent forward. His frail, gaunt body trembled uncontrollably.

Years of imprisonment and the passage of time had long since stripped him of the imposing presence he'd once had when he competed with the Third Hokage. Now, back in his old home, he truly looked like a man nearing the end of his days.

"It's fine."

"There's something of mine still here."