Jiraiya finally returned to Konoha, only to find the various storms within the village had mostly subsided.
After fully grasping what had transpired, he didn't even have time to attend the Third Hokage's funeral before immediately departing the village once more, intent on retrieving Tsunade. When it came to handling such serious matters, Jiraiya had always been swift and decisive.
Firstly, he felt immense guilt and responsibility for the Hokage's death, believing his own failure to properly deal with Orochimaru had led to these subsequent events. Secondly, the situation was now urgent; Konoha desperately needed Tsunade to return and become the next Hokage. Lastly, there was an internal drive: Jiraiya himself did not want to become Hokage, so he had to do everything possible to facilitate Tsunade's return.
However, when Habara learned of Jiraiya's actions, he was highly skeptical. Could Jiraiya really persuade Tsunade to return when she was fundamentally unwilling? If she subjectively disagreed, could Jiraiya actually tie her up and drag her back to Konoha? Impossible.
But then again, Konoha did need Tsunade. The question was, which part of her did they truly need?
Things unfolded exactly as Habara anticipated. News arrived later that Jiraiya's mission had indeed failed. Not only had he failed, but it seemed Tsunade had beaten him up. Furthermore, he was likely in for more beatings, because this mission had to succeed. Jiraiya's only remaining tactic was relentless pestering… He'd handle the clinging; Tsunade would handle the hitting.
Once Habara's punishment was decided, he was no longer confined. However, during the time remaining before his departure from Konoha, he resolved to keep an extremely low profile, essentially maintaining a state of 'no such person found.'
He then had a conversation with Kushina Uzumaki.
"Habara, you need to think this through carefully. Once this decision is made, there's no changing it. Leaving the center of Konoha means it will be incredibly difficult to ever return to it," Kushina reminded him, regardless of the circumstances.
Habara nodded, indicating he understood. Besides, he reasoned, he had at most only approached the center of Konoha, never truly been part of it, so there wasn't much to give up.
"It's no problem. I understand what my decision means," Habara stated. "Fundamentally, this wasn't a choice made out of my own desire; it's something that has to be done… I must ultimately bear responsibility for the deaths of the two advisors. This is how I answer to the other Konoha ninja."
There were things Habara couldn't say outright. He couldn't just tell Kushina he'd long been eager to split off and establish his own independent power base; that wouldn't sound right at all. If he had said that, Kushina wouldn't have agreed to let him leave Konoha.
Initially, of course, Habara's Konoha Branch Leaf would fully follow the directives of Konoha's leadership. But inevitably, the relationship between the two entities would become gradually distant. In the final stage, the Konoha Branch Leaf would surely contend with Konoha proper over the question of which was the true inheritor of Konoha's legacy and the Will of Fire.
This might sow the seeds of internal conflict, but Habara deemed it unimportant. He felt it would mostly amount to wars of words, battles for hearts and minds. He certainly wouldn't lead his Branch Leaf to attack the Konoha main base, nor would Konoha likely attack such an outpost.
At this point, no one would foresee such risks. To those aware of the situation, it would seem Habara was merely taking a dozen or few dozen ninja to establish a special detachment controlled by the village, not far from its borders. Ultimately, they would still rely on Konoha's name; otherwise, like rootless duckweed, they would surely face swift annihilation.
Since Habara had already made up his mind, Kushina Uzumaki naturally had nothing more to say. After all, he truly was taking responsibility for his actions.
Thinking of responsibility, Kushina remarked, half-joking and half-complaining, "Even with Master Jiraiya's explanation, and with Konoha facing severe internal and external crises, Lady Tsunade still refuses to return to the village."
In Kushina's view, and that of a significant portion of Konoha's ninja, returning to become Hokage was precisely the responsibility Tsunade should bear. She was the First Hokage's granddaughter, the Third Hokage's student – her lineage was impeccable. At such a critical juncture, it was exactly the time for her to step up. How could she run away?
Did she really think she was still a little girl who could act willfully? Hadn't she looked in a mirror to see how old she actually was... well, mirrors might not show it, but surely she knew her own age.
Currently, most ninja in the village had no idea how difficult it was to bring Tsunade back. To protect Tsunade's reputation and keep the shinobi hopeful, Kushina and others had concealed the news of her refusal. Most ninja simply believed that Tsunade, wandering abroad, was genuinely hard to find – that the difficulty lay in locating her, and once found, she would immediately return to meet everyone's expectations.
