Konoha: Tsunade, I Am the Hokage! [16]

At the inn.

Everyone sat together, enjoying some famous local dishes from Tanzaku Town. Tsunade and Jiraiya drank sake, already looking a little flushed.

Kagenori sat nervously, his heart unsettled.

Throughout the meal, Tsunade’s gaze had been repeatedly drifting toward him.

Come on, it was just a little manipulation. And for a good cause, too—it's all for Shizune's sake!

Kagenori kept his head down, eating his rice.

“When do we leave tomorrow, Tsunade?” Jiraiya asked.

“When did I say I was going back?”

Tsunade lowered her head. “You can take Shizune back tomorrow.”

Kagenori, listening on the side, wanted desperately to stir the pot further, but he knew better than to speak right now.

Come on, Jiraiya-sensei, Shizune-san... Step it up a bit!

“Tsunade-sama, I’m not leaving! Your condition…” Shizune shot to her feet, anxiety clear on her face.

She understood the situation better than anyone.

Despite Tsunade’s formidable power, her hemophobia made her vulnerable. If someone was genuinely determined, a little blood was all they'd need to incapacitate her.

How could Shizune leave her alone?

Jiraiya added, “Tsunade, you know your own condition best. Are you really willing to risk it?”

Kakashi and Kurenai listened quietly, confused.

Tsunade-sama... What exactly is wrong with her?

Their curiosity was intense, but neither dared ask aloud.

Tsunade laughed bitterly. “A medical-nin who's afraid of blood—what good would it do for me to return?”

What?

Shock flashed across Kakashi and Kurenai’s faces.

A fear of blood!

No wonder Tsunade-sama had left Konoha!

Such an affliction would effectively end any ninja’s career, especially a medical-nin’s, who dealt with wounds and surgeries regularly.

Even Kagenori looked slightly surprised.

Tsunade had finally let it slip openly.

Yet, even more unexpected—

She didn't wait for Jiraiya's response and instead fixed her gaze directly on Kagenori.

“You talked big earlier, kid. Tell me, what use would it be for me to go back?”

Her expression was grim.

Kagenori froze for a heartbeat, then quickly recovered, excitement rising in his chest as he swiftly organized his thoughts.

This is it!

“I don't understand much about medical ninjutsu or hemophobia, but I know someone like you can offer a lot through your experience, knowledge, and reputation. Isn’t Shizune steadily improving under your guidance?”

Shizune quickly nodded in agreement.

Tsunade didn't reply, quietly downing another cup of sake.

“If teaching isn’t what you're after, then why not aim to become Hokage? If you're unhappy with the village or disagree with certain policies, as Hokage you could change things.”

Kagenori’s expression was entirely serious. “Konoha’s well-established medical system has saved countless lives—and your reputation alone makes you a perfect candidate for Hokage.”

“Kagenori!”

Jiraiya nearly choked.

This kid really had no filter, hitting every sensitive point head-on.

Hokage…

This was Tsunade’s most sensitive subject!

Tsunade scoffed.

“Kid, what do you even understand about being Hokage?”

“I’m young, so maybe not much—but I’ll aim to become Hokage anyway, so I can accomplish what I believe needs to be done.”

Kagenori’s youthful face was resolute, eyes shining with conviction.

Kakashi and Kurenai stared unblinkingly.

Kagenori spoke as if he were on equal footing with Jiraiya and Tsunade, a seasoned veteran rather than a peer.

And—

He was incredibly bold!

Neither of them dared utter such things, especially not to someone like Tsunade-sama!

Tsunade herself seemed momentarily stunned.

Suddenly, she understood what Jiraiya had meant about this kid's "mindset."

Kagenori’s thinking was on an entirely different level from other children—almost unfairly advanced.

In that instant, Tsunade saw faint echoes of two people she had once known.

Tsunade paused thoughtfully.

Meanwhile, Kagenori calmly returned to eating, acting oblivious to the intense stares.

He ate his meal as though nothing had happened.

Jiraiya kept sipping his sake, though his eyes nervously stayed fixed on Tsunade.

He was half-expecting her to slam the table—possibly smashing it.

But instead—

Tsunade smiled, though the smile looked dangerous. Yet, thankfully, she remained calm.

“You’re dissatisfied with the village?”

“Yes,” Kagenori said bluntly, setting down his chopsticks.

He looked up seriously. “We’ve all lost loved ones to war. How could we possibly be satisfied? I want to become Hokage to put an end to war itself!”

“...”

Jiraiya's eyelid twitched slightly.

This kid really had the courage to dance on the edge of a knife.

Tsunade rested her chin in her hand, watching Kagenori with a surprisingly composed expression.

“End war? If only it were that easy.”

“So we shouldn’t even try, just because it’s difficult? That’s not right.”

Kagenori gathered his dishes.

Alright, that's enough bold talk for one night—time to escape!

He stood and bowed.

“Excuse me. I’ll go train.”

Kakashi quickly finished eating and echoed him, eager to follow. Staying here felt oppressive—training seemed much safer.

Tsunade reclined slightly, turning to Shizune and Kurenai with a calm voice.

“Aren’t you two going to train?”

“I—I’ve had enough!”

Kurenai turned ghostly pale, abruptly putting down her dishes, bowing hastily, and fleeing.

Shizune hesitated. She was genuinely worried about Tsunade’s mood, but even more so about her mentor slipping away if she left.

Tsunade might really do it.

After a brief pause, she quietly said, “I’ll go outside.”

Now, only Jiraiya and Tsunade remained, silently sipping their drinks.

After a long, tense silence, Tsunade snorted softly, emptied her cup in one gulp, and reached to pour another.

Jiraiya stopped her hand.

“Enough drinking.”

“Now you're limiting my drinking, too?”

Tsunade gave him a sharp glance, defiantly draining one more cup—but didn’t pour another.

A moment later, she tossed aside the sake bottle.

“I’m going.”

“Where?”

“To get some fresh air on the roof.”

She waved casually.

Together, they climbed up to the rooftop, looking down at the street below, where Kagenori, Kakashi, and Kurenai were training.

“What’s so good about being Hokage anyway?” she muttered.

Jiraiya stayed silent.

Truthfully, he wasn’t very enthusiastic about becoming Hokage either. If he were, he’d definitely be in line as a candidate himself.

Tsunade glanced at him, eyes narrowed.

“Your student just gave me a lecture. Shouldn’t you at least show some support by stepping up, becoming Hokage yourself, and dealing with those stubborn old men in the village?”

Jiraiya coughed awkwardly. “If I became Hokage, I’d probably become the very problem you want solved.”

His cheeks reddened slightly.

Tsunade toyed with the empty sake bottle, eyes flashing coldly.

“Fine. Let’s go back for now. First, we need to see who sent those people after us and sort things out.”

“If everything is safe, I won't stop you from leaving again,” Jiraiya said seriously.

Tsunade looked down quietly, not replying.

Below—

The three young ninja were training intensely.

“We’ll see,” she murmured softly.

…

[You successfully convinced a Kage-level (temporary) wandering shinobi and an elite genin to return to the village.]

[Successful talent acquisition is essential to the village's prosperity. Please continue your efforts, future Hokage!]

[Reward: Superhuman Strength Technique (Beginner)]

Whoa!

It actually worked!

Kagenori took a moment to absorb this new knowledge, gaining a basic understanding of the [Superhuman Strength Technique].

At this beginner stage, he only grasped the fundamentals. Mastery would require extensive personal practice, particularly due to its high demands on chakra control.

Meaning—

Using this casually might be risky?

Wait a minute!

Why was the reward only at beginner level when it was Tsunade returning?

He glanced again at the system notification.

"Temporary", "Partial".

Ah, so that’s why…

Kagenori sighed, resigning himself for now.

Well, let's not get greedy. Getting the [Superhuman Strength Technique] at all is already fantastic.

With enough practice, and perhaps a little more coaxing of rewards from Tsunade in the future, he might eventually master it.

---

This is a fan translation of 木叶：纲手，我才是火影！by 卖身葬节操 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!