[To Hiruzen.]
[Yesterday at 14:00, I, Shimura Danzō, was overtaken by greed and launched a surprise attack on Mr. Hanzō the Salamander, President of Umbrella Corporation.
Alas, my skills were lacking, and I was taken prisoner…]
[I am deeply ashamed. At first, I considered ending my life to repay Konoha for its many years of nurturing me.]
[However, last night I had an epiphany — I still have regrets! My death cannot be so casual.]
[Konoha is currently weak and impoverished, in dire need of rebuilding, while the ninja world is filled with hungry wolves and tigers eyeing us greedily.
I must preserve this aging body to add one more brick to Konoha's foundation. Therefore, I send you this letter, my friend, in hopes you will promptly gather two hundred million ryō for the settlement.]
[Your friend,
Danzō. Handwritten.]
'You've got to be kidding me.'
After reading the letter, Hiruzen Sarutobi's wrinkled face twisted like he'd bitten into a lemon.
'Two hundred million?'
That damned Umbrella Corporation was really gouging him — asking for that much over a kidnapped adviser?
And Danzō!
'They open their mouths and ask for two hundred million, and you seriously expect me to pay it?'
You babble about Konoha being "weak and impoverished" — if you know we're poor, how do you have the face to ask for money?! Kill yourself already! Why haven't you killed yourself yet, you old bastard?
When you left, you were all puffed up with pride, even trying to start your own "New Konoha." And now look at you — a clown, pretending you're doing all this for the village's sake.
Hiruzen honestly couldn't figure out when his old friend had become this shameless.
Taking a deep breath, he crumpled the letter into a ball and tossed it into the trash.
Just as Kushina had guessed, his first reaction wasn't to pay the ransom. Two hundred million wasn't pocket change, even for a big ninja village like Konoha.
He would save Danzō — they were old friends after all — but paying up? No. It'd be far more cost-effective to send ninja to sneak in and get him out.
With a plan already forming in his head, Hiruzen glanced at the scar-faced Yuto standing nearby. "I've heard the details. This is Danzō's own doing."
"Hmph. That "esteemed elder" sure has guts," Tsunade scoffed from her chair, one leg crossed over the other. "Going after Hanzō the Salamander's turf with only two subordinates."
"This is your new teacher, Tsunade. She'll be instructing you personally in medical ninjutsu," Hiruzen cut in, introducing her to Yuto.
"Yes, Tsunade-sensei," Yuto replied respectfully.
Tsunade gave him a long, assessing look, a sly undertone in her voice. "Looks like I've got myself an interesting student."
"By the way, Lord Hokage," Yuto added, pulling a few photos from his pocket. "When Hanzō released me, he asked me to pass on a message: if Konoha doesn't pay up, he can't promise these won't go public."
"Oh?"
Hiruzen's brows knit as he took the photos and glanced at them.
There, in full glossy color, was Elder Danzō, Hokage's adviser, wearing a skimpy bunny girl outfit — skin everywhere — striking half-hearted pin-up poses for the camera.
Behind him hung a bright red banner:
[Hokage's Lover, Bunny Girl] — starring Konoha Elder and Root Leader Shimura Danzō!
Hssss!
Hiruzen sucked in a sharp breath, ignoring Tsunade as she leaned over, trying to get a look. In one swift motion, he stuffed the entire stack into his pocket.
"What? Come on, it's not gonna kill me to see," Tsunade said, her curiosity only growing. What on earth could make the old man react like that?
"Yuto, you've been through a lot," Hiruzen said warmly, patting the boy's shoulder. "Go home, get some rest, and put this whole unpleasant matter out of your mind."
The subtext was clear — forget the photos, and tell no one.
"Yes, Lord Hokage," Yuto said evenly, turning to leave the office.
"If that's all, I'm going too," Tsunade added, standing up.
"Tsunade, Yuto's a promising seedling for Konoha," Hiruzen said, voice heavy with meaning. "If he ever rubs you the wrong way, I hope you'll be patient with him."
"You're as long-winded as ever," she muttered, vanishing from sight.
When the office was finally quiet again, Hiruzen lit a cigarette and pulled Danzō's photos from his pocket, studying them closely.
In the end, the corners of his mouth couldn't stop twitching.
'My dear friend Danzō… how did you fall this far?'
*Konoha's East Street.*
After stocking up on groceries from the market, Yuto turned a corner and spotted Tsunade standing there, picking at her nails.
"Didn't think a little sprout like you could cook," she said with a grin. "How's your skill?"
"Would Tsunade-sensei like to come to my place and try?" Yuto offered politely.
"Careful, kid," she warned, raising a pale, flawless fist in front of him. "If it's bad, I'll knock you flat — consider it punishment for that lousy disguise on your face."
"Oh? Tsunade-sensei saw through it?" Yuto looked mildly surprised, then smiled. "As expected from the legendary Sannin — the strongest healer in the ninja world."
"Heh, trying to butter me up now that you're caught?" Tsunade folded her arms, cleavage pressing together. "That kind of childish trick doesn't work on me, kid."
"Apologies. It's just camouflage," Yuto said lightly.
"Camouflage for what?"
"For my ability to instantly heal any wound — I didn't want it getting out."
"…Huh?"
Tsunade frowned, her curiosity piqued. "You know what you're saying, right?"
Instant healing? That was like her grandfather's ability… but this kid wasn't Senju. How could that be?
They reached Yuto's small home. He unlocked the door, stepped inside, and without preamble, picked up a kitchen knife and pressed it to his own wrist.
"Stop!" Tsunade's eyes went wide, shouting before he could cut. "No need. I believe you."
If he was willing to do that right in front of her, it didn't matter if he actually cut himself — it proved he wasn't bluffing. The kid really could instantly heal wounds.
In that case, the disguise made sense.
As a Root operative, he'd no doubt seen Konoha's darker side. With a rare ability like his, of course he'd want to hide it.
Tsunade's expression softened as she took a seat at his table.
"That old geezer sure lucked out, finding you. Annoying. Well… as your new teacher, guess we should talk about your future ambitions."
[CHOOSE:]
[1. Say "I aspire to be the speed boost for middle-aged women across the shinobi world!"]
[2. Say "I will be the man of the Fifth Hokage… and you will be the Fifth Hokage."]
[3. Say "The favored consort of Konoha's F4! The secret lover of Tsuchikage ]
Looking at the floating options in front of him, Yuto felt an overwhelming urge to swear.
'Not a single decent choice!'
Taking a deep breath, he said calmly,
"I'll be the man of the Fifth Hokage—"
'Another one who wants to be Hokage?'
Tsunade's brows knitted, her face darkening.
Her younger brother and her lover had both dreamed of becoming Hokage… and both had ended up dead. She had nothing but disgust for the job.
But before the thought could settle, the boy finished: "—and you'll be the Fifth Hokage."
"…?"
Tsunade's eyes went wide, her mind freezing for a second.
[Congratulations. You've acquired Yang Release chakra nature transformation.]
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