"Hokage-sama is Uzumaki Naruto," Shizune replied. "He's Konoha's Fifth Hokage."
"Uzumaki Naruto? Him? The Fifth Hokage?" Tsunade's voice came out as a murmur. "He's just a child. How is that possible? Besides, Sarutobi Hiruzen is still around. He'd never delegate power willingly. Tell me—did Naruto mention anything about Sarutobi Hiruzen?"
Shizune shook her head. "He didn't say anything. I didn't ask either."
"Sensei, aren't you hungry? Eat something first." Shizune gestured at the spread of food. "If you have questions, you can ask Naruto-sama later."
"Eat? Of course I'm going to eat." Tsunade's expression hardened with determination. "But after we finish eating, we're leaving. I don't want to go back to Konoha."
She dove into the meal with gusto.
Shizune's heart sank. Though she wanted to stay with Hokage-sama—he'd been so kind to both her and her sensei, providing accommodation and food—if Tsunade-sensei wanted to leave, she had no choice but to follow. Still, leaving like this after everything Hokage-sama had done for them felt wrong.
Thinking this, Shizune stood up. "I should go tell them we're leaving."
"Where are you going?" Tsunade, eating happily, grabbed Shizune's arm with a greasy hand.
"I need to tell them we're leaving," Shizune explained.
"Are you stupid?" Tsunade pulled her back down forcefully. "If you tell them, we won't be able to leave. Sit down."
She pressed Shizune's shoulder, forcing her student back into the chair.
Shizune looked visibly uncomfortable. "Is it really okay for us to leave without saying goodbye?"
Tsunade ignored her and continued eating. This student of mine is just like this—stupid. Even more stupid than that pig she carries around.
Perhaps because she was so hungry, Tsunade's hands moved with wind-like speed. In less than ten minutes, she'd cleared every dish on the table. Once finished, she took a sip of water, wiped her hands clean, and addressed Shizune in a hushed voice. "Let's go. We're leaving right now."
"Okay..." Shizune was pulled helplessly along.
Tsunade opened the door quietly, poking her head out cautiously. Then she froze.
Naruto, Kakashi, Sasuke, Sakura, and Jiraiya in his wheelchair all stood directly outside the door.
Five pairs of eyes gazed at Tsunade in perfect silence.
Damn it. Tsunade's heart sank. We can't leave now. She'd experienced Naruto's strength firsthand. Even after fainting from seeing blood, she'd dreamed about him—dreamed about that devastating vibration technique.
Worse, Naruto knew her weakness. He stood there holding a kunai, the blade aimed casually at Jiraiya's arm, smiling pleasantly at her.
Jiraiya, naturally, wore an expression of deep resentment.
"Sister Tsunade! You're awake!" Naruto's face split into a warm smile.
Shizune poked her head out at that moment. She addressed Naruto with complete innocence. "Hokage-sama, it's not my fault! I told sensei we should say hello before leaving, but she wouldn't listen."
Hearing Shizune's words, Tsunade's temper flared. She smacked the top of Shizune's head with a sharp slap. Shizune let out an "Ow!" Then Tsunade turned back to Naruto with a forced smile. "Naruto, I had no intention of leaving. Don't listen to Shizune's nonsense. I just wanted to get some fresh air."
If she hadn't seen that kunai already pressed against Jiraiya's arm, Tsunade would never have spoken such cowardly words.
"Oh, I see. Well then, has Sister Tsunade finished getting her fresh air?" Naruto's smile remained perfectly pleasant. "If you're done, I'd like to have a conversation with you."
He gestured for them to move aside. Tsunade and Shizune immediately stepped back, allowing Naruto and his party to enter the room.
As soon as Naruto entered, he noticed the table covered in empty plates and cups—every dish completely cleared. He turned around with a knowing smile. "Sister Tsunade, if you're still hungry, I can have someone bring more food."
Tsunade's return smile looked strained and far-fetched. She whispered in Shizune's ear, "Stop talking." Then, as Shizune's mouth flattened into a pout, Tsunade addressed Naruto. "No need, Naruto. I'm already full. Actually, I don't eat that much. Shizune deserves credit here too—she's always loved raising pigs, so she's started eating like one."
I didn't! Shizune shouted internally with grievance.
"I see." Naruto found a stool and sat down. He continued addressing Tsunade directly. "Sister Tsunade, I know why you don't want to return to Konoha. It's because of Sarutobi Hiruzen, isn't it?"
Tsunade crossed her arms in front of her chest—though her arms weren't quite long enough to maintain the position comfortably, so she simply let them drop. Her expression clearly said say whatever you want.
She wouldn't admit anything.
Naruto continued calmly. "I assume Shizune told you I'm the Fifth Hokage of Konoha. So you don't need to worry about encountering any danger when you return to Konoha. Hiruzen is already dead. I killed him. That's why I'm sitting in the position of Konoha's Fifth Hokage."
"You killed Hiruzen?" Both Tsunade and Shizune blurted out the question simultaneously, their shock evident.
"That's correct." Naruto nodded. "I never like forcing people to do things against their will. Since Sister Tsunade doesn't want to return to Konoha, I have two requests instead. I'd appreciate Sister Tsunade's help with both."
"Go ahead." Tsunade's attitude toward Naruto softened noticeably.
"First." Naruto pointed at Jiraiya. "I hope Sister Tsunade can help heal Jiraiya-sensei. After all, among everyone here, only Sister Tsunade has the most powerful medical skills."
Tsunade rolled her eyes at Jiraiya. "He deserves it," she said bitterly.
Jiraiya's face darkened immediately.
"However, I agree." Tsunade shifted her attention back to Naruto. "So what's the second request?"
"Second." Naruto gently pushed Sakura forward. "This is Haruno Sakura. I hope she can study under Sister Tsunade in the future."
Hearing this, Sakura immediately protested. "Naruto! You didn't tell me about this! You're finding me a sensei without even asking my opinion?"
Naruto lowered his voice conspiratorially. "Sister Tsunade is one of Konoha's legendary Sannin. Besides, learning skills from her is for your own benefit. But I can tell you this—Sasuke likes girls with actual abilities."
"Oh! In that case, I'll definitely study under her." Sakura's eyes lit up as she glanced at Sasuke. She immediately bowed deeply to Tsunade. "I've met my sensei!"
After a moment of speechless silence, Tsunade helped Sakura back to her feet. "I also agree to the second request. Now, let me get started on the healing."
Her expression made it clear she wanted to finish the treatment quickly and then leave.
Naruto came to Jiraiya's side. He spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear. "Jiraiya-sensei, this is your chance! I'm creating an opportunity for you to be alone with Sister Tsunade. After she finishes treating you, you can confess to her."
Jiraiya's face brightened with happiness. He looked at Naruto with genuine gratitude. "Naruto, thank you. I misunderstood you before."
Naruto didn't know what specific misunderstanding Jiraiya meant. He patted the older man's shoulder encouragingly. "Do your best! I'm waiting to drink at your and Sister Tsunade's wedding!"
After their whispered conversation, Naruto addressed everyone in the room. "Alright, let's all leave. We shouldn't disturb Sister Tsunade while she treats Jiraiya-sensei."
The others filed out obediently.
Only Tsunade and Jiraiya remained in the room, finally alone together.