"Finally, we're back!" Naruto cheered, visibly energized. "Konoha is definitely where I belong."
Despite the swift completion of their mission, it had taken Team 7 nearly a week to travel to and from the Land of Waves. Most of that time had been spent escorting Tazuna to his home.
Naruto had been excited at first, but after a while, he grew tired of being away and missed Konoha.
Sasuke gave a small nod in agreement. He, too, felt a sense of relief being back home. The warmth of his house, and more importantly, his mother's cooking, were sorely missed.
During the mission, Kakashi's insistence on practicality and safety had them eating mostly cold meals like rice balls.
"Team 7 will have two days off. Take this time to rest properly," Kakashi said with a gentle smile, understanding their sentiments.
"Thanks, Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto grinned, clearly looking forward to the break.
"You're dismissed." Kakashi waved them off. "I'll head to the Hokage's office to report on the mission."
"I'll go with you," Shinho said calmly, stepping forward.
"Should I come too?" Naruto hesitated, looking between them.
"What would you even do there?" Shinho chuckled, adding, "I'm going to see my teacher."
"Oh, right!" Naruto remembered, feeling a bit envious. Shinho's teacher was the Hokage, after all.
But Naruto quickly shook it off. He had his own amazing sensei. After witnessing Zabuza's power firsthand, his admiration for both Might Dai and Might Guy had skyrocketed.
In his simple comparison, he believed that opening the Eight Gates could easily rival a Kage's strength.
"Catch you later, Shinho!" Naruto waved before sprinting off. He was headed toward Guy-sensei's place, eager to see if he was home.
Sasuke, on the other hand, hesitated for a moment, glancing at Shinho as if wanting to say something. Ultimately, he remained silent.
His mother, Mikoto, had suggested that he improve his relationship with Shinho, but Sasuke found it difficult to approach Shinho. He decided it was better to leave that task to her.
At the Hokage Tower, Kakashi entered first to handle the official mission report, starting with the task registration process. Meanwhile, Shinho headed straight to the Hokage's office.
Upon opening the door, he was greeted by an unexpected yet expected sight—Tsunade lounging in her chair with her legs propped up on the desk. Her head leaned back, eyes closed, creating a posture that highlighted the curve of her neck and her notably pale, elegant figure.
"Who's there?" Tsunade stirred, blinking awake. Instinctively, she dropped her legs from the desk and straightened up. When she realized it was Shinho, she scowled at him.
"You little brat!" she grumbled before casually throwing her legs back onto the desk, wiggling her toes slightly.
"Sensei," Shinho greeted her, stepping forward. "If someone else saw you like this, your reputation as Hokage would be ruined."
"Well, maybe if you knocked, this wouldn't happen!" Tsunade snapped playfully and kicked her foot toward him.
"Come on, Sensei, isn't that a bit much?" Shinho easily dodged her playful kick with a slight step back.
Guess you only realize how short your legs are when it matters, Shinho thought, smirking internally.
Despite Tsunade's perfect proportions, there was no denying that her height was a limitation—but it added a certain charm.
"You should have stayed away a little longer, you little rascal! You came back just to annoy me!" Tsunade huffed, clenching her fist in mock frustration.
"Come on, Sensei, I did something great this time," Shinho replied with a smirk. "Is this how Konoha's Hokage treats its heroes?"
Tsunade couldn't help but roll her eyes at his cheeky tone. As much as she wanted to stay annoyed, she couldn't. He had, after all, accomplished something significant.
She had received word from the ANBU the day after Team 7's mission was completed. They had seized enough wealth from Geto to clear her debts entirely—a dream she had almost given up on.
Of course, actually paying off the debts? Not happening anytime soon. In her mind, those lenders could wait.
They only gave her loans because of her status and medical expertise, and by keeping those debts, she essentially maintained leverage for future favors.
But it wasn't just Geto's fortune that was beneficial. The tolls and fees from the new bridge would provide Konoha with a steady income for years to come.
"Alright, I'll give you that, And I've always made clear distinction between rewards and punishments," Tsunade admitted, unclenching her fists and returning to her usual demeanor. "So, what do you want as a reward?"
"Anything?" Shinho asked, a little curious.
"Of course not," Tsunade scoffed. "No money."
