Inside an izakaya, within a private room.
Tsunade and Jiraiya were drinking and chatting.
As a child, Naruto naturally did not interrupt their conversation.
As for Yagyu, he had little interest in the topic between Jiraiya and Tsunade, so he simply listened quietly.
After reminiscing about the past, Jiraiya took a sip of his drink and spoke.
"Tsunade, regarding the reason we came to find you this time, I will not beat around the bush."
Upon hearing this, Yagyu knew that the main topic was about to begin, so he set down his chopsticks and stopped eating.
Then he heard Jiraiya continue.
"After discussions among the village elders, it has been decided that you will return to the village to assume the position of the Fifth Hokage."
Pfft.
Upon hearing Jiraiya's words, Naruto, who had been eating, immediately spat out his food.
Putting down his bowl and chopsticks, he looked at Jiraiya in shock and asked uncertainly,
"Pervy Sage, what is going on? How come I have never heard about letting this... beautiful big sister return to the village to become Hokage?"
As he spoke, Naruto stood up from his seat, staring at Tsunade in disbelief.
Even though Yagyu had previously told Naruto that she was actually a grandmother in her fifties, Naruto still could not accept it.
He continued to address Tsunade as a beautiful big sister.
"Naruto!"
Upon hearing Naruto's question, Jiraiya's expression turned serious.
"This is a decision made by the village elders. You are merely a genin and have no right to object. Now be quiet!"
Hearing Jiraiya's words, Naruto's expression stiffened, his face filled with unwillingness.
"Naruto-kun, please calm down," Shizune said with a smile as she comforted him from beside Tsunade.
Naruto sat down angrily, still unable to understand.
From their brief interaction and the bits of information he had heard, Naruto did not have a very favorable impression of Tsunade.
He believed she would not be a responsible person.
Tap.
At that moment, Yagyu placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder.
"Calm down, Naruto. The village is currently facing turmoil and needs a new powerful leader to assume the position of the Fifth Hokage. Senior Sister Tsunade is an exceptionally powerful existence. Her becoming Hokage is the best possible arrangement."
After a brief pause, Yagyu continued,
"I know your dream is to become Hokage, but the position is still too early for you. What you need now is to calm down, listen carefully, and observe closely. This is also part of the training required to become Hokage."
Upon hearing this, Naruto frowned but ultimately said nothing further.
Yagyu's words carried even more weight with Naruto than Jiraiya's at that moment.
Both Tsunade and Jiraiya looked at Yagyu with expressions of satisfaction.
It had to be said that, compared to the impulsive Naruto, Yagyu, who behaved flawlessly in many aspects, was far more appreciated by both Tsunade and Jiraiya.
After resolving Naruto's minor dissatisfaction, Tsunade took out a deck of playing cards and naturally began a game with Jiraiya.
As they played, the two continued discussing the topic of her succession to the Hokage position.
Given Tsunade's current mindset, she held nothing but disdain for the seat of Hokage.
Her declaration that "those who want to become Hokage are all fools" directly infuriated Naruto.
Amid Naruto's furious shouting, Tsunade, whose mind was already unsettled due to Orochimaru's proposal, seemed to be seeking some form of distraction. As a result, she made a completely unequal and absurd betting duel with Naruto.
In the back alley behind the izakaya.
Watching Naruto, who was brimming with confidence and determined to teach Tsunade a lesson, Yagyu crossed his arms and observed with interest.
"In a battle with such a vast disparity in strength, it is surprising that Senior Sister Tsunade agreed to it. Is she merely seeking some amusement? However, Naruto is likely to suffer for it."
Beside him, Jiraiya heard Yagyu's words and smiled as he shook his head.
However, as a longtime companion who knew Tsunade well, Jiraiya also sensed that something was slightly off about her.
According to his speculation, it was very likely related to Orochimaru.
But he could not ask her directly, at least not at this moment.
Otherwise, the situation would only deteriorate further.
Of course, Jiraiya guessed that Yagyu knew something, but considering that Yagyu and Tsunade had only just met and were still in the process of building rapport, along with certain special reasons, he had no intention of questioning him.
There would always be another opportunity.
The battle began quickly.
And it ended just as quickly.
From start to finish, the exchange lasted less than a second.
In merely ten seconds, Naruto was struck by a single finger from Tsunade and embedded into a crack in the ground, unable to stand.
"That strength is truly terrifying," Yagyu remarked as he looked at the trench created by Tsunade's single finger.
"Among the legendary Three Sannin of Konoha, the only female, Princess Slug Tsunade, is renowned across the shinobi world for her unparalleled medical ninjutsu. At the same time, her taijutsu dominates the entire shinobi world, relying on this monstrous superhuman strength."
Hearing this, Jiraiya nodded with a smile.
"That is correct. Tsunade's monstrous strength is unmatched in the current shinobi world."
Not necessarily.
Hearing Jiraiya praise Tsunade, Yagyu thought to himself,
"If I wished to develop the Strength of a Hundred style of monstrous strength, it would be exceedingly simple."
After all, Yagyu also possessed the Senju Immortal Body.
If he trained in the method of generating monstrous strength, his power would be no weaker than Tsunade's, and might even surpass hers.
Looking at Tsunade, who had made a wager with Naruto, Yagyu spoke calmly:
"It seems we will have to stay here for the time being. Let's find an inn to rest. Over the next few days, I might as well enjoy myself and relax."
As he spoke, Yagyu walked straight toward the street outside.
Time was not particularly valuable, especially when it came to entertainment. In such moments, it seemed even less so.
Five days passed in the blink of an eye.
During these five days, Yagyu either wandered through Tanzaku Street during the daytime, accompanied Naruto in his training of the Rasengan, or visited a casino to gamble.
Naturally, when it came to gambling, Yagyu possessed a foolproof method, allowing his purse to grow considerably heavier.
On the morning of the sixth day, Yagyu awoke from the bed in the inn and thought to himself:
"System, sign in. Today is a special day. Shouldn't I receive a special reward?"
[Ding! Sign-in successful. Congratulations! You have obtained: Indra's Chakra.]
After the system's voice sounded, Yagyu froze for a moment.
Immediately afterward, a cool and refreshing power flowed throughout his entire body. After strengthening his physique to a certain degree, it surged toward his eyes.
Thud.
In a hazy instant, it was as if a heavy hammer struck his soul, the sound echoing in his ears.
At that moment, he clearly felt it.
The ocular power of his Mangekyō Sharingan surged rapidly, increasing several times over.
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