"Danzo won't make it that easy for us to find evidence," Tsunade muttered darkly.
Kitazawa folded his arms, thoughtful. "I suspect the ninja who leaked the intel has already been... silenced."
Tsunade sighed, rubbing her temples. "Given Danzo's nature, that's entirely possible. But we can't sit idly by. We have to investigate."
"Who will you send?" Kitazawa asked.
"Anbu," she replied after a pause. "Itachi should handle it."
Kitazawa nodded slightly. It wasn't a bad choice. The missions Tsunade had given Itachi so far had all been executed flawlessly—he'd left quite the impression.
He handed the portrait back to her. "Is there anything I can help with?"
Tsunade shook her head. "Let's wait for the investigation results. If we do find proof, I swear—I won't let Danzo walk away from this."
Her tone was ice-cold. Danzo leaking Konoha intelligence to Yagura was nothing short of treason—an unforgivable act in any hidden village.
Even his high status wouldn't protect him.
"Hokage-sama might hesitate," Kitazawa warned. "Old loyalties run deep."
Tsunade's expression hardened. "He is him. I am me."
Kitazawa chuckled. "As expected of Lady Tsunade—decisive as ever."
"Don't flatter me," she said, swatting the back of his hand lightly. "This isn't the time for jokes. We also need to be cautious of whatever desperate moves Danzo might make."
Kitazawa's gaze turned serious. "Agreed. We can't underestimate him."
Tsunade leaned back, confidence returning to her voice. "Let him try whatever tricks he has. I'm not the woman I used to be."
Kitazawa smiled faintly. "Still, don't forget the Fourth Mizukage's case. Mind control is no joke. It might be wise to have a Hyuga guard you when we return to the village."
"He doesn't have—" Tsunade started, then paused mid-sentence. "...You're right."
If there was anyone in Konoha who'd hoard stolen eyes, it was Danzo. The thought of him possessing a Sharingan wasn't far-fetched at all.
Kitazawa exhaled in relief. "A Hyuga by your side could serve as an extra precaution. If anything seems off, their Byakugan can check your chakra flow immediately."
He made a mental note to speak with Hiashi later—perhaps send a Jonin from the clan for the task.
"I'm starting to think you'd make a fine Hokage advisor," Tsunade said suddenly, hopping up to sit on the table. Her legs swung lazily, her voice teasing but thoughtful.
He cleared his throat. "Whose advisor would I be, exactly?"
"I don't want to answer that," she muttered, biting her thumb in irritation.
"Still avoiding the truth, Lady Tsunade?" Kitazawa said with a knowing smile.
"Why do you talk so much?" she snapped, lightly nudging him with her foot under the table.
Kitazawa coughed to cover a grin. "Regardless, you should start preparing for what's coming."
"I know…" Tsunade sighed, shoulders slumping.
Kitazawa smiled faintly. "Everyone else fights tooth and nail for the Hokage seat. Only you treat it like a curse."
"Then why don't you become Hokage?" she shot back, rolling her eyes.
"Me?" Kitazawa laughed. "That's impossible. Even if I wanted to, neither the current Hokage nor the council would agree."
He had made his mark in the Mist conflict, sure—but it wasn't the kind of contribution that turned wars. Even without him, Konoha would have won. Minato, on the other hand… his presence had changed everything.
"How troublesome," Tsunade muttered, scowling.
"Careful," Kitazawa teased lightly. "Frowning makes you age faster."
Tsunade arched an eyebrow. "You're dangerously close to needing medical attention."
He laughed. "Then how about a drink to lighten the mood?"
At that, Tsunade's golden eyes lit up almost instantly. Her tongue brushed her lips unconsciously—she hadn't touched alcohol in over two months, and it showed.
But after a brief pause, she exhaled and shook her head. "No. Not now. When we're back in Konoha, we'll drink properly."
"Understood," Kitazawa said, smiling.
Tsunade crossed her arms, already shifting back to business. "Go pack up. We leave at two this afternoon. If all goes well, we'll reach Konoha by morning."
Kitazawa nodded and turned to leave.
Tsunade watched his back disappear through the tent flaps, her expression softening ever so slightly.
"Where did you go?"
Kurenai turned toward the sound of footsteps, pausing her practice with the Wind Release: Rasengan.
"I went to see Lady Tsunade," Kitazawa said as he sat cross-legged beside her.
"I made lunch for you."
Kurenai handed him a bento box, a faint smile curving her lips.
"Thanks," Kitazawa replied, now realizing what she'd gotten up early for.
Kurenai scooted closer until her shoulder brushed his arm. Without looking at him, she resumed channeling Wind Release chakra into her Rasengan.
"Want to share?" Kitazawa asked, opening the bento.
"I've already eaten," she said with a teasing lilt, "but if you're feeding me, I might reconsider."
Kitazawa grinned. "Then allow me."