But the reality was that Jiraiya had found Tsunade, and she simply refused to come back… If everyone knew Tsunade wouldn't return to become Hokage, they would surely be greatly disappointed, leading to discontent and resentment.
The view that Tsunade was evading her responsibility would undoubtedly become mainstream. Who cared about her past loves or life traumas? As shinobi, whose life wasn't harsh? Was that something worth indulging in self-pity over?
When expectations go unanswered, it's common for love to turn into hate, for admiration to become animosity. At that point, the prestigious title of 'Sannin' might lose its luster.
Hearing Kushina's complaints, Habara held back for a moment, but ultimately couldn't resist saying, "Lady Kushina, if you want Lady Tsunade to become Hokage, it doesn't necessarily require her physical return to the village."
His words made Kushina pause. She instinctively felt Habara was about to propose another terrible idea, yet she couldn't help but ask, "What do you mean?"
"Simply put, what Konoha needs is Lady Tsunade's prestige and influence, not necessarily Lady Tsunade the person. Firstly, all nations in the shinobi world know Tsunade is one of the Sannin, a Konoha ninja, the First's granddaughter, the Third's student. Secondly, Konoha ninja also know this and hold her in high regard. With that established, isn't the matter settled?"
"How is it... settled?" Honestly, Kushina didn't quite follow. At this moment, she even began to doubt her own intelligence.
"My meaning is this: as long as Konoha announces at this time that Lady Tsunade has succeeded as the Fifth Hokage, then she is the Fifth Hokage. Konoha ninja will acknowledge her Hokage status, and other villages won't question it either, because Tsunade should rightfully become Hokage… In this situation, does Tsunade's personal opinion even matter? Even if she explained to others that she isn't the Hokage, do you think anyone would believe her? They'd just think she was joking."
Alright, Kushina's premonition was correct. Habara had indeed suggested a rotten idea. The problem was… it didn't seem that rotten? Not entirely unpalatable. Or rather, it was the kind of thing one could swallow by gritting their teeth and closing their eyes.
It had to be said, spending extended time with Habara had somewhat contaminated Kushina. Or perhaps it was her own inherently rebellious nature. Whatever the reason, she actually found Habara's idea feasible.
In fact, once Tsunade was declared Hokage, she truly would be unable to argue her case. How could she prove she wasn't the Hokage? How could she possibly not be the Hokage? If not her, then who?
To prove she wasn't the Hokage, Tsunade would first have to prove the First wasn't her grandfather, then prove the Third wasn't her teacher, and that the Sannin weren't her teammates. Such arguments would be rather difficult, to say the least.
"There's another problem. If the Hokage isn't in the village, how will she govern Konoha?"
Actually, this question hardly needed Habara's answer. As soon as Kushina asked it, she faintly grasped the solution herself.
"Lady Kushina, just establish a permanent organization under the Hokage. Call it an Advisory Council, a Secretariat, whatever. As long as this body exercises the Hokage's authority acts on behalf of, Konoha certainly won't fall into chaos," Habara explained.
Was this even a problem? The solution was ridiculously simple. It was merely a matter of "the Hokage reigning effortlessly while the Council governs Konoha jointly." Transitioning from Hokage autocracy to collective leadership might even be considered progress in terms of governance systems.
Although it could potentially exacerbate internal power struggles and factionalism within Konoha, Kushina was undoubtedly confident in maintaining overall control… If for no other reason, calculating the combat power at her disposal would indicate the extent of her decision-making authority.
"In the short term, it's justifiable that the Fifth Hokage, Lady Tsunade, cannot immediately return to Konoha. She's been away for years; taking some time to return can be explained away. If she remains absent for a long time… well, won't the ninja have adapted to the 'Council's' existence by then? Wouldn't she become dispensable?" Habara elaborated. His rotten idea was only rotten at the beginning; given time, it would surely become more palatable.
Because, in essence, this plan involved carving up the Hokage's power. As the saying goes, being Hokage yourself is better than having anyone else in the position. Those who gain power are unlikely to relinquish it… The 'Council' wouldn't be a single person but a collective. Trying to strip its power would mean making enemies of all the influential ninja involved.
If the Hokage didn't try to reclaim power, she'd be reduced to a figurehead. If she did, she'd lose popular support and her ruling foundation – a true dilemma.
