Chapter 25: Tsunade: Huh? I'm Hokage?
The room fell dead silent.
Several clan heads looked dazed—some had only heard rumors, never witnessing that crushing battle firsthand. Even with Tsunade's personal confirmation, it still felt like a dream.
How could they accept such an absurd reality?
"Could it be..." a minor clan head's voice trembled, "that we too must abandon our homeland?"
"Not necessarily."
Tsunade rubbed her temples as the alcohol's effects slightly receded: "That guy only targeted the Sarutobi and Shimura clans so far."
She recalled intelligence gathered by ANBU—that youth strolling through the commercial district carrying his sister—and considered carefully: "He also clearly stated he has no interest in the Hokage position."
Hyuga Hiashi suddenly looked up: "You mean..."
"As long as we don't provoke him," Tsunade drained her bottle in one gulp, "we might coexist peacefully."
"Speaking of which..."
The Aburame clan head suddenly adjusted his sunglasses: "I heard Lady Tsunade spent several hours alone with that youth?"
The air instantly froze.
Tsunade's sake cup froze mid-air—could she possibly admit publicly that she'd handed over decades of Konoha's accumulated jutsu in those few hours?
"I..."
Her fingertips trembled slightly, the liquid rippling in the bottle.
The crowd exchanged glances as an outrageous theory became increasingly clear: the youth had held her hand when they returned, then healed the Third... those missing hours... her current stammering...
"No need to say more."
Hyuga Hiashi suddenly stood, his Byakugan flashing with complexity: "Lady Tsunade has already... sacrificed too much for Konoha."
Tsunade looked up in surprise, meeting Hiashi's meaningful gaze. Though she didn't understand why this rigid man suddenly came to her rescue, she fell silent accordingly.
All the clan heads showed knowing expressions, with several even looking at her admiringly.
Indeed, though Lady Tsunade was old enough to be that youth's grandmother, they'd heard that for some people, women were like fine wine—improving with age. Perhaps that youth was exactly this type.
Moreover, this legendary Sannin, though over fifty, maintained girl-like taut skin through her Strength of a Hundred technique. Her alcohol-flushed cheeks were more delicate than those of twenty-year-old girls.
Not to mention that proud figure—her wine-dampened robes outlined heart-stopping curves, her full chest rising and falling gently with each breath, her slender legs unconsciously crossed, glimpsed tantalizingly beneath her robe's hem...
The answer was clear without words.
"Ahem!"
Hyuga Hiashi's heavy cough shattered the room's suggestive atmosphere.
He solemnly surveyed everyone: "Next item of business—"
"The Third has temporarily departed, Lord Danzo died in service."
"Who can shoulder the Hokage's burden?"
The moment he finished speaking, all eyes turned toward Tsunade.
"Me?"
Tsunade drunkenly pointed at her own nose.
"I can't do it." Tsunade waved her hand dismissively: "I'm not qualified to be Hokage."
Though the old man had indeed spoken of entrusting Konoha to her before leaving... over these years, ever since her brother and boyfriend died, she'd been living aimlessly—gambling, drinking. She couldn't shoulder the Hokage's burden.
"Lady Tsunade!"
Several clan heads quickly stood to dissuade her.
"You're the honored granddaughter of the First Hokage, of noble bloodline. Your succession to the Hokage position is perfectly legitimate!"
"The Third specifically instructed us before leaving..."
Everyone pleaded with overlapping voices, their gazes constantly drifting to apparent kiss marks at Tsunade's neckline—actually bruises from battle, but in their eyes, clear evidence of "that relationship".
Everyone present was convinced this Konoha princess must have some special relationship with that terrifying youth.
Perhaps they could even control that powerful youth through Tsunade, recreating the glory of the First Hokage's era.
"I said..." Tsunade irritably rubbed her temples, "I'm not suitable..."
She couldn't understand why these old men were suddenly so persistent—when had the Hokage position become such a casual matter?
After a three-hour tug-of-war, Tsunade finally compromised:
"Temporary! Just temporary!"
She held up one finger for emphasis, her drunk eyes wide and round:
"Once we find a suitable candidate, I'll step down immediately!"
"Thank you, Lady Tsunade!"
The clan heads bowed in unison, several even showing relieved smiles.
"Henceforth, we'll follow all your arrangements..."
"Please... exert yourself personally and 'work hard' for us."
That last phrase was loaded with meaning, several minor clan heads deliberately emphasizing "exert yourself personally," exchanging knowing glances.
Tsunade drunkenly waved her hand, completely missing the subtext in these pleasantries. She just wanted to end this ridiculous meeting quickly—the Hokage position was a hot potato.
Once she found a suitable successor... she'd step down immediately.
She swayed as she stood, her robe's neckline slightly open, the fabric slipping off one shoulder.
Under everyone's gaze, she stumbled out of the meeting room.
...
bang.
Tsunade slammed her front door shut, untying her robe and casually tossing it on the floor.
Steam filled the shower room.
She tilted her head back, letting warm water wash over her entire body. Crystal droplets rolled down her proud curves, washing away blood stains and alcohol scent from her skin.
As steam rose, her taut nerves finally relaxed slightly.
The alcohol's effects gradually faded, but certain images became increasingly clear.
That youth's indifferent gaze as he casually sliced through the Hokage Monument...
Danzo's spattering blood and flesh...
And... when he gripped her chin, the overwhelming pressure and burning breath...
Now she was actually Konoha's new Hokage?
"Ha..."
Tsunade suddenly smiled bitterly, wiping her face.
What a mess this all was...
The water gradually stopped as Tsunade collapsed onto her bed wrapped in a towel.
Her fingers traced the necklace at her chest.
Twenty-some years now, she'd been alone in this empty mansion.
Orochimaru had defected...
Jiraiya wandered the world...
Now even the old man was gone...
Her fingers unconsciously brushed the cold sheets beside her.
Every time she woke from a drunken stupor, only empty silence kept her company.
She should be used to it, but sometimes she fantasized about someone warming the other half of this bed.
"Heh..."
She suddenly pulled off her towel and flung it to the floor, as if casting off inappropriate thoughts.
Burying herself completely in the down pillow, golden hair spreading across white sheets.
***
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