*Land of Fire, Tanzaku Town.*
A golden-haired girl tied in a perky ponytail stealthily slipped out through the inn's window.
*Thud.*
The moment her feet touched the ground, the room's door was violently kicked open.
Several burly men stormed in, frantically ransacking the place.
"She's not here!"
"Dammit, we've been tricked again!"
"That little—!"
As the men howled in frustration, the smirking blonde had already ducked away from the windowsill, crouching low as she made her escape.
"Lady Tsunade, you've done it again…"
At the alleyway's corner, a short-haired woman holding a small pig blocked the blonde's path.
"What's the big deal? It's not like those casino owners are saints," the golden-haired girl—Tsunade in her youthful disguise—waved a hand dismissively. "I just borrowed a little money, that's all. They've been hounding me for days."
"You call not paying back 'borrowing'? And you still have the nerve to say they're not the good guys?" The short-haired woman, Shizune, twitched. "And was it really just a little?"
"Two million. What's the big deal?"
"That's enough to cover our living expenses for the next decade!"
"Relax, it's fine." Tsunade grinned, utterly unbothered. "Just hand over the rest of our emergency funds. I swear I'll win back those two million in a single afternoon!"
"Lady Tsunade, you're still gambling?!" Shizune gasped.
"How else are we gonna get money?" Tsunade snorted, holding out her palm. "Come on, hurry up!"
"But you haven't won once in the past few months!" Shizune pleaded, her face twisted in despair. "Please, just stop while we still have some dignity left!"
"I've got a feeling today's the day!"
"We don't have any money left…"
"Impossible!" Tsunade's eyes widened. "What about the emergency stash?"
"Last night, Mr. Yoshida of the money lenders came knocking. I had to use it to cover your debts." Shizune sighed.
"You—" Tsunade's lips trembled, her expression wilting like a frostbitten eggplant.
Sure, she had no qualms about skipping out on debts—it was practically second nature by now. But she couldn't exactly scold Shizune for being honest. The frustration lodged in her chest like a stubborn lump.
"Um… Lady Tsunade?" Shizune ventured cautiously.
"What?" Tsunade shot her a glare. "I'm in a bad mood. Unless it's important, don't bother me."
"It's just… the Hokage sent you a letter." Shizune murmured, head bowed.
"That old geezer actually wrote to me?" Tsunade arched a brow, surprised. "Now that's a first. What is it this time? Another sappy guilt-trip letter begging me to come back?"
"Actually, no "sappy guilt-tripping" this time." Shizune paused. "He just… asked if you'd consider returning to the village to take on a student. Someone with a talent for medical ninjutsu."
"A student?" Tsunade scoffed, her smirk turning razor-sharp. "Tell that old fossil to shove it! His words mean nothing to me. I'm never going back to Konoha, so he might as well drop dead waiting!"
"But… he's offering two million a day as a teaching fee." Shizune whispered.
Tsunade froze. Then she huffed, crossing her arms. "Pfft. As if I care about some measly two million!"
Shizune opened her mouth to argue—maybe point out their dire financial situation—but Tsunade suddenly leaned in, lowering her voice.
"...Counter with four million. See if the old man bites."
*Konoha, Danzo's Residence.*
"You've done well, Yuto." Danzo's usually grim face cracked into a rare smile as he stared at the severed head before him—supposedly that of the traitorous Yamanka Fū. "This fool has finally paid the price for his betrayal."
Behind Danzo, Grey Feather barely stifled a laugh.
From her perspective, the "head" was just a half-rotten cabbage. The real Fū—along with the previously "eliminated" Shin—were currently locked up in a reformatory in the Land of Waves, living a dull but safe life operating sewing machines.
"Betraying you is tantamount to betraying Konoha. He deserved death." Yuto declared solemnly.
"Good."
Danzo nodded in approval, sighing. "A pity it took me so long to see who among my Root operatives was truly loyal. How laughable. Perhaps my current… predicament is simply karma."
"It's not too late, Lord Danzo." Yuto bowed slightly. "The Hokage and the elders may not understand you now, but in time, they'll see you've always acted for Konoha's sake."
"Those incompetent fools are beneath my concern." Danzo sneered, his disdain plain.
He'd long since given up on his so-called "comrades." Working with those decrepit relics was an insult to Konoha—to the Will of Fire itself!
They knew nothing, yet dared to dictate his actions!
After all his sacrifices for Konoha's prosperity, was this his reward?
Unacceptable. They would pay.
"Still, you're right about one thing—it's not too late." Danzo exhaled, reining in his fury. "Those fools have no idea what I'm truly capable of. They've never witnessed…"
*Rip.*
The bandages on his face and arm tore away, revealing white, bone-like plating beneath his skin.
"...what a true shinobi looks like." Danzo's eyes burned with ambition.
"Lord Danzo… your research is complete?" Yuto feigned awe.
"Hmph. That fool Hiruzen is no match for me now." Danzo's grin turned predatory. "The time has come to begin New Konoha."
"New… Konoha?" Yuto blinked, genuinely startled.
This wasn't part of the act—Danzo had never mentioned this before.
"The current Konoha is a cesspool of corruption, a far cry from the vision of the First and Second Hokage. With my power, I will remake it." Danzo stated coolly.
"Oh my god, the AUDACITY of this man!" Kushina's voice screeched from within the Spirit Pearl. "HE'S the one calling others corrupt?!"
Even the mild-mannered Mikoto looked ready to strangle someone. "This man's shamelessness knows no bounds."
Yuto himself fought the urge to gag. Keeping his voice steady, he asked, "You're serious, Lord Danzo?"
"I do not jest." Danzo clenched his fist. "At dawn, the two of you will accompany me to the Land of Waves."
"The Land of Waves?"
"The Umbrella Corporation will be the foundation of "New Konoha." That fool Hanzo has no right to hoard the secrets of the super-soldiers. That power belongs to me—to New Konoha!"
Yuto and Grey Feather exchanged a glance before bowing in unison.
"As you command, Lord Danzo."
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