"Thank you very much, Hokage-sama."
Shikamaru Nara bowed deeply to Tsunade, almost at a ninety-degree angle.
"It's nothing," Tsunade replied with a faint, tired smile.
"This mission was assigned under my authority as well. It's already late. You should go and rest. Chōji and the others will need time to recover. You can visit them again in a few days."
She gently patted Shikamaru's shoulder.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Shikamaru bowed once more.
After casting one last glance toward the emergency ward behind him, he turned and left the corridor.
Compared to when he had rushed to the hospital earlier, his steps were noticeably lighter.
Knowing that his comrades were no longer in immediate danger was the greatest relief he could have hoped for.
After Shikamaru departed, Tsunade walked out of the medical corridor and into the courtyard outside.
There, Shikaku Nara, Choza Akimichi, and Hatake Kakashi were already waiting.
Shizune had just completed another round of treatment on Kakashi.
Tsunade's expression became solemn.
"So… the situation is exactly as stated in the report?"
In the past, Tsunade had agreed to Naruto Uzumaki's request to pursue Menma and Sasuke for several reasons.
Part of it was her trust and affection for Naruto.
Another part was her own judgment.
Both Uzumaki Menma and Sasuke Uchihawere still only twelve years old.
It was not unreasonable to assume that they had been influenced—perhaps even manipulated—by Orochimaru.
If they could be guided back onto the right path, there was still a chance to stop them.
Especially Menma.
As the son of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki, Tsunade had genuinely believed he could still be brought back.
If that happened, the issue of the Nine-Tails could also be resolved without resorting to harsher measures.
But now
It seemed she had made a grave miscalculation.
If Menma could go so far as to nearly kill Kakashi…
Could he really show mercy to Naruto?
"…Yes, Tsunade-sama."
Kakashi let out a quiet sigh and nodded.
"Everything happened exactly as written in the report."
Even now, he struggled to accept the reality.
If Menma had killed him, Kakashi might have considered it understandable on a battlefield.
But the way Menma had attacked Naruto…
It gave Kakashi the unsettling impression that the boy had already chosen a path with no intention of turning back.
"I see…"
Tsunade closed her eyes briefly.
Then she turned toward Shikaku.
"Immediately send this information to Jiraiya."
"Tell him that time is running out."
"Also, order the Anbu to reduce unnecessary external deployments for the time being."
Her voice hardened.
"And keep a particularly close watch on Root."
"I don't want a repeat of past incidents. If anything unusual occurs, I want immediate reports."
At the very least, Tsunade hoped Jiraiya would be the one to make the final decision if the situation deteriorated further.
If events reached the worst possible outcome
She did not want Naruto or Jiraiya to be the ones forced to bear that burden without preparation.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Shikaku nodded gravely.
"I will arrange it at once."
"Good. I'll handle the matter with the two village elders myself," Tsunade replied.
Then she looked back at Kakashi.
"By the way… how is Naruto's condition?"
Kakashi's visible eye darkened slightly.
"…Not good."
"This time's shock was simply too great for him."
Naruto had chased Menma with unwavering belief.
The outcome had shaken that belief to its core.
"For now, let him calm down," Tsunade said after a pause.
"There are some obstacles a person must overcome alone."
"No matter what the future brings."
As someone who had lost both her younger brother and her lover, Tsunade understood this truth all too well.
Words of comfort from others could only reach the surface.
True recovery had to come from within.
Moreover, she did not believe Naruto was weak.
If anything, she trusted his resilience more than anyone's.
"Yes… Tsunade-sama."
Kakashi nodded.
"Also," Tsunade continued, her tone softening slightly, "your injuries require proper rest."
"You are forbidden from taking missions for several days."
"In a few days, I will personally perform a surgical procedure to prepare a replacement eye."
"Until then, remain at home and recover."
"Yes. Thank you, Tsunade-sama."
Kakashi bowed slightly.
Soon afterward, Kakashi, Chōza, and Shikaku each took their leave.
Tsunade remained standing in the courtyard for a long moment before finally turning toward the Hokage Tower.
What a troublesome period…
The conflict with Sunagakure had only just concluded.
Negotiations were still ongoing.
Sasuke had defected again.
And now Menma's situation had worsened even further.
On top of that, the presence of the two elder advisors continued to restrict her authority.
As Hokage, she sometimes found herself unable to act as decisively as she wished.
There were moments when Tsunade even considered resolving matters through sheer force.
But in the end, she always restrained herself.
Because this…
Was the fundamental political reality of Konohagakure.
At the same time
Deep beneath Konoha, within the hidden underground base of Root.
"What did you say!?"
Danzo Shimura's expression darkened as he glared at the subordinate reporting before him.
"The Root strike unit was completely wiped out?"
His voice was cold enough to freeze the air.
"Yes, Danzo-sama."
"The bodies were retrieved by Hatake Kakashi and Akimichi Chōza."
"The identities of all personnel have been confirmed."
The masked operative spoke in an emotionless tone.
"According to the mission reports…"
"All members were killed by the missing-nin Uzumaki Menma."
"…Uzumaki Menma?"
For the first time, disbelief appeared on Danzo's face.
That had been an elite Root team led by a jōnin.
Every remaining member had been among the most capable chūnin-class operatives.
Even considering Menma's status as the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki
He was still only twelve years old.
Danzo found it difficult to accept that such a young shinobi could annihilate an entire Root unit on his own.
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