He picked up a fried shrimp with his chopsticks and looked at her. Their eyes met, and after a heartbeat of hesitation, Kurenai understood. She gave him a half-hearted glare but leaned in anyway, lips brushing the shrimp.
"The shrimp tastes better today—soft and perfectly fried," Kitazawa said, clearly teasing.
"Eat properly and stop distracting me," she replied, her cheeks faintly pink as she licked a bit of sauce from the corner of her mouth.
"Oh, right. I almost forgot," Kitazawa said suddenly. "We're leaving at two this afternoon. Time to return to Konoha."
"Finally!" Kurenai stretched her arms, smiling brightly. "I've had enough of camp life."
Kitazawa chuckled. "Yeah… I miss my students too."
After lunch, they began to pack up—though there wasn't much left to do besides dismantling their tent.
By two o'clock, the entire Konoha force was assembled in neat rows across the now-empty main camp.
Moments later, Tsunade appeared. With a single commanding wave, she led the procession back toward the village.
Kitazawa walked alongside Kurenai and Kabuto. Their pace was steady, slowed by the wounded they escorted.
By evening, they had only covered half the distance. Kitazawa estimated they wouldn't reach Konoha by morning—noon was more realistic.
After resting overnight, they resumed their journey at dawn.
10:00 AM—Konoha Village
The streets were overflowing with people. Villagers and shinobi lined both sides of the main road, waiting eagerly.
On the left side, Naruto, Sasuke, Hinata, and Ino squeezed together in the crowd.
Today should've been a class day, but Kakashi and Kosuke had given them leave for the homecoming.
"So many people!" Naruto exclaimed, eyes darting left and right.
"Well, Kitazawa-sensei's a big deal now," Shikamaru said lazily. "And Lady Tsunade's name carries even more weight."
"I've never seen anything like this!" Ino gasped. "Even Hokage-sama and the advisors are waiting at the village gate!"
"Same here," Sakura said, craning her neck.
"I hope one day, the whole village welcomes me like this too!" Naruto declared, eyes gleaming.
"It'll be me first," Sasuke said flatly.
Naruto's head snapped toward him. "Oh yeah? Want to make a youthful bet?"
"Now's not the time for that," Kiba said, draping an arm over Naruto's shoulder. "When Kitazawa-sensei arrives, we'll hold our own youthful welcome ceremony!"
"Absolutely not!" Ino groaned. "The Hokage and half the village are here! Don't embarrass us!"
"Agreed," Neji added coolly. The image of Rock Lee doing his 'youthful pose' in front of the entire village was… unbearable.
"Please, no chaos," Tenten said quickly, clutching her head. "I'd rather not end my ninja career today."
"I see Kitazawa-sensei!" Hinata suddenly said, her eyes brightening.
"Where?! I don't see him!" Naruto jumped up, scanning the distance.
"Of course you can't," Ino said knowingly. "Hinata's using her Byakugan."
"Then they're close," Shikamaru said, stretching lazily. "Probably just a few more minutes."
Hinata flushed slightly and lowered her gaze.
"They're here!" Kiba shouted.
All at once, a roar of cheers filled the air. Tsunade led the column into the village, her presence commanding immediate attention.
"Lady Tsunade!"
The crowd erupted, the sound rolling like thunder through the streets. Naruto and the others could barely hear themselves over the noise.
"Kitazawa-sensei!" Naruto shouted, waving frantically.
Kitazawa, walking beside Tsunade, caught sight of his students and waved back, smiling.
Sasuke remained quiet, though his gaze lingered behind Tsunade—on the masked figure walking in the Anbu ranks. Even with the mask, he knew.
Big brother.
His heart clenched, torn between pride and longing. He wanted to rush forward—but this wasn't the time.
Hinata's eyes found her father, Hiashi, among the Hyuga, yet her gaze still drifted back to Kitazawa.
Ino, Lee, and Kiba joined Naruto in waving like maniacs, while Shikamaru, Neji, and Shino stood more reserved, quietly watching.
Kitazawa's faint smile deepened. He wanted to go over to them—but that would have to wait. The Hokage came first.
Beside him, Tsunade sighed. "Again with these over-the-top ceremonies…"
She already knew what this was about. Hiruzen was deliberately building momentum for her—elevating her public prestige.
And judging by the roaring crowd, it was working. Her name now carried more weight than even the Third Hokage's.
"Hokage-sama means well," Kitazawa murmured.
Tsunade rolled her eyes at him. "And what's that supposed to mean?"
Kitazawa cleared his throat. "Hokage-sama is coming. With so many eyes on us, please consider his dignity."
He wasn't joking. Knowing Tsunade's temperament, he half-feared she might turn on her heel and leave if provoked.
Her gaze sharpened. "Who's the teacher here—you or me? Why do you insist on meddling always?"
Kitazawa met her fierce brown eyes without flinching. "It's a student's duty to remind his teacher when she forgets herself."
Before she could retort, a warm chuckle interrupted them.
"What are you two whispering about?" Hiruzen approached, his smile hiding sharp perception.
