"Lady Tsunade?!"
Shizune, unaware of the earlier conversation between Yuzuru and Tsunade, was stunned to see Tsunade agree to his request.
After all, Tsunade wasn't just the princess of the Senju clan—she was the granddaughter of the First and Second Hokage, and the personal disciple of the current Third Hokage.
In the entire shinobi world, was there anyone more quintessentially Konoha than Tsunade?
Shizune simply couldn't imagine Tsunade becoming a rogue ninja.
Seeing Shizune's shock, Tsunade patiently explained, "Shizune, one million ryō per month—that's equivalent to an S-rank mission reward."
"That's twelve million a year. We'll never have to worry about money again."
When she lived in Konoha, the weight of money hadn't hit her as hard. But after years wandering the shinobi world, Tsunade understood its importance all too well.
With a million-ryō-a-month job right in front of her, she couldn't help but wonder if this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
She absolutely couldn't let it slip away.
"Shizune, you know I have hemophobia. I can't keep working as a ninja anymore."
"We owe debts in countries all across the shinobi world. Now is the perfect time to start over."
"If you don't want to go to Kumogakure, you can return to Konoha."
Shizune, who had been wavering, immediately teared up at Tsunade's words. "Lady Tsunade, no matter where you go, I'll always follow you."
Seeing her cry, Tsunade quickly wiped her tears. "Then come with me to Kumogakure."
"Yes!" Shizune answered at once.
Hearing their conversation, Yuzuru simply continued eating his grilled meat.
Tsunade had obviously concealed many things from Shizune to spare her from unnecessary darkness, and he had no intention of exposing any of it.
Regardless, convincing Tsunade had been a pleasant surprise.
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Kumogakure.
Raikage Building.
Raikage's Office.
The Third Raikage stared at Tsunade—standing right beside Yuzuru—as if his jaw might fall off.
After a long moment, he finally stammered, "Yuzuru, th-th-that's Tsunade?"
"That's right."
"Konoha's Tsunade?"
"Yes."
"Senju Hashirama's granddaughter, the Third Hokage's disciple—that Tsunade?"
Yuzuru chuckled. "The very same. You're the dignified Raikage, why are you so surprised?"
The Third Raikage shot him a helpless look.
Surprised?
Of course, he was surprised!
In the entire shinobi world, anyone hearing this news would probably faint from shock.
It was understandable when Yuzuru previously "recruited" Sakumo Hatake or Might Duy, but Tsunade—someone of her status…
The Third Raikage liked to think he had a strong heart, but even he wasn't sure he was processing this correctly.
"Hey! Yuzuru promised me a salary of one million ryō per month. You'd better not go back on that."
Hearing Tsunade speak, the Third Raikage immediately declared, "No problem! In addition to the monthly one million, I'll also give you an eight-million-ryō year-end bonus!"
Tsunade's eyes lit up. "You said it. No take-backs!"
"Hahahaha!" The Third Raikage laughed heartily. "I'll have someone draft the contract right away."
"And although this month has less than ten days left, I'll pay you for the full month."
Tsunade was acknowledged as the greatest medical ninja in the shinobi world. In healing, treatment, and detoxification, no one could compare.
She'd even pioneered the entire medical-ninja system, reducing shinobi casualties dramatically.
Combined with her overwhelming strength and her status…
Securing someone like her for only twenty million ryō a year was practically a bargain.
Tsunade was equally delighted.
She had expected negotiation, perhaps even pushback, after hearing Yuzuru's promise—but instead, the Third Raikage agreed instantly and even added an extra eight million a year.
And the pay started this month, in full…
This man was more generous than she expected.
"Tōdai! Tōdai!"
At the Third Raikage's call, Tōdai rushed in.
The moment he saw Tsunade, he froze completely.
Wasn't this Tsunade of Konoha? Why was she here?
"Tōdai, immediately find Tsunade a large house. And open an account for her and deposit one million ryō."
"From today, Tsunade is a ninja of Kumogakure."
"W-WHAT?!" Tōdai wondered if his ears were malfunctioning. Why would the Raikage say Tsunade was now a Kumogakure ninja?
"You useless thing," the Raikage smacked him on the back of the head. "Do as I said first. I'll explain later."
"Y-yes! Understood!" Though confused, Tōdai didn't dare delay. "Lady Tsunade, this way, please."
After Tōdai led Tsunade and Shizune away, the Third Raikage slapped Yuzuru on the shoulder. "Kid, at this rate, I feel like Kumogakure is about to become the legitimate successor of Konoha!"
Yuzuru replied calmly, "That was always the plan."
"Huh?" The Third Raikage blinked. "What plan?"
Yuzuru smiled. "Now that the Senju clan and the Uchiha clan have joined forces again, we only need an opportunity to win over the other Konoha clans. Once that happens, reclaiming Konoha will be a rightful act."
"At that point, Sarutobi Hiruzen will be the real traitor. He'll become a joke of the shinobi world, nailed to the pillar of shame forever. And the other villages won't have any justification to interfere."
After hearing the plan, the Third Raikage couldn't help giving him a thumbs-up. "Yuzuru, you're something else. Making the Hokage the rogue ninja… that's actually hilarious."
"In the end, it still comes down to strength. Without overwhelming power, the best plans are just illusions."
The Third Raikage nodded deeply, then asked, "So, should we start recruiting the other Konoha clans now?"
"No rush," Yuzuru said. "Tsunade may have agreed to stay in Kumogakure, but convincing her to act against Konoha as the Senju heir will take time."
"But her arrival should be announced immediately. Let the entire shinobi world know."
The two men exchanged a look, unable to hide their amusement.