Tsunade grumbled endlessly, complaining as though the position of Hokage were a burden and envying the carefree lives of Jiraiya and Orochimaru.
But...
Kyoichi noticed sothing different about her—her energy, her spirit. It had changed.
The old Tsunade lived in shadows, like a woman without a backbone, slumped over with no direction.
Now?
She radiated vigor.
Though she still voiced her dissatisfaction, her eyes glead with vitality—it was like she'd beco a new person.
"How's your... you know?"
"Eh, I haven't really been paying attention, but it's gotten a lot better. Yesterday I even observed a surgery. It was a bit uncomfortable, but I didn't shake."
After saying this, Tsunade sighed. "Maybe staying busy helps you forget the past. And I think... they'd rather I carry on their dreams, not live in the shadows of their deaths."
"I'm really glad you figured that out on your own," Kyoichi said, genuinely relieved.
Tsunade's hemophobia, at its core, was a knot in her heart. Once untangled, everything would heal naturally.
Thinking carefully, he understood why she was so emotional.
She had likely projected her feelings for Nawaki onto him, seeing him as family—and so, she didn't want him taking unnecessary risks.
Family doesn't care about your achievents—they just want you safe.
Especially for Tsunade.
Because the family she once had, who held lofty ambitions... were all gone. Just another entry in history.
Life is fragile.
Even the Senju couldn't escape the cycle of life and death.
After venting her feelings, Tsunade didn't dwell on the topic, instead shifting to village matters.
When they got to the Chūnin Sprint Class...
"That class—I suggest you assign soone else to take over."
"Oh? Why?"
"Mitokado Homura has the prestige, sure, but he hasn't ntored rookies in years. His way of teaching is completely chaotic—no system at all."
Tsunade couldn't help but complain.
Mitokado Homura was in his fifties now, but in her opinion, his thinking was even more rigid than Ōnoki's.
After venting, she rubbed her temples. "I really can't think of any position that suits him, one that would let him be useful without putting him low enough to get torn apart by the old guard."
"I've got a role for him," Kyoichi said with a smile.
Then, he explained his idea for a research institute.
Tsunade frowned.
A research institute?
Her first instinct was to say no.
Ninjutsu research—good in theory, but it could open Pandora's box and unleash horrors.
However...
The one suggesting it was Kyoichi, so she decided to hear him out.
And in the end, she found herself deep in thought.
Put Mitokado Homura in charge? Supervise it? Set the rules?
Whether him or Koharu, both were top dogs in Konoha's political machine.
Tsunade's eyes lit up.
That... was a perspective she'd never considered.
"But... build a whole research institute just to fit soone into a position? Isn't that kind of..."
She frowned, thinking of people like Orochimaru.
"You're misunderstanding ," Kyoichi said. "Giving him a position is a bonus. I actually want to create this institute for real. Ninjutsu research is essential—only through research can the village and the shinobi world keep progressing. And besides..."
"It's better to channel than to block," Kyoichi said simply.
What, just forbid it and expect everyone to stop?
Obviously not.
Tsunade fell silent, deep in thought.
She had to admit—Kyoichi made a solid point.
Over the years, Danzo and Orochimaru had both carried out secret experints. Outright bans only drove such efforts underground, where the darkness thrived.
Better to ease the restrictions a little—let people know what's allowed and what's not.
Bring them together, allow research within boundaries, and create rules for it.
That way, contradictions could be resolved, and supervision would be easier.
Thinking this through, she nodded. "Draft a proposal. This concerns the village, so we'll need to gather the jōnin and clan leaders to discuss it."
"Yes, I understand."
Kyoichi nodded but hesitated for a mont. He didn't bring up the matter of Hashirama's cells just yet.
That was a sensitive topic—not sothing to bring up in a public eting. Better to wait until they were alone at the Hokage's office.
Sa with Wood Release.
He walked back ho with Tsunade.
This ti was different from the last.
Tsunade probably hadn't had ti to spar with Kushina recently—or maybe she'd been using another location—so the courtyard was intact.
Of course...
Kyoichi suspected it also had sothing to do with her debt.
Tsunade had managed to clear her debts and make a bit of money through gambling, but once she returned to Konoha, her schedule got packed, and the local casinos—being legal and well-regulated—didn't allow cheating.
Which ant...
Aside from her salary, she probably had no source of inco now.
Factoring in damages from the courtyard the last ti, Tsunade likely had no savings left.
All in all—
Poverty clears the mind.
But then Kyoichi thought about the money he'd earned...
His heart sank.
If Tsunade got her hands on that cash, her gambling itch might flare up again.
He needed a plan.
As he stepped inside, Shizune had just brought the food out. Seeing Kyoichi and Tsunade, she lit up with a smile.
"Kyoichi-sama, you're back! Co, sit—it's almost all ready!"
"Thanks, Shizune. You even went out of your way to prepare such a feast."
There was fish, shrimp, grilled at, vegetables—and a bowl of delicious-looking soup.
The aroma alone was mouthwatering.
