The closed-door meeting of Konoha's leadership concluded. Aside from her initial outburst, Tsunade remained mostly silent throughout the proceedings. This attitude was naturally interpreted as tacit acceptance – essentially, an indication to arrange things as they saw fit.
Listening through the entire meeting, Tsunade felt only one refrain echoing constantly in her ears… When is the Hokage succession ceremony? How about tomorrow or the day after? Honestly, today would be fine too.
Truthfully, after just half a day back in Konoha, Tsunade already felt a sense of suffocation. The countless constraints, the rigid rules, the fervent expectations of the people, the weight of responsibility she felt… it all felt like drowning.
Although it wasn't her voluntary choice, Tsunade's return to Konoha meant she truly had to accept the appointment as the Fifth Hokage. After all her running, she still couldn't escape Konoha. Perhaps this was fate.
Or, to put it more bluntly, the fact that Tsunade had been able to wander freely outside the village for several years was already an incredibly rare privilege. Under normal circumstances, an ordinary ninja could never obtain such special treatment. For most, leaving the village meant defection, followed by endless pursuit by ANBU. Tsunade's situation – leaving so casually, yet still being regarded as Konoha's most legitimate successor upon her return – was exceptionally unique.
After the meeting announcing her return and succession concluded, she sat alone quietly in her chair, motionless for a long time.
An unknown amount of time passed before Kushina approached Tsunade's side. She first handed over a document, saying, "Lady Tsunade, here is the schedule for the upcoming days. Please take a look and see if there are any issues."
Tsunade nodded, accepting the schedule that looked suspiciously like a grueling '996' workload. A grimace, quite out of character, flickered across her lips.
Seeing Tsunade remain silent, Kushina produced another file. "Ahem, Lady Tsunade… this is the 'instigator' responsible for your return to the village this time."
In the upper right corner of the second file's first page was a photo of a young ninja. Who else could it be but Habara? The new Hokage had been recalled to the village through rather forceful means; some explanation was certainly owed. However, Kushina's action felt less like 'selling him out' and more like a 'recommendation.' A new Hokage taking office needed capable subordinates recommended as potential right-hand aides.
As for whether Tsunade would hold a grudge – she definitely would, but it wouldn't lead to any significant consequences. It was like... well, since one couldn't fight the inevitable, one might as well accept it. Once Tsunade assumed the role of Hokage, she would shoulder the corresponding responsibilities. She could certainly distinguish right from wrong… Anger was temporary, but a person's talent was constant. Therefore, those worth valuing would be recognized immediately.
Tsunade set the schedule aside and began reading Habara's file first. It was quite detailed, covering Habara's performance during the war, his killing of the Fourth Kazekage in Sunagakure, his stepping forward during the Night of the Nine-Tails, and his decisive actions during the recent rebellion. These points alone made it clear what a talented ninja Habara was.
More importantly, Habara not only possessed outstanding combat abilities but also had the pioneering mindset to break old patterns and the creativity for innovative reforms.
Tsunade herself wasn't one to stick rigidly to conventions. After reviewing Habara's file, she naturally found herself appreciating such a young ninja. However, this appreciation didn't conflict with her dislike for him on another level – not only because Habara's rotten idea had forced her back to Konoha, but also because he had practically stalked her for a year prior. It would be strange if she did have a good impression under those circumstances.
An excellent ninja shouldn't be a blockhead, but conversely, being too clever, too independent, isn't necessarily a good thing either… Tsunade grumbled internally.
"A very outstanding young ninja," Tsunade commented aloud. "Actually, even before returning to Konoha, in the years after the Great Ninja War ended, I occasionally heard his name. When describing a ninja's talent, people sometimes talk about a 'once-in-a-generation' prodigy, but his situation can't be described merely in those terms."
"He, or rather, the work you all have done in Konoha these past few years… it reminds me somewhat of Grandfather and Granduncle blazing a trail to establish Konoha Village, creating various systems and establishing order…"
After reading the file, Tsunade gave Habara very high praise, or perhaps, she gave the 'Three Systems' very high praise. Regardless, compared to the more conservative older generation, Tsunade's generation favored bold progress.
From this perspective, for Habara and those like him, the new Hokage seemed much better than the old one – at least there wouldn't be as many constraints.
Though, Tsunade's words carried a hint of flaunting her seniority. Was the First Hokage truly 'blazing a trail' when establishing Konoha? Even if so, had Tsunade witnessed it? Was she even born then?
"All of this was thanks to the Third Hokage's leadership," Kushina replied humbly.
For the time being, she treated Tsunade rather cautiously. Before Tsunade left Konoha years ago, Kushina hadn't had much direct contact with her, but according to a certain Jiraiya, this Lady Tsunade was not someone to be trifled with.
Setting aside Jiraiya's assessment, generally speaking, for any woman, if another woman was better looking, had a better figure, and came from a higher status… basically, if the other person was superior, it was easy to develop the idea that they were difficult to get along with.
Tsunade gently shook her head. She knew exactly what kind of person the Third Hokage was.
She put down the file and said, "For such a ninja to be forced to leave the village, it is Konoha's misfortune… You and I both know he did nothing wrong, didn't we?"
These words allowed Kushina to finally relax completely. See? No matter how long she'd been away, Tsunade hadn't forgotten the terrible impression the advisors and Danzo had left on her.
