Tsunade.
That was the name in Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind.
As the granddaughter of the First Hokage and the last surviving member of the Senju Clan, Tsunade's origins were undeniably noble and pure.
As Director of the Medical Department, she had established the Medical Ninja system. Over the past few years, she had treated countless patients, earning immense fame and admiration from the villagers.
As one of Konoha's top fighters, Tsunade had mastered both the Wood Release techniques and Sage Arts passed down from the First Hokage. Her strength was undeniable, and many believed she might become another Hashirama Senju.
In addition, Tsunade was known for her bold and generous personality. Whether it was Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Fugaku, or Hiashi, they all got along well with her and were happy to back her up.
Considering everything, she alone perfectly met all the strict requirements, making her the ideal candidate for becoming the Fourth Hokage.
Granted, there had never been a female Kage among the Five Great Ninja Villages in history.
But Hiruzen firmly believed that Tsunade could handle the responsibilities of the Hokage role and even become the greatest Hokage ever.
Just as he made up his mind and prepared to summon Tsunade—
Knock! Knock!
The door burst open and Tsunade marched in swiftly without waiting.
"Tsunade, you've come at just the right time."
Hiruzen's eyes lit up. He set his pipe aside, adjusted his robes, and fixed her with a serious gaze. Just as he was about to ask her thoughts, he heard her say:
"I'm heading to the battlefield in the Land of Rain."
"What?"
Surprised by her words, Hiruzen furrowed his brows and slowly sat back down on his chair.
After a brief pause, he said to Tsunade:
"The situation in the Land of Rain is extremely volatile. Anyone on the battlefield could die at any moment. Many of our elite shinobi have already fallen there, including Jiraiya, who narrowly escaped with his life after being severely injured. Therefore, I cannot allow you to take such a dangerous risk."
"Don't worry. I'm going precisely to end this conflict. There mustn't be more losses anymore."
Tsunade replied firmly with unwavering determination in her eyes.
"Very well, I approve your request."
After some contemplation, Hiruzen finally agreed to Tsunade's proactive mission.
"Just remember not to underestimate anything. Resources are scarce here—I can only assign Anbu Unit Six under your command for this operation."
Hiruzen solemnly instructed her and pressed a button on his desk. Immediately, four Anbu ninjas appeared, saluting together:
"Tsunade-sama, Unit Six is ready to serve under your command!"
"No need. I'll go alone. Wait for my message."
With a wave of her hand, Tsunade decisively turned around and left, leaving behind a stunned Hiruzen and Unit Six staring at each other in confusion.
"Follow her immediately and protect Tsunade at all costs—got it?"
Back in his senses, Hiruzen quickly issued orders.
"Yes!"
In unison, they responded before vanishing like wind. Once again, only Hiruzen remained alone in the office.
He stood again and walked to the full-length window, staring out into the quiet village beyond.
Perhaps this was for the best.
If Tsunade could truly help Konoha win the war against the Land of Rain and return triumphantly, there was no doubt her reputation in the village would reach an unprecedented height.
At that time, as the Third Hokage, Hiruzen could build on this momentum and smoothly announce Tsunade as the Fourth Hokage. The people would surely support it without any resistance.
Tsunade, don't let me down.
Hiruzen Sarutobi gazed into the distance, thinking silently to himself.
Previously, Tsunade had secluded herself for four years of cultivation in Shikkotsu Forest—an event many villagers knew about—but no one understood exactly how strong she had become.
Hiruzen anticipated eagerly, hoping to hear a pleasant surprise from the frontlines soon.
One day later.
Overseas, in Penglai Ninja Village.
Heiyan sat in his office leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed, resting quietly.
At some moment,
"Tsunade went to the battlefield in the Land of Rain?"
He murmured, opening his eyes with a sharp glint.
Just now, through the Root commander he previously controlled, he had received this information.
Tsunade's journey was confidential but not enough to escape Root's surveillance. Every word spoken by Hiruzen and Tsunade in that office reached Danzo's ears without missing a beat.
Once Danzo fully realized the implications, he flew into a rage.
Clearly, he had also recognized Hiruzen's intentions—to take this opportunity to elevate Tsunade to the position of Hokage.
Danzo couldn't accept it because he had his own sights set firmly on the title of Fourth Hokage.
Thus, he led a squad of elite Root operatives, closely following behind Tsunade and Anbu Unit Six as they left the village secretly, preparing to infiltrate the Land of Rain.
Danzo intended to stop Tsunade.
If necessary, he wouldn't hesitate to eliminate her entirely. After all, once the biggest rival was gone, no one else would stand in his way to seize the Hokage position.
"It looks like I'll have to make a trip to the Land of Rain too," Heiyan mused inwardly.
Though he trusted Tsunade's strength, believing she wouldn't be defeated by enemies or schemes from someone despicable like Danzo, Heiyan still decided to go personally, just to see the drama unfold.
Therefore, after arranging affairs within the village, Heiyan departed from Penglai.
This time, he traveled alone.
One day later.
In the Land of Rain, continuous drizzle fell under a gloomy sky, its atmosphere thick with sadness, as if Heaven itself wept for this land.
All because of war.
The flames of conflict engulfed every corner of the Land of Rain. Ninja and armies from the Four Great Nations clashed bitterly across the battlefield—battlefields soaked in blood and skies darkened by smoke.
Upon stepping onto the Land of Rain, Heiyan immediately sensed the stench of blood, smoke, and decaying corpses.
Looking around, Heiyan saw ruins stretching endlessly, with corpses scattered haphazardly along the roadside, left unburied. Packs of wild dogs and flocks of vultures gathered in groups, feasting together on human remains.
Wave after wave of emaciated refugees in tattered clothes surged past him, desperate to escape the war-torn hell.
War had scarred this nation forever—its wounds would never heal.
Currently, most major cities in the Land of Rain have been seized and controlled by forces from the Fire, Wind, and Earth nations, who've set up military bases there.
If Heiyan wanted to enter the city, he needed a new identity to move freely through the city.
After a moment's thought, Heiyan—hidden under his hood and cloak—underwent a swift transformation.
His body visibly grew taller and bulkier, soon bursting out of his clothes to reveal thick, knotted bronzed muscles.
Additionally, a pair of OxHorns sprouted from his head. His face became rough and coarse, looking fierce and violent—an obviously bad-tempered tough guy.
This muscular, horned hulk standing almost six-and-a-half feet tall was Heiyan's new disguise, codename—
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