While Haseo was discussing a completely unreliable "organizational development plan" with Sakumo Hatake, Tsunade had just finished a light meal. After tidying herself up and taking care of some chores around the house, she finally left home.
Haseo's plan sounded as though he intended to turn Kagenami into a massive organization worth 14 trillion ryo, but in reality, all he wanted was to misuse public funds for his own personal gain.
However, this strategy was essentially meaningless. For someone whose favorite pastime—gambling—was considered a healthy recreational activity, the more money she had on hand, the more she would inevitably lose. There was no chance she'd suddenly become more responsible just because she had more money—quite the opposite, in fact.
Besides, Tsunade was someone who always lost when gambling. Even if you handed her the entire Land of Fire, she'd still end up betting it all away.
This woman really knew how to burn through cash.
After leaving home, Tsunade first went to Konoha Hospital and stayed there for half the morning handling some work-related matters. As noon approached, she left the hospital again, heading toward the small courtyard where Sansho used to stay.
Nawaki, her younger brother, still lived there.
Over time, especially since the war in the Land of Rain had ended, Tsunade had been spending less and less time living there and interacting with Nawaki. In a sense, the place she subconsciously considered "home" was gradually shifting—although they shared the same blood, each person naturally had their own lives to live, which was both inevitable and unnecessary to prevent.
Tsunade deeply loved her younger brother, yet that affection wasn't the exclusive kind that excluded other emotions. Quite the contrary—initially, it was Nawaki who had always been immersed in the feeling of them being each other's only family, relying solely on one another for comfort. However, as he grew older, those sentiments inevitably began to fade.
Feelings may stay the same, but how we show them tends to grow quieter with age—like turning down the volume on a song you've known by heart since childhood.
Now, Nawaki was sixteen years old. He was already a ninja, and at that age, he was naturally seen as an adult, so...at the very least, he definitely wouldn't just rush into his sister's arms without a word the moment he saw her—unless he'd completely lost his mind or something.
"Sis, you're back... It's already noon? I haven't eaten yet."
As Tsunade approached the quiet little courtyard, she had already spotted Nawaki inside, deep in chakra-extraction training. But after she pushed open the outer gate did she finally speak out loud like this.
While speaking, she shook the bag she was holding in her hand.
Big sis, you're back... Is it already noon? I haven't eaten yet."
Tsunade's voice caused Nawaki to immediately stop his ongoing training, and a genuine, joyful smile appeared across his face...He'd probably never smile at Haseo like that—even if hell froze over.
"Perfect, then let's eat together."
"Okay."
These peaceful, everyday moments were getting rarer and rarer—and both of them knew it too well to take them for granted.
Normally at times like this, Tsunade wouldn't willingly bring up Haseo, and Nawaki certainly wouldn't mention him either—it had become an unspoken understanding between them. But today was a little different. This time, Nawaki brought up the topic first.
"Older sister," he suddenly asked, "when are you planning to marry Lord Haseo?"
Caught off guard by the sudden question, Tsunade hesitated slightly. She couldn't quite understand why Nawaki would bring something like this up all of a sudden. After thinking for a moment, she decided to just answer normally. "If you mean a wedding... who knows what that man is thinking.
Sometimes his thoughts are very simple, but more often than not, they're hard to decipher. Even I can't always figure him out.
To be honest, he's pretty hard to read—and most of the time, I just go along with what he thinks.
I don't really care much about rituals or ceremonies. As long as we can stay by each other's side for a long time, that's enough… After all, we're both ninjas anyway."
Being able to stay by each other's side for a long time was already the greatest happiness a ninja could hope for.
Tsunade wanted to ask Nawaki why he suddenly cared about such matters, but she hesitated—she was afraid it might upset her younger brother.
Indeed, after hearing her words, Nawaki didn't speak again. He simply remained silent, eating his food one bite at a time. Only after finishing his meal did he resume the conversation with Tsunade.
But this time, he changed the topic completely.
"Older sister, there's something I want to talk to you about. I hope you'll help me with it."
"What kind of thing? Older sister will definitely help you."
For Nawaki's matters, Tsunade naturally had no objection.
"Older sister, I want to go to the Land of Rain..."
"..."
Forget what I just said—this issue definitely needs to be talked through.
"The Land of Rain? Why there?"
"I'm already sixteen years old, yet I've never even left Konoha. I've studied up on this—other ninjas my age have long been active on the battlefield... But all I do now is practice. A ninja without real combat experience isn't a true ninja yet."
Nawaki's request actually made some sense. These years, Tsunade had protected him too well—so much so that even Nawaki himself started worrying whether he had become spoiled and weakened.
"No way. Although the major war in the Land of Rain has ended, the sporadic small-scale conflicts happening there now are precisely the most dangerous kinds of battles for a ninja. You know full well that you currently lack practical battle experience. That battlefield would be far too dangerous—and far too soon—for you...
I understand your meaning already. If you want to gain actual combat experience, we should start from the simplest tasks first... Honestly, I admit I've been somewhat negligent regarding your development as a ninja. Later, I'll explain this to the Third and make sure suitable arrangements are made for you accordingly."
Tsunade rejected Nawaki's request outright. What she really meant was that she'd arrange for him to begin with basic Genin tasks—like picking up trash, tracking down lost pets, or tending gardens.
Deep down, Tsunade wasn't really willing to let her younger brother become a ninja at all—but that would have been selfish and heartless. The life of a ninja is undoubtedly harsh, yet for many, it remains the ultimate dream.
"Older sister..."
Nawaki's expression turned serious. He knew he had to convince Tsunade no matter what.
"It's already been twenty years since the Senju clan concealed their surname and withdrew from Konoha," he continued. "Regardless of whether that withdrawal was due to circumstances or necessity back then, they must have had their reasons. But just having reasons doesn't mean it was the right choice.
Walking away was a betrayal of something greater.
But this is still something that can be rectified. I am a descendant of the First Hokage. Although I know very well that I'm insignificant now, and my strength isn't worth mentioning at all, still..."
Tsunade interrupted Nawaki. "You actually think that way?"
She couldn't believe her younger brother held such thoughts.
"Yes, Older sister."
"You understand the decision back then..."
"I do. From beginning to end, I've always known Mother was the greatest mother. Her sacrifice as the one who gave me life is etched into my soul. If it hadn't been for my birth, maybe she would still be alive... I will always be proud of carrying her blood.
But greatness in one aspect doesn't equate to absolute correctness... Older sister, even Mother wasn't even a ninja."
Tsunade suddenly felt angry. That definitely wasn't something someone proud of his mother would say.
But she was holding back her emotions.
"Older sister, I know my views might contradict those of Lord Haseo..."
"You're wrong."
"Eh?"
"You're thinking wrong. Whether you want to revive the Senju clan or become Hokage, none of these matters to Haseo... How could he possibly care about such things?"
Even if you criticized Sansho using the most damning point—that she wasn't a ninja, which was Sansho's lifelong regret—Haseo wouldn't care at all.
Nawaki was Nawaki, and Sansho was Sansho. That was the simplest distinction.
Sansho chose to give birth to this child simply because she wanted to; she certainly didn't do it expecting gratitude from Nawaki.
On the contrary, what did Nawaki's veiled criticism mean to her?
Regardless of Nawaki's perception of Sansho, Haseo's understanding of Sansho absolutely wouldn't change in the least due to any reason or anyone.
One of Nawaki's points was correct: The current environment of Konoha was vastly different from when the Senju withdrew long ago. At that time, Haseo had even helped suppress the rise of the Senju clan because he wanted to follow Sansho's ideals. However, such action was unnecessary now.
The Senju had already endured and Sansho's goal had already been achieved. As for what the Senju would do next, Haseo had no need to meddle.
Not meddling meant just that—not caring meant just that too. Now, Tsunade was 100% certain about one thing:
Her husband and her younger brother were definitely not on the same path.
"I see. I'll give serious thought to the Land of Rain issue."
Tsunade slowly exhaled, forcefully calming the turmoil in her heart.
Nawaki might've oversimplified a few things, but the rigid thinking of a headstrong teenager was the most difficult to correct.
It'd be best for Haseo to keep his distance from this kid from now on.
Even Tsunade couldn't help catching herself thinking along those self-deluding lines when times got tough.
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