A few days had passed.
In an apartment in the Land of Waves, Tsunade was sprawled across the sofa, one hand propping up her head as she stared at the television. On the screen, footage of Yuto's grand ascension played—again. And faint scoff escaped her lips. "What a show-off," she muttered.
But her finger, almost of its own will, hit the replay button on the remote.
Knock, knock, knock.
A series of light taps came from the door.
"Just leave it outside! I'll grab it later when I'm hungry," Tsunade called out without looking away from the screen.
Meals here were always delivered right on time—annoyingly punctual. But the delivery person… well, they were weird. It was a milky-white figure with no clear gender, and she wasn't even sure it was human. It always asked the same creepy question about whether it could "take a look at her bathroom"…
Yeah, she'd had enough of that. Easier to just not answer.
"Sensei, it's me."
Yuto's voice. Familiar. Steady.
Tsunade froze mid-eye-roll. She bolted upright from the sofa, fumbling for the remote. In her rush, she mashed the wrong button—instead of power, she hit volume.
"FROM THIS DAY FORTH, I SHALL STAND ATOP THE HEAVENS!"
Yuto's amplified voice boomed through the room. Tsunade's cheeks flushed instantly. Mortifying.
Outside the door, Yuto winced. Secondhand embarrassment hitting him like a mild jutsu.
A long, awkward silence hung in the air.
Then, the door clicked open.
Tsunade stood there, having quickly smoothed her clothes and hair. She looked composed—almost too composed. "Lord Yuto," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "To what do I owe the honor of a visit from someone of your stature to a mere captive like myself?"
Her words seemed deferential, but her voice was laced with unmistakable mockery.
Yuto lowered his head. "I'm sorry, Tsunade-sensei."
She rolled her eyes and stepped aside. "Just get in here."
The TV was still on. No point hiding it now.
"So… are you comfortable here?" Yuto asked softly once he stepped inside.
"For a prison, it's pretty luxurious," she replied flatly.
"I never actually meant for—"
"—for me to end up here. Yeah, I know. Kushina already told me."
"Oh."
"'Oh?' That's it?" Tsunade's irritation flared. "If Kushina hadn't changed her mind last second, would I have been left behind like the rest of Konoha? Just another 'necessary sacrifice'?"
"In the original plan," Yuto said calmly, "you were supposed to be the Fifth Hokage."
"You think I care about that?" Tsunade shot back, leaning forward until she was almost in his face. "You had big dreams? Fine. But did you have to play everyone like that? Was it fun?"
"Sorry."
"I don't want to hear it. I don't accept your—"
Yuto didn't let her finish. He leaned in and kissed her.
A jolt went through her—anger, surprise, then something softer. Her stiff posture eased, melting reluctantly into the moment.
When they finally broke apart, Tsunade turned her face away, cheeks still warm. "…You little brat." A pause. "Find some time to bring Shizune back, will you? It gets boring around here alone."
"Shizune thinks I killed you. She hates me now," Yuto sighed.
"Serves you right! You should've explained things better to her" Tsunade said, a hint of amusement in her voice.
"I couldn't risk it. One wrong move and the whole plan would've fallen apart." Yuto shrugged. "Konoha's calling a Five Kage Summit soon. I'm about to become the world's enemy."
"Should've been from the start," Tsunade snorted. "Stealing the Fourth's wife, charming the Uchiha matriarch… You've got a real talent for making powerful enemies."
"A shame. I guess I won't get to be the Fifth Hokage's man after all."
"Get out of here."
—
Konoha, Council Chamber.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at the head of the table. Around him were the Fourth Raikage, the Fourth Mizukage, the Third Tsuchikage, and Sunagakure's Elder Chiyo.
"Thank you all for coming on such short notice," Hiruzen began, his voice heavy. "I believe you're all aware of the grave threat we face. Hayashi Yuto… a madman who seeks to end the shinobi world itself, is now entrenched in the Land of Waves. For our future, I propose we form an Allied Shinobi Force to eliminate him."
"Before that," Chiyo cut in, her sharp eyes fixed on Hiruzen, "I have a question. Our Kazekage was murdered by Orochimaru. What explanation does Konoha offer?"
"Orochimaru is a rogue ninja. He left Konoha long ago—everyone knows that. Why should we be held responsible?" Danzo snapped from Hiruzen's side.
"Yet you reinstated him, did you not?" Chiyo pressed, her tone icy.
"Preposterous," Danzo grunted.
Hiruzen held up a hand. "Elder Chiyo, what happened to the Kazekage is a tragedy. Konoha offers its condolences. But Orochimaru is not one of our shinobi. We can't answer for a rogue's actions."
Truth was, Orochimaru had been useful—an ally of convenience against Yuto. But taking blame? Not a chance. Konoha's coffers were already stretched thin.
"Fine. If this is how Konoha handles things, where is the sincerity in this alliance?" Chiyo's voice trembled with anger.
"Enough whining," the Fourth Raikage barked, bandaged arms crossed over his chest. "If you don't wanna join, leave. I'm here to crush that bastard Yuto, not listen to you argue."
Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage, nodded slowly. "Elder Chiyo, from a certain point of view, the Kazekage's death was… a misunderstanding. Best not to dwell on it."
'A misunderstanding?' Chiyo's blood ran cold. Their leader was killed—and it was just a misunderstanding? They were telling Suna to swallow the insult. And the worst part? They were right. Suna was weak. They couldn't do anything.
Humiliation burned in her chest.
"I, too, believe dealing with Hayashi Yuto and the Land of Waves should be our priority," Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage, added quietly.
That was the last straw. Chiyo fell silent, defeat settling over her.
"So when do we move?" the Raikage growled, scanning the room. "I'm not waiting around."
"We need time to gather forces and plan. Two months, at the earliest," Hiruzen said.
"Fine. Two months it is."
"Agreed."
"...I agree as well."
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