"Old man, you've been asking for funds for so long, I thought you had settled down in the Land of Fire's capital. So, what do you want from me?"
The moment Tsunade entered, she raised her voice. Her words made Hiruzen Sarutobi cough twice, nearly choking on his pipe.
"Don't talk nonsense. I had no choice but to stay that long."
Hiruzen glared at her, then sighed.
"As for the budget, the Daimyo finally relented, but they're furious that we unilaterally halted the war with the Sato Federation. This time, the postwar restoration funds are less than one-third of what we used to get."
"One-third? That's far too little."
Tsunade frowned. "That means Konoha will still be in deficit, maybe even unable to purchase the village's next batch of supplies."
"That's true, but the Daimyo and his ministers are firm. I can't persuade them anymore. But… if you want the full funding, there is one way."
Hiruzen paused, then continued. "You, Tsunade, could call for a Five Kage—well, now Four Kage—summit, destroy the Sato Federation, and help the Land of Wind's Daimyo regain his throne. In that case, the Daimyo will fully fund Konoha."
"That's impossible…"
Tsunade's lips twitched. The Daimyo's fantasies had no basis in reality. Both Konoha and Iwa-nin had suffered heavy losses on the Rain battlefield. On top of that, Uchiha defectors and the loss of the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki were already crippling problems. They barely had time to avoid war, let alone start another.
"That can't be done. Even if Iwa-nin still have fighting strength, how could the Cloud-nin move against the Sato Federation? Should they cross the ocean or march straight through the Land of Fire?"
The Daimyo acted on impulse, ignoring reality. No matter how you looked at it, Konoha and the Cloud couldn't join forces. A four-nation alliance was impossible.
Tsunade had just strengthened ties with the Hyuga clan. If she then turned to ally with the Cloud, wouldn't the Hyuga object? After all, the Cloud were their sworn enemies—the ones responsible for killing the father of the current clan head's heir.
Hiruzen took a drag on his pipe. "You're right, but then there's no more money to ask for. We'll have to borrow from the trade associations."
Tsunade gave him a blank look. "Old man, that's your solution?"
Borrow again? Hyuga Mirai had already monopolized most of Konoha's benefits. If they kept borrowing, aside from her as Hokage, every Konoha shinobi would just be working for Hyuga Mirai.
Sometimes, Tsunade felt that as Hokage, all she did was give trade associations a green light, while the rest of Konoha's people handed everything away.
"For now, that's all we can do. But Tsunade, don't expect the Daimyo to give up. The four great nations' Daimyo will probably meet soon. They'll push for war against the Sato Federation. When that happens, it won't just be Konoha's problem."
Hiruzen puffed smoke, then said seriously, "Once the four Daimyo act together, even if the Cloud demand passage through Konoha, we'll have to agree. Tsunade, as the Fifth Hokage, you must uphold the system the First created: one nation, one village. That's the Daimyo's bottom line."
"The Sato Federation has gone too far this time. The shinobi world won't tolerate them."
His tone was unshakable. Not even the Rinnegan leader of the Rain had gone so far as to attack his Daimyo. But the Sato Federation had wiped out the Daimyo's mansion, killed resisting nobles, and seized power outright.
To Hiruzen, that was heresy. Shinobi ruling a country would only fuel Daimyo suspicion toward the villages. On this visit, he could already feel it—the Daimyo was building his own power and distrusting the very existence of shinobi villages.
If that trend wasn't stopped, even the Land of Fire wouldn't remain stable.
Tsunade waved impatiently. "I know what I'm doing, old man. I am the Hokage."
Seeing she wasn't listening, Hiruzen grew anxious. "Tsunade, if you don't do this, you'll regret it."
"Enough. If you've got the time, think of a better way to get money from the Daimyo."
Leaving those words, Tsunade walked out.
Hiruzen's face darkened. Sitting alone for a while, he sighed helplessly.
Now, his only role was begging the Daimyo for money. Finances and logistics were no longer under his control as former Hokage.
If Tsunade listened to him, fine. But her willfulness and dominance were beyond his expectations. Without restraint, Konoha would be ruined in her hands. Worse, she wasn't even aligning with the Daimyo's intentions—a bad sign for both Konoha and the entire Land of Fire.
…
After leaving the Hokage's office, Kiyo Hyuga was dragged toward an izakaya by Kurenai Yuhi.
Kiyo hadn't wanted to go, but Kurenai insisted, mixing soft and hard persuasion. Since she also trained hard in Taijutsu, if Kiyo tried to shake her off, she'd have to use full force—and that would hurt Kurenai.
"Ninjas shouldn't drink alcohol. It corrodes the will. If you drink often—"
"Relax, Kiyo. Just once in a while."
Before Kiyo could finish her stern lecture, Kurenai smiled, raising two fingers pressed together.
"Ninjas need to relax too. And as head of the Hyuga clan, if you can't even handle a drink, you'll be laughed at."
Kiyo pursed her lips. "Who would laugh at me?"
"I would!"
"Hmph. The Hyuga clan head is forbidden from drinking. It's clan law."
Kurenai blinked, hearing such a strict rule for the first time. "Who made that rule?"
"I did."
Kurenai rolled her eyes but still clung to Kiyo's arm until they reached the izakaya door.
Inside, Kurenai smoothly ordered, "Boss, a private booth. Five bottles of shochu and your signature side dishes."
Kiyo's expression tightened. "It's daytime. Drinking that much—"
"With you helping, it's fine. We'll split it."
She pulled Kiyo into the booth and sat by the door, just in case Kiyo tried to escape.
When the shochu and food arrived, Kurenai immediately poured for them both. She had first tried shochu when in low spirits and had since grown fond of the strong burn.
After downing a cup, she exhaled. "Ahh… nothing relaxes me after training like shochu. This stretch has been exhausting. I was terrified of failing Lady Tsunade's expectations."
"But you succeeded—even while taking on two A-rank missions."
Kiyo took a sip, immediately frowning, and set the cup down. She still couldn't stomach the stuff.
"If you have questions, just ask. Don't think you can get me drunk first. I have clan matters this afternoon."
"Geez, Kiyo, you're too sharp…"
"You're the obvious one. A ninja who can't even hide her thoughts…"
"Headache… don't lecture me."
Kurenai downed another drink, feigning drunkenness, then asked with a grin, "Kiyo, why do you care so much about Lady Tsunade? If you're any more obvious, she'll notice."
"You never care about anything. But with Tsunade, you're different."
"I don't—"
"Don't lie. Your thoughts are too clear. For a ninja—"
Hearing her own words thrown back at her, Kiyo's face fell. But then she saw Kurenai's serious expression and remembered how well they knew each other. If she didn't speak now, Kurenai would get her drunk and force it out anyway.
"It was during the war. There's too little intel now, and I'm still searching. But Tsunade is the Fifth Hokage. Even as Hyuga clan head, I can't reveal any intentions."
Kiyo activated her Byakugan, speaking slowly. "Officially, my Byakugan sees four kilometers. In truth, I can see six."
Kurenai tilted her red eyes. "Kiyo, you really do hide things."
"You too. I don't believe you've trained Eight Gates for years and can only open three. Don't change the subject. Are you listening?"
Kiyo scolded. Only after Kurenai clasped her hands in apology did she continue. "When Tsunade and the Rain leader fought to mutual injury and he escaped, I saw someone appear at her side."
"Someone? Who—"
Kurenai froze, then grew serious. "Mirai-kun?"
"…Yes." Kiyo gave a nasal hum. "Tsunade was badly wounded. Hyuga Mirai healed her, and then she gave him something before sending him away."
"Are you sure?" Kurenai asked, stunned. If true, then their Hokage might be tied to him.
"You think I'd joke about this? His chakra, his face—he couldn't fool me."
Kiyo pursed her lips. "Later, I confirmed several times. Tsunade seems to be communicating with him through a ring on her hand. Their relationship is close."
"…I never imagined even Lady Tsunade would be linked to Mirai-kun. This is getting troublesome." Kurenai scratched her loose hair, unsettled by the revelation.
Kiyo said flatly, "Anyway, I've told you. Do what you like, but be cautious."
"…I know."
Kurenai bit her finger, frowning in thought. Her original plan was now void, and no new one came to mind.
"Kiyo, what if I became a squad leader jōnin?"
"Do what you want. Your team should've dissolved once you started solo A-rank missions." Kiyo glanced at her. "If you do become a squad leader, I'd like you to look after Hyuga graduates."
"For you, sure. But you, clan head, should at least toast with me."
"No."
Kurenai turned her attention back to the shochu. She couldn't think of a solution, and more drinking only deepened her frustration.
Seeing her mood, Kiyo reluctantly shared one bottle with her.
It tasted awful. Every sip made her frown like she was swallowing Suna's mixed poisons. After more than two hours, they finished the five bottles and the food. Kurenai's cheeks were bright red, and her bad mood made her drunk unusually fast.
Though invited for drinks, Kiyo ended up paying. Supporting Kurenai out of the izakaya, she muttered, "Do you want me to take you home?"
"Mmm… no, I can—"
"Kurenai? What a coincidence."
A familiar voice called from behind. Hearing it, Kurenai's face stiffened. She straightened from Kiyo's shoulder, the alcohol fading from her face, and sighed before turning. "You again, Asuma. I told you last time—call me Yuhi Jōnin."
She also noticed others nearby: Kakashi, Might Guy, Anko, and Raido by the yakiniku shop. It seemed to be a reunion of their cohort, though she and Kiyo had been too busy training to notice.
Asuma's smile faltered at her coldness, but he forced a laugh. "Well, Yuhi-san, we're heading for dessert. Want to join us?"
"No, Asuma. I'll say this one last time. I have someone I love and a goal. Until I achieve it, I'd rather die alone than waver. So stop chasing me. You're too weak. Spend your time training."
Before her words even faded, Kurenai flicked three senbon at different speeds and angles. They struck nearby walls and ground with sharp clangs.
In that brief instant, Asuma had already fallen under her Genjutsu.
(End of Chapter)