Shuji had just over a month left of his vacation. He was not eager to return early. Being able to wander freely was a joy.
He had tried every shop in Konoha already. He had sampled what he could in the Land of Fire and surrounding areas during mission gaps, but more distant regions outside Konoha's regular mission range had always been out of reach.
Now that he had learned sage techniques and Flying Thunder God, he could run if he met danger. By rights, he should spend the time left exploring properly.
Except he had just pumped Tsunade full of encouragement and shoved her back onto the track she had fled. If he slipped off to goof around now, Tsunade would probably give him a Heavenly Foot of Pain.
So he could only resign himself to checking his belongings and returning with them.
The three traveled at a moderate pace. A few days later, Konoha's familiar gate came into view.
Ignoring the shinobi on guard, Tsunade strode straight through.
As an active jōnin, Shuji went to explain the situation to the gate staff. Shizune stayed as well, presenting her identity papers.
"Did you hear? It's Lady Tsunade. Lady Tsunade is back."
"Really? That Tsunade-hime, one of the Legendary Sannin?"
"Absolutely true. She just entered the village."
News of Tsunade's return spread through every street and alley at once. Surprise and uncontrollable excitement mingled on the villagers' faces.
One of the legendary Sannin, the First's granddaughter. Her return alone was a powerful shot in the arm for Konoha, which had weathered storms and desperately needed confidence.
Uchiha Fugaku, overseeing the Konoha Military Police Force, heard the news as well.
His face showed no emotion, but satisfaction flickered in his eyes.
Since Uchiha Itachi had brought back Shuji's proposal, he had settled down to wait patiently for Shuji's measures.
At the end of Konoha Year 54, the Hyūga clan had used a life-for-a-life compromise to settle the Hidden Cloud's accusations. That move had once again stung the nerves of the clan's radicals, and complaints about the village's weakness and the Uchiha's situation had grown sharper by the day.
On Shuji's end, though he had been meeting frequently with those connected to the Senju, there had been no real progress. Even Fugaku had felt a few stirrings of doubt.
Now that Tsunade had returned to the village, it was an unmistakably clear signal.
Shuji had begun to fulfill his promise. And right out of the gate, it was a move of tremendous weight. This made him genuinely look forward to their future cooperation.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's desk was clean. Only a crystal ball sat to one side.
The door was shoved open roughly. When Tsunade's figure came into view, a trace of relief flickered in his eyes.
"Tsunade, you finally came back."
The Third Hokage's gaze moved past Tsunade to Shuji, standing a step behind her. His face held a questioning look.
Shuji nodded.
Tsunade glanced around the familiar office. Her eyes finally settled on Sarutobi Hiruzen's deeply lined face, written all over with exhaustion.
"Came back to see if you were dead yet, old man."
Sarutobi Hiruzen forced a smile. "I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. Though I'm not very useful anymore, I can still hold on for now."
"Is that so?" Tsunade walked to the desk, planted both hands on its surface, and looked straight at Sarutobi Hiruzen. "That's not what I heard. When did you get so weak, old man?"
The Third Hokage's smile slowly faded. He instinctively avoided Tsunade's aggressive gaze. His tone carried a trace of helplessness. "You just got back. Rest first. These things, we can talk about later..."
"Shizune has already gone to the administration office to handle the paperwork," Tsunade cut him off without courtesy and straightened. "Starting today, I will be stationed at Konoha Hospital."
With that, she turned and left the office without another glance at Sarutobi Hiruzen. The door clicked shut behind her.
Brief silence filled the office.
"You did well, Shuji." The Third Hokage confirmed one more point with Shuji. "Tsunade's problem is completely resolved, correct?"
"Yes."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze moved to the window, watching the crowds below on the street stirring with some piece of news.
"You've worked hard. Go and rest as well."
He did not bring up the matter of who would hold the Hokage position. Before speaking privately with Tsunade, Sarutobi Hiruzen had no intention of revealing more to Shuji.
Shuji did not mind. As long as Tsunade had returned, certain processes would wind forward like clockwork. He bowed and withdrew.
The first to come knocking was Hayami Shigeru. The day after Shuji returned to the old estate in the western outskirts, he arrived together with Kachi Atsuki.
Senju Momoka only sat quietly on the veranda, drinking tea. The sunlight was warm. She seemed immersed in her own world and had no intention of joining the conversation about to begin.
"Shuji, is what they're saying outside true? Has Lady Tsunade really returned?" Hayami Shigeru got straight to the point, his tone carrying urgency he could not suppress.
"Yes." Shuji took the teapot and poured tea for the two men, his movements unhurried.
"She came back this time to..." Kachi Atsuki asked tentatively.
"Lady Tsunade has only just returned to the village. What comes next will depend on the results of her discussions with the Third." Shuji slid the teacups before them, tone neutral and hard to read.
Hayami Shigeru was a little disappointed, but he quickly rallied. "No matter what, her return is good news."
Though Shuji had huge potential, he was ultimately young. His prestige and experience were not enough to prop up the situation right away. Tsunade was different. After returning to the village, her floor was a position on the advisory council. Her ceiling was Hokage.
The powerful support they craved, one that could truly protect their group's interests, seemed to have fallen into place in an instant.
Kachi Atsuki was much calmer. "Shuji, what do we need to do?"
"Wait," Shuji said, setting down the teapot. "When it's time to speak up, I will let you know."
The two men's faces grew serious. They nodded solemnly.
At the same time, Shimura Danzo entered the Hokage's office.
He had no choice but to come.
In the past, if Tsunade came back, so be it. But now was different from then.
Shuji had never given a clear answer to the offer of cooperation Danzo had extended before. His attitude was ambiguous.
Now he had gone and brought back Tsunade, who had been far from the center of power for years. The meaning in that was self-evident.
Shimura Danzo had always believed Sarutobi Hiruzen's administration was too soft and muddled, far from a qualified Hokage. But if he really had to choose between Tsunade and Sarutobi Hiruzen—
He would still choose to support Sarutobi Hiruzen.
What others would do in the Hokage seat, the Fourth had already demonstrated once.
This time would likely be no exception.
"Hiruzen, Tsunade's sudden return at this time is probably not simple."
Sarutobi Hiruzen lifted his eyes from the documents, face calm. "What do you mean?"
"You know full well." Danzo's single eye fixed sharply on his old friend. "She came back for the Hokage position. You and I both know her temperament all too well."
He struck his cane on the floor with a thud.
"She is absolutely unsuitable to become Hokage."
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild