🚨Insert Some Funny Memes or GIF🚨
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But it was only understanding.
Because in Tsunade's heart, Konoha was a family—a great one. Even if the ninja clans clashed over interests or power, they would always rise up when the village was in danger.
Because this was Konoha—their home. For their families, for their children, for the next generation… when crisis struck, they would fight to the death to protect it.
But Sarutobi Hiruzen had lost his faith in that unity. He had grown arrogant, obsessed with control. He trusted only those closest to him and dismissed the will of the people. The clans became obstacles to be maneuvered, not comrades to believe in.
"…That's enough. Are you done?"
The words slipped coldly from Tsunade's lips. She rose to her feet and looked down at Sarutobi Hiruzen, still sitting on the floor.
Hiruzen kept his head lowered. His expression was hidden.
"…That's all. Go. The future of the village… is in your hands now."
Tsunade's expression flickered—grief, fury, and guilt all warring inside her. But in the end, she hardened her heart.
"From this day forward, you and I are no longer friends," she said bitterly. "We are no longer master and student."
And with that, she turned to leave, holding back the tears threatening to fall.
Boom!
The sound made Tsunade freeze mid-step.
Behind her, Sarutobi Hiruzen had dropped to his knees. His hands were pressed flat to the floor, his forehead bowed deeply to the ground.
"Tsunade!" he called hoarsely.
"Even if I've made a thousand mistakes in this lifetime… I will never regret them!"
"…But I do feel shame. Toward you three… and toward the Senju Clan…"
Tsunade stood there for a long moment, then finally turned and slammed the door behind her as she left.
"I'll prove you wrong," she muttered to herself. "And when you die… you can explain yourself to my great-grandfather, my second grandfather, and Nawaki."
Night had fallen.
Tsunade sprinted across Konoha's rooftops, the wind whipping at her face. Her heart was in chaos.
It was the first time she had truly grasped how heavy the title of Hokage was. Her mind swirled with memories—of all those who had worn that mantle.
For the village, her great-grandfather killed his closest friend with his own hands.
For the village, her second grandfather laid down his life.
And for the village… this old man had used the most extreme and ruthless methods.
She didn't know what to believe anymore. It felt like she was stumbling blindly through darkness.
For a moment, she even considered running away again, just like she had all those years ago.
But suddenly… she stopped.
She had made it home.
The warm lights spilling from the windows glowed orange-yellow in the night, casting a soft path forward.
A smile tugged at her lips, slow and small.
She wasn't alone anymore.
She had Uchiha Hikaru.
She stepped forward, shoved the door open without hesitation—
BANG!
The door slammed into the wall, startling Uchiha Hikaru and Shizune, who were watching TV in the living room.
"I'm back!" Tsunade called out loudly. "I'm starving! Shizune, is dinner ready?!"
"Ah! I'll heat it up now, Lady Tsunade! Just a moment!"
Shizune sprang to her feet and rushed into the kitchen to reheat the meal.
Tsunade kicked off her sandals and flopped onto the couch beside Uchiha Hikaru without a care in the world.
Hikaru gave her a tired, deadpan look and sighed as he rubbed his temple with his right hand.
Why did I impulsively bring this woman home…
Tsunade yanked Hikaru's left arm toward her, grabbed his hand, and leaned against his shoulder.
"Don't move. Let me lean here for a while."
Hikaru exhaled and dropped his hand onto her head, gently ruffling her hair.
"…Alright~"
More than ten minutes later, Shizune brought over the hot food and set the dishes on the table.
Hikaru turned to the drowsy Tsunade on his shoulder and nudged her gently.
"Godaime-sama Hokage… dinner's ready."
Tsunade slowly opened her eyes—only to see Shizune standing across the room, giggling behind her hands.
Instantly, steam shot from Tsunade's head as a bright blush spread across her face.
"What are you laughing at? Haven't you ever seen people in love? Move it, I'm starving."
She darted toward the table, plopped into her seat, and began shoveling food into her mouth with comical intensity.
Hikaru and Shizune exchanged a look and shared a small smile. Tsunade's straightforwardness was still as endearing—and chaotic—as ever.
They took their seats beside her.
Hikaru sat across from Tsunade, watching her eat like she hadn't had a meal in days.
Maybe it was that wild, unapologetic energy of hers that drew him in.
His eyes briefly flicked downward.
Well… and maybe that generous figure too.
Later that night, Tsunade and Hikaru lay together in bed. She'd declared—firmly—that nothing was happening tonight.
"No means no," she'd told him. "People need to learn when to stop."
…So the battlefield would remain at peace tonight.
Instead, Tsunade shared everything that had happened with Hiruzen—her voice low, uncertain, raw.
Hikaru listened in silence, then let out a quiet sigh.
So that was the Third Hokage.
In the original Naruto timeline he remembered, Sarutobi Hiruzen had always been controversial—some saw him as a hero who bore the weight of the world, while others believed he was a manipulative old man who covered up too many sins.
But now… now Hikaru wasn't sure what to think.
He almost felt like Hiruzen was a corrupted version of some twisted Immortal Sage—not driven by the pursuit of eternal life, but by the obsessive goal of preserving the village.
A man of contradictions—ruthless and soft, wise and blind.
But this was all Tsunade's story. There was still a chance the old man was just acting.
Old ginger's spicier than fresh, as the saying went in his past life.
If Hiruzen was faking it, and he'd managed to fool Tsunade… then Hikaru needed to be extra cautious.
He gently pulled Tsunade closer into his arms.
Tsunade lifted an eyebrow and gave him a warning glare.
"Remember, tonight is ceasefire. Whoever breaks the truce is a puppy."
Her tone was serious, but she made no move to pull away.
Hikaru reached out and flicked her forehead gently.
"You're the one with the dirty mind. I'm a gentleman, I never break my word."
Tsunade scoffed and turned her back to him, muttering under her breath.
Still… he hadn't tried anything. He'd just held her.
Why did that disappoint her?
"Forget it," he said softly. "If you want to do something, just do it. I'm here. I've got your back. No one's going to stop you."
"When did our Slug Princess become such a coward?"
Tsunade swatted his hand away.
"You're the coward. I'm just… asking your opinion, alright?"
Then she narrowed her eyes, imitating Hiruzen's voice mockingly.
"Hikaru! You must remember, I am the Hokage!"
Her impression was so exaggerated that Hikaru burst out laughing.
"Alright, alright. You're the Hokage… and I'm going to become the Hokage Man."
Tsunade immediately picked up on the double meaning and shoved him away.
"Pervert!"
After the playful bickering died down, Hikaru drifted off to sleep.
But Tsunade lay there, still wide awake.
"Woof~"
Hikaru stirred, hearing something strange. He cracked his eyes open—
Only to find Tsunade staring at him, a dangerous gleam in her eye.
…Yeah. Sleep wasn't happening tonight.
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