At this moment, Chiba faced two critical matters. One was Tsunade. The other was the Hyūga clan's request for help. Both appeared thorny, each difficult in its own right. Yet to Chiba, they were pieces of the same board, designed to be resolved together.
If he could secure Tsunade's allegiance while convincing the Hyūga to break from Konoha and join Kirigakure, Konoha would suffer a devastating blow. For the Hidden Mist, it would be a dramatic surge in strength and influence. Chiba had no intention of letting such an opportunity pass.
Mei Terumi studied him closely. "Chiba, what's your plan?"
Chiba smiled lightly. "These matters seem complicated together, but they actually complement each other. Watch carefully. I intend to resolve both at once."
Mei leaned against him, trusting him entirely. If he said it could be done, it would be.
Meanwhile, Jiraiya was considering his next move. He suddenly sensed several chakra signatures, sharp and precise, and stepped outside. A group of Konoha ANBU emerged from the shadows. Jiraiya recognized them,they had been assigned to watch him. Though he had always been loyal to Konoha, Hiruzen no longer trusted anyone fully.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Lord Jiraiya, the Hokage requests an update on Lady Tsunade," the ANBU captain said.
Jiraiya recounted everything from the previous day. When he finished, the ANBU exchanged troubled glances.
"The Mizukage Chiba is trying to recruit Tsunade?" one breathed.
"Yes," Jiraiya replied.
Everyone knew Kirigakure had become Konoha's most immediate threat. The Uchiha incident, the Five Kage Summit, and the alliance with Iwagakure made conflict inevitable. Now Chiba was reaching for one of the Legendary Sannin herself. If this reached the Hokage, fury would be unavoidable.
"Do you think Tsunade might be swayed?" the ANBU asked carefully. "Could she… betray Konoha?"
Jiraiya's expression hardened. "Tsunade won't betray Konoha. This is where she grew up. Her grandfather founded the village. I trust her completely."
The ANBU exchanged glances. They wanted to believe it too, but Hiruzen's judgment was uncertain.
The intelligence reached Hiruzen's office. He read the scroll, stood abruptly, and slammed his palm onto the desk. The movement was controlled but decisive, the kindly mask of the Hokage slipping away under years of pressure.
Danzō and Koharu Utatane flinched. "What is it, Hiruzen?" Koharu asked.
Hiruzen handed them the scroll. Their faces darkened as they read it.
"That Chiba…" Danzō muttered. "He's recruiting Tsunade now. First he stirred the Uchiha, then pressured Konoha at the Summit. Now he's trying to sway the Hyūga and even Tsunade herself. He wants Konoha stripped bare."
Even Danzō's brow furrowed. "If Tsunade defects, the humiliation alone would shake the shinobi world. She's the Shodaime Hokage's granddaughter and your disciple. The loss would be enormous."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. "At this point, is there anyone we can fully trust? My most trusted disciple, Orochimaru, betrayed the village. How many times must Konoha suffer from misplaced faith?"
He leaned on the desk, voice low but sharp. "Tsunade may be my student, the Shodaime Hokage's granddaughter,but if she betrays Konoha, there will be no leniency. I will not allow the village's secrets, its legacy, to be handed over to Kirigakure."
Koharu and Danzō were silent, absorbing the weight of his words. Hiruzen's calm, gentle façade had fractured. Years of restraint and diplomacy had been worn down by constant challenges. Now, the leader beneath the mask was revealed: precise, politically ruthless, but not caricatured,simply a man aware that mistakes in trust could cost everything.
"Still, we must tread carefully," Koharu said. "Acting prematurely could drive her toward Chiba."
Hiruzen exhaled slowly, regaining some composure. "I know. If she doesn't betray Konoha, I have no reason to harm her. She's needed now more than ever, with Konoha's talent dwindling."
He fixed his gaze on Danzō. "Jiraiya will be the measure of her loyalty. The ANBU will monitor. If Tsunade meets Chiba, communicates with him, or hints at defection,even slightly,then decisive action will follow. Jiraiya and ANBU will act together."
"…Understood," Koharu said.
Danzō asked about the Hyūga. Hiruzen shook his head. "No movement so far. Hyūga Hiashi and the clan show no sign of disloyalty. Even with ANBU surveillance, there is nothing to report. But maintain vigilance. Founding clans cannot be taken for granted."
Orders went out. ANBU prepared. Jiraiya received a sealed directive: any sign of betrayal from Tsunade, immediate execution. The reality of Hiruzen's decision weighed heavily,he was willing to enforce the law even on his own disciple, should the village's survival demand it.
The next day, Tsunade, sleepless and restless, headed to the casino, Shizune and Tonton in tow. She expected distraction, not confrontation.
Chiba was already there. Waiting.
Tsunade hesitated, then snorted and stepped in. Chiba and Mei were already gambling lightly, waiting for her. The table became more than a game,it was a stage, and Tsunade the reluctant player.
"You came," Chiba said.
"I see you blocked my way on purpose," she retorted.
"Yes," he replied.
"What do you want? I won't betray Konoha. I won't join Kirigakure!"
Chiba smiled faintly. "No need to decide just yet. Today is not about politics. Let's gamble properly."
Tsunade softened slightly. "Fine. Yesterday's final round was unfinished."
Chiba nodded. "I hope you brought enough chips."
"Enough to wipe you out," she replied.
The battle commenced, stakes rising, spectators holding their breath. Tsunade's uncanny luck in losing transformed skill into spectacle; Chiba only needed patience. Soon, most of her money was gone, her temper flaring.
"One last round!" she roared. "Everything on the line!"
Chiba matched her, pushing all his chips forward.
The casino fell silent. Chiba raised a hand. "Wait. Just like yesterday, my stake is higher. Most of your money is already mine."
Tsunade glared. "Then… I'll raise!"
Chiba noted, "You have nothing left." She turned to Shizune, who exclaimed, "I'm broke too, Lady Tsunade!"
Tsunade stared at Tonton, the pig squealing in panic. Chiba laughed. "If you win, all the money is yours. But if I win… you'll share a drink with me. No refusal."
Tsunade's heart skipped. Was this an attempt at defection… or a date?