Chap 42 - Konoha's Problems (2) and A Little Visit to Tsunade. (1)

Seeing the attitude of the people around him, Hiruzen felt an anger he had never felt before towards his fellow Konoha.

When Hiruzen was about to explode, the Clan Patriarch Aburame, who has been silent until now, decided to share his thoughts on the event:

" Our decision is based purely on logic, Hokage-sama. Ryuuji Uzumaki is as strong, or stronger, than the First Hokage. We can't continue this war when we have no hope of winning it. And that's without considering our current issues that don't involve Uzushiogakure. "

Homura looked at Hiruzen and spoke again after letting a sigh escape:

" Uzushiogakure is in a common country, a country that does not own our country's riches, let alone the enemies that those riches bring. We need to defend our lands and our borders.

We need Ryuuji Uzumaki not to interfere with our business.

Therefore, as this is a decision that could impact the entire future of Konohagakure and the Land of Fire, we'll use the power granted to the Shinobi Council to veto your possible decision to continue the war and accept Ryuuji Uzumaki's demands. "

Koharu complemented her fellow elder's speech, in an attempt to make Hiruzen calm his temper:

" Although Ryuuji is demanding a monetary fortune, I'm sure we'll get through this phase. If we sacrifice some of the high value paid to our Shinobi for each mission and get a good monetary compensation by winning the war against the other Villages, we can recover the economic slump that we will suffer from this defeat. "

Unfortunately for Koharu, her speech didn't help Hiruzen calm down. The Hokage was still angry and amazed to see his subordinates so afraid of Ryuuji Uzumaki and Uzushio.

" But what about Ryuuji's desire to take control of Konoha! Can't you see that accepting these demands is the same as giving Konoha to Ryuuji and Uzushiogakure?! Are you blind and deaf?!

Also, what will happen to our shinobi's morale after this crushing defeat? Do you still think we can win the war without the unconditional support of our shinobi?! "

The Nara Clan Patriarch, who knew all too well how Hiruzen's mind worked, returned to using facts to limit the Hokage's actions.

" We're not blind and deaf, Hokage-sama. We're just using logic. Mito Uzumaki is Ryuuji Uzumaki's Great Aunt and despite everything 'Konoha' has done against the Uzumaki Clan, she fought to the end to ensure the sovereignty of our Village.

Ryuuji's wish in giving Mito Uzumaki the power to choose the next Hokage is likely to show that the Uzumaki Clan also has their hand in the creation of Konoha and perhaps, it's time we allow the Uzumaki Clan to show 'us' who can do more for Konoha than 'us'. "

The Aburame Clan patriarch wasted no time in throwing Hiruzen against the wall either:

" The morals of our Shinobi are really hard to deal with, but we don't have a choice. As I said earlier, Ryuuji Uzumaki is someone we can't face. "

Hiruzen looked around the meeting room again, letting his gaze settle on his desk for a few seconds longer. Seeing the documents scattered around her, Hiruzen slightly widened his eyes:

"W hat if we use the other Villages against Uzushio? I'm sure if we make an alliance, we can successfully attack Uzushio. "

The Uchiha Clan Patriarch smiled, and everyone could hear his sneer in his laughter.

"Hokage-sama, weren't those same villages that had their armies decimated by Uzushio? Do you really think they will waste their time and resources to attack a Village that has already defeated them once?

What difference does it make whether we participate or not? Have we not also been defeated? From the report you gave us, Ryuuji Uzumaki didn't even participate in the war with all his might. I don't know about the other Clan leaders, but I won't throw away the lives of my Clanmates in a lost cause. "

Before Hiruzen could question the Uchiha Clan Patriarch about his blatant betrayal, the other Patriarchs confirmed that they had the same thoughts as the Uchiha leader.

Koharu looked at her old friend, who looked to have aged 20 years just in this day.

" Hiruzen, this matter is over. We…we lost. "

Hiruzen dropped into the chair and waved his hand lightly, ending the meeting.

Koharu got up and went straight to her office to write a letter of reply to the Daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools.

…

A few days later, the letter Ryuuji wanted was delivered by a scout from Konoha.

Reading the contents of the letter, Ryuuji nodded in satisfaction.

Ryuuji used the Hiraishin Seal at his grandmother's house, appearing in the middle of the woman's dining room.

Ryuuji slowly approached Mito, who was reading a book while training her chakra control while standing on a wooden stake.

The red-haired boy floated slowly as he erased his presence and in less than two seconds, he hugged his grandmother from behind.

" Grandma, I bring good news. "

Mito froze, but her experience as Kunoichi kept her from screaming in fright.

" R-Ryuuji, I already told you not to approach me like that. I'm a woman of advanced age and I can't guarantee that my heart will withstand all these scares. "

Ryuuji smiled and moved his body, standing in front of his grandmother.

" You don't have to worry, grandma, I made sure to rejuvenate your body and your vitality. You're as healthy as any 20 year old woman. "

Mito let out a huff and started reading the letter Ryuuji placed in her hands.

The woman quickly processed the information and turned her gaze to Ryuuji.

