Roshi still had more than a month left of his vacation, and honestly, he wasn't eager to return so soon.
Being able to wander freely—it was a rare, wonderful thing.
He had already sampled every restaurant in Konoha, and during mission breaks, he'd made it a point to taste his way through the Land of Fire and its neighboring territories. Yet, he hadn't ventured farther—into those distant regions untouched by Konoha's usual missions.
Now that he had mastered Sage Mode and the Flying Thunder God, even if danger arose, he could escape in an instant. It was the perfect time to explore properly before heading back.
Unfortunately, he had just helped Tsunade reclaim her will and forced her back onto the path she once abandoned.
If he dared to go fishing now, Tsunade would probably gift him a painful kick straight to the ribs.
So, with a sigh, he accepted his fate, checked his gear, and followed her back.
The trio's pace was steady—neither hurried nor sluggish. A few days later, Konoha's familiar great gates came into view.
Tsunade strode past the guards without a word.
As an active jōnin, Roshi stayed behind to handle formalities with the gatekeepers, while Shizune presented her identification scroll.
"Did you hear? Lady Tsunade—she's back!"
"Seriously? You mean the Sannin, Lady Tsunade?"
"Yes! She just entered the village!"
The news spread through Konoha's streets like wildfire.
Faces filled with disbelief, then joy.
The legendary Sannin, granddaughter of the First Hokage—her return alone was enough to lift the village's weary spirit, still scarred from past losses.
At the police headquarters, Fugaku also heard the news.
Though his expression remained stoic, a faint spark of satisfaction flickered in his eyes.
Ever since Itachi had returned with Roshi's plan, Fugaku had been waiting patiently.
At the end of Konoha Year 54, the Hyuga clan had pacified Kumogakure's demands through a life-for-life compromise—an act that ignited the resentment of radicals within the clan. Their murmurs about the Village's weakness, and the Uchiha's own position, grew louder by the day.
Roshi's frequent dealings with those tied to the Senju had so far shown little tangible result, and Fugaku had begun to doubt.
Now, with Tsunade's return, the signal couldn't be clearer.
Roshi had begun to fulfill his promise—and his first move was a major one. Fugaku couldn't help but feel genuine anticipation for what would come next.
Hiruzen's desk was immaculate, save for the crystal ball resting silently to one side.
When the door was suddenly pushed open and Tsunade strode in, a flash of relief crossed his tired eyes.
"Tsunade," he said softly, "you finally decided to come back."
As he spoke, his gaze drifted past her—to Roshi, standing a step behind. The old man's eyes asked a silent question.
Roshi gave a small nod.
Tsunade looked around the office—so familiar, yet so changed—and her eyes finally settled on Hiruzen's aged, weary face.
"I came back to see if you were dead yet, old man."
Hiruzen chuckled, forcing a wry smile. "I'm afraid I'll disappoint you. I may be past my prime, but I can still manage to stay alive for now."
"Is that so?" Tsunade stepped closer, planting her hands on his desk. Her gaze sharpened. "That's not what I heard. When did you become so weak, Sensei?"
The faint smile faded from Hiruzen's lips. He looked away, his voice laced with quiet fatigue. "You just returned—rest for a while. We can discuss these matters later."
"Shizune's already at the Administrative Department handling the formalities," Tsunade interrupted briskly, straightening up. "From today onward, I'll be permanently stationed at Konoha Hospital."
With that, she turned and walked out. The door closed softly behind her.
Silence lingered in the office.
"Well done, Roshi." Hiruzen finally broke it, glancing at him. "Tsunade's condition—it's completely resolved?"
"Yes."
The Hokage turned to the window, looking out at the swelling crowd below, stirred by the news.
"You've had a long journey. Go home and rest."
He didn't mention the Hokage succession. Not yet. Until he spoke privately with Tsunade, he wouldn't reveal his thoughts to Roshi.
Roshi didn't mind. Tsunade's return was enough—once set in motion, the mechanism would advance on its own, like clockwork. He bowed lightly and left.
The next day, Hayami Shigeru arrived at Roshi's old house in the western suburbs, with Kachi Onju in tow.
Momoka sat quietly on the veranda, sipping tea in the gentle sunlight, lost in her own thoughts, clearly uninterested in joining the discussion.
"Roshi, is it true?" Hayami burst out, barely containing his excitement. "Lady Tsunade—she's really back?"
"Yes." Roshi calmly poured tea for them, his movements measured.
"Her return… what does it mean?" Kachi asked carefully.
"Lady Tsunade has only just returned," Roshi replied evenly, pushing their cups forward. "What happens next will depend on her discussion with the Third Hokage."
Hayami's initial disappointment quickly gave way to optimism. "Even so, it's incredible news!"
Roshi was young, talented, and ambitious—but still lacked the prestige to command the entire field. Tsunade, however, was different. Her mere presence meant political weight: at minimum, a seat among the Advisory Council—at maximum, the Hokage's mantle itself.
It felt as though their long-sought pillar of strength had finally arrived.
Kachi, calmer than his companion, asked, "Then what do you need us to do, Roshi?"
"Wait," Roshi said simply, setting down the teapot. "When it's time to speak, I'll let you know."
Both men nodded seriously.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office—
Danzo arrived unannounced.
Normally, Tsunade's return would have warranted little reaction. But this time was different.
Roshi had remained deliberately ambiguous about Danzo's earlier offers of cooperation. Now, he had brought back Tsunade—someone who'd long been absent from Konoha's power structure.
The meaning was obvious.
Danzo had always believed Hiruzen's leadership too soft, too sentimental—unfit for a Hokage. But if forced to choose between Tsunade and Hiruzen…
He would still side with Hiruzen.
He had seen what happened in Kirigakure when the wrong person wore the hat.
"Hiruzen," Danzo said, his voice low, "Tsunade's return at a time like this—surely you don't think it's a coincidence."
The Hokage looked up from his papers, expression unreadable. "What are you implying?"
"You know very well what I mean." Danzo's single eye glinted coldly. "She's come back for the Hokage's seat. And you know her temper as well as I do."
He struck his staff lightly against the floor, the sound echoing.
"She is absolutely unfit to become Hokage."
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