With the Uchiha's departure, the construction of the hospital was inevitable. Kawakaze led the evacuation efforts.
The construction workers, initially paralyzed with fear, quickly resumed their tasks. Using Earth Release techniques and their immense physical strength, they can complete the hospital in just a few months.
Koharu had pieced together the series of events. This was a carefully orchestrated plan by Kawakaze against Danzo. Koharu realized she had been maneuvered into becoming a critical piece in the scheme. Now, it was her turn to play her part.
She composed herself and headed to the Hokage Building. Upon reaching the third floor, she pushed open the door to the Hokage's office.
Inside, the Third Hokage and Homura were reviewing documents, discussing the allocation of funds from the Hatake Clan's recent land purchase.
"Koharu, you're here," Hiruzen greeted, puffing on his pipe, exhaling a stream of smoke.
"Danzo is dead," Koharu said.
Her words detonated like a bomb. Hiruzen's pipe slipped from his mouth and clattered onto the desk. Homura stared, stunned.
"What happened? How could Danzo be dead?" Hiruzen asked, disbelief evident in his tone.
Koharu recounted the events concisely. "Today, Tsunade invited me to the hospital construction site. Danzo arrived with the Uchiha to create trouble. A conflict broke out, and Kawakaze killed him."
She carefully omitted her own involvement. Claiming that Danzo had tried to assassinate her would have been too far-fetched.
"Kawakaze Hatake? To think our decisions pushed Danzo to act like this… In a way, he brought this upon himself," Homura said, his tone lacking sympathy.
"Ambition," Hiruzen muttered, shaking his head. He retrieved his pipe and composed himself.
"Where is his body?"
"The remaining members of Root should recover it and hand it over to the Anbu," Koharu replied.
Hiruzen quickly arranged for Danzo's funeral. There was no need to explain his death to the villagers—Danzo had always operated in the shadows, out of public view.
"Kawakaze Hatake… he is no ordinary man," Hiruzen remarked, shifting the topic. "His strength is remarkable, and his support for Tsunade is not a bad thing. With someone like him behind her, Tsunade might be able to carry on Sensei's legacy."
Hiruzen had high hopes for Tsunade. Her strength and her Senju heritage made her a strong candidate for Hokage, unlikely to face significant opposition.
"Give Danzo a proper burial," Hiruzen instructed. "And inform Kawakaze Hatake—there is no need for further life-and-death conflicts. I don't want there to be a next time."
This message, relayed through Koharu, also served as a subtle warning to Kawakaze.
Fortunately, Koharu's involvement had smoothed over the situation. Danzo's death was resolved quietly, and Kawakaze avoided unnecessary repercussions. The Hatake Clan and Koharu herself remained unscathed, while Danzo's scheming was eliminated once and for all.
The biggest winner of this plot has to be Tsunade. Big breasts truly are amazing. Without lifting a finger, she effortlessly claimed the greatest reward.
...
After the matter was resolved, Kawakaze and the others no longer needed to stay on high alert. The construction team, on the other hand, was too nervous to slack off even slightly.
That evening, at the Hatake Clan's restaurant, a variety of snacks were already laid out on the table—a feast was in full swing.
"Kawakaze, do you think Sensei will be angry with you because of Danzo?" Tsunade asked, a hint of worry in her tone. After all, only Danzo himself knew how much the Third Hokage valued him.
"There will definitely be anger," Kawakaze replied with a calm smile. "But with Adviser Koharu present, the most I'll get is a scolding. Nothing serious."
He had studied the Third Hokage thoroughly and understood his temperament—affectionate, but not overly so.
"Come, let's drink."
Sakumo kept things simple, raising his cup to toast. He clinked it with Tsunade's before taking a drink.
"I noticed you and the construction team talking about digging a large underground chamber under the main building today," Tsunade said, curiosity evident. "What's that for? No one told me."
"A laboratory for you," Kawakaze replied frankly. "It'll be for medical research. Without proper facilities, how can we improve medical techniques?"
Though his answer was honest, he had ulterior motives. Without a top-tier laboratory, studying Hashirama's Cells would be impossible.
"I see. I won't ask further," Tsunade said, raising her sake cup to toast Kawakaze.
"In fact, Sensei had great ambitions," she began, lowering her cup. Her voice carried a hint of melancholy.
Kawakaze and the others turned their attention to her, eager to listen as they sipped their sake and enjoyed the food.
"Ever since my grandfather passed away, Sensei has dreamed of Konoha producing another ninja capable of using Wood Release. To achieve that, he gathered a group of Medical-nin to study my grandfather's cells."
Kawakaze's heart raced with excitement. He hadn't expected that the Third Hokage had involved the Senju Clan so openly in these secretive experiments.
Kawakaze gestured toward some food for Tsunade, encouraging her to continue.
"Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. My grandfather's cells were highly assimilative," she explained, her tone turning somber. "None of the lab technicians who volunteered survived. They all turned into withered trees. Even many of my blood relatives from the Senju Clan lost their lives."
Tsunade's mood visibly darkened as she spoke, her voice tinged with sadness.
"With this laboratory, I want to study my grandfather's cells to see if I can recreate Wood Release," she added.
Kawakaze was surprised. Her declaration echoed his own intentions, saving him the trouble of persuading her later.
"I support you," he said earnestly. "But why didn't you participate in the earlier experiments?"
"I was too young at the time," Tsunade replied. "By the time I was old enough, the experiments had been abandoned. Sensei sealed the project after too many lives were lost. Konoha couldn't bear such pain."
She paused, her expression firm. "So I won't conduct live experiments unless there's a breakthrough."
"My cells are highly active," Kawakaze offered, his voice steady. "I hope I can help in the future."
Tsunade's eyes brightened. "Good. Together, we can bring my grandfather's Wood Release back to the ninja world."
Though Tsunade's enthusiasm was contagious, Kawakaze withheld his doubts. He knew that even with breakthroughs, not everyone could handle Hashirama's Cells. Yet, if he succeeded in fusing with them, the laboratory would prove its worth.
Sakumo and Nayuki, listening nearby, were equally captivated. The thought of Wood Release—a powerful Kekkei Genkai that had once subdued the Nine-Tails—stirred their hearts. If Tsunade succeeded, Konoha's future would undoubtedly change. No village would dare provoke a ninja wielding the full might of Wood Release.
"Once the hospital is built, we'll get the best equipment for the lab," Kawakaze promised. "I'll cover the costs. Don't hold back—everything will be yours someday anyway."
Though he was discussing business, Kawakaze couldn't resist teasing Tsunade a little. She didn't respond verbally but shot him a playful, flirtatious glance.
Unsurprisingly, the celebration ended with all four of them drunk. Sakumo lay sprawled on the floor, still shouting, "Cheers!" Tsunade, her cheeks flushed, clung tightly to Kawakaze, who had already dozed off. Nayuki, the last to remain conscious, signaled for Onimaru to fetch help.
In the end, the servants escorted each of them back to their rooms. Another night of sweet dreams followed.