Chapter 82
But just as Tsunade felt the warmth of his touch, she suddenly pushed him away, her face flushed with embarrassment.
She quickly wrapped herself in the blanket, pulling it around her shoulders as if to shield herself from the intensity of the moment.
Hiro paused, his heart racing as he watched her retreat. He felt the tension in the air, heavy and charged.
Without a word, he reached out, gently drawing her back into his embrace, his arms encircling her as she nestled against him.
Tsunade sighed, the weight of her earlier emotions beginning to lift as she relaxed into his warmth. Hiro held her close, the rhythm of their breathing synchronizing in the stillness of the room.
As the morning light filtered through the curtains, Hiro awoke to find Tsunade still resting in his arms. Her hair was messy, and she looked calm as she slept.
He couldn't help but notice how different she seemed in this quiet moment compared to her usual strong self.
The events of the night before flashed through his mind. He knew he could have taken things further, but it wasn't the right time.
He stood up, got dressed, and soon Tsunade stirred, waking up. She acted like nothing had happened, but Hiro could see the embarrassment she was trying to hide.
"Tsunade, come here. I need to tell you something," Hiro said as they sat by the table.
He knew she probably wouldn't follow his advice, but he wanted to tell her anyway.
"From what I've heard, Jiraiya will be coming soon to ask you to take the Hokage position," he began.
"What? Me, Hokage? Do you really think I'd accept that? All I want is to kill that filty shit Shimura Danzo. Nothing else," Tsunade started to protest, but Hiro interrupted her placing his finger on her lips.
"Just listen," he said firmly.
"You'll accept it. You'll go back to the Hidden Leaf and become Hokage. Act like you don't know anything about Danzo's actions for now. Do everything you need to—like nothing's wrong. Got it?"
Tsunade's eyes narrowed, her jaw tightening as she processed Hiro's words. She crossed her arms, the familiar fire returning to her expression.
"You want me to pretend I don't know anything? To just sit back and play nice while Danzo gets away with everything he's done?" Her voice was sharp.
Hiro remained calm, meeting her gaze. "I know it's not what you want. But if you take the Hokage seat, It will make many things easier for me."
Tsunade's lips pressed into a thin line, and she turned her head, staring out the window. "I'm not good at pretending, Hiro," she muttered. "I'm not cut out for politics."
Hiro leaned forward, his tone steady. "I'm not asking you to become a politician. I'm asking you to be smart. Taking the Hokage seat gives you leverage. It's the one position where you can act without anyone questioning you. It will make things easier for both of us."
Tsunade remained by the window, her back to Hiro, gripping the windowsill tightly. "I hate the idea of sitting in an office, doing paperwork while people like Danzo walk free," she said, her voice low and laced with frustration.
"You think I don't get that?" Hiro's tone softened as he walked over to her. "But as Hokage, you'd have power over him—over everything."
Tsunade shook her head, still staring out the window. "You make it sound so simple."
"It's not. I know it's hard, but that's why you need to take this chance. It's not just about Danzo."
Hiro's voice grew serious. "If you don't take the Hokage seat, then he will. If you reject it, he'll seize the opportunity, and you know what that means…"
"Do you really want to let the village your grandfather built fall into Danzo's hands?"
Tsunade's grip on the windowsill tightened as Hiro's words sank in. She didn't want to admit it, but he was right.
"You're telling me Danzo will take the Hokage seat if I don't?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Hiro nodded. "Yes. If you reject it, he'll be the next in line. And you know what he'll do with that power. Everything your grandfather built, everything the village stands for—it'll all crumble under his control."
Tsunade turned to face Hiro, anger flashing in her eyes. "I can't let that happen. But sitting in that office, pretending I don't know what he's done, it goes against everything I believe in."
"I know it does," Hiro replied calmly. "But this isn't about compromising who you are. It's about playing the long game. You take the seat, gain the power to act, and when the time is right, you deal with Danzo your way. But you can't do that if you let him become Hokage."
Tsunade exhaled slowly, the weight of the decision heavy on her. "So, I just sit back and watch him, waiting for my moment?"
"Not watch," Hiro corrected. "Lead. Protect the village, do what you do best. But keep your eyes on him. When the time comes, you'll have the authority to act."
For a long moment, she stayed silent, mulling over everything. She hated the idea of playing along, but Hiro was right. Letting Danzo take control wasn't an option.
Finally, she sighed. "Fine. I'll take the damn seat. But don't think for a second that I'm going to sit idly by while Danzo schemes. The moment I have the chance, I'm taking him down."
Hiro nodded, his expression serious. "And I know you won't give him an easy death after everything he's done. I wouldn't either."
Tsunade's eyes hardened, fists clenched. "He deserves worse than just death. The lives he's destroyed, the chaos he's caused... he won't get away with it."
Hiro stepped beside her, his voice low but firm. "Then make sure you're the one in control when the time comes. You'll have the power to make him answer for everything. But you can't let him see you coming."
Tsunade gave a small nod, the fire in her eyes returning. "He won't. I'll play along for now, but I won't forget."
Hiro placed a hand on her shoulder, steady and reassuring. "You'll handle it when the time's right. For now, focus on becoming Hokage. The village needs you in that seat—not him."
Tsunade looked at him, her resolve hardening. "I'll do it for the village. But when the time comes, Danzo will pay."
"That's my Tsunade," Hiro said with a rare smile, reaching out and gently pinching her cheek.
Tsunade quickly backed away, playfully glaring at him, but then her expression shifted. "Hiro..."
He raised an eyebrow. "What?"
She took a deep breath, her tone suddenly serious. "It would be better if you used the Mangekyō Sharingan as little as possible—just don't use it."
Hiro's brow furrowed. "And why?"
"Grandpa once told me that using the Mangekyō Sharingan comes at a great cost. It can lead to permanent blindness if overused. I don't want to see you suffer like that."
Hiro's smile faded as her words sank in. "I appreciate your concern, but you know I can handle myself. The Sharingan is a part of me—it's crucial for my strength."
"I know," she replied, her voice steady. "But what's the point of having power if it ends up costing you everything?"
He softened, her words grounding him. "I promise I won't use it recklessly. But it's the only thing that makes me strong, Tsunade. I don't have a choice."
Her eyes narrowed slightly with fierce determination. "Just remember, some things are worth more than power, Hiro."
After a moment of silence, Tsunade's expression shifted, relaxing a bit. "So… when's Jiraiya coming back?" she asked, knowing Hiro probably had better information than most.
Hiro smirked slightly. " Soon. I've got my sources."