Night had fallen, and Tsunade stood silently before Konoha's memorial stone, her head bowed and eyes unfocused.
The names inscribed here were of those who had died in the Great Ninja War or had sacrificed themselves to protect the village, including Nawaki and Dan.
"Where the leaves dance, the fire burns..."
The words were interrupted by Tsunade's bitter laugh. "Enough, old man. Your expression doesn't suit those words right now."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, hands behind his back, gave a wry smile but did not continue. Instead, he looked at the memorial stone with a complex expression and spoke slowly.
"All along, I seem to have misunderstood something. I always thought that light and darkness were born together, that where there is light, there will be darkness. But now I realize I may have been wrong. Even in the darkest corners, strong light can penetrate and illuminate."
"Darkness..."
Tsunade murmured, involuntarily thinking of a certain man named An, who had been forced to bear all of humanity's darkness.
"Tsunade, please, illuminate all of Konoha's darkness."
Looking at her teacher, who seemed to have aged overnight and was bowing deeply before her, Tsunade felt a mix of emotions: sadness, anger, and a twinge of compassion.
...
In the Hokage Tower's secret room, Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke first, sitting on the sofa. "Orochimaru has defected. He left Konoha alone yesterday when no one was paying attention."
"Orochimaru?" Tsunade frowned. "Why did he defect?"
"He did many things with Danzo..."
At this, Tsunade scoffed, crossing her arms and leaning back on the sofa, looking at her teacher. "Whatever he did, didn't you tacitly approve?"
"Yes, I also bear responsibility. My sins are the same as theirs."
To Tsunade's surprise, Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, not avoiding or denying it.
He then began recounting from when the Second Hokage passed the title to him, detailing everything meticulously as if he were a kindly old man preparing to pass on his last will.
Bit by bit, from taking over Konoha to the present state, the Fourth Hokage's sacrifice, the Uchiha clan's restlessness, Danzo's schemes, and Orochimaru's defection—he hid nothing.
Bang!!
"So, you want me to become Hokage and clean up your mess?!"
Tsunade's fierce expression showed despite her words that she had a slight respect for her teacher.
After all, the old man hadn't lied. In these past two days, he had completely recognized his own mistakes and the darkness in the village and resolved to change it all.
"I... am no longer fit to be Hokage. The only ones qualified now are you and Jiraiya. My light may have been eroded by darkness, but I believe your light can drive it away!"
"Why not ask Jiraiya then?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen had a bitter feeling, knowing he had sought Jiraiya after the Fourth Hokage's death, but Jiraiya had avoided responsibility and hadn't responded for two months.
Click—!
Koharu Utatane entered, her face stern. "Tsunade, now is not the time for you to be stubborn. Think of your grandfather, the First Hokage, and your granduncle, the Second Hokage. This is your responsibility..."
Hearing this, Tsunade's anger flared. She stood up angrily before Koharu could finish, "So, you made a mess of the Konoha they entrusted to you, and now you want their granddaughter to clean it up?!"
"Watch your language!" Koharu snapped.
"You should watch yours! When my grandfather and granduncle were in charge, there were dark sides, but it was never as bad as it is now! This is all your doing!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen interjected, "No, it's my fault alone. Without my tolerance, Danzo couldn't have..."
"Shut up, old man!"
Homura Mitokado tried to mediate, "Tsunade! Calm down! This isn't the time to bicker like children! We truly trust you to lead Konoha's rebirth from the ashes!"
"Trust me? Push me into power and then manipulate me with your experience and status?"
Koharu, trembling with anger, pointed at Tsunade. "Enough, Tsunade! Konoha doesn't only have you as an option!"
"Then go ask someone else! Why bother me?!"
Seeing Koharu losing her cool and starting to rant, Hiruzen spoke up, "Enough, Koharu. No one is more suitable than Tsunade right now."
The implication was: Can't you face your own mistakes like I do? What's your stubbornness for? If you keep this up, there will be no hope left!
"I won't do as you wish unless you so-called top officials acknowledge your mistakes and hand over all your power to me without interfering."
"You…"
Pointing at Tsunade, Koharu's body trembled uncontrollably. This woman was blocking her way entirely!
Just as Koharu was about to rebuke Tsunade for her unscrupulousness, Homura expressed his stance.
"Hmm… fine. I can hand over the decision-making and administrative powers in the village, keeping only the authority to propose strategies and opinions."
Koharu was stunned. Why was this old partner of hers, who should be on her side, surrendering first?
She then glanced at Hiruzen, still reflecting quietly on the sofa.
These two must have had a private conversation! My old partner has been swayed!
