At the start of Konoha's 55th year, the village's operations had returned to normal routine.
Before the administrative department's bulletin board, shinobi occasionally stopped. Figures submitting vacation applications also increased.
Shuji summoned Team Five, informing the two of his plans.
"I'm preparing to apply for a period of leave to go out for training." Shuji said.
"Vacation, huh." Anko scratched her purple hair, tone relaxed. "Come to think of it, last year we really were constantly rushing east and west. Mission after mission without much rest."
The benefit was her small treasury had become abundant as a result. This way, temporarily not taking missions was no problem.
"Then I'll also focus on training during this time. Still have several jutsu I haven't mastered properly."
Jutsu rewarded by the village, jutsu left behind by Orochimaru—enough for her to study for quite a while.
Anko rarely showed seriousness. "I also need to work toward the jōnin goal."
She turned to look at the youth beside her. "Speaking of which, this year's chūnin exam preparation is also starting. Itachi, is it okay for you to participate alone?"
Itachi's demeanor was composed. "No problem."
Indeed, those who should worry were others in Uchiha Itachi's cohort. The chūnin slots this time were considerable. Otherwise, those in his batch should consider the next exam.
"However, why is Shuji specifically leaving the village? For training, staying in the village should also work, right?" Anko was somewhat curious.
"To find someone."
—
The day after submitting his vacation leave request, Shuji's application received a response. The Hokage's office sent word for him to come over.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked somewhat older than last year. Wrinkles at his eyes seemed to have deepened.
Seeing Shuji enter, he rose from behind the document-piled desk, indicating Shuji should sit on the sofa to the side.
"Vacation can be approved, but leaving the village..." The Third Hokage looked at Shuji. "Where do you want to go?"
Shuji pondered slightly, choosing not to fabricate reasons.
"I hope while training outside, to find Tsunade-sama and persuade her to return to the village."
Shuji met Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze, speaking frankly.
The Third Hokage took out his pipe, methodically filling tobacco. "Finding Tsunade to come back. Her current situation, you should understand, Shuji."
"Yes."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's body leaned back, settling into the sofa. "The Hokage cannot fear blood, much less be unable to personally go to the frontlines."
When Shuji mentioned bringing back Tsunade, he understood what this meant.
If not to invite her back as Hokage, with the village currently having no major medical problems, why specifically seek Tsunade—someone whose background and reputation, once appearing in the village, would become a Hokage candidate.
Though surprised Shuji was so direct, the Third Hokage did not mind. If Jiraiya did not want it and Tsunade was long absent from the village slacking off, after the Fourth's death in battle, he would not need to resume as Hokage.
The Hyūga clan, through sacrificing one person, salvaged public opinion originally directed at them. Village discontent now concentrated on him.
Including the dissatisfaction of this young person before him.
But none of this mattered. As long as one was not betraying the village, even wanting to leave for a period was acceptable.
Moreover, Shuji now was not wanting to defect but only wanting to find someone to replace him. That was an even smaller matter.
Thus, Sarutobi Hiruzen only pointed out the key difficulty Shuji's idea faced—
Tsunade's hemophobia.
"I'll find a way." Shuji answered.
Sarutobi Hiruzen gazed at him for a moment and nodded. "Since you say so, then leaving the village can be permitted. But you cannot waste too long on this."
"Three months. I give you three months of leave."
Speaking thus, he rose and returned to his desk, searching briefly among several document rolls.
Finally, he extracted a scroll.
"This contains recent clues about Tsunade's whereabouts. According to latest intelligence, she's probably active around Hot Water Country."
After Shuji received it, he opened it to carefully examine.
Listed was Tsunade's approximate itinerary this year. This Senju Princess gambled from south to north all the way to Hot Water Country. It even had her creditor list and debt amounts...
Though for shinobi, especially Sannin-level shinobi, money truly meant little, this figure was still somewhat exaggerated.
Sarutobi Hiruzen waited for Shuji to roughly finish reading before saying, "Her temperament is hasty and she loves gambling. For the Hokage position, I favor Jiraiya more."
"Under current circumstances, if she's willing, that also works."
Speaking thus, the old man lightly sighed. "Disappointing you all, I'm truly sorry. All this is due to my incompetence." If only I had died then, Fourth.
Shuji slowly rolled up the scroll, bowing slightly to the Third Hokage.
"You have your considerations. And thank you for your tolerance."
Shuji's behavior was indeed improper—before a military group's current leader, showing the attitude of finding another to replace him.
If this person were not Sarutobi Hiruzen, if such thoughts truly arose, Shuji would say nothing and prepare himself.
Precisely because it was Sarutobi Hiruzen could he be so frank. And precisely because it was Sarutobi Hiruzen, perhaps letting him leave the Hokage position was liberation for him.
"The younger generation continuously exploring paths to make the village better is a good thing."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression became somewhat serious. "However, Shuji, I also hope you understand. Even if Tsunade returns, if the hemophobia matter is not resolved, then don't blame me for being unwilling to yield."
"Yes, I understand."
"Additionally, there's one more matter needing reminder." Sarutobi Hiruzen pulled out another document and handed it over. "You're on the black market's bounty list."
"The bounty is ten million. For your strength, dealing with enemies coming for this amount isn't a problem, but still be careful."
"I had Anbu investigate who issued the bounty but got no information."
Bounty?
Shuji received the document. The attached bounty poster bore his portrait, name, and shinobi rank.
He recalled not doing anything that would draw people's resentment. Going on missions, when really coming to blows, he generally worked very cleanly.
Other ninja villages? Or someone within the village who did not receive his reply?
Thoughts turning, he temporarily set aside being bountied. The bounty poster had no information about his abilities. Moreover, choosing this time to propose leaving the village for training was precisely because he had already mastered a new technique—Flying Thunder God.
Spending so long, Shuji had finally grasped how to quickly place formulae and transmit through them.
Limited by sensory ability, his transmission range was extremely limited. When first placing marks, he could only move within a dozen meters.
Later using Wood Release to improve the Flying Thunder God mark carrier, relying on perception of Wood Release constructs, transmission range expanded considerably. Effective transmission distance extended to several hundred meters.
If using Wood Release clones as mark carriers, then wherever the Wood Release clone was, he could transmit there along shared perception.
As for using in actual combat—he was neither a sensory type nor possessed super neural reaction ability. Compared to fighting with Flying Thunder God, ninjutsu bombardment suited Shuji better.
But Shuji's original purpose learning this technique was not for combat but to have an additional method responding to space-time ninjutsu.
Now having mastered it, out in the world, if some incredible figure truly came pursuing, escaping always had methods.
Shuji put away the bounty poster, expressing thanks to Sarutobi Hiruzen. "Thank you for Hokage-sama's reminder. I'll be careful."
"Go." Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand. "Be careful with everything."
Shuji bowed again and turned to leave the Hokage's office.
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild