What Can't I Handle?

Tsunade received Shimura Danzo in her office.

Her expression was not pleasant.

Danzo had cut off power to parts of the village for his ironworks, causing villagers to complain to her.

As soon as Danzo entered, Tsunade asked, "Elder Shimura, how is the situation with your ironworks?"

Danzo, gloomy earlier, straightened up, his eyes gleaming with pride. He had already concocted a reason on the way.

"Rest assured, Hokage-sama, my ironworks is very successful."

Tsunade was delighted.

"Really? That's great! I'll go take a look."

Danzo quickly stopped her.

"No need, Hokage-sama. Today was just a trial run; the official operations will take longer."

"More time?" Tsunade asked suspiciously. "The factory is built, and you've already extracted blood from the whales. Why the delay?"

Danzo, ever the cunning strategist, smoothly lied.

"Hmph. To surpass Sunagakure's ninja tools, we need materials of higher quality."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Higher quality?"

Danzo nodded. "Yes, through our research, we found that by adding a material called tamahagane to the raw materials for the Kubikiribocho, we can surpass Sunagakure's quality. So, we need to wait to procure tamahagane."

Tsunade recalled, "Tamahagane is privately owned by Daimyo Yorinaga, isn't it?"

Danzo nodded. "Exactly, which is why I request to be sent as a representative to negotiate with the Daimyo, seeking his support for our village with tamahagane."

Tsunade hesitated.

Danzo continued pressing. "Konoha is the most important military force in the Land of Fire. Our strength is waning in competition with Sunagakure. The Daimyo has an obligation to support us."

Tsunade asked, "What kind of support do you want from the Daimyo?"

Danzo responded boldly, "Ideally, he would transfer the tamahagane mines to Konoha."

Tsunade shook her head. "The Daimyo is unlikely to agree."

Danzo countered, "If we purchase tamahagane at such high prices, we still can't compete with Sunagakure."

Tsunade fell silent, thinking deeply. The relationship between the Daimyo and the village was sensitive. She knew some in the Daimyo's circle believed the Hokage was unnecessary and that the Daimyo should control the ninja forces.

Asking for the mines now might exacerbate tensions.

Tsunade contemplated deeply. Danzo, however, did not consider these implications and pressed further.

"Hokage-sama, we've already invested over a billion ryo in this project. You don't want to see that money go to waste, do you? You must make a decisive decision; otherwise, it will be hard to explain to the villagers if the project fails."

Tsunade felt a pang of anxiety. Danzo was putting her in a difficult position. The project's approval was ultimately her responsibility, and its failure would implicate her.

A billion-dollar investment was a significant problem.

Tsunade didn't know about sunk costs, but she understood the pressure of wasted investment.

After a long consideration, Tsunade looked directly at Danzo.

"Danzo, you are entrusted with this task, but remember, you must not strain our relationship with the Daimyo."

Danzo confidently replied, "Hokage-sama, rest assured. There's nothing I can't handle."

After Danzo left, Tsunade instructed Anbu to watch him and report any developments immediately closely.

Next, she summoned Kakashi.

"Kakashi, I have a secret mission for you."

Upon hearing the word 'secret,' Kakashi immediately stood at attention.

"Go and invite the Kazekage to visit our village."

Kakashi thought, What kind of secret mission is this?

Tsunade continued, "Invite him to come secretly, without alerting others. Can you do that?"

Kakashi, being honest, replied, "I can't."

Tsunade slammed her fist on the desk. "You must."

"Can you do it?"

Kakashi reluctantly agreed, "I suppose I can. But what reason should I give?"

Tsunade rubbed her temples. "Make something up."

Kakashi felt exasperated. Isn't this just bullying?

Tsunade sternly said, "This mission is crucial. You must complete it. Remember, you cannot mention this mission to anyone. You must go to Sunagakure alone."

Realising the seriousness in Tsunade's tone, Kakashi responded earnestly, "Understood. I will complete the mission."

After Kakashi left, Tsunade leaned back in her chair, spinning it around.

She looked out the window at the crimson evening sky, which seemed to brew a storm.

One only knows once they try.

Muzake's words about pushing forward made sense.

Spending money and resources compelled her to find solutions and move forward.

Shimura Danzo.

Tsunade couldn't fully trust him.

He thought his lies could deceive her.

She had also received information about the ironworks.

She needed to consult Muzake for advice.

Indeed, Muzake is a good person.

He wouldn't deceive me, right?