12 Chapter 12

Tsunade laughed heartily, enjoying the friendly atmosphere. "Ah, the joys of parenting. I suppose I missed out on that experience myself."

As the dinner continued, Tsunade, Shikaku, and Yoshino engaged in various conversations. Shikamaru bombarded Tsunade with questions about her legendary exploits and adventures, his eyes wide with fascination. Kazuki, who had been relatively quiet, occasionally interjected with a comment or observation, keenly absorbing the interactions around him.

The Nara clan dinner table became a melting pot of stories, laughter, and the clinking of utensils against plates. Tsunade marvelled at the unity of the family and the welcoming atmosphere created by the Naras. Despite her tough exterior, she felt a genuine warmth in the air, a feeling she hadn't experienced in a long time.

As the evening progressed, Tsunade couldn't help but appreciate the exceptional culinary skills displayed by the young Kazuki. "You know, kid, your cooking might just give my favorite gambling den a run for its money. Ever thought about opening your own restaurant?"

Kazuki blushed at the unexpected compliment. "I just enjoy cooking, Tsunade sensei. A restaurant might be too troublesome, and if you would like, you can find these dishes in the new Nara restaurant."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Troublesome, you say? That's an interesting perspective, especially coming from a five-year-old chef prodigy."

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The next day dawned upon the Leaf Village, and before Tsunade Senju could fully settle down after her long years of absence, the tranquility was shattered by a piece of shocking news that reverberated through the village like a thunderclap. The once-revered Sannin, Orochimaru, had rebelled against the Leaf and deserted the village.

The news spread like wildfire, casting a pall of anxiety and uncertainty over the villagers. Orochimaru, known for his unparalleled skills and unquenchable thirst for forbidden jutsu, had always been a mysterious figure. His departure sent shockwaves through the core of the village, and whispers of fear and speculation echoed through the streets.

Jiraiya, the gallant Toad Sage and one of the legendary Sannin, had taken up the responsibility to intercept Orochimaru. He was on a hot pursuit, vowing to capture his former comrade and bring him to justice. The gravity of the situation added a layer of tension to the already unsettled village.

Amidst this turmoil, the news of Tsunade's return served as a bittersweet counterpoint. Her presence, once a beacon of hope and strength, now became a pillar of stability in the face of Orochimaru's betrayal. Villagers found solace in the fact that another of the three famed Sannins was present to safeguard the village.

In the Hokage's office, Tsunade sat across from her sensei, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen. The gravity of the situation was etched on both of their faces. The Hokage's room, adorned with ancient scrolls and symbols of the village's heritage, served as a backdrop to the intense discussion.

"Sensei, we must act swiftly. Orochimaru's actions pose a grave threat to the village. I'll do everything in my power to aid Jiraiya and bring him to justice," Tsunade declared, her eyes reflecting a mixture of determination and concern.

Sarutobi, his weathered face carrying the weight of his responsibilities, nodded solemnly. "Tsunade, your return is a timely blessing, and no, it's better you stay back in the village. We must ensure that the other villages don't exploit this moment of vulnerability. The leaf cannot afford another blow."

"Sensei, you are hiding something from me again, aren't you? Are you still not willing to share even after all this? Tell me honestly, Sensei, did Orochimaru escape, or did you let him leave because you couldn't harm him?" Tsunade's heartfelt inquiry carried the weight of understanding, acknowledging the conflicted emotions that Hiruzen harboured for Orochimaru. Among the three Sannin, Orochimaru held a special place in the Hokage's heart, known to both Jiraiya and Tsunade.

"This..." Hiruzen couldn't respond to Tsunade's question because he knew in his heart that if he were genuinely serious, he could have stopped Orochimaru and captured him. However, he couldn't bring himself to harm his student, whom he had raised like his own son. After struggling for a long time, Hiruzen pulled out a folder from under the table and passed it over to Tsunade, who took the folder and started going through it. The more she read, the uglier her face became, and her anger escalated to the point where she couldn't control it. In an instant, four ANBU guards surrounded the Hokage in a defensive formation.

Tsunade, still fuming with anger, dismissed the ANBU guards herself. "How could you, how could you do this to him? Will you not even let him rest after sacrificing himself for this village? Human experimentation—how low can you even fall? Don't you have any conscience? Wasn't Second Grandpa your teacher? How could you betray him like this?" Tsunade's fury was palpable, and if Hiruzen weren't her sensei, she would have attacked with the intent to kill.

"Tsunade, listen. These experiments were voluntary, and even all the Senju members willingly participated. When I realised that the experiments were futile, I had them stopped immediately. But Orochimaru carried out these human experiments again in secret. After losing Tobirama-sensei, we were desperate. I'm not saying what we did was right, but I just hope that you can understand," Hiruzen genuinely pleaded. The man had aged even more and looked more lost after admitting his wrongdoings.

Before Tsunade could respond, the door to the hostage's office opened, and Danzo walked in, the two root ninjas waiting by the door. Danzo looked displeased after noticing Tsunade's presence in the room. He steadily walked into the office and sat down.

"Hiruzen, you need to take responsibility for this recent blunder. Orochimaru was your student; do you know how much damage this has done to the leaf? The root will be personally handling the investigation. I hope to have full authority regarding the matter," Danzo insisted, attempting to assert his authority over Hiruzen, who was at an all-time low due to the loss of his beloved disciple.

