Under the dim streetlamp below the Hokage building, many shinobi who witnessed the scene couldn't help but murmur.
Could it be true — the princess of the Land of Fire, Tsunade-hime, actually picked an Uchiha?
This joke just turned explosive.
"T-Tsunade Jōnin."
Kato Dan walked up with a sunny, respectful smile. He didn't even glance at Uchiha Ye, instead offering a deferential grin toward Jiraiya and Orochimaru.
"Is something the matter?"
Tsunade answered coolly, a faint pride in her tone.
Kato Dan bowed slightly and, biting his tongue so he wouldn't miss the chance, spoke up.
"A year ago, during the night raids on the village, I lost my sister. I wholeheartedly agree with your medical system proposal from earlier. Might I discuss this with you further, Lady Tsunade?"
His smile was sincere — at least outwardly. Losing a close relative gave him credibility; Tsunade had lost her brother. That shared pain gave him a plausible opening.
Ye listened silently, inwardly bemused. Of course, someone would take the initiative — in the original story, this Kato Dan used exactly these tactics. (In Tsunade's memory sequence in episode 91, the man mentions having lost a sister.)
Tsunade, already alert to the fact that someone had tried to scheme against her, had to suppress rising anger; she managed a languid smile and waved him off.
"Forget it. I said what I needed to say — Hiruzen made a fair point. Right now, the most important thing is to win this war."
She gave Kato no further opportunity. Then she turned and smiled at Ye.
"Ye, I can check your condition tonight."
With that light laugh, Ye found himself awkwardly holding the waist of the great beauty as they disappeared into the shadow of the lamp. Many jōnin who had just left the Hokage building gaped — Tsunade had really chosen an Uchiha. Front-page scandal, right here.
Jiraiya's eyes went wide; his jaw hung open for a long moment before he blurted in mock shock:
"No wonder Tsunade never took a lover all these years — she likes them young!"
Orochimaru gave a dry chuckle and exchanged a glance with Jiraiya. Both of them had noticed something odd: Kato Dan had been overeager — a tell. He'd tried to ingratiate himself, even invoking his lost sister to worm closer to Tsunade. That was suspicious.
Embarrassed, Kato gave an awkward laugh and walked away.
— That night inside the Hokage office:
"The jōnin meeting has adjourned. Lady Tsunade—" an ANBU reported.
Before Hiruzen could respond, another officer — likely the village's elder staff — furrowed his brow, displeased.
"Hiruzen, what is Tsunade doing? What does she intend? Don't you realize the danger of getting close to the Uchiha?"
Three pointed questions came in quick succession; even Mito, adjusting her spectacles, showed a look of displeasure, though she was more restrained.
"Hiruzen, has Tsunade discovered something?" another asked.
Clearly, the shinobi present had noticed Tsunade's odd behavior.
Hiruzen Sarutobi drew on his pipe, exhaled, and met their worried faces with calm.
"Likely, Kato Dan's clumsy attempt at flirting earlier stirred her. At the meeting, Tsunade quietly summoned a toad, which explains what happened outside."
He blew out smoke and continued: "Senju and Uchiha — this is Tsunade's counterattack."
Hiruzen's flat remark made some court officials bristle with unease.
"Sir Hiruzen, the village has only just reached a fragile peace. Tsunade may have gone too far. Her position is too sensitive. This was merely Kato Dan's personal action; he has no faction behind him," one whispered.
A lone jōnin with no backing would usually be harmless — yet with Tsunade's status, any coupling with a major clan implies political tremors.
"Senju and Uchiha together — Tsunade or any high-ranking Senju joining with a major clan will cause unrest," the councilman insisted, eyes narrowed.
They had all noticed that Kato Dan's probing had not escaped attention, and the earlier jōnin meeting in which Tsunade proposed the medical system had given Kato Dan a chance to cozy up. But Tsunade's medical proposal was long-planned and had simply been presented at the jōnin meeting. Their worry was less about Kato and more about Tsunade's influence.
Hiruzen waved them down: "Tsunade may have overstepped, but the Rain Country war cannot be ignored."
At the mention of the Rain War, furrowed brows returned.
"Hiruzen, White Fang's prestige is overwhelming right now. Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade should take up more responsibility," another suggested.
Hiruzen regarded his old friends quietly, puffed a cloud of smoke, and with renewed resolve declared: "You are right. With war looming, we cannot allow Konoha to be destabilized. I will have Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya lead a corps to the Land of Grass, to act in a pincer with the forces White Fang currently leads against the Rain. If the war expands, they will be able to enter the Rain front as needed."
Just as Hiruzen, Koharu, and Mito were discussing redeployments for the Rain front, the office door swung wide.
With a slam, Danzo Shimura burst in, one eye veiled, his face furious.
"Hiruzen! Senju and Uchiha together — how can you sit idly by!?"
Danzo charged in, immediately confronting Hiruzen; the room stiffened. This was an outrageous breach, but Hiruzen — at the height of his power — would not have his authority undermined during wartime.
"Danzo! I am the Hokage!" Hiruzen snapped.
"You will regret this!" Danzo shot back, eyes blazing.
Koharu and Mito exchanged a resigned glance.
"Danzo, the Rain War situation is critical. Hiruzen will make the call on Tsunade," Koharu said.
Danzo, steaming, flung out the door and shouted back: "Give me that wicked Uchiha brat!"
"Mito—!" someone protested as Danzo stormed off. Hiruzen raised a hand to stop the debate.
"Let Danzo go his way. Our priority is the Rain Front," Hiruzen said hoarsely.
That night was restless. Tsunade had — apparently — chosen a Uchiha.
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