Tsunade was momentarily stunned by Shūichi Hoshita's words. She then took a closer look at the little boy in front of her.
Yes, after all, he was just a kid, not even six years old.
His mature thinking and way of speaking almost made her overlook his age and identity.
Interesting!
Tsunade smiled and then stood up. "In that case, let's go!"
"Thank you, Lady Tsunade!"
Shūichi quickly expressed his gratitude, quietly letting out a sigh of relief.
When he had first sought a solution, his initial thought was to find Kakashi and seek help through Sakumo Hatake.
But he quickly dismissed the idea.
The name of Konoha's White Fang was very prominent, and his strength was formidable, even surpassing that of the Sannin.
In Konoha, he was subtly considered the strongest after the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
However, after analyzing the situation more thoroughly, Shūichi realized that in terms of influence, Sakumo Hatake couldn't compare to Tsunade.
He had also considered asking for help from Tenka, the sister at the Tenka's shop, but he quickly ruled that out as well.
Without a doubt, Tsunade was the best choice, followed by Sakumo Hatake, then Tenka.
Lastly, he could consider seeking help from his academy sensei, Kazuya Kimura.
Or he could just stake out the Hokage's office and intercept visitors.
Now that Tsunade was stepping in, the situation carried much more weight.
Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi's judgment were clouded by Danzo, he would still have to give face to his disciple, Tsunade.
This was the best strategy Shūichi could devise with his current abilities and connections.
When strength isn't enough, one must rely on their network.
Shūichi gave Shizune a reassuring look, and the three of them headed out together.
"Kid, a word of caution."
Tsunade suddenly stopped and said, "Even if you go tattle, it won't affect Danzo. In fact, it might make him see you as an enemy."
Shūichi nodded. "Don't worry, Lady Tsunade, I understand that."
Danzo was the second most powerful figure in Konoha, a former comrade and close aide to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
There was no one in Konoha more suitable than Danzo to handle the tasks that the Hokage couldn't be directly involved in.
This was a matter of practical interests.
And even considering what Danzo had done, it was still far from enough to bring him down.
Reporting him now would only serve to annoy Danzo.
Shūichi had already taken all this into account, but he remained undeterred and continued, "He can't do anything to me while I'm in the Ninja Academy, but once I leave for missions, he'll have a thousand ways to deal with me."
"As long as there's no evidence, who could say anything?"
Tsunade remained silent, then nodded. "As long as you understand."
She resumed walking, and the three of them made their way toward the Hokage's office.
Shūichi spoke up, "Lady Tsunade, could you request that the Third Hokage bring Director Nonō Yakushi back?"
"The director possesses unparalleled medical ninjutsu. Forcing a medical ninja to gather intelligence is the greatest disrespect to their skills."
Tsunade glanced at Shūichi and said, "You're absolutely right."
Shūichi looked around cautiously and reminded her, "Lady Tsunade, the Root shinobi might still be monitoring me. Meeting the Third Hokage as quickly as possible is the best course of action."
Tsunade paused for a moment, then grumbled, "Got it!"
In the next instant, Shūichi felt the wind whipping against his face, his features distorting.
Tsunade had grabbed him by the back of his collar, lifting him with one hand while holding Shizune with the other. With a powerful leap, she sped toward the Hokage's office.
Women really are petty!
Shūichi thought to himself, but he was deeply grateful to Tsunade.
...
Tsunade landed outside the Hokage's office, letting go of Shūichi and Shizune.
Feeling solid ground under his feet, Shūichi quickly tidied up his hair and rubbed his face, which had grown stiff from the wind.
The reason he had taken the time to shower and eat before coming out was not only to think of a solution but also because he didn't want to meet Hiruzen Sarutobi looking pitiful.
Since Danzo had targeted him for his talent, he needed to present himself to Hiruzen as a genius, ensuring the Third Hokage would take him seriously.
"Smart kid," Tsunade muttered to herself, then turned to Shizune. "Shizune, you wait here."
Shizune nodded obediently. "Yes, Lady Tsunade."
Shūichi flashed Shizune a warm smile and nodded before following Tsunade into the Hokage's office.
At the same time, in the Root base, Danzo had just received the news.
He was stunned, his expression darkening.
What a wicked and cunning little brat!
Danzo stood up and walked out. He wasn't afraid of Shūichi's complaints, but he couldn't allow such a cunning child to spout nonsense unchecked.
…
In the Hokage's office, Tsunade didn't bother knocking and walked right in with Shūichi, which didn't surprise Hiruzen Sarutobi at all—he was used to it by now.
As soon as Tsunade had arrived downstairs, an Anbu ninja had reported her presence to Hiruzen.
Given his keen observation, it wasn't difficult for him to deduce that Tsunade was here because of Shūichi. After all, Shizune hadn't come upstairs.
"Old man, this kid wants to see you," Tsunade said, not bothering to explain further, and then stood aside to watch.
Shūichi quickly bowed in greeting. "Lord Third Hokage!"
"Shūichi!" Hiruzen greeted him warmly. "It's late. Is there something important you need to discuss?"
Shūichi straightened up and said, "Just now, Lord Danzo tried to recruit me into the Root."
Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe, exhaling smoke that partially obscured his face. "I see."
"As the head of the Root, Danzo does have the authority to recruit, but he still needs my approval."
Shūichi quickly continued, "Lord Third Hokage, that's exactly what I told Lord Danzo."
"If you issue an order, as a student of the Ninja Academy, I should naturally follow the command of the Hokage and the principal of the academy."
Hiruzen smiled lightly. "That's true."
Shūichi's tone suddenly turned indignant. "But, Lord Third Hokage, Lord Danzo threatened me."
"He blatantly violated Konoha's Will of Fire by using the orphanage and Director Nonō Yakushi to intimidate me."
Tsunade, listening from the side, was stunned.
He hadn't mentioned the Will of Fire earlier when talking to her.
This kid really knows how to tailor his words to his audience!
Tsunade couldn't help but grit her teeth in secret.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen took another two puffs from his pipe. He knew Danzo well enough to realize that these were indeed tactics Danzo would use.
However, before he could respond, Shūichi, even more agitated, continued as if his words were burning on his tongue. "Lord Third Hokage, you taught us at the academy that as Konoha's ninjas, the inheritors of the Will of Fire, we must have the determination to protect our comrades and the village."
"But isn't the orphanage part of Konoha?"
"Isn't Director Nonō Yakushi part of Konoha?"
"As the Hokage's advisor, Lord Danzo threatened me using my comrades. This is a betrayal of the Will of Fire, a shameful betrayal of you, Lord Third Hokage!"
"As the Hokage's advisor, Lord Danzo even tried to overstep your authority by taking me away and making me betray you, Lord Third Hokage."
Tsunade was left speechless.
She had underestimated this kid.
As for Hiruzen, he was caught between anger at Danzo's actions and surprise and pride in Shūichi's words.
For a moment, he was overwhelmed with mixed emotions and didn't know how to console Shūichi.
The hidden Anbu members were also stunned, feeling a chill run down their spines.
This kid is too persuasive!
They even started to get the impression that Hokage's advisor Danzo might actually be planning to betray Konoha.
However, as Danzo, who had just reached the door, overheard these words, he was furious and immediately barged in.
"You wicked and cunning little brat!"
(End of Chapter)
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