Chapter 74 – Let's Go at Night
No one in the village seemed to care about the death of their teacher—the death of the Third Hokage. It was as if nothing had happened.
Tsunade thought of the Hokage Rock she had just seen, where her teacher's face had already been removed.
Perhaps this was the true end of the Third Hokage's era.
Thinking of this, Tsunade slumped listlessly onto the table, losing all desire to argue with Uchiha Fugaku or care about his earlier offense.
Shizune watched her teacher's shifting moods with unease. Her own heart wasn't calm either.
Seeing Fugaku calmly eating while occasionally glancing over, Shizune quickly lowered her head, trying to appear meek.
Are you kidding? This was the ruthless man who killed the Third Hokage, staged a coup, and became Hokage himself. She had no intention of drawing his attention.
Fugaku noticed everything—Tsunade's progression from shock, to anger, to conflicted expression, and finally resignation.
A cold chuckle escaped him. "Third Hokage, do you see this? Even your disciple Tsunade has turned her back on you. Good riddance. You didn't die unjustly."
Judging from her demeanor, Tsunade seemed to have no intention of pursuing anything against him. She looked resigned, almost defeated.
Should I let her be? he thought.
According to Kakashi's latest report, spies from other villages had already been released. Probing attacks were bound to follow. Fugaku was prepared. Rather than tolerate endless provocations, he would choose a village to make an example of—crush it outright with his full strength, his Susanoo towering like a Gundam, to remind the world that the tiger's tail must not be touched.
But in the meantime, Tsunade—the Medical Saint—was right here. Having her in the village made things… interesting.
Just then, he overheard her conversation with Shizune.
"Lady Tsunade," Shizune said softly, "I heard the Sarutobi clan was wiped out. We won't be able to find that person anymore… and our family's belongings are probably gone."
Fugaku's sharp hearing caught every word.
Tsunade, unlike Shizune, had no reservations about speaking her mind—even with Fugaku sitting behind her. Her mood was foul, and her tone was sharp.
"It's infuriating! That damned killer! I had so many old things at home—and now they're all gone! I was going to use them to pay off my debts!"
She cursed bitterly before groaning again.
Shizune's lips twitched. So you were planning to use family heirlooms… to pay off gambling debts, Lady Tsunade?
But she said nothing. Tsunade was already in a terrible mood, and Shizune had no desire to be on the receiving end of her iron fist again. That lesson of blood and tears was one she never wanted repeated.
"Lady Tsunade, are we still leaving today?" Shizune asked carefully, sneaking a glance at Fugaku.
Tsunade hesitated. "Let's leave tonight. We don't have much money left, right?"
Shizune, who managed their funds, sighed. "We have just over 500,000 ryō."
Tsunade's eyes widened in shock. "What!? Only five hundred thousand!? We had tens of millions not long ago!"
Shizune looked helpless. When I told you not to gamble, you didn't listen. Now that the money's gone, you act surprised? Who exactly are you trying to fool here?
"Did you forget?" Shizune explained patiently. "You lost millions at the port town in the Land of Hot Water. Then, rushing back here, you lost several more. This 500,000 is what I hid away. If I hadn't, we'd be on the streets."
Tsunade looked dumbfounded. "Eh? Really?"
Shizune's forehead twitched. She continued to eat in silence, mechanically scooping rice. The aura around her was more terrifying than anger.
Tsunade felt a chill and forced a laugh, quickly changing the subject. "Well… having less money isn't bad. Let's not rush. We'll leave tonight instead. I'll borrow some money from an old classmate."
Hearing that, Shizune instantly thought of Jiraiya, who had come looking for Tsunade before.
"Oh? Has Jiraiya also returned?" she asked without thinking—then quickly shut her mouth.
She almost forgot. Jiraiya had said he was returning to confront Fugaku. He had even tried persuading Tsunade to join him, though she declined.
And now, the man in question was sitting right there.
Shizune dared not say more. Though she didn't want to betray Jiraiya either—he was Lady Tsunade's friend and old teammate. Compared to Fugaku, who had no direct bond with her, her loyalties naturally leaned toward Jiraiya.
But then, an image flashed through her mind: that boy with the sunny smile.
Naruto.
And Naruto's closeness to Uchiha Fugaku.
Shizune's heart wavered.
Should she warn Fugaku? Or should she remain silent?
Was Jiraiya really planning to assassinate Uchiha Fugaku?
---
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you like the story please give it some power stones and reviews. And if you want to read 40+ advance chapters or just want to support me please join my patreon at [email protected]/Translatingfanfics