"Fair competition?!"
Jiraiya faltered, his confidence wavering. He felt deep in his bones that he had no chance of winning against a resurrected Dan.
Regarding this dilemma, Naruto felt helpless. Love between three people was complicated. It wasn't easy for him to intervene further. So Naruto simply said, "Jiraiya-sensei, I can only help you this much. The rest depends on your own efforts."
After finishing his statement, before Jiraiya could respond, Naruto exited the room.
As soon as he emerged into the hallway, he saw Shizune standing at Sakura's door. The two were deep in conversation. Tsunade called out to her student, "Shizune, pack up quickly. We're going back to Konoha."
"Sensei, are you talking about returning to Konoha?" Shizune's face lit up with joy. But fearing she'd misheard, she looked at Tsunade and confirmed again with visible hope.
Tsunade nodded firmly. "Hurry up. Stop dawdling."
Saying that, Tsunade returned to her own room.
"Senior Shizune, see? I told you Naruto would have a way!" Sakura beamed with happiness. Tsunade returning to Konoha meant she wouldn't have to separate from Sasuke. "Hurry and pack up. Let's go back to Konoha together!"
"Yes! This is wonderful! I'm going to pack my things right now!" Shizune hugged Tonton and practically ran to her room. In truth, she didn't have much to pack—just medical supplies and her pig.
That pig was her most valuable possession.
Soon, everyone had packed their belongings. Naruto checked out of the hotel, and the group set off for Konoha.
On the journey back, Jiraiya continued talking with Naruto about Dan. He wasn't complaining exactly—he genuinely hoped Dan could be resurrected. He just felt he couldn't compete with the man.
Naruto listened from the side, offering only perfunctory "Mm-hmm" responses to Jiraiya's concerns. Sasuke walked next to Naruto. Kakashi traveled alone at the back.
In the middle walked the three Tsunade master-and-apprentice.
Along the way, Sakura kept glancing at Tsunade's impressive figure, then looking away. She seemed hesitant to speak, her internal struggle visible on her face.
Tsunade noticed her new student's strange behavior. "Sakura, do you have something you want to say?"
Following Tsunade's question, Shizune also looked at Sakura curiously.
Sakura glanced at Shizune, then at Tsunade. Finally, she mustered up her courage. "Sensei, I have a question I want to ask you."
"Oh! I didn't expect Sakura to be so eager to learn already." Tsunade laughed immediately, feeling pleased. "Tell me. Why be polite with your sensei? You've certainly worked hard enough on this journey."
"I want to know..." Sakura's words came out in a rush of relief. "How can I become as... big... as you, sensei?" She didn't dare face Tsunade directly after asking.
Shizune: (⊙ω⊙)
Tsunade: (⊙ω⊙)
Something is wrong. Something is definitely wrong with my new disciple. Tsunade had expected questions about training methods or medical techniques, not... this.
Looking at Sakura with her head lowered in embarrassment, Tsunade genuinely didn't know how to answer. This was obviously a sensitive topic. After thinking carefully, Tsunade could only say gently, "Sakura, this is something you're born with. There really is no secret technique for it."
Is there really no secret? Sakura felt a wave of sadness wash over her heart. It seemed that in this life, she should abandon all hope of becoming as majestic as her sensei.
"Sister Tsunade, come here for a moment." At that moment, Naruto up ahead suddenly called for Tsunade.
Tsunade glanced at Sakura once more, then walked toward Naruto with her characteristic swaying gait.
As soon as Tsunade left, Shizune addressed Sakura with a flushed face. "Sakura, why would you ask such a question?" Even bringing up such a topic made Shizune feel deeply embarrassed.
Sakura's face was also rosy. She raised her head, glanced at Shizune, and asked directly, "Senior Shizune, don't you envy sensei?"
"I..." Shizune stopped suddenly. Finally, she nodded honestly. "Of course I'm envious." After speaking, Shizune sighed with resignation. "However, being like that must be quite tiring sometimes, right?"
Shizune could only comfort herself this way.
Perhaps Shizune's comforting words had an effect on Sakura as well. Sakura's eyes lit up. She no longer felt as sad as before. "You're right! We can run faster like this. The wind resistance isn't as great."
Tsunade had no idea what her two students were discussing. She came to Naruto's side, gently pushing Sasuke past. "Naruto, what's wrong?"
"Traveling like this is too slow if we're going back directly." Naruto's tone carried clear impatience. He'd come out this time specifically to find Tsunade to replace his Hokage position so he could start traveling. Now that he'd found her, returning quickly was essential. He needed to hand everything over to Tsunade, then immediately begin his journey of traveling and making friends throughout the ninja world.
Tsunade had no objection to Naruto's proposal. She wanted to return to Konoha quickly as well—she was eager to revive her younger brother Nawaki and her lover Dan as soon as possible. "No problem."
