Tsunade returned home to find that Nawaki and Kushina were already asleep. They had exhausted themselves practicing swordsmanship throughout the day.
After setting her things aside, she headed to the bath. Stripping off her clothes, she eased herself into the warm water, letting it envelop her body. As she soaked, her mind wandered to the events of the day, particularly her time spent drinking.
Images surfaced: her pulling Kawakaze into her embrace and pressing his face against her bosom, her daring kiss, and the utterly stunned expression on Sakumo's face. The memories made her cheeks flush anew.
Splashing water on her face to cool down only seemed to intensify the heat. She couldn't stop thinking about how Kawakaze had cradled her, how the two of them had fallen asleep together. The mere thought made her blush furiously. Embarrassed, she covered her face with her hands and submerged herself under the water entirely, trying to will the feelings away.
It took a long while for her to compose herself. It was innocent, she reassured herself. Even if it wasn't... Kawakaze is a good man. He'd take responsibility if it came to that.
By the time she left the bath, she was too drained to bother with dinner. The sake still lingered on her breath, its distinct baijiu aroma evident as she exhaled. Crawling into bed, she hugged her quilt tightly, as if to replace the comforting warmth she'd grown used to. It wasn't the same, but it would have to do.
The Next Morning.
The sunlight was faint when Nawaki came knocking at Tsunade's door, asking her to join him for a visit to the Hatake Clan. She declined, citing other pressing matters to handle.
Meanwhile, Kushina was being tutored by Mito in fūinjutsu (sealing techniques). With the Ninja Academy on holiday, Kushina suddenly had ample time to dedicate to her studies.
Left on his own, Nawaki made his way to the Hatake residence. Though Konoha was rife with political tension, no one dared to openly target him—not even ROOT under Danzo's command. After all, Danzo was a disciple of Tobirama Senju.
Kawakaze had been up since early morning, full of energy. Though slightly disappointed that Tsunade wasn't accompanying Nawaki, he didn't let it show. Welcoming Nawaki warmly, he spent the morning teaching him foundational stances and basic kenjutsu techniques. Then, leaving Nawaki to practice, Kawakaze focused on his own training—mastering the Flying Thunder God Slash.
The intricacies of this technique fascinated him. He retrieved the scroll detailing its methods and began studying it intently.
The Flying Thunder God Slash was a lethal combat technique that involved marking the enemy's blind spots with the Flying Thunder God Technique and then using spatial manipulation to deliver a devastating blow. While it bore some resemblance to the Hatake Clan's One-Strike Kill, the two techniques were fundamentally different. The Hatake technique emphasized pure speed, whereas the Flying Thunder God Slash wielded the profound power of space itself.
To master this technique, one had to first learn the foundational Flying Thunder God Technique. Its principles were detailed in the Scroll, and marking a target was relatively straightforward. For Kawakaze, acquiring the necessary tools was the easiest part—he could simply ask Rōtetsu to forge any weapon he desired.
The real challenge lay in mastering the spatial effect. Kawakaze began by studying the Scroll's instructions on marking targets with the technique. With sufficient Chakra control, marking an object wasn't particularly difficult for most skilled practitioners. However, the next step—harnessing the power of space—was where the true complexity began.
Kawakaze raised his hand, and the Eight-Sided Han Sword materialized in his grip. The blade gleamed sharply, its hilt adorned with the two-forked Senju Clan emblem. Without hesitation, he hurled the sword at a distant tree. The blade struck deep, embedding itself with precision.
He closed his eyes, focusing intently on the mark he had inscribed using the Flying Thunder God Technique. Yet, as he reached out with his senses, he could barely feel the faintest connection to the sword. The spatial energy was elusive, far beyond his grasp. At this stage, he couldn't even detect the faintest ripple of space, let alone harness its power to move.
...
Tsunade declined Nawaki's invitation to join him and instead freshened up before heading out to meet her teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage.
When she arrived at the Hokage Building, no one stopped her. As one of Konoha's most prominent figures, she had unrestricted access. She made her way directly to the third floor, where Hiruzen's office was located. Standing before the large, imposing door, she knocked lightly.
Inside, Hiruzen had already sensed her presence. Setting down his pipe, he smiled warmly and called out, "Come in."
Tsunade pushed the door open and entered. Sarutobi Hiruzen was seated behind his desk, which was cluttered with documents. On either side of him stood his trusted advisors, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, both of whom regarded her with curiosity as she stepped inside.
"Sensei, Advisors, good morning," Tsunade greeted politely, her tone steady and respectful. Despite her fiery personality, she held a certain respect for Hiruzen—not just as her teacher but also as a Hokage who carried the legacy of her grandfathers, the First and Second Hokage.
"Tsunade," Hiruzen began with a kind smile. "What brings you here today? Is this about your proposal to assign a Medical-nin to every mission team?"
Tsunade shook her head, skipping any pleasantries. "No, Sensei. I'm here today to request permission to establish a hospital on a large enough plot of land."
Hiruzen's expression shifted slightly. "A hospital? And why do you need such a thing? Besides, you don't have the funds for a project like that."
His brow furrowed as he considered her proposal, his sharp mind already calculating the potential impact. While a hospital could bring benefits to the village, he couldn't ignore the possibility of unforeseen complications. The advisors exchanged a glance, intrigued by Tsunade's unusual suggestion. Known for her gambling habits, this was not a move they had expected from her.
"The Hatake Clan has agreed to partner with me on this," Tsunade explained. "They'll provide the financial support needed. Building this hospital will benefit Konoha in two ways: improving healthcare for villagers and training Medical-nin to better support our shinobi on missions."
Her voice was firm, showing she had thought this through. "It's a win-win for Konoha."
"The Hatake Clan?" Hiruzen murmured, leaning back in his chair. "They've indeed amassed considerable wealth in recent years… but it seems they wish to expand their influence even further."
His frown deepened, reflecting his wariness. After a moment of silence, he spoke. "I can't give you an immediate answer, Tsunade. This is a significant matter that requires discussion with the council. And even if we approve the land for this hospital, you'll need to secure the funds yourself. The land belongs to the villagers, and they'll expect proper compensation."
Tsunade's frustration was evident. "Sensei, this is a decision that will directly benefit the villagers. What's there to discuss?"
Hiruzen sighed, lifting a hand to stop her from continuing. His tone grew heavy, though it retained its elder-like patience. "Tsunade, you don't sit in my position, so you cannot understand the complexities I face. This is not as simple as you make it out to be."
"I can't make any decisions on my own."
Tsunade was silenced by those words. She realized that if she pressed any further, she might cross a line. After all, her Sensei comment was clearly a warning.
"Very well, I will await your reply, Sensei."
Her cheeks flushed red, and without waiting for a response, she turned and left the office. Twice, she cast sharp glances back at the room, irritation bubbling in her chest. Why did such a straightforward matter have to involve so many twists and turns?
"What do you think of Tsunade's proposal?"
Hiruzen directed his question toward his two old comrades.
"I don't see much to it," Mitokado replied dismissively. "The Hatake Clan has deep pockets, sure, but their numbers are too small to be a significant force."
"That's not entirely accurate," Koharu Utatane interjected. "Both Kawakaze Hatake and Sakumo Hatake are outstanding Jōnin. With financial backing and the prestige of running a hospital, they could attract some loyal followers."
She paused, a faint smile crossing her lips. "Still, I don't think this poses any real threat to you, Hiruzen. If anything, it's Danzo who might find it troublesome."
Hiruzen chuckled, puffing on his pipe. "Koharu's assessment seems fair. Let's allocate a plot of land for the project. The revenue from selling it can go toward improving infrastructure for the villagers."
With a satisfied expression, he exhaled a plume of smoke. "This way, we'll be serving the villagers' welfare. It's a win-win for both the Hatake Clan and Konoha."
The three elders quickly came to an agreement and returned to their respective duties.