"Tsunade refuses to return. Please think of a solution, Chiba—or come personally and persuade her in the names of the First and Second Hokage."
Jiraiya's letter was short and direct.
In a way, it aligned perfectly with what Yagyū Souma had already been thinking.
Silence filled the office.
After a second or two, everyone turned to look at Souma.
"Souma, what do you think?"
The Third Hokage's tone was almost suggestive.
"After all, you're the only one who stayed with the First and Second Hokage from start to finish."
Souma thought for a moment before replying,
"The Second Hokage didn't say much. He only mentioned that Konoha's talent pool has withered badly—and that it deeply pains him."
"..."
Several people glanced quietly at the Third.
Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed awkwardly. "Ahem… well…"
"Advisor-dono, Shikaku-senpai, Inoichi-senpai—why don't you step out for a moment?"
Souma looked at them calmly.
"I'd like to speak with the Third Hokage alone."
Hiruzen nodded lightly, signaling for them to leave.
Soon, only the two of them remained.
"Hokage-sama," Souma said, sitting opposite him,
"I do have some ideas regarding Lady Tsunade—but they may require you to… phrase things using the Second Hokage's words."
"It's fine," Hiruzen sighed.
"My governance hasn't been effective—that's the truth. As long as you can bring Tsunade back… I don't mind."
It was also undeniable.
Even his teacher had said as much—clearly disappointed in him.
Hiruzen sighed inwardly.
After a brief pause, Souma continued,
"There's one more thing. I may use some… special methods. I hope you'll allow it."
"Go ahead," Hiruzen said solemnly.
"I trust you."
His trust in Souma had been built little by little, over time.
So even when Jiraiya first said those things, Hiruzen never wavered—
Souma was a genius who carried his own Will of Fire.
He would never walk Orochimaru's path.
Hiruzen believed that firmly.
Souma nodded.
What he meant, in truth, involved the Sound Village—but there was no need to spell that out.
In any case… he would never harm Konoha.
"Oh, right. Kurenai and Yakumo?"
"Yakumo's mental state isn't stable," Souma replied.
"She's extremely dependent on Kurenai-senpai. Pulling Kurenai away from her right now wouldn't be feasible."
Hiruzen rubbed his temples.
They were already short on manpower—that was the only reason he'd promoted Kurenai from tokubetsu jōnin to jōnin so quickly.
And now she couldn't be reassigned either…
"In that case," Hiruzen said after some thought,
"you're heading out to find Tsunade anyway. Why don't you take this as a mission?"
He coughed lightly, a little embarrassed.
"Recovering one of the Sannin counts as an A-rank mission."
"This concerns state secrets," Souma countered smoothly.
"Shouldn't that be S-rank?"
They bargained.
Bringing back a Hokage candidate could be classified as either—it depended on interpretation.
With Jiraiya involved, Hiruzen felt A-rank was already generous.
And yet this brat still dared to push.
But then—
If there was no bonus payout…
Ahem.
Hiruzen cleared his throat.
"S-rank. Mission records only—no bonus."
"Deal."
Transaction complete.
After leaving, Souma used Flying Thunder God to send a message to Kabuto Yakushi.
The gist of it was simple—
Bring a few utterly irredeemable, stubborn old-timers.
Disposable ones.
Without Orochimaru, the threat wouldn't be lethal—but the goal wasn't force.
It was to make Tsunade face her own heart.
Once that was done, Souma returned home.
He needed to write out detailed manuals for the Mind Transfer techniques and hand them to the Yamanaka clan as soon as possible—
the faster they mastered them, the sooner he'd receive feedback-based enhancement.
Mind Reversal was easy.
Even Inoichi could master it with ease; with some refinement, it'd be widely usable.
But Mind Disruption and Mind Chaos were far more difficult.
As for Mental Attack and Mental Defense—
Those were harder still.
Souma decided to create downgraded versions.
Not difficult.
In just a few minutes, he refined Mental Attack into Mental Interference,
and Mental Defense into Genjutsu Resistance.
