One Person, One Jutsu

Are they here to force me out?!

Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at the three disciples who had stormed through his door.

Cold sweat broke out across his back in an instant.

Before the alarms in his head could fully go off,

Tsunade, who led the way, pulled out a chair and plopped down.

"Old man! We want to see the Book of Seals!"

Phew—

Hiruzen's tense shoulders sagged at once.

So they only want to see the Book of Seals.

Scared me half to death.

I thought the three of them had joined forces to tear down the Hokage Building.

Wait!

Hiruzen snapped back to his senses. His heart leaped into his throat again.

He narrowed his eyes at Tsunade, who sat with her legs crossed.

"Tsunade! Do you have any idea how insane that sounds?"

"We want to see the Book of Seals."

Tsunade did not even look up. She spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Why get so worked up? It's not like I haven't seen it before."

Hiruzen's face darkened.

He looked at the silent Orochimaru behind her, then at Jiraiya, whose face practically said, I'm just here for the show.

"That's Konoha's highest secret! It isn't your family library!"

Hiruzen slammed a hand on the desk.

"Do you understand why the Book of Seals is kept locked away? It contains Forbidden Jutsu that could destroy the village!"

"I know." Tsunade scratched her ear, then flicked her fingernail. "So?"

"So I can't let you see it!"

Hiruzen was so angry his mustache bristled.

Then he sighed and tried to reason with her.

"It's not that I don't want to. But if I make an exception for you today, would that be fair to the other ninja in the village?"

"Would it be fair to the Genin risking their lives on the front lines for the chance to learn a single C-rank jutsu?"

Tsunade gave a cold laugh and uncrossed her legs.

"Old man, spare me the talk about fairness."

"The Shinobi World is in turmoil. A war could break out any moment, and you're still talking about fairness?"

She planted both hands on the desk and leaned forward.

"What good is that lousy scroll doing in the basement besides gathering dust? Is it going to have babies?"

"Instead of letting it grow mold, let us use it to get stronger!"

"Besides!"

Tsunade turned and pointed at Orochimaru and Jiraiya.

"How many enemies have those two killed on the front lines? How much intelligence have they brought back for the village? After everything they've done, is one look at the Book of Seals really too much to ask?"

Her words hit hard, and her argument held together.

Orochimaru's dark-gold slit pupils narrowed. His gaze fixed on Tsunade's back.

She's using the greater good as an excuse to seize Forbidden Jutsu in broad daylight.

Perfect.

Hiruzen had no answer. His chest rose and fell sharply a few times.

In the end, he forced out two words.

"Too much!"

His tone was firm. There was no room for negotiation.

Tsunade faltered at the blunt refusal.

She looked at Hiruzen in surprise.

The old man's stubborn today. Even that argument didn't budge him.

Fine.

If force won't work...

The corner of Tsunade's mouth lifted. Her arrogance vanished from her face.

She walked around the wide desk and came right up beside Hiruzen.

With practiced ease, she wrapped both hands around his arm.

Hiruzen went rigid.

When the girl lost her temper, he could yell back. When she turned sweet, he started to worry.

"Old man~~~"

Tsunade lowered her voice until only the two of them could hear.

"My grandfather's remains are all right, aren't they?"

Hiruzen's expression visibly changed.

A moment ago, the Hokage had been the picture of conviction.

Now a vein throbbed twice at his temple.

Tsunade leaned closer.

"Come on, old man. Just let us have a look this once."

She shook Hiruzen's arm. Her voice was soft, but every word struck home.

"In return, I won't pursue what happened to my grandfather. We can pretend none of it ever happened. How's that?"

She's got me.

Completely.

Hiruzen had always felt he had wronged Tsunade in the way he had handled the desecration of Hashirama Senju's remains.

And though Tsunade appeared to be asking, Hiruzen had no doubt what would happen if he refused.

She would turn around and tell Mito Uzumaki everything.

Then he would be in serious trouble.

That wretched girl!!!

Hiruzen looked helpless.

Silence settled over the Hokage's office.

Behind them, Jiraiya fidgeted with impatience. He could not hear a word Tsunade was whispering.

All he could see was his teacher's face turning from one shade to another.

At last,

Hiruzen let out a long breath. He seemed to have aged five years in an instant.

He pulled his arm free and rubbed his temples wearily.

"One jutsu per person."

Hiruzen clenched his teeth, forcing out each word.

Tsunade spun around and flashed the other two a broad grin.

"Done."

Boom!

The last thread of Orochimaru's composure snapped.

For the first time, naked fervor and excitement spread across his perpetually pale, expressionless face.

No need to infiltrate anything!

No need to break through a barrier!

No need to risk becoming a missing-nin!

Just by standing here, I've gained the right to study Forbidden Jutsu!

Orochimaru stared at the woman grinning beside the desk.

Now that's real power. That's how you get things done!

Beside him,

Jiraiya's jaw had dropped as far as it could go, his eyes wide as saucers.

This can't be real?!

She hugged his arm, whispered a couple of things, and the old man agreed?!

That's the Book of Seals! Konoha's most closely guarded secret!

After the initial shock,

Delight crashed over Jiraiya like a tidal wave.

He fought desperately to keep from throwing back his head and laughing.

This trip was a jackpot!

I only followed along out of curiosity, and now I get an S-rank Forbidden Jutsu for free!

The way Jiraiya looked at Tsunade changed completely.

Forget short-tempered teammate—she's a walking treasure trove!

Stick with Tsunade, and you're bound to come out ahead!

Hiruzen watched his two hopeless disciples tremble with excitement.

He gave an irritated snort.

Then he stood, snatched his Hokage hat from the coat rack, and put it on.

"Follow me."