Especially considering—
The best al Kyoichi had in months was a rice ball from Kurenai. The rest of the ti, he'd been surviving on ration pills.
Life on the road as a ninja? Brutal.
"Oh, only a few of these were made by —the rest were Oriri's. Please, have a seat!"
"Ugh..." Tsunade slumped into her chair, visibly annoyed.
Even Shizune was siding with soone else—completely forgetting her, as if she were invisible.
Hmph!
She'd been working all day too, you know?
Soon, the dishes were all on the table, and Oriri ca out of the kitchen.
Even at ho, she maintained her transformation technique. But her condition looked much improved—she'd gained a little weight and looked even more beautiful for it.
Back in Kusagakure, she'd been way too thin.
"Kyoichi-sama, Tsunade-sama... all the food is ready."
"Let's eat," Tsunade smiled.
Even though everyone greeted Kyoichi first, she understood—he had just returned. A bit of special treatnt was normal.
Wait...
This was Kyoichi's house...
She glanced at him, wondering if she should give up her seat—but he didn't look like he cared at all.
Forget it. He didn't seem bothered.
She sat down at ease.
Kanda Kyoichi...
How to describe him?
At first, Tsunade had felt indifferent toward him—just another clansman. Nothing worth special attention.
But after he obtained the Slug, and the two of them began exchanging ssages through it, they started interacting more. And gradually, she realized...
Kyoichi wasn't like the others.
He didn't care about the usual clan politics.
Whether soone was a civilian or a noble's child, as long as they had talent, Kyoichi treated them well. Even as a jōnin, he wasn't arrogant.
More importantly—
What she admired most was his pioneering spirit.
Learning, developing, innovating...
He was like Tobirama—never content with techniques left by their predecessors. But unlike Tobirama or Orochimaru...
He had principles. He knew what should and shouldn't be done.
A person like that wouldn't lose his way.
"Tsunade-sama?"
"Hmm? Kyoichi's the host here—let him."
"It's all the sa... Alright, then let's dig in."
Kyoichi didn't mind.
Since Tsunade deferred to him, he'd do it. No need for formality—quicker to start eating while the food was hot.
"Itadakimasu!"
With those words, everyone picked up their chopsticks.
Delicious!
The aroma of the grilled at and seafood made Kyoichi want to swallow his tongue.
A rain after a long drought!
After eating his fill, Kyoichi leaned back in his chair, contentnt flooding his chest.
"Delicious. Thank you, Shizune, Oriri. My taste buds, deprived for months, are finally satisfied."
"Oh no, it's just that you haven't eaten well in a long ti," Oriri said softly.
Kyoichi chuckled. "That's part of it, sure. But it was really well made. You both have talent—could easily open an izakaya."
"You're too kind."
Shizune and Oriri both blushed at the praise.
"Alright, you two chat. Shizune, go wash the dishes. I'm going to check on your schoolwork—I've been too busy with village matters to keep an eye on you."
"I'll do it..."
"No need. You sit and rest."
Shizune smiled, stopping Oriri from getting up.
She knew—
Tsunade was giving Kyoichi and Oriri so alone ti.
Before long, it was just the two of them in the hall.
Kyoichi, with a note of guilt, said, "I'm sorry about one thing. I didn't kill the leader of Kusa. But we did hit them with a lightning strike—it took out a lot of their shinobi."
"Thank you, Kyoichi-sama!"
Oriri bowed deeply, then sighed. "Honestly, Kusa didn't exactly do anything wrong. Small villages have their own survival rules."
"That's true," Kyoichi nodded. "But there are many ways to grow stronger and survive. The way Kusagakure chose? It's the kind I hate the most."
Hanzo started a war that dragged the whole Land of Rain into chaos. Countless lives were lost in the Second Shinobi War—but at least he had ideals. A tyrant, sure, but not a coward.
Kusagakure?
They thought they could play both sides, use Konoha and Iwa as bargaining chips to profit—never committing fully to either.
Villages like that...
Only pain would teach them their place. The power struggles of the great nations weren't gas for them to play.
"I don't really get it..."
Oriri tilted her head, confused.
"They prey on the weak and latch onto whoever holds the advantage, draining every ounce of value they can—then cast them aside without a second thought."
Kyoichi didn't na nas.
But Oriri's thoughts imdiately drifted to her own experience. She had only just been discovered by the Kusa-nin—give it a few more days, and they'd probably have drained her dry too.
That kind of village...
No sympathy deserved.
"How's life in Konoha been for you?"
"Pretty good. Everyone's really kind. The ANBU seniors often guide , and Shizune's helping with dical ninjutsu. Before long, I'll be strong enough to help you."
"Help ? Hahaha. I don't need your help—just live your life well. Konoha's strong. It doesn't need saving from you."
Kyoichi laughed.
Oriri was only two or three years younger than him. With the war now behind them, there wouldn't be more fighting for a while.
Though...
His thoughts drifted to Madara—and Karin.
If Oriri had talent like Karin's—or even greater—then nurturing her now might pay off down the line when it ca ti to face Madara.
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