The functions were simpler, but the techniques were far more accessible.
Even so, they were probably still B-rank in learning difficulty.
Souma sent the notes off via Flying Thunder God.
"…Looks like I'm a little late."
He checked the time.
Passing by a sushi shop, he decided to pack a few boxes.
Without Tenten around, even meals had to be handled himself.
Or… should he bring Tenten along?
"No. If I bring Tenten but not Kazusa, that'd be weird.
Better to bring neither."
This was a real mission—not a sightseeing trip.
He registered the mission and set off.
Not far down the road, he spotted a boy trudging along, head down, looking like a defeated stray dog.
Clothes disheveled.
If Souma didn't already know what had happened, he might've thought Sasuke had gotten into serious trouble.
"You ran into Itachi?"
"..."
Sasuke looked up.
Seeing Souma standing at the end of the road, his body stiffened.
A look of shame crept onto his face.
Like a kid caught doing something bad by an adult.
Sasuke opened his mouth, then finally nodded without speaking.
Souma beckoned.
Sasuke followed obediently.
"How did it go?"
"The gap is huge," Sasuke said honestly.
"My Chidori was caught barehanded. I couldn't even land a hit. His genjutsu and Sharingan are far stronger than mine."
Though Souma was only a year older, to Sasuke he felt like a teacher—an elder.
Resistance never even crossed his mind.
And—
Sasuke had heard what happened at the village gate.
Souma had forced Uchiha Itachi to retreat.
If not for the Mangekyō Sharingan…
"Recognizing the gap is a good thing," Souma said calmly.
"Double your effort and catch up."
He didn't offer comfort.
Sasuke didn't need it.
Aside from occasional arrogance, his mentality at this stage was solid—
just dangerously obsessed with power as a revenger.
Souma didn't mention Itachi's possible bloodline illness.
After walking a bit farther, he stopped.
"I remember your taijutsu is pretty good?"
"Uh…"
Sasuke almost said pretty good, but considering who he was talking to, the words stuck.
"…Average."
"For your age, that's fine."
Souma nodded.
"I'll teach you a technique—think of it as private tutoring. Watch carefully with your Sharingan."
"Yes!"
Sasuke's expression turned serious.
This had to be something powerful.
He activated his Sharingan—
And saw chakra surge through Souma's body, rapidly spreading everywhere.
Sasuke's eyes widened.
Chakra enveloped the entire body—especially the head—
mixed with a strange layer of mental energy.
What kind of technique was this?
"You know I was hit by Itachi's technique before," Souma explained.
"His eyes are special, and he excels at genjutsu. If you want to fight him, you need genjutsu resistance first."
"This technique counters genjutsu?" Sasuke asked.
"Not completely," Souma replied.
"But you'll feel it the moment you're caught. Against weaker genjutsu, that alone is enough."
"Thank you."
Sasuke bowed deeply.
This was crucial.
Even early detection was a massive advantage.
"Do you know Overlimit State?" Souma asked.
"No."
"It's actually very simple…"
Souma began explaining.
Sasuke listened intently, practicing as he went.
After some time, Sasuke spoke again.
"Souma-senpai, I heard your research institute values exchanging knowledge for knowledge?"
"That's right."
"I learned your jutsu, so I should pay with knowledge or techniques as well."
After thinking, Sasuke said,
"Great Fireball is common in Konoha—you probably don't need it.
But I have Great Dragon Fire."
He hesitated, then added,
"I also have some Uchiha clan fire-style notes."
"Submit them to the institute after you return," Souma said.
"As for the fire-style notes—I'm not that interested.
If you're willing, try looking for Shisui's Body Flicker or swordsmanship notes."
Those were far more valuable.
"If you can find Shisui's Body Flicker notes," Souma continued,
"I'll give you an extra reward. And if you find anything else useful, I'll teach you new techniques as well."
Sasuke nodded.
Shisui the Teleporter had been legendary—
his reputation alone once deterred Mist shinobi from crossing the eastern coast.
His notes were priceless.
Seeing no resistance, Souma added,
"If you find other materials too, I'll consider additional instruction."
"Understood."
Sasuke then glanced ahead.
"Souma-senpai, where are we going?"
"To meet up with Naruto and convince a very difficult senior."
Souma's tone was calm.
According to Jiraiya, Tsunade was currently gambling in Tanzaku Town.
They walked instead of rushing.
At full speed, they could've arrived in just over an hour—
yet Souma deliberately dragged it out, reaching Tanzaku Town only after half a day.
The place was filled with gambling houses, taverns, and foreign restaurants.
People from all nations passed through.
Some struck it rich overnight.
Others became beggars just as fast.
Sasuke scanned the streets, searching for Naruto.
After a long while, he frowned.
"I don't see him."
"What are you looking around for?" Souma sneered.
"Want to check those places out?"
"Absolutely not!"
Sasuke's face flushed red.
"Well… technically there are ways in," Souma said casually.
"Come on—use a Transformation Jutsu on me."
"…?!"
Sasuke froze.
But he still complied, ducking into an alley and transforming Souma.
He transformed himself too.
Then Souma headed straight toward a storefront.
"This is for real…?"
Sasuke's breathing quickened.
"I-I don't think this is a good idea!"
"If we don't go this way, we won't find Naruto."
"…?!"
Naruto plays this wild?!
Sasuke's worldview cracked.
He'd always thought Naruto was straightforward—
not someone who'd frequent places like this.
If Naruto dared… then so could he!
Sasuke steeled himself—
Only for Souma to turn at the door and enter the building next door instead.
Cheers and shouting filled the air.
Sasuke finally realized.
"A casino?"
"What did you think it was?"
"I—"
The casino was deafening.
For Souma, with his heightened hearing and perception, it was torture.
He quickly sealed his ears with chakra and lowered his sensory output.
Peace at last.
"This is a gambling hall? Is Naruto gambling?" Sasuke frowned.
That didn't seem like Naruto at all—
more like something that shameless Toad Sage would do.
Is Jiraiya even reliable?
Sasuke couldn't help doubting.
Souma led him through the crowd, weaving around tables.
Soon, Sasuke spotted familiar orange clothing.
Naruto was having the time of his life.
"Granny Tsunade! I won again! Look—again!"
"Brat, I can see it!"
A woman's voice snapped.
Even without approaching, Souma and Sasuke could feel the terrifying killing intent.
They moved closer.
Naruto's table was piled high with chips.
"Pervy Sage! Help me hold these—I can't carry them all!"
"..."
Tsunade stared at her empty table, face darkening.
She grabbed her haori embroidered with the kanji for gamble and stormed off.
Her… assets swayed violently as she moved.
Shizune hurried behind her, helping Naruto gather chips while calling Tsunade's name.
Sasuke's face went blank.
He didn't know who the woman was—but it was obvious.
Naruto, Jiraiya, and Souma were all here for her.
But—
A gambler like this…?
"Let's go. Follow her."
"Who is she?" Sasuke asked.
"One of the Three Sannin—Tsunade. Ever heard of her?"
Sasuke shook his head.
Souma smiled faintly.
"You will. She's known as the legendary—"
"Hey, brat! I've had enough of you! Looking for a fight?!"
Tsunade spun around, glaring directly at Souma and Sasuke.
She frowned.
"Tch. More Konoha ninja?"
"At your service—Yagyū Souma."
Souma bowed lightly.
Tsunade's expression grew serious.
Yagyū Souma…
She hadn't heard the name much before meeting Jiraiya and Naruto.
But in the past few days, it had reached her ears more often than that old Third Hokage's name.
Someone who met the First and Second Hokage.
Someone acknowledged by both.
She'd once dismissed it as Jiraiya's nonsense—
But Orochimaru really had died in Konoha.
Because of this kid.
She studied Souma closely.
No chakra leakage. No scent.
A special technique?
"Cough—Tsunade, he's the one I told you ab—"
"He already gave his name," Tsunade cut Jiraiya off coldly.
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