You really are obsessed with money, Shinho thought with a raised eyebrow. Wasn't Geto's fortune enough to settle your debts? How much do you owe, anyway?
"What about the money I lent you before?" Shinho teased. "When are you going to pay that back?"
"I'll pay it back when I feel like it." Tsunade crossed her arms and smirked. You think I'll ever pay you back? I'll keep eating your food for life!
"Alright then, I'd like a full day in the Ninjutsu Scroll Archive," Shinho replied casually.
"The Ninjutsu Scroll Archive? What are you looking to learn?" Tsunade asked, raising an eyebrow as she swung her legs idly.
"I'm not looking for anything specific. I just want to browse and see what's there."
Tsunade considered his request for a moment. "You don't need to waste your reward on that. I could teach you anything you want, you know."
"I don't have anything particular in mind, and it's not like I'm lacking in anything. Besides, with all those scrolls, I might find something that catches my interest."
"You could save your reward for later," Tsunade suggested, though she knew she'd probably grant him the favor regardless of his reward.
"No need," Shinho declined. "I've been wanting to check out those scrolls anyway."
Tsunade sighed. "Fine. It's your reward, after all."
After a moment, Tsunade's expression became serious. "There's something I need your advice on."
"Oh?" Shinho tilted his head, curious.
"The Hidden Mist Village wants to negotiate for Zabuza and Haku's return," Tsunade said, rubbing her forehead as if trying to stave off a headache.
"Negotiate?" Shinho asked, intrigued.
"I can guess what Mei Terumi's thinking," Tsunade explained. "She believes she can control those two rogue ninjas to strengthen Kirigakure."
Shinho suddenly recalled how, in the original timeline, people from Kirigakure like Chojuro spoke highly of Zabuza. Many of them respected him for opposing the brutal policies of the Fourth Mizukage. In a way, they saw Zabuza as a hero who stood against tyranny.
Given Kirigakure's current state, being short on capable shinobi, the return of Zabuza and Haku could help alleviate that shortage—especially someone like Haku.
He's got Ice Release.
Bloodline limits like Ice Release can be passed down through generations. This is precisely why, in the original story, the Hidden Cloud Village repeatedly kidnapped Uzumaki Kushina and Hyūga Hinata, seeking their bloodlines.
If the Hidden Mist acquired Haku, they could use him to establish a lineage of Ice Release users, strengthening their village significantly.
"So, Sensei, is the issue with the terms they've offered?" Shinho asked, pulling himself back from his thoughts.
"It's quite the opposite," Tsunade replied. "The terms they offered are actually quite good. There are two major benefits for Konoha: a bounty of forty million ryo and an alliance with the Hidden Mist."
"Then, are you worried about letting a tiger return to the mountain?" Shinho asked with a grin.
"Exactly," Tsunade nodded. "Both Zabuza and Haku are quite strong."
"How do you view the overall strength of the Hidden Mist Village right now?" Shinho shifted the conversation slightly.
Tsunade pondered for a moment. "They're not in great shape. I'd say they're the weakest of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, at the moment."
Years of bloody purges under the leadership of two successive Mizukage left the Hidden Mist Village in tatters. Their bloodline limit clans were decimated, and countless ordinary shinobi were sacrificed in the hunts against them.
For a village, its most valuable asset is its shinobi. And while ordinary ninjas are important, bloodline limit users tend to be stronger.
In short, the Hidden Mist Village is at its weakest point right now.
"And do you believe Zabuza and Haku can make a meaningful difference in that?"
Tsunade paused in thought. "Not for at least another twenty years."
"Exactly, Sensei!" Shinho gave her a thumbs-up.
In fact, that's exactly what would happen.
By the later stages of the original timeline, the Hidden Mist Village was in such a dire state that only Chōjūrō could maintain its reputation—though he was often considered the weakest Mizukage.
Besides the Hidden Mist, similar fates befell the Hidden Stone and Hidden Cloud.
The Fourth Tsuchikage, Kurotsuchi, relied heavily on Onoki even in times of crisis. And Darui, the Fifth Raikage, was regarded as the weakest Raikage.
"What are you talking about, exactly?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow, though a smile lingered on her lips. "Why do I get the feeling you're speaking a bit oddly?"
"Not at all! I'm being completely serious," Shinho quickly cleared his throat, changing the topic. "I think we should add one more condition to their offer."
