My eyes widened, and the veins on my forehead throbbed.
"Auntie, you really are heartless."
"I just finished doing your work, and now you want to shackle me to the Hokage position?"
I clutched my own ragged collar and pulled back for all I was worth.
The force nearly tore the last intact patch of fabric off my coat.
Tsunade gripped me tightly with both hands, her eyes as wide as saucers.
"I'm putting the most capable person in charge! Just listen to everyone down there!"
She pointed, sending muddy water flying.
On the fresh grass not far away, over a hundred revived villagers were still shouting.
Wave after wave of noise drilled straight into my skull.
"Lord Sen! Fifth Hokage! God of Wood Release!"
I dug at my ears, which were itching from all the racket.
"Wonderful. What kind of behavior is this, shouting your heads off instead of sleeping at this hour?"
"Who wants to be the damn Hokage, approving paperwork every day? Have you lost your minds?"
I spat a mouthful of gritty, dirty saliva at the conical hat on the ground.
Jiraiya sat on a charred tree root, grinning from ear to ear.
He held the broken bone in his thigh, his old face full of mischief.
"Sen, I think you're perfect for it. With your strength, you've more than earned it."
"Why not just give in to her? Then she'll stop complaining to me every day."
"Old man, your bones haven't even been set yet. Cut the crap."
I rolled my eyes hard and gave him a disgusted glare.
"Stop gloating. If I become Hokage, my first order will be to send you out to sweep the streets."
Jiraiya coughed twice, quickly ducked his head, and fell silent.
Kakashi, who stood beside us, chimed in