On her way back to the Senju compound, Kushina could still feel her legs wobbling slightly. She tiptoed carefully through the house, making sure no one was around to see her.
However, just as she reached the stairs to her room on the second floor, a nearby door creaked open. Tsunade, clearly just waking up, stepped out of her room. She yawned, rubbing her eyes, before glancing at Kushina.
"Oh, it's just you, Kushina. You finally came back," Tsunade said, her voice still groggy. "I thought you were going to move in with him permanently at this rate."
Kushina blushed and retorted, "How could it happen so quickly?"
But Tsunade gave her a knowing, almost contemptuous look. Kushina's current state couldn't fool her, a master of medical observation.
Her rosy complexion, coupled with a faint trace of fatigue, made it all too obvious what she'd been doing the night before.
"Anyway, just take care of yourself," Tsunade said, waving her hand dismissively. "You're at the age where having a baby isn't out of the question."
She yawned as she spoke, clearly exhausted herself. Last night, she'd stayed out late gambling at the casino, then treated herself to a big meal afterward.
Rest had been minimal at best. It was a rare chance to return from the battlefield, so she intended to sleep well during the day.
Once she woke up at night, she planned to return to the casino to win back the money she lost yesterday.
The responsibilities at Konoha Hospital didn't bother her; with Nono managing things, Tsunade could afford to relax.
"Miss Tsunade, stop spouting nonsense! I'm going to rest!" Kushina exclaimed, flustered.
Although she had indeed experienced that kind of thing, she was too embarrassed to discuss it openly.
Denying it outright, she turned and hurried upstairs. However, her legs were still a little weak, and she nearly stumbled on the stairs.
Watching her, Tsunade shook her head with a sigh. "How long did it take for this to happen?" she muttered to herself. Still, it wasn't her business—it was Kushina's personal life.
However, Tsunade couldn't help but think about the practical benefits of this relationship. If Kushina and Kain were so close, it might make repaying her debts and funding her research projects a little easier.
Taking a sip of beer, Tsunade thought to herself that she could gamble a bit more recklessly for the time being. If debt collectors came knocking, Kushina could intercede on her behalf.
After Kushina left, Kain went to meet Orochimaru to discuss the upcoming selection of the Fourth Hokage.
With the daimyo's support, Orochimaru's fame, military accomplishments, and the fact that Nawaki wasn't competing with his mentor, combined with Kushina's backing, Orochimaru was now only one step away from becoming Hokage.
" Kain-san, although everything seems to be falling into place, there are still two issues to address," Orochimaru said in his hoarse voice. "The lack of support from a prestigious ninja, and what to do if a war breaks out during the Hokage election."
Hearing this, Kain immediately understood. "You mean Sarutobi Hiruzen might send you away at a critical time to prevent you from securing the position? But it has to be you, Tsunade, Jiraiya, or Nawaki. Those would be the most suitable options."
Orochimaru let out a low chuckle and said, "That's true, but neither Tsunade nor Jiraiya would likely push back too hard against our teacher, Sarutobi-sensei. As for Nawaki, his lack of command experience could be used to disqualify him. It's entirely possible that both he and I might be sent away."
"That's a valid concern," Kain replied thoughtfully. "But... the two you just mentioned might actually be the same person."
He paused, an idea forming in his mind.
"Yes," Orochimaru said, his smile widening slightly. "If Uchiha Fugaku were willing to lend his support, it could resolve the problem entirely. However, the Uchiha clan seems to have its own ambitions for the position of Fourth Hokage. With their contributions to the village guard, it's hard to overlook the influence and power of their clan."
Orochimaru chuckled, his expression calm yet calculating. He remarked that the Uchiha clan seemed a little unclear about their position in the village.
"Compared to the Uchiha clan, it might be better to persuade the Hyuga clan," he mused. "But the Hyuga have too many entrenched interests. If you approach them, they might simply find a way to sideline you instead. That clan has an almost instinctive tendency to seek good fortune and avoid danger. Their greatest ambition seems to be guarding the Caged Bird seal and ensuring its legacy continues for another thousand years."
He paused before adding, "The Uchiha clan, however, is much stronger. With their Sharingan—when the Three-Tomoe is awakened—they are practically elite ninja at the Jōnin level. Their reputation as 'one-on-one, one must escape' is well-earned in the ninja world."
Orochimaru's tone darkened slightly as he continued, "But the position of Hokage is not something they can touch—especially not with mere battlefield prestige. That alone isn't enough to claim such power."
Kain interjected, "Are you asking me to help negotiate with them? Isn't it risky? Sarutobi Hiruzen might already suspect our connection, which would make them cautious and suspicious of any approach I make."
Orochimaru smirked slightly, unbothered by the potential risks. "It might make him suspicious, yes—but it will also unsettle him. Sarutobi has never been particularly friendly toward the Uchiha clan, and that distrust is mutual. But I am different. I understand what Uchiha Fugaku truly wants. If nothing unexpected happens, he'll agree to our request."
He sounded confident. Orochimaru believed that while the Uchiha family as a whole might harbor ambitions for the Hokage seat, Uchiha Fugaku himself was a different matter.
The clan's new patriarch might say all the right things, but he lacked the daring necessary to truly seize such power.
"And besides," Orochimaru added, "I have little personal contact with Uchiha Fugaku. If I approach them directly, it would only draw more attention. You, however, have visited the Uchiha clan before. It will be less conspicuous for you to go in my place. So I'm asking you to take care of this."
Kain sighed, knowing the task wasn't simple. "Alright," he relented. "Who asked me to be your ally, anyway?"
He glanced at Orochimaru. "But I'm not guaranteeing success. I'll do my best to persuade them. That said, if the Uchiha clan is to support you, they'll likely ask for something in return—like Anbu quotas or other concessions."
"There's no problem with that," Orochimaru replied with a sly smile. "You can make the decision for me. I have little interest in controlling the village's existing scraps of power. Becoming Hokage is merely a means to further my research into the unknown. As long as the Uchiha don't rebel, I don't mind giving them an Anbu team or two."
Kain nodded, though he knew the Uchiha were not so easily satisfied. Regardless, he would try to sway Fugaku to Orochimaru's side.
….
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