"Sasuke, you take a few people. I'll take the others." With Tsunade's agreement secured, Naruto addressed Sasuke directly.
Sasuke nodded. He called Kakashi, Jiraiya, and Sakura over. "We'll use Flying Thunder God to return." He moved to place his hands on Kakashi and Jiraiya's shoulders.
"I just recovered from serious injuries. This position is safer." Before Sasuke's hand could land on his shoulder, Jiraiya wrapped his arms around Sasuke's waist instead.
Shouldn't that position be mine? Sakura looked at Jiraiya with visible resentment.
Seeing this development, Sasuke didn't react strongly. He simply placed his hands on Sakura and Kakashi's shoulders. Then Flying Thunder God activated instantly. The four vanished from the spot.
"Flying Thunder God?" Watching Sasuke and the others disappear, Tsunade showed genuine surprise. She hadn't expected that Sasuke would actually know the Flying Thunder God Technique—the signature jutsu of both the Fourth Hokage and the Second Hokage.
Since Sasuke knew it, then Naruto—as Konoha's Fifth Hokage and the child of the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato—should also know Flying Thunder God.
Thinking this, Tsunade looked at Naruto. "Naruto, are we going back with Flying Thunder God too?"
Hearing Tsunade's question, Naruto shook his head. "Sister Tsunade, I don't use ninjutsu. I don't study ninjutsu. The only technique I've learned is how to make friends."
Tsunade's mouth twitched involuntarily. She asked tentatively, "Then how do we get back? Run the entire way?"
"No." Naruto smiled. In the next second, he continued, "We'll fly back."
"Fly back?" Shizune's eyes widened dramatically. The pig in her arms also widened its eyes, making surprised oinking noises.
Tsunade also stared at Naruto. Then she heard him say apologetically, "Forgive the intrusion, Sister Tsunade, Sister Shizune." After speaking, Naruto wrapped his arms around each of their slender waists. He stepped forward decisively—and shot straight up into the sky.
"We're actually flying!" Finding herself suddenly among the clouds, Shizune's mouth dropped open. She felt both surprised and delighted.
Stepping across the sky and soaring forward, they cut through the clouds like a meteor streaking toward Konoha. The vapor parted around them in thin lines.
"So this is what it feels like to fly through the sky." Both Tsunade and Shizune looked at each other, sharing the same thought.
Even while thinking this, both women had to cover their bodies with layers of defensive chakra. Otherwise, with this supersonic speed, the wind pressure would cause serious damage to their bodies.
At the same time, they looked sideways at Naruto with renewed awe. His physique is actually this powerful that he needs no protection.
At the back mountain, Sasuke, Kakashi, and the others materialized. Moments later, Naruto appeared beside Sasuke with Tsunade and Shizune.
"Back in Konoha." As soon as her feet touched Konoha's soil, Tsunade looked up at the sky belonging to her village. She lost herself in thought for a moment. Shizune wore the same distant expression—she hadn't returned to Konoha in so long.
"Sister Tsunade, should you go home to settle in first, or follow me to the Hokage Building?" Naruto looked at Tsunade and asked.
"The Hokage Building." Tsunade pulled her gaze back from the sky. She smiled at Naruto, then turned to Shizune. "Shizune, you should go home and clean up first. No one has lived there for so long. You can't possibly stay there without cleaning thoroughly."
"Okay, sensei." Shizune nodded obediently.
"I'll go help Shizune too." Sakura volunteered her assistance.
Jiraiya also wanted to follow Tsunade, but Naruto dismissed him. The two had business to discuss. With Tsunade beside him, Naruto walked in the direction of the Hokage Building.
Five minutes later, a brand-new structure appeared before Tsunade's eyes.
"The Hokage Building has been renovated!" Looking at the pristine building, Tsunade suddenly felt the weight of how much things had changed. A depressed mood settled over her unexpectedly.
Naruto smiled with visible embarrassment. "Sister Tsunade, it's not a renovation exactly. It's a complete reconstruction. The original Hokage Building was destroyed by me. As for this building, it was funded by the Hyūga family. They rebuilt it according to the original design."
Destroyed... Tsunade turned her head slowly. She looked at Naruto. Her mouth twitched slightly.
"Naruto! You're finally back!" At that moment, Choji walked up to Naruto while munching on a bag of potato chips.
"Choji, what's the matter?" Naruto looked at the pleasantly plump Choji. They hadn't seen each other in several days. He felt the urge to give his friend another "friendly" punch.
"I'm looking for you..." Choji was about to explain when he noticed Tsunade standing next to Naruto. He stammered, "Are you... Lady Tsunade?"
Konoha's legendary Sannin were recorded in Academy textbooks. No one failed to recognize the reputation of the Sannin.
