Bring Tsunade back and have her become Hokage.
From when Shimura Danzō came to the door, Shuji had been considering this matter.
Cooperation? Or mutual exploitation and counter-exploitation?
He had no interest in falling into endless power struggles with Danzō, yet also did not wish to sit awaiting death, passively waiting for the advisor holding greater authority to make trouble for him.
Bringing Tsunade back to the village would undoubtedly be a decisive move.
If that didn't work, he would consider other methods.
Shuji removed his Konoha forehead protector, changing out of that conspicuous ninja vest. Underneath remained black shirt and long pants convenient for movement, material the same as Might Guy's green bodysuit.
To be honest, wearing it was very comfortable. Anko and Itachi thought it looked good too.
He simply pasted purple stripes on both cheek sides for slight disguise. Over this he wore a gold-trimmed red robe. Wrists wrapped with specially made bandages, inside sealed with sealing formulae storing commonly used ninja tools—learning sealing techniques also found new uses.
Finally carrying a blade. Having something visible when you're out and about always helps avoid unnecessary trouble.
—
The route to Hot Water Country, Shuji was quite familiar with. In memory, he had traveled this eastern border route many times. That had been the first line of Konoha and Cloud's long confrontation. After alliance signing, Cloud's activities completely quieted.
This visit, along the Hot Water Country line, Konoha deployed far fewer shinobi and outposts than before.
Cloud shinobi could still be seen—according to agreement, Konoha had already transferred some Hot Water Country mission quotas to Cloud.
As for local Hot Water Country ninja village, Yugakure's opinion?
Yugakure had no particular opinion. After Konoha and Cloud fought here back and forth for years, after Yuga shinobi with opinions mostly died, the remainder had no thoughts.
Though this village still maintained certain shinobi numbers and bore a ninja village's name, it had actually relied on abundant hot spring resources to transform into a town primarily based on tourism economy.
Hot Water Country's Daimyō still punctually sent money to Yugakure. Mission quotas mostly flowed to Konoha. Now one more Cloud family could reasonably enter this country.
Tsunade's physiological characteristics and behavioral traits were very obvious, especially the latter. The legendary Legendary Sucker was famous nearly everywhere.
Shuji explored along inns and gambling houses all the way. Yet clues obtained all pointed to her already leaving Hot Water Country.
According to the last gambling house owner, she seemed to head east, reportedly wanting to experience different local customs.
Speaking this, he carried some regret, even wondering if his hospitality was insufficient, causing the Legendary Sucker unwilling to stay a few more days.
"From Hot Water Country further east..."
Shuji unfolded the map. Between Hot Water Country and Frost Country lay a small nation called Cedar Country.
Along the coastline was a commercial district named Watashita Yokochō, fairly prosperous.
He speculated Tsunade might head there and no longer delayed, immediately departing.
Approaching Watashita Yokochō's outer forest area, Shuji slowed his pace. Combat traces remaining in the forest aroused his vigilance. He investigated deeply, discovering not-yet-dried bloodstains and clear Lightning Release chakra burns and explosion marks on trees.
Marks fairly fresh, methods fierce—not ordinary conflicts could leave them.
Who had Cloud shinobi fought here?
His original self had fought Cloud shinobi plenty. He understood these people's techniques too well.
Shuji took out several specially made thin wood chips, carving Flying Thunder God formulae on them, then based on his maximum transmission radius placed marks along the way in tree trunk cracks, shallow earth, or stone crevices.
After completing everything, he entered Watashita Yokochō.
The district's foot traffic was actually sparse. So-called prosperity was relative to neighboring Frost Country. But the district's shinobi density obviously exceeded standards.
Several teams wearing Kumogakure forehead protectors, seemingly casually scattered at street corners and alleys. They did not hide identities. But such a formation indicated someone of high status was in the district.
Yet they were not particularly vigilant. They did not mind one or two people carrying blades.
For a shinobi with sufficient professional quality, the guard formation itself could expose the position wanting protection.
Shuji naturally merged into the crowd, following the flow toward the central area Cloud shinobi guarded.
Finally, outside a tavern in the district, he discovered another team of shinobi sitting outside.
Through the tavern's open window, Shuji immediately saw that conspicuous golden-yellow long hair.
It was Tsunade. She sat at a table inside the tavern. Shizune sat beside her. At this moment, Shizune's arms held a small pink pig.
However, what made Shuji's gaze sharpen was the burly figure standing beside their table—bronze skin, pale yellow short hair.
Fourth Raikage, A.
Shuji calmed himself. From the window, he looked at other positions inside the tavern. Some seemingly ordinary customers sat in seats.
At the tavern entrance, those Cloud shinobi showed no intention of blocking other customers wanting to enter.
After slight weighing, Shuji chose to walk toward the tavern.
"Hey." A Cloud shinobi at the entrance called to him.
"You..." That shinobi came closer, carefully examining Shuji. "Don't look like drinking age."
Shuji's already tense body twitched involuntarily.
Are you shinobi world shinobi's brains touched by something?
I'm about to cut people down and you ask if I can drink?! You're interrogating this?!
"Young man, though alcohol is good, you still can't casually try before adulthood." Another Cloud shinobi also said likewise.
"No, that, I already can..."
"Alright, you two!" The Cloud shinobi looking like the leader said. "Don't bother people!"
He tilted his head at Shuji, indicating he could enter.
"Captain, he really doesn't look of age..."
"I think so too..."
"Young people just trying a little, as elders we can't just block..."
Hearing the conversation behind him, Shuji took a deep breath and pushed open the izakaya door.
Inside, Tsunade who had already heard the commotion cast her gaze over, looking at the person at the door.
Having already drunk some, the Senju Princess with slight intoxication raised her eyes. Her gaze wandered over Shuji.
"Looks somewhat familiar..."
"Ah!"
She suddenly stood up, sweeping past Raikage A, quickly walking before Shuji.
She grabbed Shuji's collar in one hand.
"Brat! I caught you coming to this kind of place! Want to drink, right! Stinking brat, you're not yet at the age to try this stuff!"
"Previously so arrogantly saying things like drink less!"
"Now sneaking here yourself!"
"What?! You also want to try the feeling of being pickled in alcohol?!"
Being lifted by Tsunade with one hand, shaking back and forth, Shuji's face was expressionless.
My brain definitely got touched by something to think of bringing you back as Hokage.
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild