"I think Konoha should belong to you, Tsunade-senpai."
Aizen's voice was smooth, magnetic.
"You carry the purest bloodline of the First Hokage. With your Katsuyu Technique, you saved countless lives during the Second Ninja War. If not for your fear of blood during the Third War, the seat of Fourth Hokage would have rightfully been yours."
He pressed further, his tone persuasive.
"You shouldn't have left Konoha. This twisted leadership drove you away. Instead, you should return, take the mantle of Fifth Hokage, and reclaim what belongs to you."
Had it been ordinary people—say, the shinobi of Sunagakure—they might already have forgotten themselves under such words. Shizune's troubled expression alone showed how convincing Aizen could be.
But this was Tsunade.
Her experience in battle and politics far exceeded Aizen's age. How could she be swayed so easily?
"A brat from Sunagakure dares call me Hokage? What are you plotting?" Tsunade sneered. To her, this little devil named "Aizen" was far too meddlesome—he definitely had hidden motives.
"Senior Tsunade, whatever my purpose may be, put that aside for now. Ask yourself this—don't you wish to reclaim the village your grandfather founded?"
The words struck like a thrown kunai, forcing her to confront her own heart.
Clever.
Tsunade's attention faltered.
Forget my motives for a moment—don't you truly wish to be Hokage? To stand where your grandfather once stood?
Her eyes flickered. For the first time, hesitation clouded her face.
Yes… face yourself honestly.
Do I hate Konoha itself… or something else?
Seeing the shift in her expression, Aizen pressed the advantage, his next words cutting straight into her shaken heart.
"Tsunade-senpai does not hate Konoha. What you despise is the scheming darkness that took your loved ones. That is exactly why you must become Hokage—so that the village can return to the prosperity it knew under the First Hokage."
Tsunade bit her lip hard enough to draw blood. She remained silent for long minutes, the weight of his words bearing down on her.
Even Shizune swallowed nervously, frightened by the tense atmosphere.
At last, Tsunade spoke, her voice low.
"…What do you want?"
She had to admit—part of her was swayed. But she was no fool. She didn't trust him. Instead, her suspicion deepened. What game is this Sand shinobi playing? Why push me toward the Hokage's seat?
"I only want what rightfully belongs to me," Aizen replied calmly. "Don't paint my desires as something filthy. I am nothing like Shimura Danzō."
He rose to his feet, his composure unshaken.
"If you truly wish to be Hokage, Tsunade-sama… allow me to cure your hemophobia."
With that, he turned and strode out of the restaurant.
Tsunade frowned, then followed.
"L–Lady Tsunade…" Shizune's voice trembled. They still knew nothing of this man's true identity or intentions.
"I want to see what tricks he thinks he can play," Tsunade muttered, narrowing her eyes. She was a Kage-level powerhouse, above even Rasa. Whatever Aizen was scheming, she was confident she could crush him if needed.
Not long after, they reached a quiet stream outside the town.
Aizen faced her, drawing Kyōka Suigetsu from his waist.
"Then, allow me to be direct, Tsunade-sama."
From Shizune's perspective, the scene was surreal. The Sand shinobi named "Aizen" merely drew his blade, pointed it to the earth, and then approached. Gently, he pressed a finger against the diamond-shaped mark of the Hundred Healings on Tsunade's forehead.
A moment later, Tsunade collapsed to one knee, sweat pouring down her cheeks as she gasped for breath.
"Lady Tsunade!" Shizune cried, rushing forward—only for Aizen to stop her with a raised hand.
"Please wait."
He calmly cut his own index finger with the blade, letting blood drip to the ground.
Ordinarily, the sight would have sent Tsunade recoiling in terror, her body betraying her. Yet now, despite the cold sweat streaming down her face, she remained standing, trembling but steady.
Her phobia—her curse—was not consuming her.
"Y–Your phobia… it's gone?" Shizune whispered, eyes wide.
"This boy… what a terrifying illusion," Tsunade muttered. Fear flickered in her gaze. She had thought herself strong enough to overwhelm him—but now, that confidence wavered.
"Does time in an illusion… feel like hours, even when only moments pass in reality?" she murmured.
Aizen had used Kyōka Suigetsu's perfect hypnosis to trap her, forcing her to relive the blood-soaked image of her brother, Senju Nawaki, walking toward her in death. It was as if she had been thrust back into the battlefield of the Second Ninja War.
It was cruel. Brutal.
But effective.
If she feared blood, then he would force her to confront the blood she feared most.
And yet—Aizen had been careful. He pushed her to the edge, but not beyond it, sparing her from mental collapse.