"So, you're Kitazawa?"
Tsunade gave him a long, assessing look before smiling. "You're quite the good-looking one."
"I am," Kitazawa replied evenly. "It's an honor to finally meet you, Lady Tsunade."
"Oh? And how did you know who I am?" she asked, raising a brow.
"Blonde kunoichi are pretty rare," Kitazawa said.
He had originally wanted to say 'your… features are unmistakable', but that sounded a bit off, so he quickly rephrased.
"I see." Tsunade nodded slightly, then asked, "Was it you who proposed the idea of psychological medical-nin?"
"Yes, that was my suggestion," Kitazawa said after a pause. "Mainly inspired by Yakumo."
"Psychological medical-nin, huh? Not a bad idea," Tsunade said, giving him a sidelong glance of approval.
If Hiruzen had been the one to suggest psychological healing ninjutsu, she would've taken it as an insult aimed at her own hemophobia.
But since Kitazawa didn't even know about that, it was probably just coincidence.
"Are Yakumo and the others here yet?" Tsunade asked impatiently.
"Look at you, still so hasty after all these years," Hiruzen said with a chuckle. "You haven't changed at all."
"You talk too much, old man," Tsunade shot back bluntly, showing absolutely no respect for the Hokage.
"Shizune, pour some tea," Hiruzen instructed.
"Yes, sir."
Shizune, who had been standing quietly behind Tsunade with her pet pig Tonton in her arms, set the pig down and picked up the teapot.
"Thank you," Kitazawa said as he accepted the cup from her.
Before long, a knock sounded at the door.
"Lord Hokage, Lady Tsunade," came Kurenai's voice as she entered, leading Kurama Yakumo with her.
"Yakumo, come here," Tsunade said, lifting her fair hand and beckoning the girl over.
Yakumo instinctively looked to Kurenai, and only after receiving an encouraging nod did she step forward.
Tsunade placed her hand on Yakumo's forehead, and a faint green glow of chakra appeared.
A look of surprise flashed across her face.
She had already heard from Hiruzen about Yakumo's Kekkei Genkai, but seeing it firsthand was another matter entirely.
Now that she had examined Yakumo's body, she realized just how terrifying that yin release ability truly was.
It was the first time Tsunade had ever seen Yin Release so powerful it actually affected the physical body.
"Lady Tsunade, is there a way to treat her?" Kurenai asked anxiously.
She had long since come to see Yakumo as her own student.
And Tsunade was the greatest medical ninja in the entire shinobi world, if anyone could cure Yakumo, it would be her.
"It's complicated," Tsunade said after withdrawing her hand. "But I can start by regulating her physical condition."
"Thank you, Lady Tsunade!" Kurenai said, relieved.
With Tsunade on the case, everything would surely be fine.
"Tsunade," Hiruzen said with a smile, "does this mean you've agreed to stay and help establish the psychological medical-nin system in Konoha?"
"I'm only free for now," Tsunade huffed. "I might leave again in a few days."
"I understand," Hiruzen said with a laugh.
He knew that even though Tsunade had been away from Konoha for years, the village still held a special place in her heart.
If she truly didn't care, not even an innovative idea like psychological medical-nin would have convinced her to come back.
"Whether it's treating Yakumo or developing new techniques," Tsunade said with a grin, holding out her hand, "it's going to require funding, old man. So, pay up."
"I'll need some time to decide how much funding to allocate," Hiruzen said after a moment of thought. "Come see me again tomorrow."
"Fine," Tsunade said after gauging his sincerity. "Then have someone arrange a place for me and Shizune to stay."
Although the Senju compound had plenty of empty residences, she didn't want to return there—too many painful memories.
"No problem," Hiruzen said, understanding without prying further.
For him, Tsunade's mere return to the village was already an enormous boon.
Her status and strength alone would bring reassurance to Konoha's people and shinobi alike.
"Yakumo, come with me to Konoha Hospital," Tsunade said after a moment's thought.
Yakumo's condition was complicated, she'd need the hospital's equipment for a thorough check-up.
And as a medical ninja, Tsunade was naturally intrigued by such a rare case.
"I'll come too," Kurenai said quickly.
"Kitazawa, you stay," Hiruzen interrupted just as Kitazawa was about to speak. "There are some matters I need to discuss with you."
"Yes, Lord Hokage," Kitazawa said respectfully.
After Tsunade, Shizune, Kurenai, and Yakumo left, only Hiruzen and Kitazawa remained in the office.
"Kitazawa, do you know what Tsunade's… nickname is?" Hiruzen asked, gazing at the closed door.
"The Sannin of Konoha?" Kitazawa said hesitantly.
"Not that one," Hiruzen sighed. "I mean the Legendary Sucker."
"I've heard a little about that…" Kitazawa said, confused as to why Hiruzen brought it up.
"Tsunade never wins a single bet. If you give her money, she'll lose it all in no time," Hiruzen said gravely. "But since I've already promised her funds, I can't go back on my word. So I've decided to entrust the money to you."
"Huh?!" Kitazawa's eyes widened.
Old man, that's not how you drop loot! You're throwing me to the wolves!
Tsunade's temper's explosive—how am I supposed to survive that?!
"The psychological medical-nin development team has already been formed," Hiruzen continued. "Tsunade will be in charge, and you three—her, Shizune, and you—will be the core members."
"Tsunade will be busy, so you'll handle all the funding and financial management."
"But…" Kitazawa started, only for Hiruzen to cut him off.
"No buts. I trust your abilities."
"…," Kitazawa twitched his lips helplessly.
"Don't worry," Hiruzen said with a reassuring smile. "Tsunade may be reckless, but she won't actually hit you."
"I'll… do my best," Kitazawa muttered.
At this point, refusal wasn't an option.
"Excellent," Hiruzen said, nodding in satisfaction. "Once you return, prepare a detailed funding proposal and submit it to me."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Kitazawa sighed inwardly. It was a headache—but also an opportunity.
This was his chance to step closer to Konoha's inner circle.
As a teacher, being on good terms with the leadership meant security.
Especially with someone as straightforward—and dangerous—as Tsunade.
"Lord Hokage, I'll take my leave."
Kitazawa exited the Hokage's office and went home.
After a comforting bowl of Ichiraku Ramen, he sat down to draft the funding proposal.
As a former corporate salaryman, writing proposals was second nature.
All he needed to do was list every possible expense that could justify funding.
The next morning, Kitazawa arrived at the Hokage's office early.
Since Hiruzen hadn't come in yet, he simply placed the completed funding plan neatly on his desk.