Without saying anything else, she hugged her grandson.

" Thank you, Ryuuji. Thank you very much. "

Ryuuji smiled and wrapped his arms around his grandmother's waist, also hugging the red-haired woman.

" All for the family, grandma. "

Mito smiled and walked away from Ryuuji.

" You should share this news with Tsunade, because I'm sure Hiruzen won't let this go public. "

Ryuuji nodded slightly.

" I already had this plan in mind. In addition, I'll also find a way to make the people of the Land of Fire, and especially Konoha, find out about the Cousin's feats on the battlefield. She sure pushed her limits continually and became a leading figure on the battlefield. "

Hearing Ryuuji's words, Mito was slightly surprised:

" Tsunade become that strong? She was barely a Kage-level Kunoichi before you started training her. She is really impressive. Well, let's leave that subject for later. After hearing this great news, I was even more excited to train. "

Ryuuji smiled and made room for his grandmother:

" I still have work to do, but I'm sure the girls are training at this time and can keep you company. "

…

Looking at the report in his office, Onoki let an amused laugh escape his lips.

" Hahaha, those damn tree huggers finally found someone who can put them in their shoes! Hahahaha! "

Kitsuchi, looking at the way his father was laughing, let out an annoyed huff.

" Old man, why are you so excited?! Don't you remember how Uzushiogakure also killed several of our shinobi?! "

Onoki smiled mockingly and looked at his son:

" You are very naive, my son. Ryuuji Uzumaki to this day has not attacked anyone without reason. We went to his house and paid the price for the lack of information.

I don't intend to provoke that monster without first having perfect planning. In that case, why can't I be happy to hear that Old Monkey paid a worse price than we did for teasing Uzushio? "

Kitsuchi looked at the report again and a bit of concern appeared on his face:

" And you don't care about this thunderous advance of power? In a few years, Ryuuji and Uzushio will be the greatest power in the ninja world. Meanwhile, Iwagakure is struggling to rip off a piece of Konoha. "

Onoki smiled and just left a few words for his son:

" I'm also worried about Uzushio's future strength, but this is not the time to do anything. We must keep fighting Konoha and take as much of them as possible. "

…

At the Konoha bar, a White Zetsu disguised as a civilian drank a glass of sake and shouted in a seemingly relaxed manner, while letting a few fake tears trickle down his cheek:

" To think that my son would die so humiliatingly in the war. Uzushiogakure weren't our allies? Why the hell are we attacking them and sacrificing our shinobi in the process? "

Another Zetsu, also disguised as a civilian, answered the first Zetsu's cry:

" Friend, you're not the only one that lost someone. Today I received the news that my sister also died on the battlefield. It seems that Hokage-sama can no longer make decisions wisely… "

" Y-Yes, yes! I also think! Looks like Hokage-sama should let his disciple Tsunade-sama take care of Konoha instead! "

" Certainly! Tsunade-sama has Shodai-sama's blood! Only she can control this shitty situation! "

What followed was a general discussion of what had happened, as well as several people complaining about how the current Hokage handled the situation.

Of course, Konoha was still a military dictatorship, so it didn't take long for the heated discussion to be interrupted by the shinobi who were still in the village to maintain local security.

The problem is that the amount of white Zetsu that Ryuuji can command through Black Zetsu was immense, so this discussion wasn't happening just in one establishment, but in several of them.

Even outside of Konoha the news was already flying.

…

Smiling and nodding to yet another of her shinobi who thanked her for her efforts, Tsunade entered her tent at the Konoha camp.

" What the hell happened that everyone started treating me like that?! "

Tsunade sat at her desk and started reading the reports. Among the papers, a letter with Uzushio's seal caught her attention.

Knowing that the letter was from Ryuuji and that said letter shouldn't be seen by anyone, Tsunade quickly picked up the paper and started reading.

A few minutes later, Tsunade's eyes widened with her mouth open.

" T-That… can't be true! "

The letter clearly stated how the conflict between Uzushio and Konoha went, how Ryuuji managed to make the most out of the situation, getting the stimulus to strengthen his shinobis' morale and mindset, as well as the document Ryuuji got for Mito.

Tsunade couldn't believe her cousin had accomplished so much.

" W-Wait…does this explosion in my fame have something to do with this brat too? "

Unable to control her facial muscles, Tsunade started to laugh.

" Hahahaha! Very good, cousin! You finally did something to me besides beating me daily under the pretense of training me! "

Tsunade read the letter one more time, still with a smile on her face.

" Maybe I should give this perverted boy a reward? "

Tsunade pressed her lips together tightly, cursing her big mouth.

Rewards? In her mind, Ryuuji didn't need a reward but a hard punch in the face for all the suffering he put her through.

Unbeknownst to her, a person entered her tent.

" A reward? Looks like I came at the right time, cousin. Perhaps you want to talk more about this supposed reward? "

The skin on Tsunade's face turned pale.

She looked ahead and swallowed hard:

" R-Ryuu-kun, maybe you've heard strange things? I n-never said anything about rewards! "

Ryuuji smiled.

" Cousin, you need to learn to keep your words. "