Hibari leaned closer to Senju Tobirama with a wicked grin. "Second Uncle, once you retire, why not groom Princess Tsunade to become Hokage?"
Tobirama glared at him. "I'd like to live a couple more years."
Inside, Uzumaki Mito was chatting with Senju Hashirama. Three years had passed, but Mito had hardly changed. Her face was still lovely, with a spirited edge to her features, and she looked young enough to be Hibari's sister.
She glanced at Hashirama, who was holding his teacup gingerly, and slapped the table. "I heard you reached the village this morning, yet you didn't come home until dusk. Senju Hashirama, did all the sights in the capital turn your head? Don't you want to come home anymore?"
When Uzumaki Mito heard that Senju Hashirama had arrived that morning, she had been delighted. She had gone into the kitchen herself and prepared several good dishes, waiting for him to come home to a hot meal.
After all, husband and wife lived apart, often seeing each other only once every month or two. It would have been a lie to say she didn't miss him.
The Land of Fire's daimyo had originally invited her to come to the capital too, but then he remembered that Mito was already the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and immediately changed his mind. Jinchūriki had never been particularly stable, especially one hosting the Nine-Tails.
It was fine for her to stay in Konoha. Her seal was secure, and there were plenty of powerful shinobi around. Even if something happened, they could keep things under control.
But if she went to the capital... Senju Hashirama no longer had the strength he once possessed. If anything went wrong, the Land of Fire's daimyo might find himself on the receiving end of a Tailed Beast Bomb.
Besides, Senju