C 28

"Damn old man!"

After storming out of the Hokage building, Tsunade couldn't help but curse under her breath. She had prepared for weeks, meticulously planning every detail of her proposal for a medical system reform. Yet, during today's Jōnin meeting, Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, had outright rejected it without giving her a proper reason.

As she walked away, seething with frustration, she heard someone calling her from behind.

"Tsunade…"

Turning around, she saw the man who had supported her during the meeting. It was Kato Dan.

"Oh, it's you. What's the matter?"

Though still in a foul mood, Tsunade suppressed her irritation, greeting him with a calmer tone. He had, after all, backed her in the meeting.

"My name is Kato Dan," he introduced himself with a polite smile. "I think your proposal was excellent. Reforming the medical system could indeed save the lives of countless Konoha comrades."

Tsunade softened slightly at his kind words, but he wasn't finished.

"However," Kato Dan continued, "Konoha is in a tough spot right now. The war has only just ended, and true peace hasn't settled in. I believe the Third Hokage took this into account, which is likely why your plan wasn't implemented."

Tsunade's mood soured again. She understood the village's precarious situation, but the fact that her long-prepared medical reform was dismissed so easily infuriated her.

"Even so, there are priorities. The old man just couldn't see the bigger picture, so he refused my proposal without any legitimate reason," she retorted, her frustration clear in her voice.

Kato Dan smiled awkwardly. While Tsunade could get away with criticizing the Hokage—being the granddaughter of the First Hokage and one of Sarutobi's own students—he wasn't in a position to speak as freely.

"I'm sure the Third Hokage had his reasons," he said diplomatically.

"What reasons? He just has no vision!" Tsunade shot back, clearly not appeased by Dan's calm reasoning.

As she vented her frustrations, Tsunade couldn't help but think of Kain. She had been waiting for him to return, eager to discuss her ideas for the medical system with him. Even though he was just a civilian, Kain had an unconventional perspective that often inspired her. She wondered when he'd be back.

The two continued chatting as they walked, eventually nearing Kain's food store.

"Do you live nearby?" Kato Dan asked, noticing her change in direction.

"No, are you offering to walk me home? It's not necessary. I need to do some shopping before I head back," she replied.

Just then, Tsunade noticed several carriages parked outside Kain's store. Her eyes lit up. He was back! What perfect timing—she had been meaning to consult with him about her proposal, and here he was.

"Let's talk another day, Kato Jōnin. A friend of mine just returned," she said, her excitement bubbling over.

"Friend?" Kato Dan asked, but before he could say more, Tsunade was already making a beeline for Kain's shop. Curious, he followed after her.

"Kain!"

Kain, who had been busy instructing his workers to unload goods, froze when he heard Tsunade's voice. It was filled with such intensity that it almost sounded like she was coming for revenge. He turned to see her marching toward him with purpose, and instinctively, he took two steps back.

"Tsunade-san, what's wrong?" he asked cautiously.

"Nothing, really. I just wanted to talk to you. I got mad at the old man today," Tsunade said, realizing she had come off a bit too strong. She softened her tone. "Oh, and give me a box of chocolates. We can talk while eating."

"A box of twenty chocolates is four thousand ryo, Tsunade-san. You're a thousand short," Kain replied bluntly, holding out his hand for the full payment.

Tsunade's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She had casually tossed some money in his direction without thinking, but clearly, Kain wasn't one to let such things slide. Quickly, she added the extra thousand ryo, not wanting to be mistaken for someone who didn't pay her debts.

If it weren't for the fact that she needed to talk to him, Tsunade might have considered showing Kain a bit of her infamous strength for his cheeky remark.

Once the payment was settled, Kain handed her the box of chocolates. "So, Tsunade-san, what did you want to talk about? A box of chocolates can't be the only reason."

Tsunade raised the report she had brought, waving it in front of him. "I want to talk about what we didn't finish last time."

Kain feigned confusion, his face deliberately blank. "Last time? What last time, Tsunade-san? I don't recall any unfinished business."

Tsunade frowned. She could tell he was pretending not to remember. He was dodging the conversation, especially since it involved Konoha's medical reforms. He had always been cautious about getting involved in Konoha's politics, and this time was no different.

"Don't act like you don't remember," she said, her frustration rising again. "As a businessman, satisfying your customers' needs is your most basic responsibility."

"Ah, you're talking about that. Alright, we can chat, but I'll remind you again—I don't want to get involved in Konoha's political matters," Kain responded quickly, noticing Tsunade clenching her fists.

"But wait, is that man outside your friend?" he asked, pointing to Kato Dan, who had been lingering outside the store.

"Oh, Kato Dan… You're still here?"

Though she had enjoyed talking to him earlier, Tsunade now had more pressing matters to attend to. She wasn't in the mood for small talk with Kato Dan.

Just then, Kato Dan walked in, smiling. "Tsunade, so the owner of this shop is your friend. I've bought chocolates from here before—they're really delicious."

"Kato, I'm discussing something important with Kain now. But, actually, why don't you join us? You supported my medical system reform in the Jōnin meeting earlier," Tsunade said, tilting her head toward Kain to gauge his reaction. After all, it was his shop.

Kato Dan raised an eyebrow, surprised. He hadn't expected Tsunade to be discussing such a serious topic with a civilian, even one who sold medicine.

"Let's talk about it inside," Kain said, not refusing the idea. He led Tsunade and Kato Dan to a small room at the back of the shop and went to make them some tea.

After serving the tea, Kain got straight to the point. "Tsunade-san, what's that you've got in your hand?"

"This? It's the revised medical system reform plan. I put it together based on the suggestions you gave me last time. Do you want to take a look?"

"No, that won't be necessary," Kain said with a wave of his hand. "But you mentioned the Jōnin meeting earlier. I take it your proposal was rejected by the Third Hokage?"

At this, Tsunade's temper flared again. "Yes! The old man has no vision. If we implement the medical reforms, Konoha won't have to fear casualties in future wars."

"That's a meaningless statement," Kain countered calmly. "If Konoha could suddenly train three thousand Jōnin, then no one would have to worry about war either."

Tsunade scowled, but Kain continued. "Let's stick to the point. Tell me what happened at the Jōnin meeting—only the parts related to the medical reform. Leave out the rest."