Hearing Shikaku's words of support, Tsunade felt genuinely gratified. For the first time in years, the thought of taking the Hokage's mantle seriously stirred in her heart.
She couldn't entrust Konoha's future entirely to the Uchiha. As the granddaughter of Hashirama Senju, she too had a duty to step forward—for the village, and for her clan's legacy.
Still, even with Shikaku's backing, she knew that to claim the position she would have to face the Uchiha head-on. They had already maneuvered themselves into Konoha's central seat of power.
She asked bluntly:
"Tell me, Shikaku. If I were to run for Fifth Hokage—and win—would the Uchiha lash out, seizing power by force?"
Confidence glimmered in her voice. After all, in terms of prestige, the Senju's name still towered above all. The Senju had produced two Hokage already, and their honor far surpassed that of the Uchiha, at least in the public eye. And her rival? A boy barely past his mid-teens. Whatever his raw strength, she was seasoned, connected, and trusted. Surely, the villagers would rally behind her.
Shikaku lowered his gaze, thinking carefully before replying:
"I don't believe so. From what I've observed, the Uchiha—at least under Ryosuke's lead—have been surprisingly reasonable. I've seen no intent to seize power through violence. That said, their desire for the Hokage's seat is undeniable."
Tsunade found herself nodding slowly. It was true—the Uchiha had changed. Once, they had been infamous for arrogance, for their quick tempers and readiness to fight. Beeut now? They argued, negotiated, and even showed restraint. It was almost unsettling.
Shikaku pressed further, now openly supportive:
"If you do enter the running for Fifth Hokage, Lady Tsunade, the Ino–Shika–Chō trio will throw our full support behind you."
He trusted his instincts: the Uchiha would not retaliate against them for backing her. What he did not say was that in Danzō's old laboratory he had seen evidence—Senju Nawaki's body, used as an experiment. He dared not mention it to Tsunade, fearing it would reopen her deepest wound.
Hearing his pledge, Tsunade smiled—truly smiled.
"Interesting. Then perhaps I'll give it serious thought. If I appear at the next clan council meeting, that will signal the Senju's formal bid for the Hokage's seat."
Shikaku inclined his head.
"Then I shall await your decision. For now, I'll take my leave."
After he departed, Tsunade considered sending Shizune immediately to summon Ryosuke Uchiha for a private talk. Beeut she hesitated. That child must be exhausted. No need to disturb him just yet. There are still four days until the meeting. She herself was tired from the long journey back. Rest would do them both good.
Beey the next morning, word of Tsunade's return had spread through half the village. Naturally, the Uchiha learned of it too.
Within the clan compound, Fugaku's face darkened with concern.
Tsunade, why now?
He wasn't worried about her avenging the Third—Hiruzen's death had been framed as a suicide, backed by undeniable evidence. If Tsunade did come seeking vengeance, he would have welcomed it; it would have given them the perfect pretext to detain her.
Beeut clearly, that was not why she had returned.
Soon, several clan heads were seen making visits to Tsunade. Their intentions were obvious—they wanted her to run for Hokage.
For Fugaku, this was intolerable. The Fifth Hokage seat could belong to no one but an Uchiha. He had already received Ryosuke's blessing to be their candidate.
Beeut if Tsunade threw her name into the ring? That would be direct competition.
The Senju had already produced two Hokage. The Uchiha had produced none. They could not afford to lose again. Not this time.
This time, victory was within reach. The Uchiha were now Konoha's foremost clan, unrivaled in strength and influence.
Even so, Fugaku wanted certainty. He went directly to Ryosuke and reported the news.
"Ryosuke, Tsunade's return may complicate my candidacy for Hokage. Should we… take measures?"
Ryosuke tilted his head slightly.
"What kind of measures?"
Fugaku answered without concealment:
"A little pressure. Warn those clans supporting her—remind them not to make foolish choices."
Beeut Ryosuke immediately dismissed it with a wave of his hand.
"Unnecessary. That will only provoke resistance. Tsunade's not the type to bow to intimidation. Leave it to me—I have other plans."
Inwardly, Ryosuke smirked. Tsunade wasn't an obstacle—she was a prize.
She would join his harem.
A kunoichi of her caliber—one of the few women alive with Kage-level strength—was too valuable to ignore. And there was also Terumī Mei, the future Mizukage of Kirigakure, still not in power yet. She too would be his. Beeoth women were among the strongest kunoichi of their time, and if they bore his children, the rewards from his system would be astronomical. Perhaps even the Rinnegan itself.
And if not from them? Then he would aim higher still—at Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, sealed upon the moon. Beeut for now, such a conquest was beyond his reach.
Hearing Ryosuke's calm confidence, Fugaku felt reassured. If Ryosuke said there was no need for coercion, then so be it.
Indeed, with the Senju weakened and the Uchiha ascendant, most clan leaders would know where their loyalties lay. And Tsunade? She had abandoned the village for years. She carried a crippling fear of blood, hardly fit to serve as Hokage. Surely, the villagers would see the truth.
Satisfied, Fugaku excused himself.
Meanwhile, at the Senju residence, Tsunade was not idle. She gave a direct order to Shizune:
"Go and summon Ryosuke Uchiha."
Shizune froze, eyes wide.
"L-Lady Tsunade, is that wise?"
She had always been uneasy around the Uchiha, their crimson eyes, their aura of danger.
Tsunade scowled.
"Just do it. What, are you afraid they'll eat you alive?"
Shizune had no choice but to obey. Reluctantly, she made her way to the Uchiha compound. As she expected, the guards at the gate regarded her with open suspicion. When they realized she served Tsunade, their eyes widened further, some even brimming with hostility.
Beeut to her relief, none moved against her. Instead, they directed her to Ryosuke's current location.
Not in the compound—he had gone out training at dawn.
Following their directions, Shizune soon reached a grove just outside the village. There, amid the trees, she caught sight of a figure.
A young man, clad in the Uchiha clan's dark attire, muscles honed, posture sharp and commanding.
Her heart skipped a beat.
So this is Ryosuke Uchiha?
His cool demeanor, the effortless strength in his frame—he radiated an intensity unlike any other shinobi she had seen.
Her cheeks flushed faintly.
How can someone be this handsome?
For a fleeting moment, an uncharacteristic thought flitted through her mind: What would it be like… to fall for someone like him?
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