Chapter 90 The Menace Who Brings a Sword to The Door

Tsunade paused, then crouched beside Naruto, and said with a frivolous smile, "It depends on your performance in the future."

"You said you would support me to be the fifth Hokage. Now that I have accepted your promise, you must also keep your promise."

Hearing this, Naruto let go of Tsunade's wrist and struggled to stand up.

The lights from the shops lining the Tanzaku Town's night market cast thread-like beams, creating a dim glow at Naruto's feet. The night breeze made him feel a bit more clear-headed.

"This is too much. How can a Hokage do something like this?"

"It's very possible." Tsunade laughed.

As she spoke, she too stood up, her large green robe emblazoned with the word 'Gamble' gently swaying in the night breeze.

"The alcohol's worn off, it's time to head back."

"That…" Naruto coughed and said, "Tsunade-sama, are you saying goodbye to the memories of the past? Though I don't fully understand, I think that bad memories are painful, whether you want to remember them or not, just keeping them in your mind hurts."

"You little brat." Tsunade chuckled, giving Naruto a light tap on the head, "No matter how painful the past memories are, you can't just let go of them. If you let go of the past, you'll have nothing left."

Naruto knew better than to continue the topic. If someone is covering their wound and you forcibly uncover it, you're not helping them. Instead, you're stabbing them again.

"Tsunade-sama, you're already the Godaime Hokage, and the affairs of the village are still very busy." Naruto said, finally speaking something sensible, "The end of one era is also the beginning of another."

"Yeah." Tsunade responded, her voice tinged with a bit of melancholy, "The village was my grandfather's legacy, and I'll have to pass on the responsibility of protecting it to the next generation."

"The Shinobi World is not peaceful either, with frequent wars and countless people freeze or starve to death." Naruto said, "It is really not easy to understand the world. The way of life is what people desire, and the world is every blade of grass and every tree in the village."

"You're saying that again..." Tsunade suddenly laughed, rubbing Naruto's face as she asked, "You are quite thoughtful, what's on your mind now?"

"I haven't thought about anything. While I hope Tsunade-sama becomes the Godaime Hokage, I personally have no desire to become Hokage." Naruto murmured.

"I just hope that you can speak a few more words for me at the high-level meeting later, Tsunade-sama, so that I don't end up with my freedom restricted."

"Don't worry, those old geezers can't do anything to you." Tsunade said, increasing the pressure in her grip, "I will protect you, and I won't restrict your freedom."

"I am very happy that you are so open with me."

"The power of the Biju is too strong. I actually don't have many people to talk to in the village." Naruto said, "I am also very happy to be able to help you, Tsunade-sama."

"Then perform well." Tsunade smiled and leaned over to kiss Naruto on the cheek, "And I'll return the sword to you."

…

It took almost a month from the time Naruto and Jiraiya departed.

Tsunade did as she said and returned to Konoha to officially assume the position of the Godaime Hokage.

On the day they returned to the village, Naruto was sandwiched between Tsunade on one side and Jiraiya on the other. The return of two of the legendary Sannin immediately caused a huge commotion in the village.

As the granddaughter of the Shodaime Hokage, a legendary Medical-nin, and the future Godaime Hokage, everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of Tsunade.

Konoha's streets were packed with people, which was exactly the effect the two Advisors wanted. They had spread the news far and wide before Tsunade's return.

Tsunade is not only the granddaughter of the Shodaime Hokage, but also one of the Sannin, a disciple of the Sandaime Hokage, and a powerful Medical-nin. If Tsunade doesn't become Hokage, who else can be qualified to sit on that position?

Danzo might have been grinding his teeth in frustration, but there was no way he could take the Hokage's position from Tsunade.

This was the will of the people. Everyone believes that the granddaughter of the Shodaime Hokage will bring hope to the village.

And so, Naruto, the so-called 'cursed child', was paraded through the streets by Tsunade. From the Konoha Gate to Konoha Street, and then from Konoha Street to the Hokage Tower.

Under the high platform of the Hokage Tower, a crowd of Shinobi and villagers gathered, looking up at the newly appointed Godaime Hokage.

Naruto wanted to escape, but was quickly pulled back by Tsunade.

"Where do you think you're going?" Tsunade frowned, grabbing his ear, "Just stand here properly until the ceremony is over, then you can go wherever you want."

"It's not like I'm the one becoming Hokage, why do I have to…"

"Sorry, the wind was too strong, so I didn't hear you clearly just now." Tsunade's face darkened, her eyes blazing with a menacing red that seemed capable of pulverizing Naruto with a single punch.

"My apologies! I swear allegiance to Tsunade-sama!" Naruto immediately stood up straight and declared.

"You're such a sweet talker." Tsunade's attitude shifted in an instant. She smiled warmly and put the Hokage's hat on her head, the symbol of her new position.

Behind him were the two Advisors and Jiraiya, along with the pro-Sandaime factions, all in full support of Tsunade. The event was a grand affair, attended by the clans of Ino-Shika-Cho, the Hyuga Clan, the Aburame and Inuzuka Clans, and the Anbu Commander.

Naruto yawned and stood closest to Tsunade, listening to Tsunade announce amid the cheers of everyone that from now on she would manage the Konoha Village.

The process was really boring, but the villagers' thunderous cheers were indeed mixed with their longing for the future.

Tsunade's return was like a shot of adrenaline for Konoha, which is still recovering from the attack.

As they say, the will of the people is what truly matters. Some people just need to stand there, and everyone will flock to them with admiration.

Tsunade was one of those people.

She had gambled her whole life and lost it all. From beginning to end, her entire life had been a string of defeats. However, if she could win just once in her lifetime, it would be enough.

Naruto watched the strong-willed woman waving at him amidst the cheers, and suddenly felt a surge of complex emotions.

After returning home, Naruto washed up silently, then lay naked on the sofa while still wrapped in a bath towel, staring blankly.

After a month-long mission, he found himself at a loss for what to do.

'As expected, I still have to continue my previous routine. If there are missions, I will do them. If there are no missions, I will do nothing. The high-level meeting will most likely be cancelled, so I don't need to pay attention to it anymore.'

Staring at the white ceiling, for some reason, Naruto suddenly craved a cup of cocoa.

Maybe it was because he hadn't had it in a while. Actually, he didn't really like cocoa, but he just wanted to see if there was any difference between the cocoa Ino made and the one he could make himself.

Idle thoughts easily filled his mind, proving that he wasn't as busy as he thought.

Knock, knock, knock!

The abrupt sound of knocking startled Naruto, making him instinctively roll over and grab his sword.

After being stunned for a long while, he shook his head violently, chastising himself for being so paranoid, as thinking about Itachi had made him overly cautious. This was Konoha, a village with good public security, so there was no need to be so cautious.

Click.

The door opened.

Ino stood there, dressed in a light, casual shirt, likely because she wasn't on a mission. Her softly curled blonde hair was casually pinned up, giving her an intellectual yet cute appearance.

It looked like she had applied something on her lips, a soft, pinkish shine making them appear moist and inviting. The skin on her neck was unbelievably smooth. The moment she opened the door, a faint, pleasant fragrance wafted from her.

She blinked at Naruto, who was only wrapped in a white towel, and asked, "Why are you holding a sword?"