Behind him followed Homura and a number of Jonin.
"Nothing," Tsunade said quickly. "Let's head to the Hokage Building."
The cheers around them were deafening—far from the right setting for serious talk. Besides, walking to the Hokage Building served a purpose: it reassured the crowd, a silent promise that their return wasn't in vain.
As she moved forward, Tsunade began smiling and waving at villagers along the road.
Seeing this, Hiruzen nodded with quiet satisfaction. Her demeanor told him everything—Tsunade's heart had shifted.
If she truly rejected the title of Hokage, she would've left already after a perfunctory greeting. Instead, she chose to stay and face the people.
Kitazawa followed behind her, each step feeling heavier than the last.
He wasn't just walking through Konoha's main street.
He was walking the path toward the Hokage's seat.
A quiet sense of accomplishment filled him. After so much effort, he had finally secured a stable foothold in the village.
If Tsunade ascended as Hokage, his own standing would rise naturally alongside hers. With his strength continuing to grow, his future seemed brighter than ever.
Yet he couldn't allow himself to relax.
Danzo remained a threat in the present—while Nagato and Obito loomed in the shadows of the future.
'For now,' Kitazawa thought, 'this is what success looks like.'
Lost in thought, he reached the Hokage Building. The villagers and shinobi began to disperse, the cheers fading.
The students of the Genius Class were also ushered away by Kosuke and Kakashi, though none of them wanted to leave.
Meanwhile, in a distant corner, a cane struck the ground sharply.
Danzo's knuckles turned white as he gripped the handle.
He hadn't expected Hiruzen to pull such a move.
After today's grand ceremony, Tsunade's appointment was practically sealed.
Hiruzen's intentions were crystal clear—he was determined to hand over the Hokage's mantle to her.
"Hiruzen… you'll regret this," Danzo muttered through clenched teeth.
He suddenly understood the true problem.
Even if he used Kotoamatsukami to manipulate Tsunade into supporting him, Hiruzen would never agree to let him take the seat.
Unless he controlled Hiruzen himself.
But even he didn't have that kind of confidence.
Worse, he now knew why the Hidden Mist's surrender had come so swiftly.
Yagura had been under a genjutsu when he declared war on Konoha. The moment it was broken, the fighting stopped.
That knowledge had spread—and the Byakugan's reputation as a genjutsu-detector made things worse.
Kotoamatsukami was, after all, a type of genjutsu.
If Tsunade or Hiruzen fell under it… could the Byakugan detect that manipulation?
If so, his plan would be useless.
But could he really give up now?
If he did, there would be no next chance. He would never outlive Tsunade—never live long enough to see her retire.
His expression darkened.
"If it comes to it," he whispered, "I'll just have to kill her."
The thought twisted his features with venomous intent.
Tsunade was strong, and with the Yin Seal, killing her outright was near impossible. But if he first controlled her…
Yes. Control her—and then end her life.
No Tsunade meant no Fifth Hokage.
The real problem was doing it without alerting Hiruzen or anyone else.
Suspicion was inevitable. But suspicion without proof was something he could survive.
Danzo stood in the shadows, lost in calculation.
In front of the Hokage Building
"Everyone has worked hard!" Hiruzen's voice carried across the square. "Without your courage and sacrifice, there would be no victory for Konoha!"
Excitement rippled through the crowd.
"Every shinobi has contributed," Hiruzen continued. "And every contribution will be rewarded."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!" voices chorused back.
"Because of the scale of this victory," Hiruzen added with a genial smile, "we can't distribute rewards immediately. Return home for now—your merits will be acknowledged soon."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
The unified response echoed powerfully.
Then his tone shifted, more commanding. "Jonin, report to the conference room for a debrief."
As the Chunin and Genin dispersed, the plaza quickly emptied. Of the four thousand shinobi who had marched to war, only the jonin remained.
Kitazawa followed Tsunade and Hiruzen into the Hokage Building.
The meeting began immediately.
Shikaku stepped forward to report the war's casualties in detail.
"Every shinobi who gave their life for Konoha must receive due compensation," Hiruzen ordered. "Shikaku, handle this personally."
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Shikaku replied crisply.
"Next," Hiruzen continued, "we must reward merit appropriately."
His eyes shifted to Tsunade. "Tsunade, I'll entrust that responsibility to you."
Tsunade frowned. "That's the Hokage's duty."
"You were the frontline commander," Hiruzen replied with an easy smile. "You know better than anyone what each shinobi deserves. And there's no written rule saying the Hokage must do it."
Several Jonin exchanged quiet, knowing looks.
It was unmistakable—Hiruzen wasn't just asking for help.
He was preparing to pass the torch.
--------------------------------
AN: Check out my P@treon For +40 extra chapters.
Thank You For your Support!!
[email protected]/noviceauthor777
-----------------------
To keep the chapters coming - Support with POWER STONES.
For Every 200 power stones - 1 BONUS chapter.