Habara had dealt with people the current Hokage disliked, even detested. Therefore, the incident wasn't a major issue… If not for her status and position, Tsunade might have even offered Habara a word of thanks.
Setting aside past negative impressions, realistically speaking, by eliminating those individuals, Habara had cleared the obstacles to Tsunade's administration. As soon as she became Hokage, she would immediately possess power far more concentrated than the Third Hokage ever had, potentially acting without constraints.
After reporting these two matters, Kushina also departed. A while later, Shizune pushed the door open and came in. She walked to Tsunade's side and said, "Lady Tsunade, your accommodations have been arranged… You rushed back to Konoha without stopping. Please rest early; there are many things to attend to tomorrow."
"Shizune, you go rest. Let me stay here alone for a while longer."
Shizune wanted to say something but ultimately chose to remain silent. She then quietly left the room. She could sense the complex emotions radiating from Tsunade, but fully empathizing was difficult.
Among other things, did Tsunade truly want to be Hokage or not? She seemed entirely forced into the role, but could there really be not even a tiny bit of anticipation in her heart? These were questions even Tsunade herself couldn't answer.
Right now, it felt like she had gone through an arranged marriage – feudal style. At least the match was good on paper; whether happiness followed, only time would tell.
After Shizune left, Tsunade also stood up. She climbed the stairs, step by step, reaching the rooftop of the Hokage Office Building. Before her lay the bustling town, immersed in the night and its lights, while just behind her, overlooking the village from high above, stood the Hokage Monument carved with the faces of past leaders.
As Tsunade stood there lost in thought, Jiraiya unknowingly appeared at her side.
"Tsunade, still haven't figured things out?"
Tsunade shook her head. After a moment, she finally spoke:
"Whether I've figured it out or not, what difference does it make anymore? My Senju lineage, being the First Hokage's granddaughter, the Third Hokage's student, one of the Sannin, a medical ninja capable of cheating death… all these things feel like individual strands, and woven together, they form the giant spiderweb called Konoha…"
"What is a ninja, Jiraiya? You should know very well. What I, what we, have experienced, you know. That's why I wanted to escape this spiderweb, and for a time, I even had the illusion that I truly had escaped. Yet, I don't know when, but I turned my head only to find myself already caught right in the center of this web."
These are truly the worries of a little girl, Jiraiya thought, but are you a little girl? The question was apt, but Jiraiya didn't dare say it aloud.
"Tsunade, there are some things you can't cut ties with," Jiraiya said softly. "Struggling will only hurt yourself. This is your root, a place you cannot break free from… Some things are 'destiny.' You can't leave Konoha, not because you didn't cut thoroughly enough, but because you have been a part of Konoha since the day you were born."
Jiraiya wasn't sure if this counted as comforting; he was just laying out the reality bit by bit. "Besides, Tsunade, if someone like you feels caught in the web, then what does that make the thousands upon thousands of ordinary ninja within Konoha's system?"
His words made sense, but they only earned him a dismissive eye-roll from Tsunade.
"Jiraiya, you're still the same as always… terrible at comforting people."
Jiraiya: "..."
But regardless, Jiraiya was different from others; he could hear Tsunade's true thoughts.
"Sometimes," Tsunade murmured, "I wish I could be a black bird hidden in the night, soaring endlessly through the darkness, sometimes high, sometimes low. My ribbon-like black feathers would occasionally reflect the cold moonlight, sometimes mirroring the warm lights from countless homes below. Perhaps someone might notice me by chance, but no one could ever catch me…"
She trailed off. "Never mind. The night isn't eternal; the sun always rises eventually."
As she spoke, Tsunade couldn't help but stretch languidly. When she turned her head, her bright gaze, radiant even against the night, swept towards him.
For some reason, Jiraiya suddenly felt his heart skip a beat. In that instant, he realized he was wrong. Tsunade was, indeed, still that same little girl from long ago…
Jiraiya froze, memories surfacing uncontrollably: That time, you and Orochimaru were sitting on the ground, and I was tied to a tree by the Third…
If a particularly sarcastic observer had witnessed this scene, they would undoubtedly curse them out: How old are you two, pulling this drama on a rooftop? Can't get enough of the cold northwest wind, huh? Unfortunately, no such person was present at this moment.
Tsunade returned to Konoha.
Tsunade reorganized ANBU and restored the functions of various Konoha departments.
Tsunade visited the survivors of the Uchiha clan massacre and formally issued an arrest warrant for Uchiha Itachi.
Tsunade presided over the funeral of the Third Hokage.
Tsunade delivered her inauguration speech, officially succeeding as the Fifth Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village.
One piece of news after another crossed the mere hundred-kilometer distance, continuously reaching Habara's ears.
Tsunade's return to Konoha was, in a way, good news for Habara. Some plans had been contingent, optional. Now, all conditions were met; not acting would seem foolishly out of touch with the times. Having confirmed Tsunade as the next Hokage, with no further changes likely, Habara knew his next plan was about to begin.
Otherwise, did anyone truly believe he left Konoha just to build some spectacle, some tiny stronghold? As he always said, if you decide to do something, you have to go big.
Tsunade thought her ascension to Hokage was a farce. Now that she had returned to Konoha, surely the absurdity should be over? Not quite. The farce was just beginning.