The next day.
It was rare for Tōshirō to get a day off from training, so he took the opportunity to sleep in late. After having a simple breakfast, he went for a stroll in the village and happened to see a familiar figure approaching him.
It was Tsunade, and her face was filled with sadness and worry, indicating that she wasn't in a good mood.
Tōshirō approached her with a playful greeting, saying, "Isn't this Tsunade? Why do you look so sad this early in the morning? If something is bothering you, tell me so I can enjoy it a little."
Tsunade gave him a deep look, her eyes lacking their usual sparkle.
Seriously concerned, Tōshirō suddenly asked, "What happened?"
Tsunade sighed and said, "Do you remember Sarutobi Makihiro from a week ago?"
Who is Sarutobi Makihiro?
Tōshirō couldn't recall right away. He hesitated for a moment before remembering that Makihiro seemed like someone who was destined for a tragic fate.
"What happened to that guy?"
Tsunade replied sorrowfully, "He died..."
Tōshirō expected a mundane reaction to this news, but his shock wasn't because Makihiro had died—it was because it meant one less competitor for Tsunade's affection.
Still feeling something odd, he asked, "Died? How did he die?"
Tsunade, her voice heavy with grief, said, "It seems he stepped on an explosive tag during a mission and was killed. Human life is so fragile; it can end in an instant."
Tōshirō swallowed hard in shock. As Tsunade spoke, he noticed his face had filled with horror, and he was sweating profusely.
Tsunade, surprised, asked, "What's wrong?"
Tōshirō quickly replied, "Nothing, I just suddenly remembered I left a cup of noodles at home."
Tsunade: "???"
Before she could ask more, Tōshirō bolted away, leaving Tsunade in a state of confusion.
Tōshirō rushed to the home of the elderly Itachi, knocking hard on the door. Moments later, the old man answered, irritated, "What are you doing? Didn't I give you the day off?"
Tōshirō shouted, "Itachi-sensei, I've realized I've been too lazy recently, and I want more training!"
Tōshirō was terrified. Tsunade was like a jellyfish; anyone who got close to her faced the same fate. The man who had hinted at bidding farewell to Tsunade a week ago ended up dead.
So now, there was no time to slack off. He needed to train harder.
Itachi: "???"
....
Tsunade was saddened by Sarutobi Makihiro's death for a short time, but she soon moved on. In this era, the line between life and death was a common part of daily life.
Tsunade entered the Hokage's office, sitting in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen. She was still finding it hard to adjust to his new role as the village leader.
She said, "Hiruzen-sensei."
She preferred to call him that rather than "the Third Hokage."
Hiruzen smiled and replied, "Haha, Tsunade, you're getting more beautiful with each passing day. It won't be long before you become an exceptional beauty. If I were ten years younger, I might have fallen in love with you."
Without hesitation, Tsunade responded, "If that were the case, I would have rejected you without a second thought and probably punched you too."
Tsunade knew exactly what kind of person her teacher was, just like Jiraiya, and even Tōshirō—they weren't the type she was attracted to. She preferred polite men who knew how to care for others.
This was the type most girls liked, and Tsunade was no exception. At her age, many of her friends and colleagues had already found partners, which made her feel vaguely melancholic.
Even though she was born into a noble family, in the end, she was just a normal girl.
Why hadn't anyone pursued her yet?
Hmm... Jiraiya didn't really count.
When she thought about the people around her, she realized one was a pervert, another had a persecution complex and also seemed like a pervert, and the third was a quiet, mysterious guy.
What a weird bunch of people!
Tsunade pressed the back of her hand against her forehead and suddenly realized there might be a reason she was still single.
Or perhaps...
Instinctively, Tsunade glanced down at her large chest, and an annoying smirk appeared in her mind.
As Tsunade drifted into her thoughts, Hiruzen chuckled bitterly and said, "Tsunade, you really don't hold back, do you?"
Tsunade snapped back to reality and asked, "Hiruzen-sensei, did you call me here for a mission?"
Hiruzen made a small joke, saying, "Why can't it just be to strengthen the bond between teacher and student?"
Tsunade waved dismissively, annoyed, "Cut it out. Ever since you became Hokage, you've completely forgotten about us."
Hiruzen laughed awkwardly and said, "There's no avoiding it. Konoha is in the middle of reconstruction, and I have many responsibilities."
Tsunade cut in, "Alright, alright, Hiruzen-sensei. Let's get to the mission. I haven't had one in a while since you became Hokage, and I'm starting to rust."
Hiruzen grew serious and said, "In fact, I do have an important mission for you."
Tsunade perked up her ears and listened intently.
Hiruzen explained, "The brother of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire has sent his son to Konoha to learn more about our village. I want you to be in charge of welcoming him."
Tsunade raised her eyebrows in slight confusion and said, "Is that it? I thought it would be something more serious. Sorry, Hiruzen-sensei, you'd better give this task to someone else. It sounds boring."
Hiruzen chuckled, "Don't say that, Tsunade. After all, even after Tobirama-sensei's death, they continued to provide us with generous financial support. This shows their trust in us, so we need to treat them with the highest respect. He's the Daimyo's nephew, and you're the granddaughter of the First Hokage. It wouldn't be proper for anyone else to handle this."
Tsunade sighed, waving her hand. "Fine, fine, I'll go."
Sarutobi warned her, "I've classified this as an A-rank mission, so don't take it lightly. If he's not treated well, he might complain to his father, and that could cause a diplomatic incident."
Tsunade brushed this off as an exaggeration and replied casually, "Yes, yes, my dear Hokage. If there's nothing else, I'll be on my way..."
She turned to leave.
"Close the door behind you as you go," Hiruzen muttered.
Tsunade held a special status—neither could she be scolded nor reprimanded.
Watching her leave, Hiruzen shook his head, feeling a mix of resignation and regret.
In the past, he had planned to encourage many talented young men to connect with Tsunade, especially Sarutobi Makihiro. Things were progressing well, but the accident that led to Makihiro's death ruined all those efforts.
Hiruzen sighed deeply; it was now too late to try again, and the results probably wouldn't be as promising.
So, he decided to try a different approach.
Now, there was another chance: having Tsunade welcome this benefactor's son.
There was no harm in trying, and who knows? If it worked, Konoha could receive unprecedented financial support from the Land of Fire, further solidifying his position as Hokage.
(End of Chapter)
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