Meeting Shimura Danzo Again

Watching Yusuke calmly pack up his things, Tsunade settled down instead.

"Gulp, gulp."

After downing a glass of milk, Tsunade wiped the milk from her rosy lips and asked, puzzled, "Why aren't you worried at all? Or did you see this coming?"

Yusuke calmly wiped the grease from his lips and explained, "Hanzo the Salamander was bound to declare war on the Five Great Nations. We've both seen the conditions in the Land of Rain."

"It rains heavily all year round, and the environment is harsh. The entire economy of Amegakure depends on a few local specialties."

"If its geography allowed it, the country could still be self-sufficient."

"But it lies at the border of three nations, making it a buffer zone for shinobi conflicts."

"In a place like that, it was no small thing for someone as powerful as Hanzo the Salamander to emerge."

"To escape this predicament, striking back first was the better choice."

"If he waited a few more years, Hanzo the Salamander would grow old and lose the strength to wield his blade. Then Amegakure's plight would only worsen."

Tsunade said angrily, "You seem to admire him."

Yusuke replied matter-of-factly, "From a personal perspective, I do. But from the village's perspective, he's our enemy."

"Hmph." Tsunade was fiercely loyal to Konoha. Her Senju Clan had poured its heart and soul into the village.

If Yusuke hadn't said all that, she would've punched whoever said it twice.

She could help people from other villages, just as she had helped Konan and her father back then, but only if they posed no threat to Konoha.

Yusuke, on the other hand, didn't limit his view of the situation to Konoha alone.

Having experienced the war in the Land of Whirlpools, he knew that if he wanted the people around him to never have to face war again, he had to look at the entire Ninja World.

That was why Yusuke had said those things. He wanted to gradually change Tsunade's way of thinking, so she would no longer be confined to Konoha.

Just as Tobirama Senju had done back then, disbanding the Senju Clan and integrating it into all of Konoha.

What he wanted now was to unite the entire Ninja World under one rule.

"You sure have a sharp tongue. I'm done arguing with you. Hurry up—we need to assemble at the Hokage Building."

Tsunade adjusted the Konoha Forehead Protector on her head and called to him.

"Okay."

The two set off quickly for the Konoha Building.

Many Jonin had already gathered in the conference room of the Konoha Building.

When they saw Tsunade and Yusuke hurrying over, the guard let Tsunade through but stopped Yusuke.

"This is where the Jonin gather. Chunin and below should assemble at the training ground," the guard said expressionlessly.

Before Yusuke could speak, Tsunade explained, "He's already reached Jonin level. I'll explain it to the old Third Hokage."

But the guard shook his head. "I'm sorry, Lady Tsunade. This is the Third Hokage's order. Only Jonin may enter."

"I'm just following regulations."

"You!" Tsunade was about to teach the stubborn guard a lesson.

"Clack, clack." The sound of wooden sandals striking the floor echoed down the corridor.

A figure with a bandage wrapped over his right eye appeared.

Yusuke narrowed his eyes at the man's silhouette. "Shimura Danzo... You really are hard to kill."

A cold gleam flashed in Shimura Danzo's uncovered eye. He walked up to Yusuke, releasing a wave of chakra pressure.

With killing intent in his voice, he said, "Ji, we meet again."

"Indeed, Lord Danzo. What a coincidence."

"How's your right eye? I heard the wind on the front lines was strong. You'd better be careful not to get anything in it." Yusuke didn't move an inch as he replied quietly.

"Hmph. Worry about yourself."

"There's no place here for low-ranking shinobi. Have some sense."

"Get down to the training ground and assemble."

Shimura Danzo snorted and went straight into the conference hall.

He didn't mind trying to unsettle Yusuke, but inside, his thoughts were already churning.

This guy's gotten even stronger. He didn't back down at all, even when faced with my chakra pressure.

I failed to kill you in the last battle, but you won't escape so easily this time.

Yusuke had also formed an estimate of Shimura Danzo.

He's speaking with plenty of strength. His steps are a little unsteady, though he's trying to hide it. Still, his injuries must have healed by now.

He'll be taking part in this war too, won't he? Looks like I'll get a chance to secretly take out this old schemer.

To outsiders, it had looked like a simple encounter. But the two old schemers had begun plotting against each other based on the slightest changes in each other's expressions.

Tsunade looked furious, itching to let Shimura Danzo feel the force of her fists.

Princess Tsunade wasn't someone who took an insult without hitting back.

Seeing the "tiger of a woman" about to strike, Yusuke immediately wrapped an arm around her slender waist as she started to charge.

"Easy, easy," Yusuke coaxed her.

"Ahem."

A voice interrupted Tsunade's steps.

"Tsunade, the meeting is about to start. What are you two still doing out here?"

The Third Hokage approached at a leisurely pace, wearing his Hokage robe and hat.

Yusuke thought, You old schemer. You watched the whole thing from the sidelines just now. Did you think I wouldn't notice?

But he smiled and said, "I was just talking with the Hokage Assistant. Since only Jonin can enter, I'll head to the training ground."

Sarutobi Hiruzen waved a hand. "There's no need. I've read your report from the battlefield in the Land of Whirlpools."

"By rights, you've already earned the merit needed for Jonin rank. I've just been busy lately and haven't had the chance to promote you."

"Also, Danzo is no longer the Hokage Assistant. Some time ago, the Uchiha Clan came to demand an explanation."

"They accused him of assassinating Kagami Uchiha and taking his eye."

Sarutobi Hiruzen paused, looking at Yusuke meaningfully.

But Yusuke listened with an earnest expression, appearing thoroughly humble and obedient.

"It was later confirmed that Kagami Uchiha had entrusted that eye to Danzo."

"Although his original intention in using it was to protect Konoha..."

"He still violated the village's regulations, so he's been temporarily stripped of his position as Hokage Assistant."

"And you two," Sarutobi Hiruzen said, turning to the guards, "don't be so rigid. Learn to be flexible."

He gave the guards a mild reprimand, then said, "All right, come with me."

With his hands behind his back, Sarutobi Hiruzen walked slowly into the conference room.

If Sarutobi Hiruzen had simply reprimanded the guards and brought Yusuke and Tsunade inside, it wouldn't have meant much.

But he had brought up Shimura Danzo's removal as Hokage Assistant and then looked at Yusuke meaningfully.

It was obvious he was saying, "I know you did it, but I won't punish you."

Then there was his reprimand of the guards, along with the promotion of Yusuke's rank.

All in all, Sarutobi Hiruzen knew exactly how to use both carrots and sticks.

He was clearly trying to win Yusuke over. It was even possible that Sarutobi Hiruzen had arranged for those two guards to be there.

Yusuke kept smiling, but thought, Experience really does count. What an old fox.

He secretly stayed on his guard against Sarutobi Hiruzen. That guy's even more calculating than Shimura Danzo.

Shimura Danzo is nothing more than a weapon in his hands.

"All right, let's go in too," Yusuke said with a smile.

Tsunade nodded gravely.

After finding a place to sit, Tsunade suddenly looked indignant.

"What is it? Figured it out?" Yusuke asked.

Though his question came out of nowhere, Tsunade understood what he meant.

"Not completely, but I get the gist. That's why I hate politics. People who play politics are rotten to the core."

She sighed.

Tsunade wasn't stupid. Otherwise, she never would've become the Fifth Hokage in the original story.

She just preferred to solve things with her fists sometimes.

"It's okay. I'll help you," Yusuke said with a smile, taking her hand.