"Oh?" Tsunade's curiosity was piqued. "What condition?"
"The Byakugan."
Tsunade's eyes lit up.
"Ooh, Now that's a good condition."
The Byakugan, due to the Caged Bird Seal placed on branch family members, rarely leaked outside the village.
However, there were exceptions. In the Third Great Shinobi War, the Hidden Mist's jōnin, Ao, managed to steal a Byakugan and implant it in his right eye, earning the title "Byakugan Hunter."
This incident was a stain on Konoha and the Hyūga clan's honor. The village had even placed a bounty on Ao, with hopes of retrieving the Byakugan.
If they could retrieve it now, it would erase the stain on their reputation. At the same time, it would weaken the Hidden Mist and solidify the Hyūga clan's loyalty to Konoha.
"Alright, let's proceed with your suggestion," Tsunade stretched lazily. "Talking things over with you always seems to solve most of my problems."
"It's all thanks to your wisdom, Sensei," Shinho replied humbly, although his suggested he was anything but humble.
"Don't get too smug," Tsunade gave him a sideways glance. "Now, make me something to eat."
"What do you want to eat?" Shinho asked casually, already used to this routine.
"Something simple."
After a moment's thought, Shinho suggested, "How about rice balls?"
He'd just gotten back from a mission and wasn't in the mood for anything too elaborate.
"I want them warm," Tsunade added.
Nodding, Shinho didn't even bother heading home. Instead, he made use of the Hokage Tower's kitchen.
A knock on the door echoed in the office.
"Come in," Tsunade called, quickly shifting her posture and putting on her shoes. Sitting up straight, she once again exuded the commanding presence of the Hokage.
Kakashi entered, handing her a scroll. "This is the mission report, Hokage-sama."
Tsunade opened the scroll and skimmed it. It mostly matched the intel she'd already received from ANBU, though it provided more detailed descriptions of Team 7's battles.
As she read Shinho's contributions, a faint smile crossed her lips. There was no denying he had played a critical role in this mission.
"You all did well," Tsunade said as she closed the scroll. "I'll treat this as an A-rank mission. You can go claim your reward."
"Understood, Hokage-sama," Kakashi nodded and swiftly left.
This mission, from start to finish, had been orchestrated behind the scenes. He had merely been the executor, with Tsunade knowing all the details beforehand.
A short while later, the door opened again, and Shinho entered with a tray of freshly made rice balls.
Before he could say anything, Tsunade had already picked one up and taken a big bite. As her teeth sank into the soft rice, the juicy, flavorful chicken filling burst onto her tongue.
"Chicken, huh?" Tsunade noted with satisfaction as she chewed.
"Yep," Shinho replied, swallowing hard as he watched her eat.
The way the meat juice glistened on her lips made the food look even more appetizing.
"Aren't you going to eat?" Tsunade asked, already reaching for her second rice ball.
"Sure," Shinho snapped out of his trance and joined in.
Before long, the plate was empty.
"Ah, that hit the spot," Tsunade sighed contentedly, leaning back in her chair and rubbing her stomach, looking completely relaxed.
"Are you full?" Shinho glanced at her stomach, which looked no different than usual.
"More or less," Tsunade waved her hand dismissively. "That'll do for now."
Such a shame, Shinho thought. As a chef, it felt like a failure not to see her stuffed to the brim.
"Sensei, I'm heading to the Ninjutsu Archive now," Shinho reminded her, returning to the matter at hand.
"Antelope!" Tsunade called out loudly.
Within moments, the door opened, and a female ANBU member wearing an antelope mask appeared.
"Escort him to the Ninjutsu Scroll Archive," Tsunade ordered, waving her hand.
"Yes," Antelope replied calmly. "Please follow me."
As they reached the doorway, Shinho glanced back. Tsunade had already shut her eyes again, her legs once more resting on the desk.
You're really slacking off, Shinho mused, closing the door behind him as he followed Antelope down the hall.
Soon, they arrived at the Ninjutsu Scroll Archive. The first thing Shinho noticed was the imposing presence of the Scroll of Seals placed prominently in the center.
He walked over and opened the scroll, curious. Antelope remained by the door, unfazed by his actions. Given Shinho's position, she wasn't concerned unless he did something extreme.
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