"It's me. You're Akimichi Choza's son, aren't you?" Tsunade nodded. From Choji's appearance and build, she could tell at a glance he belonged to the Akimichi family.
"You're very perceptive, my lady." Choji grinned sheepishly. Then he addressed Naruto, "Naruto, since you have business with Lady Tsunade, I'll come find you after you've dealt with everything."
"Alright. Wait for me in the lounge then." After Naruto finished speaking, he led Tsunade into the Hokage Building.
Along the way, though Naruto wasn't wearing Hokage robes, every staff member in the building greeted him respectfully. "Lord Hokage, you're back!" After acknowledging him, they noticed Tsunade and shouted with surprise and enthusiasm, "Lady Tsunade has returned!"
Obviously, they were genuinely enthusiastic about Tsunade. They seemed very happy about her return.
"Sister Tsunade, look—everyone is happy you came back." Naruto smiled warmly.
Regarding this reception, Tsunade simply smiled slightly without saying much.
When they reached the Hokage's office, Naruto gestured around the room. "Sister Tsunade, this is where I usually work. If you don't like it, you can set up your own office space."
Tsunade didn't say she disliked it. Instead, she sat in the office chair and touched the desk surface with both hands. "Naruto, why doesn't your desk have any drawers?"
"Drawers?" Naruto looked puzzled. Then he explained, "Well, Sister Tsunade, for documents and files, there's a dedicated file room next door. If you need any files, just ask your assistant to bring them over."
Tsunade glanced at Naruto knowingly. This innocent child doesn't understand. The drawer isn't for files—it's for... other support purposes.
Thinking this, Tsunade said decisively, "I'd better find another office."
"That's fine. If you have any requirements, you can ask the staff here." Naruto had no objection to Tsunade not working in his space.
Afterward, Naruto provided Tsunade with important context. "Sister Tsunade, I know you're eager to revive Nawaki and Dan. However, that particular technique still has significant drawbacks. We're still in the improvement stage. It will take some time. Please forgive me for this delay."
Hearing Naruto's words, Tsunade didn't show anger or disappointment. She simply said, "Having hope is better than having none at all."
In the past, she'd had no hope whatsoever. Now she had hope. Though it would take time, she'd already waited more than ten years. What were a few more years?
However, the fact that she couldn't revive her younger brother and Dan immediately did affect Tsunade's mood somewhat. She lowered her brows. "Naruto, I'll go back and rest first. We can handle the work handover tomorrow."
"Okay." Naruto wasn't in any rush.
After Tsunade left, Naruto remembered that Choji had come looking for him. He didn't know what Choji wanted. He planned to go to the lounge to find his friend, but when he stepped outside, Shikamaru blocked his path.
"Hokage-sama, Lady Terumi Mei—the Fifth Mizukage of Kirigakure—has arrived. She says she wants to visit you." When working in an official capacity, Shikamaru never called Naruto by name directly. Only in private settings would Shikamaru interact with Naruto as a friend. Shikamaru handled this distinction well.
"Oh!" Naruto hadn't expected that as soon as he returned, Sister Terumi Mei would arrive. He immediately said to Shikamaru, "Please bring her to the office."
Shikamaru nodded and turned around. Soon he returned with Terumi Mei, then went back to continue his own work.
"Lord Hokage." Terumi Mei greeted Naruto formally.
"Lady Mizukage." Naruto returned the formal greeting.
After their ceremonial exchange, both raised their heads. Both smiled with genuine warmth.
"Sister Terumi Mei, please come in and sit." Naruto extended his hand in a gesture of invitation. Terumi Mei glanced forward, cast a flirtatious look at Naruto, then entered the Hokage's office.
Naruto closed the door behind them. When he turned around, he saw Terumi Mei had already seated herself in his office chair. She frowned slightly, looked up at Naruto, and said with visible concern, "Naruto, why doesn't your desk have any drawers?"
"Drawers?" Naruto felt genuinely puzzled. Why did Sister Terumi Mei say she needed desk drawers? Sister Tsunade had also mentioned needing drawers. It was so strange.
However, the next scene made everything perfectly clear. Terumi Mei placed her considerable assets on the desk surface with an audible thump. Then she spoke with visible relief, "Ah, finally some ease! I was exhausted after walking all that way."
After speaking, she completely ignored Naruto's suddenly intense gaze. "Naruto, I brought half of the spoils here. According to your requirements, there are ninjutsu scrolls, gold, various rare ores, and other materials."
"Thank you, Sister Terumi Mei. I appreciate you going there yourself." Naruto's laugh carried genuine gratitude mixed with amusement.
"So how will you thank me?"
Naruto spoke with exaggerated pain. "Sister Terumi Mei, you're really not at a disadvantage. You made me hand over several hundred million ryō in total."