Konoha, the Hokage's Office.
Yamato knelt on one knee before the desk.
He finished reporting every detail of the secret meeting at the estate, including the mustached man's arrogance, the Land of Wind envoy's anxiety, and the Land of Water envoy's agreement.
After listening, Tsunade sneered.
She put down her pen and folded her arms, a cold light flashing in her light brown eyes.
"These nobles are still as full of themselves as ever."
Her voice carried both mockery and anger.
"They talk about ninja being nothing but tools, as though Konoha has to obey whenever the Daimyō gives an order."
"They still treat us as tools without thoughts or feelings, and think that I, Tsunade, will cater to their every whim like the old man did..."
She stood up and walked to the window, looking out over Konoha beneath the setting sun.
In the distance, the faces of the successive Hokage on Hokage Rock stood silent in the twilight.
Her voice grew quieter.
"Maybe Xuandou was right."
"This world really does need to change."
"A world where ninja trade their lives for peace yet cannot even decide their own fate should not continue to exist."
Yamato said nothing, merely remaining on his knee in silence.
He knew Tsunade had made her choice.
Early the next morning, Azure Tide Port.
Xuandou had just finished a round of intense training with Hanyu.
Father and son walked side by side on their way back to the Imperial Palace.
Xuandou's long, silvery-white hair stirred gently in the morning breeze. His Nine-Tomoe Rinnegan had receded, and his eyes had returned to black.
Back in the office, Xuandou found an intelligence scroll from Konoha on his desk.
He unrolled it and read, his expression gradually turning amused.
The intelligence had come from Tsunade.
Tsunade