After returning to Konoha, Tsunade quickly learned the full extent of the village's losses.
Over seventy ANBU were dead. The number of casualties in Root remained unknown, hidden by Danzo, but judging by the number of bodies retrieved, it was around eighty.
Given the strict standards for joining ANBU and Root, nearly all of them had at least elite Chunin-level strength.
"Incredible. Truly worthy of being the perfect inheritors of the Will of Fire, our dear Ko! No! Ha! Lea! Ders!"
By the end, Tsunade practically spat out each word, as if she wished to drag Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Danzo out for a beating.
A perfectly good village had been weakened to this extent by those people—defectors, massacres, massive ANBU and Root casualties—so many shinobi had died because of the power struggles among the upper echelons.
The Second Hokage had set the number of ANBU at seventy because that amount, combined with the Police Force and standard mission squads, was enough to meet Konoha's and even the Land of Fire's needs.
Without the outbreak of war, the annual number of missions Konoha received remained relatively constant. That number of personnel was sufficient.
But the village leaders, hungry for power, had tripled the size of ANBU and Root.
And while Tsunade was away, they had already filled up ANBU again—as if she were some puppet?
"If Kushina has defected, then I'm no longer needed either. As for the Hokage seat, do whatever you want—pick someone from Nara, Hyuga, or Sarutobi clans. Shizune, Kimimaro, we're leaving."
Despite having a mission, Tsunade truly had no desire to stay in Konoha under such circumstances.
"Lady Tsunade, please reconsider! The village needs you now more than ever!"
The clan heads of the Akimichi, Inuzuka, and Aburame families all tried to stop her. As for her words about handing over the Hokage role to someone else, they took it as an emotional outburst.
Only Tsunade could take the role and satisfy all the clans. No one else, not even Hyuga Hiashi, could win everyone's support.
Tsunade scoffed, then said mockingly, "There are no severely injured, and the village is peaceful. You brought me back just to make me your puppet?"
This line tore away any pretense. But given her personality, it wasn't out of character. Sarutobi Shinnosuke stayed silent—saying anything might shift Tsunade's anger onto him.
The Sarutobi clan's actions hadn't exactly been noble, but restoring ANBU's strength quickly did benefit Konoha, maintaining order in the Land of Fire. The Sarutobis had indeed played a big role in that.
"Lady Tsunade, please reconsider..."
The smaller clans also didn't want her to leave. If she did and no one else stepped up, the old leadership might return, as no other candidate had the strength or reputation to command respect—even Hiashi lacked distinguished war achievements.
Even Kimura spoke up to persuade her—she genuinely wanted Tsunade to stay.
With the joint efforts of the clan leaders and senior Jonin present, Tsunade's fury slowly cooled.
"I'll accept the position of Fifth Hokage. But you must remember this: from now on, there is only one Hokage in this village, and that's me!"
Tsunade's face was firm. Though she had some lingering attachment to the village her grandfather built, the current leadership disgusted her. If Hiruzen's plan was to make her a puppet, she'd rather destroy Konoha herself.
"This..."
Akimichi Choza, Aburame Shibi, and the others exchanged silent glances, then said, "Understood, Lady Tsunade."
They had no other choice. If they tried to obey the Third Hokage after Tsunade took power, they'd be openly treating her as a puppet—she might very well defect.
If that happened, Konoha would be on the brink of collapse. The "Will of Fire" would be a joke.
Konoha was built by clans and civilians seeking shelter. If the village fell, their people would be exposed and vulnerable. So everything had a limit—Tsunade's condition for becoming Hokage was to lead in her own right.
"That's enough. Notify the Land of Fire's Daimyo and prepare for the succession ceremony. Also, clear out the old man's things and bring me the recent reports."
With that, Tsunade waved her hand, officially accepting the role of Fifth Hokage.
At first, when she received the mission from Hyuga Mirai, she intended to reform Konoha—maybe even prepare it for merging into the Sand Federation, so villagers could benefit. But now, she simply hoped to maintain the village's current state.