Is Tsunade really worth such a trade? You're gambling Konoha's future on her. What if you lose? Don't you know she has bad luck in gambling?!
Tsunade was also surprised. She had spoken casually, but they actually agreed! The decision-making and administrative powers were all the advisors' authority!
"Koharu, we… are old now." Homura sighed, shaking his head.
Koharu's heart sank. This was clearly Hiruzen's idea. He had made up his mind and wasn't backing down. It was two against one; she had no choice...
At that moment, Koharu wished Danzo, who was under house arrest, were here. He would have supported her.
Hiruzen continued, "No need to worry about Danzo. I've talked to him. The Root cannot recruit new members, and all member information will no longer be confidential to the Hokage. The ANBU's approval and promotion will no longer be linked to the Root."
Koharu realized she had no choice. Hiruzen had changed his usual style for this gamble, taking drastic measures against old friends.
Suddenly feeling ten years older, Koharu finally chose to surrender, just like Homura, with no room for negotiation.
"I…"
At this moment, Tsunade knew she had been set up. This was a trap her teacher had set for Konoha's future, his final and first one.
But this trap was more than a gamble.
"Tsunade, we've agreed to your terms. What's your answer?"
Looking at her teacher's determined eyes, Tsunade felt an urge to curse. Today, she had been outplayed. The old saying "Ginger gets spicier with age" was true.
"Oh, by the way, about the orphanage, I've talked to Danzo. He won't interfere anymore."
Is it fun to corner your disciple like this? Controlling me to this extent, you're really something!
...
After Tsunade left with "I'll think about it," the three old men sat silently for a few minutes.
"You know, if the light is strong enough…"
Hiruzen took out a high-powered flashlight from his pocket, turned it on, and pressed it against the edge of the wooden table.
"…it can penetrate the darkness."
Seeing the flashlight's beam penetrate the wooden table, Koharu sighed. Her old partner had truly changed overnight.
"Maybe. But if it's not as strong as we think, Konoha will be destroyed. You're betting too much, Hiruzen, and women tend to be impulsive…"
"Hehehe…"
Hiruzen laughed, then stood up and walked to the window, looking at Tsunade's departing figure.
"But I believe in Tsunade. She can bring a different future to Konoha. Her light is still hidden inside. Once it shines, it will be incredibly bright!"
Seeing the light penetrate the table's edge, Koharu and Homura silently prayed for Konoha.
...
On the street, young ninjas kept respectfully greeting Tsunade. The rumor of her becoming the Fifth Hokage had spread since yesterday.
It might have been intentional or the work of those gathered jonin, but Tsunade didn't care or think about it.
Still unsure what to do, Tsunade walked unconsciously toward Konoha's memorial stone. However, she was distracted by a familiar male voice from a nearby ramen shop.
"Sir, one soy sauce ramen, extra pork, and a serving of gyoza."
"Sure! Just a moment!"
Teuchi, not yet so wrinkled, energetically responded and started making the ramen for the young blue-haired man.
Ding-a-ling—
The bell on the curtain rang as Tsunade entered. Teuchi greeted her without turning around, "Welcome! The menu is on the wall, feel free to order!"
Ignoring Teuchi's words, Tsunade focused on the man at the counter, elbows resting on it, eyes closed, humming a tune, as if eagerly anticipating his ramen.
"Are you that excited about my ramen?"
Listening to the tune, Teuchi asked with a smile.
"Of course! I'm very much looking forward to it!"
So much that I changed my plan to enter Konoha! Shinji added in his mind.
"Hahaha, then I'll show you my best!"
Seeing Shinji's childlike excitement, Tsunade felt a bit surprised. She sensed this was also a genuine side of the man named Angolmois.
But opposite this side was another side capable of calmly and casually massacring an entire village. Both sides were real.
"Oh~" Shinji glanced at Tsunade, amused. "Fancy meeting you here."
"Why are you in Konoha?" Tsunade's eyes were full of caution. This man treated killing as a casual, rightful act. If he wanted to, he would kill.
"The book says women love to ask obvious questions, and it seems true~"
Tsunade clenched her fists, lowering her voice. "Angolmois! I will... I will stop you!"
"Really? Will you really do that? Sorry, I can't feel it. And what will someone who consults with the dead use to stop me? I can't see it at all~~"
"You bastard...!!" Tsunade clenched her fists tighter but ultimately held back.
She couldn't fight him. He couldn't be killed, and he might massacre the village. She needed to gather information and gradually devise a plan, preferably convincing him to leave!
That was the only way to protect Konoha!