Senju Tsunade looked at Aoyama Ryuyun with curiosity.
She didn't know if it was her imagination, but when she said those words, a faint feeling of anticipation stirred in her chest — as if she were expecting Aoyama Ryuyun to do something.
The thought alone startled her.
Immediately, she shook her head.
What's wrong with you, old woman? Losing your mind already?
"Are you spacing out?"
Aoyama Ryuyun's voice broke through her thoughts, making her snap back to reality.
"…"
If this old woman could actually beat you, you'd already be eating dirt, Tsunade grumbled inwardly.
"Hurry up and tell me your condition! This old woman doesn't go back on her word!"
Aoyama Ryuyun just stared at her silently for a few seconds.
Haven't you gone back on your word enough times already?
"Since you insist," he said at last, "then strive to become the next Hokage."
"Huh?!"
Before Tsunade could even process what she'd heard, Aoyama Ryuyun turned and started walking away as if the matter were already settled.
Tsunade stood frozen for several seconds before she finally reacted, chasing after him.
"Wait a minute — what do you mean by that? You want me to become Hokage?"
Though she resented Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, and the rest of the council, she had never once seriously considered sitting in the Hokage's chair herself.
Aoyama Ryuyun turned back slightly and looked at her.
"You don't dare?"
Tsunade snorted. "Don't joke with me. What's there for this old woman to be afraid of? It's just…"
Of course, she wouldn't admit it, but deep down, she wasn't sure she could do it. Even with her confidence, becoming Hokage was an entirely different matter.
Aoyama Ryuyun wasn't joking, though.
Under Hiruzen's rule, geniuses were rarely welcomed — and he had experienced that firsthand.
Rather than letting another old schemer take the seat, it would be far better to have someone trustworthy wear the Hokage's hat.
"Don't you want Konoha to change for the better?" he asked calmly. "Then become Hokage. Or would you rather watch the village your great-grandfather built fall apart?"
Tsunade opened her mouth, but no words came out. He had struck exactly where she was weakest.
If Konoha was to change, there was no other way but from the top.
At this point, Tsunade hadn't completely lost hope in the village — nor had she decided to leave it.
"But why don't you become Hokage?" she asked after a pause. "With your strength and talent, you're just as qualified."
Aoyama Ryuyun smiled faintly. He stopped walking, raised a hand, and pointed toward the open sky.
"My goal lies above the clouds — higher than the Hokage's chair."
"…"
A gentle breeze passed between them, carrying the weight of his words.
Looking at his confident, unrestrained expression, Tsunade felt something she couldn't quite describe. For a brief moment, she truly believed he could reach that height.
Then she caught herself and quickly shook her head.
"Hmph. Then you'd better work hard."
His goal might be the sky, but she would never admit she'd been captivated for even a second.
Aoyama Ryuyun's ambitions clearly extended beyond Konoha — beyond any title.
"The Hokage's seat doesn't interest me," he said calmly. "But if you take it — I'll help you."
"Really?"
He smirked. "What would I gain by lying to you, old woman?"
"…You're just asking for a beating, aren't you!"
Every time they talked, Tsunade found herself wanting to punch that smug expression right off his face.
As they continued their banter, Aoyama Ryuyun arrived back at his two-story home — with Tsunade still trailing behind.
In her own words:
Anyway, this old woman will be alone if she goes back, and I can't cook. Might as well freeload a meal.
"I'm home," Ryuyun called casually as he opened the door.
This time, a bright voice answered from inside.
"Welcome home!"
Kurenai Yuhi, who had been waiting for hours, came running toward him.
"Liu Yun-nii-chan, where were you all day?"
The war hadn't completely ended yet, and the Academy was still on break. Bored, Kurenai often came over to Ryuyun's place.
At first, she was thrilled to see him return — but her smile vanished the instant she spotted Tsunade behind him.
"Oh… it's Senior Tsunade."
Her tone shifted immediately, bordering on sullen.
"Hey! What's with that attitude, brat!" Tsunade snapped.
This wasn't their first meeting.
Initially, Kurenai had admired the legendary Tsunade — one of the Sannin. But that changed once she realized Tsunade also liked to drop by Ryuyun's house whenever she pleased.
From that day onward, Kurenai had treated her like an unwanted guest.
"Hmph."
Ignoring Tsunade completely, Kurenai took Ryuyun's coat, hung it neatly on the rack, and even helped him arrange his shoes by the door.
If she weren't only seven or eight years old, her actions would have looked exactly like those of a devoted little homemaker.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk…"
Watching the scene, Tsunade's eyebrow twitched.
Since when did you get this little one to ignore me completely?
"I say," Tsunade muttered dryly, "I'm still standing here, you know. Aren't you going to help this old woman too?"
Kurenai looked at her blankly, her expression a mix of confusion and mild disdain.