Naruto: Tenseigan Eye

As soon as Tsunade heard the words "little Tsunade," she felt goosebumps rise all over her body. However, the daimyo was an elder, so there wasn't much she could say. She sighed inwardly; the informal way of addressing her seemed meant to foster closeness, but it still felt awkward.

Tsunade took a deep breath and said, "Whether it's the conflict between the daimyo's government and the village, or the personal grievances, it should all end here. The Third Hokage will need to rest after everything he's been through, and I can assure you he will step down."

She leaned forward slightly, locking eyes with the daimyo. "But I also hope that you, as the daimyo, will focus on maintaining peace. A new war has already broken out. If the village and the daimyo's government cannot cooperate, we will lose the war."

Her voice carried a sharper tone as she continued, "Surely you don't want Konoha to lose to Iwagakure, do you? You wanted to bring down the Third Hokage, and you've succeeded. Are you satisfied now? Both sides have inflicted enough damage on one another. Let the past grievances rest."

The daimyo hesitated, his expression uncertain. "About Konoha's leadership... does the senior council approve? