The atmosphere in the tavern gradually quieted. Little sake remained on the table, and its faint fragrance mingled with Konoha's evening breeze.
As soon as Shinichi finished speaking, young Tsunade offered no rebuttal.
The corner of her mouth twitched slightly. Her face betrayed an awkwardness she was struggling to suppress, but she did not deny it.
Clearly, Shinichi had told the truth!
She wanted to argue, but she could not.
Whether it was his journey across a thousand miles to help her and his lone battle against a hundred shinobi, his single-handed charge into the enemy camp to rescue Tobirama, or even his crushing defeats of Moryo and Madara Uchiha... she knew all of it had really happened.
The future Tsunade watched their reactions and sighed softly, a complicated smile touching her lips.
She was not afraid of Shinichi.
She was simply... considering how to make use of this unpredictable factor.
A man erased from history, yet stronger than even the strongest in the shinobi world...
If she could put Shinichi's presence to use, perhaps her era could undergo a complete transformation.
But if the power that had erased his existence appeared again... she had to be fully prepared.
The future Tsunade smiled faintly, gathered her thoughts, and spoke slowly.
"Stay at the Senju Main Residence for now. I'll send people to the Land of Wind to search for the ruins of Rōran."
Her tone brooked no argument, as though she had already made the most sensible arrangements.
Shinichi merely shook his head lightly, a carefree smile lifting his lips. "No need to trouble you, Lord Hokage. I have a pretty good idea where the ruins of Rōran are."
The future Tsunade raised an eyebrow, a flicker of interest crossing her eyes.
"Oh? That saves me the trouble, then."
Yet