However, before the Sandaime could reply, Tsunade, standing by the side, simply declared, "Sensei, I will be handling this matter personally, and I will hold absolute authority until I can get to the bottom of this. And whoever was a part of this, no matter who it is, I will hunt them down personally." Tsunade was not asking for permission but was relaying an order. Danzo had planned to clear up all his traces and monopolise all the research that Orochimaru had left behind. Because Orochimaru had left in a hurry, most of his forbidden works were left behind, and Danzo wanted to get his hands on them under the name of investigation. However, with Tsunade's interference, all of his plans were foiled.

"Hiruzen, this is a matter of village security; the Root is much more equipped to handle this situation. And because Tsunade was close to Orochimaru, we cannot let her handle the investigation," Danzo countered. He couldn't allow Tsunade to handle the investigation as there were chances she might find evidence regarding his and Danzo's collaboration.

Hiruzen found himself plagued by a headache as the situation unfolded. He was well aware that Danzo likely harboured ulterior motives in seeking authority for the investigation. Hiruzen had personally put an end to human experiments after the first Shinobi war, but Orochimaru had continued these clandestine activities behind his back. The Hokage recognised that Orochimaru wouldn't have been able to conceal all these shady dealings from him throughout the years, leading him to suspect Danzo's involvement in corrupting his student.

Bitterness welled up within Hiruzen as he contemplated the situation. Despite giving Danzo numerous allowances, considering their long-standing friendship and the latter's fervent desire to become Hokage, the way Danzo achieved his position was less than ideal. Hiruzen had tolerated Danzo's actions, granting him exclusive power within the Root as a gesture of gratitude for being a staunch supporter during troubled times. However, as the years passed, Danzo's resentment seemed to fester like an unhealed wound. The once-close friend had transformed into a power-hungry figure, unrecognisable to Hiruzen. Even with this transformation, Hiruzen couldn't bring himself to strike down Danzo, despite the provocations during the Kyuubi attack.

In the hushed and tense atmosphere of the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, drew upon the immense well of his authority. The dim light seemed to converge upon him, casting his figure in a commanding glow. His eyes, usually warm and grandfatherly, now held a stern and unwavering gaze. As he spoke, the weight of his words carried a majestic aura that demanded respect.

"Tsunade, you will have complete control over this investigation. I will need regular updates on your progress. You are granted access to information from all departments, including ANBU and ROOT. No exceptions."

Hiruzen's pronouncement echoed in the room, leaving no room for dissent. However, Danzo, ever the shadowy figure in the background, reacted with immediate disdain. He scowled, his eyes narrowing as he interjected, "Hiruzen, this is a matter of village security. ROOT's records contain sensitive information that cannot fall into outside hands."

Danzo's attempt to maintain control over ROOT's secrets was met with a firm response from Tsunade. Her eyes, reflecting a mix of determination and scepticism, met Danzo's challenging gaze.

"Are you suggesting, Danzo, that I compromise village confidentiality? Or perhaps you're worried that your own secrets will be unearthed?" Tsunade countered, her tone cutting through the air with precision.

Danzo, refusing to yield an inch, taunted, "Given that one of Hiruzen's students has already betrayed the Leaf, it's not impossible. What's stopping the second from doing the same? I will not be providing access to ROOT records."

The tension in the room escalated, and the clash of wills between Tsunade and Danzo set the stage for a power struggle that would determine the course of the investigation.

Before another word could be exchanged between Tsunade and Danzo, Hiruzen unleashed his chakra in a display of authority that filled the room. The pressure was so intense that even the Hokage guards and ROOT operatives staggered, struggling under the weight of his power.

"Danzo, that was not a request; it's a command. You better not defy my orders, for old times' sake. If you cannot follow orders, perhaps I should disband ROOT and integrate them into ANBU."

The gravity of Hiruzen's words hung heavily in the air. Both Danzo and Tsunade were taken aback by the Hokage's sudden shift in demeanor. For a moment, the office was draped in silence, broken only by the tension lingering in the room.

Danzo, seething with frustration, gritted his teeth. He rose from his seat and walked out, his mind racing with thoughts of damage control. Tsunade, too, was surprised by Hiruzen's unprecedented display of authority.

As Danzo left, he formulated a plan. He couldn't afford to lose a significant part of ROOT due to Tsunade's investigation. His private army, carefully nurtured within the village, was a key element of his strategy to ascend to the position of Hokage. Now, with Tsunade scrutinizing his every move, he decided to take a bold gamble.

"Go and summon Inu. Have him meet me," he ordered one of the two ROOT agents who had followed him, setting his risky plan into motion.

In the aftermath of Danzo's departure, Hiruzen, now seated again, let out a tired sigh. The weight of the situation bore heavily on the old Hokage. Tsunade, despite her bitterness, felt a pang of sympathy for her sensei, understanding the profound sense of helplessness he must be experiencing.

"Tsunade, I'll be making a trip to meet the Fire Daimyo in two days to stabilise the situation and reassure them. Orochimaru's actions have caused unrest, and I'm sure Iwa and Kumo have caught wind of the news. I've assigned a special envoy mission, and Shikaku's team will be leading it. Coordinate with him for follow-up until I return. If we can establish a peaceful resolution with Kumo, we should strive for that opportunity," Hiruzen informed Tsunade, laying out plans for the days ahead and providing her with specific instructions during his absence.