Inn.
A group of people sat together, enjoying some famous local dishes from Shorcelebrated District. Tsunade and Jiraiya were drinking sake, already showing signs of slight intoxication. Deep down, Kyohiko felt uneasy.
Because ever since the meal started, Tsunade had occasionally been glancing his way.
Was she just looking for an excuse to get something out of him?
He genuinely cared about Shizune's well-being!
Kyohiko kept his head down, focused on his food.
Jiraiya asked, "Tsunade, what time are we leaving tomorrow?"
"When did I say I was going back?"
Tsunade kept her head down. "Tomorrow, you take Shizune back for me."
Kyohiko, sitting next to her, wanted to stir things up but knew this wasn't the right time to speak.
Jiraiya, Shizune.
Come on, you two, step up!
"Tsunade-sama, I won't leave! Your health…"
Shizune stood up in a panic.
She understood.
Though Tsunade was strong, she had hemophobia. If anyone truly wanted to capture her, all they'd need to do was spill blood to make her freeze. How could she be at ease?
Jiraiya said, "Tsunade, you know your condition. Are you really willing to take this risk?"
Kakashi and Kurenai exchanged confused glances.
Tsunade-sama...
What was really going on?
They were curious but hesitated to ask.
Tsunade sneered and said, "A hemophobic medical ninja, what use would I be if I returned?"
What?
Kakashi and Kurenai were immediately shocked. Hemophobia!!
No wonder Tsunade-sama left Konoha!
Once afflicted with this condition, it essentially meant the end of a ninja's career.
Especially for a medical ninja.
Treating injuries, seeing blood—it was unavoidable in her profession. With this condition, she could no longer perform surgeries.
And Tsunade was the pride of Konoha's medical ninjas…
Kyohiko was slightly surprised as well.
Tsunade had let her guard down.
What he hadn't expected—
Tsunade didn't wait for Jiraiya's reply and looked directly at Kyohiko.
"Kid, you had a lot to say earlier. So tell me, what use would I be if I went back?"
Tsunade's gaze was dark.
Kyohiko froze for a moment, then felt delighted and immediately gathered his thoughts.
This was his chance!
"I don't know much about medical ninjutsu or hemophobia, but I know that a ninja like you—with your experience, skills, and reputation—is immensely valuable. Take Shizune, for example. Under your guidance, her medical skills have continued to improve, haven't they?"
Shizune nodded repeatedly.
Tsunade, however, remained silent, quietly sipping another glass of sake.
"If being a teacher isn't your goal, then why not try becoming Hokage? You could address unsatisfactory policies and make changes as Hokage."
Kyohiko's face was serious. "Konoha's strong medical ninja system has saved so many lives, and your reputation is more than enough to become Hokage."
"Kyohiko!"
Jiraiya seemed alarmed.
This kid was saying the most daring things.
This was Tsunade's most sensitive topic!
Tsunade let out a cold laugh.
"Kid, Hokage… what do you know?"
"I may be young, and I may not know everything, but I'll aim to become Hokage so that I can accomplish the things I want to achieve."
Kyohiko's young face bore a look of maturity and sincerity.
Kakashi and Kurenai stared, not blinking.
Kyohiko's thoughts and words felt like those of a peer of Jiraiya and Tsunade, not someone their own age.
Besides—
How brave!
Who would dare to say such things?
This was Tsunade!
Even Tsunade was taken aback.
She began to understand what Jiraiya meant by "his thoughts and perspective."
This kid's mindset was on another level, as if he were seeing things from a higher plane.
Looking at Kyohiko, she could vaguely see shadows of two others.
Tsunade paused.
Kyohiko resumed eating, seemingly unaware that he was the center of attention.
He ate calmly.
Jiraiya drank his sake, but his eyes never left Tsunade.
He was worried Tsunade would slam the table!
Or maybe even smash it.
But—
Tsunade only smiled; though it was a bit intimidating, she… ultimately didn't act.
"You're not satisfied with the village?"
"Not satisfied!"
Kyohiko put down his bowl and chopsticks.
He said seriously, "We all lost loved ones in the war, so why should we be satisfied with the current state of the village? I want to become Hokage to end war!"
Jiraiya's eyelid twitched.
This kid had the nerve to dance on a landmine.
Tsunade leaned her head on her hand, looking sideways at Kyohiko with a calm expression.
"Ending war? It's not that easy."
"If we never try, we'll never know. Just giving up doesn't feel right to me."
Kyohiko gathered his dishes.
After delivering his thoughts, he quickly decided to make his escape!
He stood up and bowed.
"Excuse me, I'm off to train."
Kakashi also finished quickly, nodding in agreement, and hurriedly left.
The atmosphere was too heavy!
Training was better.
Tsunade leaned back, looking at Shizune and Kurenai with a calm tone.
"Aren't you going to train?"
"I… I'm full!"
Kurenai's face turned pale with fear, putting down her bowl and chopsticks, bowing, and quickly exiting.
Shizune was still a bit worried.
At this moment, Tsunade's presence was intimidating, but—
She was more worried that Tsunade might leave without her noticing.
Tsunade was capable of that.
Shizune hesitated for a moment and then said, "I'll go outside."
Inside, only Jiraiya and Tsunade remained.
They drank sake in silence.
After a few seconds, Tsunade snorted, downed her cup, and was about to pour another.
Jiraiya stopped her.
"No more drinking."
"What, I can't drink now?"
Tsunade shot him a look, then quietly finished the next cup, but didn't pour another.
After a long pause, she set the bottle down.
"Let's go."
"Where?"
"To the rooftop, for some fresh air."
Tsunade waved her hand.
They both went to the rooftop.
From there, they could see Kyohiko, Kakashi, and the others training below.
"Hokage, what's so great about that position?"
Jiraiya couldn't answer.
Because he wasn't very interested in the position of Hokage either; otherwise, his name would definitely be among the next Hokage candidates.
Tsunade looked into the distance.
"Your student scolded me like that, and you don't feel the need to do something? Like standing guard and changing the minds of those old folks in the village?"
"Uh… If I became Hokage, I'd be the problem you all are trying to solve."
Jiraiya's face flushed.
Tsunade played with her sake bottle, her eyes flashing coldly. "I'll return to find out who sent these people. Let's investigate first."
"If it's safe, I won't stop you from leaving," Jiraiya said.
Tsunade looked down, not responding directly.
Below—
They were all training with intense focus.
"We'll see."
[You have successfully persuaded a wandering Kage-level ninja (partial) and an elite genin to return to the village.]
[Successful recruitment of talent is key to the village's strength. Hokage, keep up the good work.]
[Reward: Super Strength (Beginner Level)]
Whoa!
It actually worked!
Kyohiko felt the super strength skill take hold and began understanding it.
At the beginner level, it only included the basic techniques and knowledge; advancing further would require self-study and training, as this technique demanded strong chakra control.
For a beginner in super strength, it was up to him to manage it.
Which meant—
Using it carried some risk?
Wait!
This reward felt off. Tsunade's return should grant more than just beginner super strength!
Kyohiko scanned the description.
"Temporary," "Partial."
The problem lay with those terms.
Alright then.
Kyohiko had no other choice but to comfort himself—
Why ask for more?
Just learning the super strength technique was already pretty good!
He could practice it gradually. And maybe with time, he'd find ways to get more rewards from Tsunade, improving his skills until he reached proficiency or even higher.