"It's nothing. It's everyone's achievement. If Hokage-sama hadn't been guarding the village, we wouldn't have been able to fight on the front lines with peace of mind."
Nara Shikaku said it smoothly—this wasn't the first time he had flattered someone.
And this won't be the last time he would.
Compliments rolled off his tongue like second nature.
Sarutobi Hiruzen beamed.
"Hahaha! As Hokage, it's only natural that I protect Konoha!! Hahaha!"
Then, with a benevolent expression, he added,
"You've all fought hard. Even though the battle wasn't long, it was draining. Rest well these next few days."
To an outsider, the Third looked deeply concerned.
To anyone with a brain, it was all an act.
"That reminds me…"
Sarutobi's eyes drifted toward Shiki and Tsunade, the look in them becoming strangely probing.
"Tsunade… what exactly is your relationship with Shiki?"
Intel was intel. But confirming with the person involved was always safer in the Hokage's mind.
Tsunade didn't hesitate.
She confidently grabbed Shiki's hand, raised her chin, and smiled straight at him.
"This is the man I, Tsunade, have chosen."
"…"
Sarutobi froze.
Danzo froze.
Shiki blinked, a bit surprised by how bold she was being.
"Sarutobi-sensei?" she asked with a sweet yet sharp smile. "You don't approve?"
"No! No, of course not!"
In an instant, Sarutobi switched back to his "kind old sensei" persona.
"You're my best student. If you've found someone who makes you happy, I should be happy for you as well!"
He held the mask perfectly, smiling gently at both Tsunade and Shiki.
"If you two get married someday, don't forget to invite me!"
"Of course!"
If you're still alive by then…
Both sides kept their private thoughts to themselves.
"All right then," Sarutobi said cheerfully, "no need to spend more time with an old man like me. Go rest."
Everyone nodded and left together.
Later — Only Sarutobi & Danzo remained
"See, Hiruzen? I told you from the start—Shiki isn't trustworthy."
The moment the others were out of earshot, Danzo dropped the act entirely.
Sarutobi rolled his eyes.
"Shut up, Danzo."
Did Danzo think Sarutobi was blind? Of course he could see the situation.
He lit another cigarette silently.
Danzo's eyelid twitched uncontrollably.
(Do you really have to smoke now? Do you not see another human standing right here?! Bastard!)
If he didn't have something important left to say, he would've walked out already.
"Hiruzen. Hand over that Shiki to me. Let me deal with him."
Sarutobi didn't immediately reject it.
Shiki's closeness to Tsunade made him uneasy.
And if Tsunade ever learned the truth about the Senju extermination…
Sarutobi couldn't risk it.
"Hmph," Danzo continued, "let his spotlight fade first. Once things settle, we'll move. My Root will be ready."
Shiki had just defeated a Tailed Beast. His fame was peaking. But fame fades and Danzo intended to strike the moment it dipped.
Sarutobi nodded slightly.
But there was something he didn't understand.
Hiruzen let out a slow breath and looked at Danzo.
"Be honest, Danzo. Even you know you're not his opponent."
Danzo's eyebrow twitched.
"Hmph. So that's what you think of me?"
Hiruzen still said nothing... which was somehow worse.
Danzo scowled harder, cloak snapping behind him as he straightened.
"Shiki is just a boy. If he becomes a problem, Root will deal with it."
Hiruzen finally exhaled a thin stream of smoke.
"…If you say so."
It wasn't agreement.
It was "Do what you want and take responsibility when you fail."
Danzo clicked his tongue, clearly offended.
"Tch. Then I'll make preparations."
He spun around and walked out, heavy steps echoing down the corridor.
Hiruzen just watched him leave, shaking his head.
Always acting like he's stronger than he is… and always dragging Konoha into the shadows with him.
He looked out toward the Hokage Rock, gaze pausing on Hashirama and Tobirama's faces.
"All for Konoha… That's what I tell myself."
Whether it was an excuse or a conviction, even he didn't know anymore.
--
After leaving the Hokage Building, Shiki said goodbye to the Ino–Shika–Cho trio.
"Shiki! If you're free, drop by the Nara compound. I'll make tea."
Shikaku smiled.
Shiki returned it. "I'll come. Count on it."
The trio nodded to Tsunade and walked off together.
Shiki stretched. "Alright. Let's go home."
"Mm." Tsunade slipped her hand into his without thinking.
They didn't get far.
"Tsunade!"
Jiraiya's voice came first — loud, excited, absolutely zero composure — with Orochimaru at his side looking mildly irritated to even be outside.
"Tsunade! I heard you wrapped up the war— hey, hey, is that Shiki with you?"
Jiraiya's grin was so wide it almost cracked his face.
He hadn't even noticed Tsunade's expression slowly turning into: please shut up before you embarrass me.
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