"Sasuke, what actually happened back there?"
Naruto scratched his head, utterly confused.
"Why does Tsunade-baachan keep saying she's going to beat up Souma-senpai?"
Sasuke shot him a look.
This idiot…
Already this strong, and his brain still hadn't caught up.
After a moment, Sasuke sighed. "Souma-senpai could've ended that fight immediately."
"Huh?"
"He deliberately held back," Sasuke continued calmly, "and let Kidōmaru take Tsunade-sama."
Naruto's eyes went wide.
"WHAT?! Then Souma-senpai's a traitor?!"
Sasuke covered his face.
"…If he were a traitor, Tsunade-sama wouldn't still be alive."
Naruto blinked.
Sasuke went on, "Souma-senpai was certain they wouldn't hurt her. He needed Tsunade-sama to face that fear herself."
Naruto thought for a second.
"Then… why am I full of holes?!"
He looked down at the blood-stained bandages on his arms.
His self-detonating brute-force punch had shredded his muscles too.
"So I was the only one who suffered?!"
Sasuke didn't answer.
Tsunade, who had been listening quietly, smirked and crooked her finger.
"You. Blond brat. Come here."
"Eh? O-okay!"
Naruto walked over obediently.
"As long as you're not dead," Tsunade declared, slamming her palm down, "I can fix anything!"
"…You sound very confident," Jiraiya muttered, eyes half-lidded.
He almost exposed her bluff—but stopped.
Seeing Tsunade working calmly through blood again…
This alone made everything worth it.
Souma had been right.
Her fear hadn't vanished—it had been forced to retreat.
After finishing treatment, Tsunade rolled her shoulders and snorted.
"Don't misunderstand. Just because I'm fine doesn't mean I'm running back to Konoha to be Hokage."
She clenched her fist.
"Why is it that you and that brat refuse the position, and only then think of dragging me back? Does the old man think I'm second-rate?!"
"Cough—let's go check on Souma," Jiraiya said instantly.
"He's probably already eating."
Naruto nodded vigorously.
"Yeah! A gambling drunk who can't win a single ryō being Hokage would be terrifying!"
The forest went silent.
"…You want to die?" Tsunade asked sweetly.
Jiraiya and Sasuke shared a look.
This kid is fearless to the point of stupidity.
Meanwhile—
"Souma-kun… are you sure we shouldn't go help Tsunade-sama?" Shizune asked nervously.
Souma waved it off while calmly eating.
"Jiraiya-sama's there. Kidōmaru won't escape."
"…What about Naruto?"
"He runs loud, fast, and glows at night. Perfect archer bait."
Shizune froze.
That… actually made sense.
Souma had already sealed Sakon and Ukon's remains.
Even pulverized, they still held research value.
As he ate, his thoughts drifted.
Kabuto only brought Kidōmaru and the twins.
Tayuya hadn't appeared—good.
If Kabuto truly intended to stabilize the Sound Village, that was promising.
Still…
Neither Kabuto nor Souma could manage it long-term.
They needed a caretaker.
Karin, perhaps.
Uzumaki bloodline. Exceptional sensory talent. Easy to incentivize with sealing knowledge.
Jūgo was more troublesome—but solvable.
Unstable Sage Chakra?
Perfect job for kikaichū.
Souma made a mental note.
Then—
Crash!
The window exploded inward.
"Oi! Brat! Come out and fight!"
Tsunade landed inside, fists clenched.
Souma looked up calmly.
"Is this a habit you picked up while dodging creditors?"
"Pff—"
Shizune barely held it together.
…It was true.
Tsunade sat down heavily, glaring.
"You let me suffer, then came back to eat. Don't you think you deserve a beating?"
"Fighting causes property damage," Souma replied evenly.
"And compensation. And publicity."
He paused, eyes narrowing slightly.
"You wouldn't want people to know the future Hokage smashes buildings while drowning in debt, would you?"
"…You little—"
Before she could flip the table, Naruto burst in, grabbed a bowl, and started eating.
Tsunade froze.
She coughed and shot Souma a sharp look.
Souma set down his chopsticks.
"Shall we talk somewhere quiet, Tsunade-sama?"
"…Fine."
They stepped outside.
Tsunade crossed her arms.
"I almost accepted Orochimaru's offer. To see Dan and Nawaki again."
Souma nodded.
"Edo Tensei allows reunion—but never permanence. That's the rule."
"I know." She exhaled.
"So if I become Hokage… maybe I'll be carrying their will instead."
Souma spoke without embellishment.
"Danzo is dead. Root has been stripped of its independent authority. It's now a training division—under my supervision."
Tsunade wasn't surprised.
"That suits you."
"ANBU is under Uzuki Yugao."
Tsunade frowned.
"She's young."
"A figurehead," Souma said plainly.
"I handle training."
"…I see."
"Uchiha are gone. Aburame is stronger than ever. Ino–Shika–Chō improved significantly. Others remain stable."
"And Hyūga?" she asked lightly.
"They resist change."
Tsunade smiled knowingly.
Then sighed.
"If you were six years older, the Hokage seat would already be yours."
"I don't want it," Souma replied calmly.
"It interferes with research."
"…That was the most honest answer tonight."
Tsunade stood.
"One condition," she said.
"No forbidden research."
Souma nodded.
"I won't walk Orochimaru's path."
Tsunade extended a hand.
"Then let's work together."
Souma shook it.
"We will."
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