Tsunade

Inside the Bar.

"Sorry, Lady Tsunade."

Naruto stood up, sincerely apologizing, looking determined to reflect on his actions.

Surprisingly, Tsunade didn't get angry, at least not because Naruto lied. She just stared at him deeply, causing him to feel a little uneasy.

It was as if she'd seen him before; her gaze was so complicated it was like an algebra problem.

She expertly poured the clear liquor into a cup, took a sip, and before setting the cup down, Tsunade spoke.

"I already know about the Third Hokage..."

The atmosphere between Tsunade and Jiraiya was unusually serious. Naruto silently ate his meal, and after finishing, he walked to the counter, paid the bill, and left the bar to wander around.

This matter was beyond his control, and there was no point in just sitting there listening.

Tsunade's eyes glanced at Naruto outside the window, who wasn't wearing his headband, and her gaze was complicated as if she were deep in thought.

"I'm done playing."

She tossed the cards onto the table, clearly annoyed.

"You've been so willful all this time, Tsunade." Jiraiya also glanced out the window, looking unhurried. "Not playing cards is no big deal, but right now the village needs you to become the Fifth Hokage."

"If you refuse... that child will probably..."

"Jiraiya, stop playing childish games." Tsunade poured herself another drink. "Who cares about that little brat with the Nine-Tails?"

"The matter with Shōtō..." Jiraiya said, taking a bite of food.

"Don't mention Shōtō," Tsunade's gaze sharpened. "I have nothing left to lose. Gambling my life for the village is too foolish."

"To think you'd say that, it surprises me," Jiraiya remarked.

"It's only human nature." Tsunade continued drinking lazily, her mature figure exuding a relaxed atmosphere. "Orochimaru has gone mad, the Third Hokage is dead, and you're getting old."

"As for the Third Hokage dying at Orochimaru's hands, I'm not surprised at all. Orochimaru has lost all emotion, while the Third still had hopes for him."

"After all, he was his most talented disciple." Jiraiya gave a self-deprecating smile.

"No one cares about that position." Tsunade was a bit tipsy, slamming her hand on the table, then quickly shifting the subject. "What's the deal with the kid you brought?"

"Fourth Hokage's son." Jiraiya took a drink, "He's very similar to Shōtō, isn't he?"

"I told you not to mention Shōtō," Tsunade said, a bit annoyed.

"I won't mention it anymore. That kid, Naruto, had been monitored by the Third and the Anbu. I went back recently." Jiraiya's voice turned serious.

"The Nine-Tails was released by Naruto."

Tsunade paused for a moment, not saying anything.

"This matter is also related to Itachi Uchiha, but the situation is still unclear." Jiraiya continued, "I thought Naruto would grow up with the same personality as the Fourth Hokage, but now..."

"Tsunade, at our age, there's really nothing more to lose. Some things are beyond our control, but others can still be changed."

Tsunade stared at Jiraiya for a long time, holding the wine bottle.

After a while, Tsunade stood up, wobbling as she exited.

The street lights of the short street were bright, and Tsunade didn't have to do anything; just standing there was enough to attract people's attention.

Her slightly tipsy figure in a green robe, looking as good as a twenty-year-old girl, exuded a mature and sophisticated aura.

Tsunade squinted her eyes, seemingly searching for something, and her natural cuteness made a stark contrast. Passersby were stunned and bumped into a streetlight, clutching their noses in pain.

Although her once unattainable image had vanished, no one dared approach the woman with an eight-head-tall figure and a chest circumference of 126.7 cm.

The night wind blew.

Tsunade jumped onto a roof and saw Naruto practicing his Rasengan with one hand.

The Rasengan rotated slowly but steadily, and Naruto was calm, as if playing with a new toy. He sat quietly, staring at the spinning Rasengan with a blank expression.

"Too slow, no killing power."

Tsunade blurted out a drunken comment.

"Training requires patience," Naruto replied with Jiraiya's line, then looked up and saw Tsunade, immediately changing to a respectful attitude.

"Is that a ninjutsu taught by Jiraiya?" Tsunade shifted her gaze away from Naruto.

"Kind of." Naruto stood up and bowed to Tsunade. "Lady Tsunade, will you return to the village to become the Fifth Hokage?"

"Oh?" Tsunade didn't answer immediately. She leaned slightly forward, her face flushed with alcohol, wearing a playful smile. "Do you really want me to become the Fifth Hokage?"

"Yes," Naruto said straightforwardly. "If you refuse to become Hokage, I'll probably be imprisoned."

"Why should I help you?" Tsunade smiled and gave Naruto a firm slap on the shoulder.

"Lady Tsunade, I'm the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, but I haven't committed any crimes," Naruto said. "I didn't have a choice before, but now I just want to be a normal person."

"And I haven't wronged you, so there's no need for you to..."

"How do you know you haven't wronged me before?" Tsunade asked.

Naruto: "....."

"What if I refuse?" She asked.

"Then I'll figure something out myself." Naruto spoke sincerely. "No one wants to become a monster."

At this point, Naruto paused and smiled.

"I don't care about what the top advisors think, but Konoha should be ready to lose the Nine-Tails."

"The village forced the Jinchuriki into this situation, it's a failure," Tsunade muttered as she withdrew her hand, "I could go back, but I'll need a few days to think about it."

Naruto looked at Tsunade and said, "Okay."

"Thank you, Lady Tsunade."

He had always shown respect for Tsunade, even though they were meeting for the first time. Naruto didn't expect her to acknowledge his empty will of fire because he didn't have that.

Sincerity was his trump card, and everything he said earlier was the truth.

Even if Tsunade didn't become the Fifth Hokage, with Jiraiya around, Danzo wouldn't have a chance. For Naruto, Tsunade's decision was only about lifting the sealing jutsu.

As for what Tsunade would choose—whether to go kill Orochimaru alone or return to the village decisively—he could only wait and see.

Sometimes, preconceived impressions do more harm than good. Thinking too much won't help; he should continue practicing the Rasengan.

---

The Next Day.

Naruto had slept all day in the inn. By the time he woke up, it was already dark. Jiraiya wasn't around, but Naruto didn't mind. After washing up, he went downstairs to look for food.

The three thousand ryo he earned from Jiraiya still hadn't been spent, so he could indulge in sukiyaki, tempura, and ramen. After a casual stroll, holding snacks in hand and preparing to return to the inn, Naruto suddenly noticed something.

It was a shadow—more specifically, a figure crouching under the tall gate of the short street, with a sign reading "Short Street" hanging above. The shadow sat there, and the rustling sound of a big blue robe in the night wind seemed oddly familiar.

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