"Then, Senior Tsunade wouldn't do such things, would she?"
After saying that, Aoyama Ryuyun suddenly looked as though something had dawned on him.
"Oh, I remember now—Senior Tsunade is so strong, she probably doesn't know how to do any of these household chores!"
"…"
Don't think I can't tell—you're mocking me, aren't you?
Are kids these days all this infuriating?
"Ha ha ha!"
The legendary Slug Princess, Senju Tsunade, was actually rendered speechless by a boy barely in his teens.
Aoyama Ryuyun couldn't hold back a laugh.
"All right, all right. Yuhi, I'm hungry. Prepare dinner."
"Mhm, mhm!"
Without thinking much, Kurenai Yuhi turned and hurried to the kitchen.
Her obedient manner made Tsunade purse her lips, muttering,
"Tsk tsk… interesting. I didn't expect the famous 'Golden Lion' to like that type."
Of course, Tsunade could see it clearly—this girl, Yuhi Kurenai, had a crush on Aoyama Ryuyun.
"That's enough sarcasm. Say one more thing, and you can eat alone."
"Hmph."
With a dissatisfied snort, Tsunade said no more and followed him inside.
If Jiraiya and Orochimaru had seen this, they would've been shocked.
Since when was Senju Tsunade this obedient?
---
Meanwhile, inside the Hokage's Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in his chair, smoking quietly.
Across from him, Danzo Shimura frowned, his face twisted with irritation as a trail of smoke drifted directly toward him.
He couldn't help but think: You called me here just to make me inhale your second-hand smoke?
Ignoring Danzo's sour expression, Hiruzen exhaled another puff, his eyes calm and steady.
"That's enough, Danzo. Stop now."
"What?"
The sudden words caught Danzo off guard, drawing his attention away from the smoke.
"You know exactly what I mean."
Unlike Danzo, Hiruzen Sarutobi—though capable of ruthlessness—still measured every move with the village's stability in mind.
"What concerns Sakumo Hatake is enough. Let it end here."
In Hiruzen's eyes, Sakumo Hatake was no longer the brilliant Konoha White Fang whose fame had once rivaled the Sannin. His prestige had already been damaged. He no longer posed a threat to the Hokage's seat.
But Danzo clearly thought otherwise.
"Hiruzen, you're too soft!"
"Enough! Watch your words. I am the Hokage."
"…"
Those same words again. Every time Danzo heard them, humiliation burned deeper in his chest.
You are the Hokage, you are the Hokage—don't I already know that? Must you rub it in my face every time?
"I understand," Danzo said darkly, his expression rigid. He turned on his heel and left without another word.
Hiruzen didn't stop him. He simply looked out through the office window at the peaceful Konoha below.
He nodded to himself, as if convincing his own heart.
"Everything I do is for the sake of the village."
To Hiruzen, undermining Sakumo's influence was enough. He never intended to have the man killed.
After all, the Second Shinobi World War hadn't yet ended completely.
Without Sakumo's deterrence, the forces of Sunagakure—who had only just shown signs of surrender—might resume the conflict.
But Danzo didn't care about such calculations.
To him, anyone who could threaten the Hokage's authority had to die.
---
"Hiruzen! Hiruzen, you old fool!"
Back at the Root headquarters, Danzo's fury burned hotter the more he thought about the meeting.
Give up his campaign against the White Fang? Impossible.
As long as Sakumo Hatake drew breath, Danzo would not rest.
Then, suddenly remembering something, he turned sharply.
"You—send word to recruit Aoyama Ryuyun."
He hadn't forgotten the boy he'd seen earlier near the Hokage Building.
Before, with Sakumo still influential, Danzo had kept his distance. But now, with Sakumo disgraced and isolated, what did he have to fear?
"Yes, sir!"
Several Root operatives appeared from the shadows, ready to leave.
"Wait," Danzo added, his eyes narrowing. "If he dares refuse—bring him back by force."
Even Danzo knew the child's strength wasn't to be underestimated. But once he was under Root's control, Danzo would make sure to implant the Tongue Curse Seal personally.
Once that's done, he'll never defy me again.
"Yes!"
The Root operatives vanished into the darkness.
"Hmph. Hiruzen… the position of Hokage will be mine in the end."
---
At that moment, back at Aoyama Ryuyun's courtyard…
After completing his daily training, Ryuyun casually tossed aside his cracked ninja blade.
"Phew."
"Brother Liu Yun!"
Kurenai Yuhi ran up, carrying a towel. She stopped before him, slightly out of breath.
"The bathwater's ready! You should wash up first."
"Mm. Thanks for the trouble."
Ryuyun took the towel, stretching his shoulders as he walked toward the bath.
"Daily Mission completed. Reward: Compatibility +0.04%."
The reward was slightly higher than before.
It must be linked to my growing strength, he thought, smiling to himself.
Either way, he was satisfied.
"Well, that little girl can't do much—but she's awfully good at buttering people up," Tsunade muttered with a faint smirk.
Her words felt childish even to herself, yet every time she saw Kurenai fawning over Ryuyun, she couldn't help but snipe.
In Tsunade's eyes, it was obvious—the girl was hopelessly infatuated.
But with Tsunade's pride, she could never bring herself to act so coy.