The next day at noon.
Fire Source City Residence.
Shishou woke up in bed and gave a kiss to the sleeping faces of Izumi and Yuugao before getting up. After dressing and washing up, he vanished from the spot.
At Tsunade's House.
Swoosh!
Shishou appeared in the courtyard.
"Oh, you finally decided to come see us," Tsunade, who had not slept all night, looked up from the pavilion with two dark circles under her eyes and spoke with a sour tone.
Next to her, Shizune was sleeping soundly in Tsunade's lap.
Yesterday's battle was too shocking, far beyond Tsunade's understanding, and the immense difference in power between her and Shishou kept her awake. Moreover, thinking that Shishou was probably fooling around with other women last night and didn't come to see her, Tsunade couldn't sleep at all.
Hearing Tsunade's words, Shishou chuckled awkwardly.
Just like Mei Terumi had said, he was busy putting out fires everywhere yesterday, traveling between Kirigakure, the Land of Demons, and Fire Source City, leaving him no time at all.
Approaching Tsunade and Shizune, Shishou raised an eyebrow at the sleeping Shizune, and poked her awake, saying, "With your level of strength, how can you sleep so soundly?"
Shizune opened her eyes, propped herself up in Tsunade's lap, and then nuzzled her face against Tsunade's chest, looking satisfied. "With my level of strength, it doesn't matter if I can't sleep."
Seeing Shizune's actions, Shishou opened his mouth, feeling a bit envious...
Tsunade noticed Shizune's actions, her face darkened, and she prepared to flick Shizune on the forehead, causing Shizune to quickly run away in fear.
Tsunade's forehead flicks were notorious for being painful.
"You two talk, I'm going to sleep." Shizune ran towards the house, giving Shishou and Tsunade space to talk.
However, as soon as Shizune entered the room, she hid by the window, peeking at Shishou.
After Shizune left, Shishou looked at Tsunade, and Tsunade looked back at him, neither knowing what to say for a moment.
"I want to become as strong as you. What should I do?" Tsunade finally asked after a long silence.
Seeing Shishou's strength, it was impossible not to want to be as strong as him.
"Tsunade-sama, maybe you should start by learning the Sage Techniques of the Shikkotsu Forest."
"If you master Sage Techniques, your strength should improve significantly."
Shishou thought for a moment and suggested that Tsunade learn Sage Techniques first.
"How is your Sage Technique training going?" Tsunade suddenly remembered something and asked.
"Well, this might sound a bit boastful," Shishou smiled lightly, "but the leader of the Akatsuki didn't make me use all my trump cards."
Shishou sat beside Tsunade, looking at the white clouds in the sky.
In the battle against Nagato, he didn't even use the Sage Chakra in his body, nor did he use Susanoo. If Nagato later decided to go back on his word, Shishou was prepared to use Susanoo along with his other powers to deal with the Gedo Statue and personally kill Nagato.
"Tch, boasting," Tsunade scoffed, but she believed him for the most part. Her admiration for Shishou's strength grew.
Shishou then explained the purpose of his visit to Tsunade.
Just like with Mei Terumi, he came to Tsunade to ensure that Konoha would withdraw from the joint investigation of the Akatsuki. He didn't want to push the Akatsuki too far, making them desperate.
With Yugito Nii and her friends, Kumogakure would definitely withdraw. Adding Kiri and Konoha to that, the joint investigation would basically be a failure.
Realizing this, Shishou suddenly felt a bit astonished. He hadn't expected that he could indirectly influence the decisions of Konoha, Kirigakure, and Kumogakure. And it had only been about two years since he got the Bug Swarm System...
"Alright, I understand," Tsunade nodded, "I'll convince the old man to withdraw from the investigation. The Akatsuki leader's power is too great, and going against him recklessly would bring immense losses to Konoha."
Tsunade was relieved to hear Shishou's intentions. The Akatsuki leader's power was terrifying, and she didn't want to confront him now. With Shishou watching over the Akatsuki, Tsunade felt at ease, knowing that they wouldn't cause too much trouble.
"But with the matter of Wood Release, the Third Hokage might not give up so easily. What's your plan?" Shishou asked, curious about Tsunade's strategy.
"Hmph!" Tsunade crossed her arms and said proudly, "Then he can step down."
As the granddaughter of Hashirama Senju, with strong abilities and top-notch medical skills, Tsunade was well-respected in Konoha. If she wanted to become Hokage, except for Danzo, almost the entire village would support her, and even Hiruzen might agree.
This woman is really impressive.
Shishou glanced at Tsunade's proud expression and gave her a thumbs-up, "You're amazing, ready to take the Third Hokage's position at any moment."
Tsunade smirked proudly, "Of course!"
...
Shishou's Secret Underground Base.
After leaving Tsunade's house, Shishou went to his base.
Konan was still being held there, and he needed to check on her.
"Is this White Zetsu something you created?" Konan asked, looking at the White Zetsu sealed in a container as Shishou approached.
After Shishou left her there, she had been wandering around, observing the laboratory.
However, she didn't touch anything, afraid of angering Shishou. And with his female assistant around, Konan couldn't get close to anything important.
"Yes," Shishou nodded.
"What do you plan to do with me?" Konan asked calmly.
"I want you to deliver a letter to Nagato, asking him to keep the Akatsuki members in check. I will fulfill my promise to have the Five Great Shinobi Villages cancel the joint investigation on Akatsuki."
"For the next two years, I don't want to hear any news about Akatsuki causing trouble."
Shishou handed a letter to Konan.
After checking the letter for anything suspicious, Konan nodded, "I understand. I will deliver it to him personally."
"Since that's the case, I'll take you out of here," Shishou said, placing his hand on Konan's shoulder and teleporting them to Amegakure.
"Can I stay here for a few days?" Konan asked after a long silence, her eyes pleading. "I'm worried about Nagato's health."
"I'll give you a month. I'll come to pick you up this time next month," Shishou said, then teleported away.
He didn't want to pressure Konan too much since she would be staying by his side in the future.
Watching Shishou disappear, Konan whispered, "Thank you."
Given his overwhelming strength, if he hadn't agreed, Konan wouldn't have had any means to convince him.
Konan then went to the tower in Amegakure, where she found Nagato standing by the window.
Nagato had regained his youthful appearance, having modified his legs, so he no longer needed the Six Paths of Pain.
"Nagato, this is a letter from the Flying Thunder God user," Konan said, handing over the letter.
Nagato remained silent. After a long pause, he finally spoke softly, "I'm sorry."