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"Time is of the essence! I have to go!"
The truth about Sasuke, the history of the Sages!
With internal strife and external threats, Tsunade didn't want to delay a moment longer. She had to return immediately and take charge.
"Tsunade, you can't leave yet."
The speaker was Orochimaru. Facing Tsunade's questioning gaze, he spoke methodically. "If you return now, you won't change much. Instead, you'll be dragged into endless trouble!"
Tsunade frowned. "Trouble? I'm the Hokage. What trouble could I possibly cause by returning to my village to take command?"
Orochimaru's eyes lowered. "Have you forgotten? The one who attacked the village was Naruto. Even if it wasn't his will, it was still his body. During the original Nine-Tails attack, Naruto was a complete victim, yet he was still treated like the beast itself. This time… do you think he'll be spared?
"And if Naruto isn't spared… what about you, Tsunade? The one who gave him shelter, allowed him to train far from the village's supervision, and ultimately created the opportunity for him to be used? Do you think people won't turn their anger on you?
"Even if the most understanding shinobi don't blame you, what about those without such lofty ideals—the ones who lost family and friends in the Leaf's destruction? Can you guarantee they won't blame you?
"That's right… what awaits you is a torrent of criticism and condemnation."
Tsunade's fist clenched tight, a sharp glint in her eyes.
"If that can vent their hatred, if it can lessen the blame on Naruto, then I, as Hokage, am willing to stand up and accept all of it!"
Orochimaru said gravely, "Tsunade, I deeply admire your resolve and sense of duty as Hokage. But…"
"No 'buts'!" Tsunade snapped. "Just say what you mean!"
Orochimaru nodded. "Fine… I'll be direct. What this era needs is not a Hokage. It needs shinobi powerful enough to face even a god in battle—a Celestial Shinobi!"
"Celestial Shinobi?" The concept was entirely new. Tsunade's brow furrowed.
Jiraiya then spoke slowly. "It's from the Great Toad Sage's latest prophecy. Twenty-nine years from now—the same point in time when Ōtsutsuki Shibai descended in the previous timeline—the shinobi world will be led by Two Shinobi Gods and the Ten Celestial Shinobi in a great battle. That battle will lead the world to unprecedented prosperity… or utter destruction.
"Based on the visions from the prophecy, the identities of the Two Shinobi Gods are all but confirmed: the saviors of the previous world, Naruto and Sasuke. But… the Ten Celestial Shinobi who will stand behind them to face the beings from beyond… have not yet been chosen."
Orochimaru added, "So, if we—and the entire shinobi world—wish to survive that calamity, our path is clear. We must rally around Sasuke and Naruto as our core, and we must select the Ten Celestial Shinobi!
"The selection has already begun, Tsunade. As the granddaughter of Lord Hashirama and Lady Mito, one of the Legendary Sannin, the world's strongest medical-nin… don't you want to become one of them?"
Tsunade… was finally caught up.
"Does being a good Hokage conflict with becoming a Celestial Shinobi?"
"It does," Orochimaru said without hesitation. "The Hokage is a job. You must devote enormous energy to its endless, complex affairs. If you aspire to become a Celestial Shinobi, you must resign as Hokage. The sooner, the better. The cleaner the break, the better."
"…" Tsunade was momentarily speechless, but she wasn't ready to accept it.
"Tsunade, what Orochimaru says is correct," Jiraiya said.
"But the village is in crisis!" Tsunade argued. "For me, the Hokage, to stand aside… my conscience won't allow it! Everything must have a proper beginning and end. Even if I must resign, I have to complete my final duties and pass the title to the next in line!"
"A proper beginning and end," Jiraiya conceded. "What you say is also reasonable."
"So let me go back!" Tsunade insisted. "After I handle things out there, I will return!"
"Fine then," Orochimaru said. "But you should prepare yourself."
"What haven't I seen? You can't scare me! Just wait for my good news!"
Tsunade gave a defiant laugh and strode toward the exit of Shikkotsu Forest. Suddenly, a thought struck her.
"Jiraiya… is Shikaku… still alive?"
"He is," Jiraiya replied. "But he's under a genjutsu cast by Obito Uchiha. He serves him now."
Tsunade clenched her fist hard, holding it for a long moment before finally relaxing her grip.
"I understand."
…
In Sunagakure, the post-disaster reconstruction was underway, and discordant voices were inevitable.
"It's all Konoha's fault, bringing the enemy to our doorstep!"
"Exactly! They nearly made us homeless refugees, too!"
"If another village decided to attack now, we'd be defenseless!"
"What was the Kazekage even thinking? Taking all the burden on himself and making us suffer for it!"
"Things were better under Lord Rasa. At least we never suffered a loss without getting something back. Not like now, all this effort for nothing!"
These murmurs of dissent quieted as the patrolling Jōnin, Baki, passed by.
He sighed.
"Such turbulent times. Thankfully, the Shinobi Alliance was formed. At least we all know there's a common enemy to face. With these internal worries, we don't have to fear external threats…"
Elsewhere.
"Obito's work again, is it…"
Kakashi, now awake, wore a troubled expression.
Beside him, Shikamaru smoked, his face equally grim.
The whereabouts of Edo-Inoichi's tooth were unknown. Their only remaining reason to stay in Sunagakure was to wait for Tsunade's return.
But now, that hope was slim to none.
Perhaps it was time to rejoin the main forces. Konoha's shinobi had already returned to the Land of Fire to begin the village's reconstruction.
"You don't need to worry about us," Gaara said. "I doubt those Akatsuki thugs will insist on fighting Sunagakure to the death."
Shikamaru, Kakashi, and the other Leaf shinobi present bowed deeply to Gaara.
"We've caused you so much trouble. We will never forget this kindness."
"If you truly want to thank me," Gaara said, "then do everything you can to clear Naruto's name."
He had already made a silent vow. If Konoha refused to accept Naruto, he would invite him to live in Sunagakure. And if even that wasn't possible…
It's time… to start looking for the next Kazekage.
I can't let Naruto wander the world alone.
Gaara's thoughts remained his own.
Just as the group was preparing to leave the village, Sakura's expression suddenly changed. She rushed outside.
"That feeling just now… could it be?"
Sakura bit her thumb and formed a one-handed seal.
BOOM!
Amidst a cloud of white smoke, a slug division materialized.
Then, from the slug's body, a figure separated itself.
As Sakura recognized the person, her spirits soared. "Master!"
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