Support me and be 30 chapters ahead of webnovel:
patreon.com/Draco_
*****
[By the time you arrived, Tsunade had already met with Orochimaru. He promised to use forbidden techniques to resurrect her lost loved ones, which deeply shook her resolve.]
[You all went to an izakaya to discuss official matters. Jiraiya brought up the proposal for Tsunade to become Hokage, which she promptly rejected. When the topic shifted to the Hokage who sacrificed their lives for Konoha, Tsunade scoffed and said that those who throw their lives away so easily are fools.]
[This enraged Naruto, who tried to punch Tsunade in fury. However, you stopped his fist and agreed with what Tsunade had said. This piqued her interest, prompting her to ask Jiraiya who you were. This time, it was Jiraiya who was left confused.]
[Once Jiraiya explained your background, the already emotionally unstable Tsunade turned all her attention to you. She couldn't believe someone would impersonate her disciple. Grabbing you by the collar, she hurled you into the air and warned you that if you didn't tell the truth, she'd pound you into minced meat.]
[Remaining calm and composed, you addressed her as "sensei" and requested a long-overdue sparring match. Enraged, Tsunade struck, and you went all out to face her.]
[Whether it was raw strength, chakra quantity and quality, control over Yin Seal, or taijutsu—none of your skills matched up to Tsunade's. But in terms of speed, you could keep up, preventing a quick defeat.]
[Moreover, when Tsunade saw you using the same monstrous strength as her, she became intrigued and began testing your true abilities. The two of you fought fiercely outside the city, reducing the terrain to ruins.]
[Before long, you were at a disadvantage, and blood began to flow from your body. Seeing the blood triggered Tsunade's hemophobia, yet she still demanded that you surrender. Calmly, you used Sage Palm Technique to heal your wounds, tore off your bloodied clothing, and activated the Yin Seal.]
[You then asked Tsunade with confusion, wasn't her hemophobia already cured? Why was it happening again? Angered and flustered, Tsunade resumed the fight. The two of you battled through dozens of intense exchanges until she finally pinned and subdued you.]
[By now, Tsunade had fallen into deep confusion and doubt. Not only had you mastered all of her techniques, you even knew her darkest secrets. She couldn't comprehend how this was possible.]
[You insisted that Tsunade was your teacher. You went so far as to mention her hemophobia, as well as the stories of her younger brother and Dan Katō. When you were about to bring up some embarrassing childhood stories, Tsunade blushed and quickly covered your mouth.]
Seeing this, Ximen Zhen couldn't help but burst into laughter. This was one of the techniques he had prepared to "corner" Tsunade emotionally.
If she still refused to believe him, he could always use the Transformation Jutsu to become a younger version of Tsunade and mimic the coy, manipulative tone she used when scamming people out of money.
Though that would probably send Tsunade into a rage, it might also make her question if she really was getting old and forgetful.
Of course, he was mostly joking—mostly.
His real trump card, the one he was sure would make Tsunade recognize him, was the knowledge that Jiraiya would die in the future.
Ximen Zhen was even willing to let Inoichi Yamanaka read his mind—then they'd see whether Tsunade believed him or not.
[Tsunade sternly warned you not to reveal her private affairs, to which you nodded. Then, as she released you, you curiously asked, "Didn't you say Jiraiya was dead? Why is he alive and well?"]
[Tsunade instantly realized the severity of the situation and pulled you into a small forest grove, demanding that you explain everything. So, you described a future version of her—one who had become Hokage and, after going through some events, had returned to the past and met you.]
[To verify your identity, she demanded you demonstrate all the techniques she had taught. You held nothing back. When you showcased your self-developed technique—Resurrection Healing Jutsu—Tsunade's confusion turned into shock.]
[Soon after, Tsunade accepted you as her disciple. Your talent was so overwhelming, she believed you might be the first—and possibly last—person truly capable of inheriting her legacy. Laughing heartily, she patted your shoulder and claimed that everything before was just a test. As for what she said about Jiraiya dying, well… she was drunk and talking nonsense.]
[Originally depressed and unwilling to become Hokage, Tsunade's outlook shifted drastically because of your appearance. For Jiraiya, and for you—her true successor—she resolved to take up the mantle. Her sudden change stunned Jiraiya, who could only give you a thumbs-up.]
Seeing this, Ximen Zhen smiled. As expected, everything had gone smoothly.
Through repeated simulations, Ximen Zhen had gradually developed a rule of conduct:
Reasoning doesn't matter—established facts are what make the difference.
Time and again, Hiruzen Sarutobi had cleaned up Danzō's messes. Orochimaru killed the Third Hokage, Kabuto started a world war—and yet no one truly held them accountable. That was proof enough: when someone's value is high enough, even their mistakes are forgiven.
Ximen Zhen had no intention of becoming the next Danzō. He certainly didn't see the title "Darkness of the Leaf" as a badge of honor.
But at least in simulations, with his growing strength, he didn't mind taking bold actions to secure maximum returns.
[With her mindset changed, Tsunade brought up the issue of Orochimaru. You all decided to confront him. That night, Tsunade met with you in private to ask how her hemophobia had been cured. You gave a simple answer: you taught her the Resurrection Healing Jutsu.]
[You also promised that the two of you would work together to heal all the wounded in Konoha. As long as you were alive, no one would die in front of you. Tsunade's hemophobia was a psychological scar, and you gave her a way to atone with her life. She found redemption.]
[That night, Tsunade pulled Jiraiya aside and drank with him until late. Drunk out of her mind, she didn't return to her own room—instead, she stumbled into yours and clung to you like a pillow. In her eyes, you were a gift from the Sage of Six Paths himself. She hadn't done anything, yet she was receiving all the hope you had brought her. So she decided she would take good care of you from now on.]
Seeing this, Ximen Zhen hesitated.
Drunk again… a late-night visit… Was this youthful Tsunade going to do something improper with him? …Well, hopefully he had enough self-control.
[That night, you didn't make any moves—but you also didn't reject Tsunade's advances. She held you, crying and laughing, telling stories for half the night. At dawn, in a spontaneous burst of energy, she dragged you to the hot spring. The next day, after you watched over her until noon, she—still dressed indecently—punched you out of the inn.]
Seeing this, Ximen Zhen felt a sudden respect for his simulated self.
Truly, he was a gentleman!
Ahem... Though since it's just a simulation, maybe he could afford to be a little bolder next time.
After all, being Hokage is stressful—a long vacation every now and then is perfectly reasonable, right?
Sigh… how did he forget to use the "Guidance" option just now?
Clearly, even in real life, he's a true gentleman!
(End of Chapter)