At that point, Tsunade would be the one truly unable to return to Konoha. If she were smart enough, upon hearing the news she'd become Hokage, her first move should be to return immediately. Then, nothing would happen; she would remain Konoha's undisputed ruler.
Put bluntly, Habara's idea was simply to freely leverage Tsunade's prestige while eroding the Hokage's authority. It certainly wasn't a 'good' idea, but the problem was, if the opportunity arose and Tsunade remained obstinate, it was indeed achievable.
"Well then, it all depends on Lady Tsunade's tolerance for having her name used without her consent."
As she spoke, Kushina suddenly paused. Huh? Weren't we just discussing the issue? How did I suddenly agree to this approach?
She hadn't considered the possibility of becoming Hokage herself. Again, Tsunade was simply too suitable. Anyone else aspiring to Konoha's highest position would inevitably be compared to her… unless another ninja emerged who shone as brightly as the former Fourth Hokage.
Even comparing the Fourth and Tsunade – if all ninja were to vote, who would become Hokage? It was genuinely hard to say. Tsunade's roots were just too deep, her lineage too impeccable. Call it servile or lacking ambition, but compared to stories of 'commoner heroes,' ninja still preferred the 'pure bloodline' narrative.
Habara chuckled. "If Lady Tsunade has zero tolerance for this sort of thing, then she'll have to return to Konoha and be Hokage. If she doesn't care, then what's the harm in us borrowing her name? She's so magnanimous, after all."
Kushina blinked, then said, "As far as I know, Lady Tsunade is not that magnanimous."
At that moment, Kushina had already made her decision. If an enraged Tsunade returned to Konoha, she was prepared to immediately throw Habara under the bus, informing the new Hokage that this rotten idea came from a Jonin named Habara.
Danger could fall upon others, but preferably not upon oneself.
All in all, Habara could be considered a model ninja of his time. Even in his final moments before leaving Konoha, he was actively contributing to the village.
Simultaneously, over at the Archives, Kakashi approached Tenzo, who was packing his belongings.
"Tenzo, are you really planning to leave with Habara?" Kakashi asked directly, without much preamble.
Tenzo glanced at Kakashi, then continued packing. "Of course. Is there anything to hesitate about?"
"Will the village agree?" Kakashi asked again.
Tenzo immediately chuckled. "Why wouldn't the village agree, Kakashi-senpai? I'm just going to assist Jonin Habara in establishing a new base. Both locations are still Konoha; what's there to fuss about?"
The difference was vast, Kakashi knew. Tenzo was Habara's ironclad follower; there was no doubt whose side Tenzo would be on.
That explained why Tenzo showed no sign of melancholy, instead appearing rather cheerful.
Kakashi looked up at the sky, feeling that Konoha was truly in a turbulent autumn. The situation was already incredibly complex, yet Habara seemed determined to make it even more so.
Tenzo noticed Kakashi's struggle. He reached out and patted Kakashi's shoulder, speaking in a tone that was hard to distinguish between consolation and guidance, "Kakashi-senpai, where do you think Konoha's future lies?"
Surely not with Habara... Kakashi almost joked, but seeing the utter seriousness in Tenzo's eyes, he fell silent.
After a moment, Kakashi finally spoke, "For ninja like us, isn't talking about Konoha's future... a bit too distant?"
"You have a point," Tenzo replied, saying no more and resuming his packing.
Three days later, Habara and his 'grievously sinful' subordinates assembled at the gates of Konoha.
Tenzo stood beside Habara. The group gathered at the gate numbered less than thirty ninja in total. Leading them, besides Habara, was Kinoshita Tadashi from ANBU, assigned to assist Habara in managing these shinobi.
The ninja before them were almost entirely remnants of Root. However, Habara wasn't worried about retaliation from Danzo's former subordinates; they were Danzo's subordinates, but now they were Habara's. He also knew that a few ANBU ninja were undoubtedly mixed among these Root remnants – perfectly normal. Watering down the mix, adding sand to maintain control – Konoha certainly should do so. He didn't care about any of that.
Habara glanced back at Konoha's main gate. In the distance, the towering Hokage Monument was clearly visible. One of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, shrouded in morning mist, once possessing countless glories, now only felt like a pool of stagnant water, filled with a twilight aura of decline.
Keep floundering in your cesspit, Habara thought inwardly. I'm really leaving this time.
He turned back to face the ninja before him and declared:
"Move out."