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Shikaku said stubbornly:
"This matter doesn't require your consent. The Council of Elders has the authority to convene meetings on its own. Furthermore, even if Lord Advisor beat me up, I will not compromise. Because when the time comes for the Council to convene, it means the village needs a new Hokage to lead it. Not to wait with bated breath for an unqualified Hokage to return. If it truly comes to that, please prepare yourself mentally, Lord Advisor. Because with you here, I don't think anyone can be qualified for the Sixth Hokage position."
Was Tsunade a qualified Hokage?
Theoretically, yes.
But Tsunade herself had some issues.
In the original story, that was one thing. With Naruto stirring things up and various experiences, Tsunade's fear of blood was cured.
As for now...
Honestly, Kazuki wasn't sure if Tsunade's fear of blood had recovered.
Even if she saw bloody scenes, she didn't react much.
Furthermore, even if the Council of Elders convened and exercised its authority, and even if they chose a suitable Sixth Hokage, could that Sixth Hokage sit securely in the Hokage's office?
They would probably need to get past Kazuki first.
Therefore, if the Council of Elders convened, the most likely outcome was that Kazuki, the Hokage Advisor, would go directly from Advisor to Hokage.
"Sigh... What I'm worried about is Tsunade's fear of blood."
The fact that Tsunade could abandon everything and run off was probably closely related to her own issues.
Otherwise, given her sense of responsibility, she wouldn't do something so outrageous. Even if she did, she'd wander around for a while and quickly return.
But now?
She'd been gone for a long time with no intention of returning. She hadn't mentioned her own problems either.
This was not good news.
Shikaku frowned slightly.
Some people had previously worried that her fear of blood would make Tsunade unfit for the Hokage position.
Later, Tsunade became Hokage. Her performance was normal. Even when seeing relatively bloody scenes, she didn't react much.
The problem was, not reacting much didn't mean she was cured.
After all, Tsunade becoming Hokage was entirely out of necessity.
********
The Land of Iron.
As a permanently neutral country, the Land of Iron had not been affected or touched by the war.
The only impact was that the prices of various supplies had increased quite a bit.
"Lady Hokage, should we find a place to stay temporarily?"
By now, Shizune had stopped trying to persuade Tsunade to return to Konoha.
Because she could see that Tsunade's mental state wasn't right. As a medical ninja, Shizune had this professional instinct.
Tsunade's body was fine; it was just her psychology that was off. After all, fear of blood was a psychological condition.
At times like this, Shizune wouldn't even mention Konoha. Instead, she would actively look for towns to stop in, offering up her own savings so Tsunade could gamble a few rounds.
"Weren't you always urging me to go back before?" Tsunade stared suspiciously at Shizune.
Something's off. Very off.
"Not at all. I was just worried something might happen to the village. Besides, with Kazuki in the village, everything must be fine. So, My Lady, just enjoy yourself and relax." Shizune quickly shook her head in denial.
"You know best. Then let's find a place. We'll stay here for a while. I hope the casinos here are interesting."
Mentioning casinos made Tsunade's eyes light up.
Shizune felt like crying but had no tears. My poor wallet. I wonder how much longer it can hold out. I hope the Lady Hokage recovers soon!
As long as the Lady Hokage gets better, I'd even give all my pocket money.
No, even a lifetime's salary and pocket money wouldn't matter.
Tsunade smiled happily, but a hint of worry lingered in her eyes.
She knew where her own problem lay. Perhaps it had been triggered by the war.
That's why her initial plan to just play for a few days had been cut short. She had abandoned the idea of returning to Konoha.
She needed to find a way to recover as soon as possible, then return to Konoha with her head held high.
Not just keep suppressing herself.
Hmph, isn't it just a little fear of blood?
Am I afraid of such a thing?
Don't be ridiculous.
As for whether Konoha would have changed a lot by the time she returned, Tsunade didn't care.
Even if there was a new Hokage, she didn't care.
Given Konoha's situation, if they elected a new Hokage, the person sitting in the Hokage's office would undoubtedly be Kazuki.
'I haven't held onto that guy's strong body to sleep for a long time. I really miss it.'
She patted her face, snapping herself out of her infatuated state.
Tsunade forced herself not to think about these things. The most important thing now was to find a good place to gamble.
But it seemed Shizune's savings were almost drained. She needed to find a way, but...
"Heh heh heh..." Tsunade suddenly laughed very slyly, pulling a scroll from her bosom.
If Kazuki saw this scroll, he would definitely curse Tsunade out.
A real spendthrift woman. She even stole one of my money-filled sealing scrolls.
Only you, Tsunade, would dare do such a thing.
Kazuki wasn't short of money and didn't have the habit of saving it, so he stored it in sealing scrolls.
Over time, Tsunade, who was very sensitive to money, naturally eyed these scrolls.
But she was timid, only daring to take one, not the whole batch. She was afraid Kazuki would storm out of Konoha, find her, and beat her.
"Lady Hokage, what's wrong?"
Why the sudden sly laugh?
"Ah? Nothing."
Tsunade quickly stuffed the scroll back into her clothes.
This scroll cannot be discovered by Shizune, or it will be confiscated. Then it won't be easy to get money.
"Lady Hokage, after we rent a house and buy daily necessities, we won't have much money left. Prices have gone up ridiculously recently."
"Don't worry. I'll figure something out."
"Hmm?"
Really? I don't believe it.
Expecting Tsunade to figure out how to make money?
It'd be a blessing if she didn't waste money. Besides, Tsunade was a bit too confident.
Could the Lady Hokage be hiding money?
Then the question is, where did the money come from?
Shizune knew exactly how much money Tsunade had.
If she had money, there was only one explanation: it came from Kazuki.
Kazuki always strictly forbade Tsunade from gambling and wasting money. He wouldn't give her money willingly unless Tsunade...
"Lady Hokage."
Shizune put on a stern face, sitting seriously before Tsunade.
Are you going to confess voluntarily, or do I have to interrogate you?
It's over...
Seeing Shizune like this, Tsunade knew trouble was coming.
Usually, Shizune gave in to her. But once Shizune got serious, even Tsunade had to concede.
Ahhh!!!
I got too carried away. Now I'm in big trouble.