"Nawaki… the ones directly responsible for your death—Danzo and Yellow Dog—are both dead now…"
Memories of Nawaki as a child surfaced one after another, and Tsunade felt a deep ache in her chest.
She raised her head and looked past Nawaki's gravestone.
Behind it stood rows upon rows of graves.
How many of those buried here had died for the village… and how many had died because of the village's schemes?
Too many had given their lives to protect Konoha.
Too many now lay here in silence, watching over the peaceful village of today.
Tsunade wondered—if she had known the truth about Nawaki's death earlier… would she have taken revenge? Would she have turned against the village and killed Danzo and Yellow Dog?
She didn't know the answer.
Fox had been far more decisive.
After uncovering the truth, he spent years hunting down each culprit—no matter if they were Konoha advisors… or even the Hokage's own son.
Tsunade turned her head slightly.
Fox appeared beside her in an instant.
"Fox," she said, "the ANBU answer directly to the Hokage. You're their commander—does it really make sense for you to stand with me like this?"
"Does it?" Yako replied calmly.
"In the current Konoha… who is left to question whether we've formed an alliance?
The Third Hokage? With his tendency to compromise, even if he knew, he wouldn't expose it.
Nara Shikakaku? He's a smart man—he'll make the right choice.
Among the four people at the top, two won't speak.
Princess Tsunade, with Advisor Danzo gone… we no longer need to bow our heads to anyone in this village."
Tsunade fell silent.
She realized she had been trapped in old ways of thinking.
That's right… who in the village could still pressure them now?
The first generation of Konoha's leadership had revolved around the First and Second Hokage.
The second generation had been the six guards of the Second Hokage.
One by one, they had all died… leaving only Sarutobi Hiruzen.
By age and influence, Tsunade, Nara Shikakaku, and Fox now formed the third generation.
If Hiruzen wanted to remain Hokage, he would have to rely on them.
Tsunade suddenly recalled something.
"A few days ago, Nara Shikaku—the young head of the Nara clan—came to the hospital.
He asked whether the Nara clan's deer forest should start cultivating the medicinal herbs the hospital currently lacks the most."
Yako gave a faint smile.
"You see? Lord Shikakaku is a clever man—he's already turning. If he doesn't turn soon… he'll be overturned."
Hearing the killing intent hidden beneath that casual remark, Tsunade suddenly understood—
There had been something off about Sarutobi Shinnosuke's death as well.
After paying respects to Nawaki, Tsunade asked, "Fox… want to take a walk through the Senju compound?"
"Sure. My mother was from the Senju clan… but I've never set foot there."
The two left the Memorial Stone and walked openly into the Senju clan grounds.
—
At the Hokage building, Black Ant hurried into the office, placing an intelligence report on the Third Hokage's desk.
Hiruzen was still dressed in black from the funeral.
He unrolled the scroll—and saw the report.
Tsunade and Fox had offered flowers together at Nawaki's grave… and then entered the Senju compound side by side.
Hiruzen looked up in surprise.
"Black Ant… when did this happen?"
Black Ant lowered his head, thinking carefully before answering.
"After Advisor White Fang's death, I found it strange that Namikaze Minato and others shifted to Tsunade's side.
Now it seems… Advisor Tsunade has long been deliberately gathering allies.
Perhaps Commander Fox, like Namikaze Minato, Moonlight Kento, and Yamashiro, was recruited by her early on.
As the village's only advisor now, she no longer needs to conceal such things."
Hiruzen nodded slowly.
"Minato is Kushina's lover—it makes sense for him to follow Tsunade.
But Moonlight Kento, Yamashiro, and the others aligning with her… that speaks to her ability.
And now… even Fox stands with her…
Without anyone noticing, Tsunade has gathered an extraordinary amount of support."
Black Ant wanted to say more—
That the Nara clan had already set a direction for the Ino–Shika–Chō alliance: gradually moving closer to Tsunade.
But such things couldn't be said openly.
Tsunade was thirty this year—at the peak of her strength and influence.
In terms of power and authority, she stood second only to the Hokage.
Even if Orochimaru emerged from his laboratory to compete with her, he wouldn't stand a chance.
And now, with Fox allied to her…
It was like when Konoha's White Fang had once stood at her side—filling in her only weakness.
Tsunade carried the will of the First Hokage. She would never harm the village.
But ruling a village required more than righteousness—it required darkness.
And Fox… was perfectly suited for that role.
Too perfectly.
As the ANBU vice-commander, Black Ant felt constant pressure.
He had once assumed White Ram—Fox's most trusted subordinate—would take the position.
He had even prepared himself to work alongside him.
Instead, the Hokage had appointed him.
It felt like he had stolen the position from White Ram.
If Fox held a grudge… how many lives would he have left?
Black Ant had once reviewed Fox's rise—from a regular ANBU to commander.
No matter the circumstances, one thing remained true—
All of Fox's enemies had died.
And all of his superiors… aside from the retired Black Ape… had also died.
Terrifying.
To be Fox's enemy was dangerous.
To be his superior… was fatal.
Black Ant glanced at the Third Hokage, hoping he would see clearly—like the Nara clan had.
He feared the Hokage might issue an order to monitor Tsunade… or Fox…
That would be suicide.
After a long silence, Hiruzen suddenly smiled faintly.
"She's grown… Tsunade has truly grown."
"You may go, Black Ant."
He let out a quiet sigh of relief.
At least the Hokage hadn't ordered him to monitor those two.
After Black Ant left, Hiruzen recalled another report.
Nara Shikaku had visited the hospital… and personally consulted Tsunade.
That alone spoke volumes.
For a brief moment, killing intent flashed in Hiruzen's eyes—
Then faded into exhaustion.
He felt… old.
If this had been years ago—if Mitokado Homura and Danzo were still alive—
He would have purged the Ino–Shika–Chō clans for betrayal.
He would have crushed Tsunade and Fox.
But now… everything had changed.
He sighed, opening a drawer.
Inside was an old photograph.
Himself, Shimura Danzo, Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, Akimichi Torifu, and Uchiha Kagami.
A faded picture from long ago—taken when they first became the Second Hokage's guards.
Back then, it had been Homura's idea—to strengthen their bonds.
In the photo, Homura smiled brightly. Danzo still wore his usual cold expression.
Torifu had an arm around Kagami's shoulders, trying to help him relax.
Kagami attempted to smile… but ended up looking slightly tense.
He himself stood in the center with Koharu.
At the time, he had been full of ambition—eyes firm, aiming for the Hokage's seat.
That version of himself…
Felt unfamiliar now.
So much had changed.
In this vast Konoha… he was the only one left.
Tsunade and Fox openly formed an alliance.
Hiruzen hesitated again and again… and ultimately chose to pretend he knew nothing.
Compromise.
Being Hokage was far from the freedom people imagined.
—
Inside the Senju compound, in Tsunade's room—
"Tsunade... I want to say something from the bottom of my heart."
"Where is that exactly?"
Yako recalled something.
In another life, when he had said those words… Tsunade had punched straight into his chest.
That punch had been terrifyingly strong.
He reached out, gently placing his hand against her chest.
Tsunade's face flushed, her breathing quickening. Then she suddenly grabbed his wrist.
"The bottom… is a little lower than where you're touching."
Guided by her hand, his moved downward.
Half an hour later…
Yako stretched one hand out from the bed, forming a seal with a single hand to reinforce the bedframe with Wood Release.
As expected of Tsunade.
In terms of stamina… she even surpassed the young Yuka.
'I can't handle this… seriously can't…'