"Have Kakashi come see me."
Once seated as Hokage, Tsunade immediately summoned Kakashi Hatake. He was the only ANBU captain she knew.
Once he arrived, Tsunade entrusted Kimimaro to him. "Kakashi, take Kimimaro under your wing. Let him lead a squad and quickly learn the responsibilities of a captain."
Kimimaro's strength and character earned her trust. And since both she and Orochimaru were part of the same group, certain matters were best left to Kimimaro. Once trained, he would take over Root and merge it into ANBU.
In Tsunade's view, Root should never have existed. A Hokage must bear all burdens, not offload the dark side onto others due to incompetence.
To create Root and pretend that doing so removed one's darkness—how self-deceptive!
After assigning Kimimaro, Tsunade turned to Shizune. "Shizune, follow Kimura and practice applying medical ninjutsu in actual treatments. I'll give you further responsibilities later."
Once Shizune was set, a pile of documents was delivered: Uchiha district resettlement, casualty compensations, personnel assignments, wartime mobilizations, logistics, and more.
"Just leave them here."
Tsunade's fiery determination faded upon seeing three stacks of paperwork half a meter tall.
Once the others left, she wanted nothing more than to activate her terminal ring and beg Hyuga Mirai to send more help.
"No... I can't let that brat look down on me. I'm Tsunade the Sannin, after all!"
Thinking of how Hyuga Mirai often teased her by calling her "Princess Tsunade," she suppressed the urge to reach out. Besides, Orochimaru's other assistant would show up soon—things would ease then.
---
"Welcome. On behalf of the entire Federation, we're honored by your arrival."
Elder Keiko and the Sand Federation's high-ranking members came out to greet Hyuga Mirai and his entourage.
Some questioned whether such a display would weaken the Federation's position in negotiations, but most supported Keiko, drowning out the dissent.
Though Roran was small, Hyuga Mirai's influence was intimidating.
Not only was he powerful, but he also led the Uzumaki Trade Association, which monopolized all electronics in the ninja world. He had both the former and current Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and all of Roran.
Even just one Jinchuriki warranted such a reception.
Then there was Sasori. Upon hearing he had returned, even the reclusive Chiyo and Ebizo came out. Elder Chiyo froze at the sight of her grandson, not expecting him to ever return.
Her fixed stare made Sasori uncomfortable. He kept trying to hide behind Hyuga Mirai, but Mirai repeatedly pulled him to the front.
"I've long admired the Federation's policies and strength. Even Queen Sara, while traveling, spoke of her admiration. After we merge, the future will be bright."
As Hyuga Mirai spoke, Ayaka Uzumaki and Kushina Uzumaki both quietly smiled. His words sounded rather self-congratulatory.
The group was then escorted inside by Elder Keiko. After reporting to Pakura, Hyuga Mirai and Android 18 essentially started a choreographed performance.
The federation agreement was mostly finalized. All Keiko had to do was act his part, and it would be ready for signing.
Kushina Uzumaki joined the Federation's Sealing Barrier Division as deputy head, also serving as the lead sealing instructor at the federation's school.
Sasori joined the Puppet Division as vice-head and, like Kushina, took a teaching position, though people at their level rarely taught more than twice a year.
Sasori would also handle puppet armor development—a private agreement with Hyuga Mirai.
Kushina might teach more often due to Naruto, maybe three or four times a year, but once he graduated, she'd likely stop going.
Orochimaru wasn't ready to join. He frequently conducted human experiments, which would be too restricted under the Federation. Plus, Otogakure was a vital future outpost against the Hidden Cloud, and the Federation needed Orochimaru for that, so they left him be for now.
The first round of negotiations between Roran and the Sand Federation went smoothly—like shaking hands with oneself. There was no real disagreement.
The remaining Sand shinobi were a bit confused—it all seemed too smooth. But then again, the previous mergers had been just as seamless. Perhaps the gods truly favored the Sand Federation.
(End of Chapter)