In the Senju Clan's reception room, Tsunade shifted her attention away from Uchiha Ryōsuke and looked toward Shizune with a look of confusion.
"Shizune, why is your face so red?"
Hearing this, Shizune's heart instantly began to race.
'Could Lady Tsunade have noticed something? Is my face really that red?'
She hurriedly adjusted her clothes, desperate to prevent Tsunade from spotting anything unusual. Just moments ago, her clothes had been disarranged by the guy sitting next to her, his hands wandering beneath the fabric as he touched her.
Observing Shizune's flustered state, Tsunade assumed she simply hadn't rested well. Furthermore, the matters they were about to discuss required secrecy, making it inconvenient for Shizune to remain.
"Shizune, go back and get some rest."
Shizune breathed a sigh of relief and quickly made her exit, terrified that Lady Tsunade might discover the truth.
Ryōsuke, naturally knowing exactly why Shizune was acting that way, felt a surge of amusement. Once Shizune had left, he began to size up the woman before him.
She was, quite simply, a magnificent specimen.
In the original timeline, Tsunade managed to maintain the appearance of a woman in her thirties even in her fifties and sixties, which was a testament to her timeless beauty. Now, compared to that timeline, she was at least ten years younger. Her outward appearance was that of a woman at her peak, with almost no trace of aging. She even looked somewhat radiant and supple.
She was truly the Princess of the Leaf Village.
If not for her explosive temper, the line of suitors would probably stretch across every street in the village. After all, she possessed a great figure, beautiful skin, and the prestigious background of the Senju Clan. Marrying such a woman would, if not allow one to walk through the village with total impunity, at least instantly and significantly elevate one's status.
Tsunade naturally noticed the Uchiha's gaze.
'Interesting. He doesn't show a hint of fear toward me, even though I'm so much older than him.'
Ryōsuke spoke up directly. "May I ask why you invited me here, Lady Tsunade?"
Tsunade didn't mince words and asked straight out, "Was the vision you showed Nara Shikaku real?"
Ryōsuke understood immediately. It seemed Shikaku had leaked the news about the Ten-Tails. He didn't mind the information getting out, so he replied, "Naturally, it is real."
Tsunade's heart shook as she saw him confirm the truth of the matter so nonchalantly. She couldn't help but ask with concern, "When will this disaster happen?"
"It will happen when it happens," Ryōsuke replied casually.
How could he know the exact time? At the very least, the main cast hadn't grown up yet. Furthermore, there hadn't been any news of the Akatsuki collecting Tailed Beasts in the shinobi world yet. He was in no hurry to act.
Tsunade was left speechless by his answer. The sentence was essentially meaningless. She decided to state her objective directly.
"Since a great disaster is coming in the future, as a member of the Senju Clan, it is my duty to stand up and prepare for it. You are still too young to take on the responsibility of Fifth Hokage. I will take the position, and we will face this crisis together."
Ryōsuke fell silent for a moment.
He hadn't expected Tsunade to actually return to the village to campaign for the position of Fifth Hokage. That was interesting, but he couldn't just give up the seat. He had already promised Clan Head Fugaku.
"Lady Tsunade, you say I am too young and unqualified for the position. In truth, I don't actually have any intention of taking it myself. However, our Uchiha Clan Head, Uchiha Fugaku, should be qualified, shouldn't he? After all, he is someone who made outstanding contributions during the Third Ninja World War."
Tsunade was surprised to hear that he didn't want the power of the Hokage for himself. It was quite bizarre. Instead, he was pushing for the Uchiha patriarch, Uchiha Fugaku.
She knew of him, of course. The current head of the Uchiha Clan had indeed made significant contributions to the village during the Third Great War. In terms of seniority and merit, he was certainly eligible. But now, Tsunade wanted the position more.
Being a member of the Senju Clan, if an Uchiha took the lead, she would have to work under them, which didn't sit well with her.
"The man you mentioned is indeed capable, but I'm afraid he isn't as suitable as I am. My taking the position would be better for reassuring the villagers and better for deploying defenses against those monsters. What do you think?"
Ryōsuke shook his head. "Not much. Lady Tsunade should also know that the Uchiha Clan has never produced a Hokage in the Leaf Village. Yet, we are the founders of this village. One way or another, we should have a Hokage. Otherwise, I'm afraid it will be impossible to satisfy the Uchiha people."
Tsunade felt a pang of displeasure. The Uchiha Clan cared that much about the position? Contributing to the village was what truly mattered. Wasn't the Hokage's job simply to keep the village in order and maintain peace? Clearly, the Uchiha lacked that realization and instead viewed the position as something owed to them.
Her expression darkened. "If I enter the election, I'm afraid Fugaku won't be able to compete with me."
Ryōsuke considered her words. There was some truth to them. In terms of prestige, even if the Senju Clan had declined, the stone faces of the First and Second Hokage on the Hokage Rock served as a constant reminder to the villagers of who had protected them. Her prestige was naturally higher, and there were indeed people who wanted her to lead.
Still, Ryōsuke smiled and said, "Lady Tsunade is right; that is indeed very likely. However, if you dare to win the election, aren't you afraid the Uchiha Clan might resort to other means?"
Tsunade frowned. "You... I thought the Uchiha had changed, but it seems you're still the same. If you can't win a normal election, you plan to solve it with force?"
Ryōsuke remained silent. An Uchiha was, after all, still an Uchiha.
"Actually, if Lady Tsunade wants the position that badly, it's not entirely non-negotiable. You just need to agree to one condition."
Tsunade's brow furrowed. He would give up the Hokage position? What kind of condition could it be? It surely wasn't simple, given the obsession she felt from the Uchiha regarding the seat.
Ryōsuke looked at Tsunade and said slowly, "And that is... to become my woman."
"What?!"
Tsunade's expression went blank. "I didn't hear you clearly. Can you say that again?"
She couldn't believe her ears. He actually wanted her to be his woman? She was nearly forty years old. Although he was handsome and well-built, he was only a youth of sixteen or seventeen—barely more than a boy. He actually dared to harbor such desires for her?
If she didn't know how powerful he was and that she was no match for him, Tsunade would have stood up and given him a couple of heavy punches right then and there.