Chapter 87 – Tsunade: Let Uchiha Fugaku Compensate Us With a House
Shizune never had much interest in wandering the shinobi world. The only reason she had left Konoha in the first place was because Lady Tsunade had chosen to leave, and Shizune simply followed. For her, Tsunade was the most important person—wherever Tsunade went, she would go.
From Shizune's understanding of her, it seemed that this time upon returning, Tsunade's resistance toward Konoha wasn't as strong as before.
Shizune quietly wondered in her heart: Is it because Lady Tsunade's teacher, the Third Hokage, has passed away?
Her guess was correct.
Tsunade spent two days wandering through the village, and seeing the peace within Konoha, she truly felt that the village wasn't so bad anymore.
When Shizune suggested that they stay longer, Tsunade pretended to hesitate for a few seconds before readily agreeing.
"Alright then, how many more days shall we stay?"
Shizune nodded happily.
Since they would remain in the village for a while, they couldn't keep staying in a hotel.
Slamming her chopsticks onto the table, Tsunade declared, "I'm going to find Uchiha Fugaku right now and make him compensate us with a house."
Shizune blinked. "Uh…"
She almost reminded Tsunade that addressing the Fifth Hokage by name was rather disrespectful, but then remembered that Tsunade used to call her own teacher, the Third Hokage, "old man." Compared to that, this wasn't so bad.
After all, Tsunade's great-grandfather and great-granduncle had both been Hokage, her teacher had been the Third Hokage, and her friend's disciple had been the Fourth Hokage. Tsunade's background in Konoha was unmatched.
And Shizune had to admit—Tsunade did have a point.
With a home, they wouldn't need to waste money on hotels anymore. Having a house in the village would feel far more natural than living like guests. Otherwise, returning to Konoha felt no different than traveling to a foreign land.
"But Lady Tsunade," Shizune said softly, "our home wasn't destroyed by the Fifth Hokage. Isn't it a bit… unreasonable to ask him to compensate us with one?"
Tsunade waved her hand dismissively. "Who says it has nothing to do with him? If the Sarutobi Clan still existed, we could go find that Sarutobi old man and demand a house. But now that Uchiha Fugaku has wiped out the Sarutobi Clan, isn't it his responsibility to compensate us instead?"
Shizune's expression turned strange. She had to admit, the logic was twisted but… oddly convincing. Still, if Hiruzen Sarutobi could hear Tsunade now, he'd probably crawl out of his coffin.
"It's decided. I'll go see him later!"
Shizune coughed gently. "Lady Tsunade, it's already late. Why don't you wait until tomorrow?"
She checked the time—it was already past eight in the evening.
Tsunade waved dismissively. "Late? Hardly! The old man used to work in the Hokage Building until past ten before heading home. As the new Hokage, Fugaku should be even more diligent. He definitely hasn't gone home yet—it's only a little past eight!"
"...Alright, whatever makes you happy," Shizune sighed. "Do you want me to go with you?"
Tsunade shook her head. "No need. You wait at the hotel for my good news!" She grinned. "This time, I'll definitely make Uchiha Fugaku compensate us with a big house in a prime location."
Shizune thought a modest house for two would be more than enough, but seeing Tsunade so enthusiastic, she didn't have the heart to object.
Tsunade, excited by the thought of a new home, sped up her eating dramatically, sweeping through the food like a whirlwind.
When they left the restaurant, the two parted ways.
"Alright, Shizune, you head back. Wait for my good news!"
Hands on her hips, Tsunade strode toward the Hokage Building.
Shizune watched her disappear around the corner before shaking her head and heading back to the hotel.
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Hokage Building, Ten Minutes Later
At the entrance, Tsunade was stopped by the guards.
"This department is off-duty for the night," one Uchiha guard said sternly. "Unauthorized personnel are not allowed inside."
"I'm not here for a mission," Tsunade snapped. "I'm here to see Uchiha Fugaku."
The guard frowned. Who was this woman, daring to address Hokage-sama by name? Such insolence!
"Leave," he said flatly. "Hokage-sama is not here."
Tsunade folded her arms. "What do you mean not here? Get out of my way—I'm going to see Uchiha Fugaku!"
The guard's eyes sharpened, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan spinning to life. "I said, Hokage-sama is not here."
Tsunade pouted, recognizing the stance of someone ready to fight at the slightest provocation. As expected of the Uchiha clan—always ready for violence.
She wasn't afraid to fight, but the memory of two Uchiha Anbu tormenting her with blood bags still made her uneasy.
What if this guy pulls out blood bags too? Should I faint or not?
Fainting would be far too embarrassing for her reputation as Tsunade-hime, the legendary Sannin.
Just as she glared at the guard in frustration, a surprised voice called out from behind her.
"Lady Tsunade?"
Turning, Tsunade saw a man in the Hokage Assistant's uniform, his ponytail swaying as he hurried forward.
Nara Shikaku blinked, then his face lit up with joy. "It really is you! Lady Tsunade, it's been a long time."
Tsunade studied him for a moment before recognition dawned. "Ah… you're Nara Shikaku?"
She remembered that during the last war, this young man had devised countless brilliant strategies. His wisdom had even surpassed his father's.
"It's me," Shikaku said warmly. "I didn't expect you to still remember."
He had grown up hearing tales of the Third Hokage's three disciples—the Sannin. Later, he had even witnessed them on the battlefield, acknowledged by Hanzo of the Salamander himself. Among them, Tsunade had always been the one he admired most—the only female Sannin, strong yet graceful.
Tsunade smiled. "Heh. I didn't expect you to become Hokage's assistant. Looks like Uchiha Fugaku does have good judgment."
She patted Shikaku's shoulder with admiration in her eyes.
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