Shizune clutched the still-shaken Tonton amid the wreckage, staring at Tsunade—who had calmed in an instant and made her decision—too stunned to speak.
She understood. This time, Lady Tsunade was completely serious.
The Konoha she had avoided for years, a place filled with painful memories—because of this boy, and the injustice he had suffered, she was finally going back.
Tejima Shinichi stepped forward, his gaze settling on Tsunade's profile as she suppressed the last traces of her anger.
"Thank you… Sister Tsunade."
"Mom always said that if I was ever wronged, and she and Dad couldn't help, I could come to you—because I had an older sister… But we haven't seen each other in twelve years. I didn't know how you'd feel about me. Today… I found out."
"I felt your anger—your protectiveness. That means everything to me."
Tsunade turned her head. The last trace of hesitation in her eyes vanished as she spoke with firm resolve...
"Because of that, I have to go back," she said, her voice turning cold. "That sewer rat—Danzo Shimura… I won't let him harm anyone I care about ever again. This time, I'll deal with him myself—"
A chilling killing intent burst from her, the air around them seeming to drop several degrees.
"—I'll kill him."
Shizune felt the undisguised killing intent and, still clutching Tonton, couldn't stop her arms from trembling.
But Tejima Shinichi slowly shook his head, meeting Tsunade's gaze.
"I understand—and I'm truly grateful," he said quietly. "But this grudge… I want to settle it myself."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed slightly, as he continued...
"My strength hasn't been that of a freshly graduated genin for a long time now. And besides…"
"Sensei treated me well. He took me in as a student, taught me everything—and when I clashed with Danzo, he stripped him of all his positions. In a sense…"
A faint, sharp smile tugged at Shinichi's lips.
"—the enemy you remember is already a toothless tiger. And I've already reached the level you once stood at—through my own strength."
Tsunade's brows snapped together at those last words, puzzlement and doubt flashing in her eyes. "Reached the level you once stood at? You mean…"
Without keeping her guessing, Tejima Shinichi gave the answer.
"Orochimaru has allied with Sunagakure's Fourth Kazekage; they plan to launch the Konoha Crush during next month's Chunin Exams. Konoha already knows."
"Emergency mobilization has already begun. Through my own efforts—and with Sensei's full support—I've temporarily taken over part of the wartime command: overseeing the entire medical system and coordinating the deployment of top-tier combat forces."
"That post is exactly the one you shouldered during the Third Great Ninja War."
"What?!"
Tsunade's pupils contracted sharply; even she, seasoned by countless trials, was shaken.
She instinctively stepped forward, her gaze locking onto him as if to see whether he was serious.
Beside her, Shizune nearly dropped Tonton in shock, letting out a startled gasp, her voice trembling—
"S-so, Shinichi… your current authority… is equal to the command position Lady Tsunade held during the war?!"
She couldn't even imagine it; the sheer power, responsibility, and prestige of that position clashed too sharply with the twelve-year-old standing before her.
'Wait…' Shizune thought, snapping back to her senses. 'Then shouldn't I be addressing him as… Lord Shinichi?!'
Meeting their disbelieving stares, Tejima Shinichi gave a small nod, confirming the shocking truth.
Tsunade stared at him, momentarily speechless. It took her a long moment to process what she had just heard.
Slowly, she let out a breath tinged with the scent of alcohol, a wry smile tugging at her lips.
"Heh… didn't see that coming. The old man really went all in this time… and you actually made it this far."
Drawing in a deep breath, she steadied herself, then folded her arms, her tone turning brisk.
"So, you didn't come all this way just to catch up or treat me to a meat. Spit it out: what do you need me to do?"
Seeing her shift straight to business, Tejima Shinichi knew the groundwork had been laid. He finally voiced the two crucial aims of his trip.
"I came for two things. First, I want to form a summoning contract with Shikkotsu Forest."
"And from there, learn its Sage Arts."
At the word "Sage Arts" Tsunade's gaze sharpened slightly, but she wasn't overly surprised, as though she'd half-expected it.
She nodded and pressed,
"The first isn't a problem… you're my little brother, and now that you've awakened Wood Release, Sage Arts would amplify your strength tremendously"… So, what's the second?"
Tejima Shinichi spoke his second request.
"The second… I intend to become Hokage. But Sensei is already old—I don't know how long he can continue to hold that position, or whether he can wait until I'm fully ready. I'm still too young—lacking both seniority and standing."
He met her gaze steadily.
"So before that day comes… I need your support, Sister Tsunade. I need you to step forward as the Fifth Hokage—and buy me the time I need to stabilize the situation… until I'm truly ready to take over as the Sixth."
"…"
Tsunade fell silent.
"Hokage"—the word against which she'd built years of barricades with alcohol—yet, hearing Tejima Shinichi speak of reaching that seat… she still felt a flicker of fear.
She could unconditionally demand justice for him from Danzo, but Hokage…
Nawaki's sun-bright smile and his "Hokage" dream turning to ashes uncontrollably surged through her mind.
She clenched her fists instinctively, her breath catching for a moment.
Tejima Shinichi didn't press her. He simply waited, calm and patient, giving her the space to decide.
Still, he was confident. Driven by her anger toward Danzo, her concern for Mori Chie, and her affection for her "little brother," she would ultimately choose as he hoped.
'Besides…'
A cold glint of killing intent flickered in his eyes.
'The day you take the seat of Fifth Hokage... will be the day Danzo Shimura dies!'
Why had Tejima Shinichi repeatedly urged Hiruzen Sarutobi to step down and support Tsunade? For this very moment.
Hiruzen might hesitate to deal with Danzo out of old ties—so Shinichi would spare him that burden.
Once the Fifth Hokage was in place—no approval required—amid the attention surrounding the transfer of power, Tejima Shinichi would make his move… and kill Danzo.
'I… don't want to wait any longer!.'
At last, Tsunade turned her gaze toward Konoha, her gaze firming.
"Hokage… that's a position I once swore I'd never touch. But, Shinichi…"
She turned back, meeting his eyes.
"If this is the path you've chosen—if these next two years are what you need—then the seat of the Fifth… I'll take it."
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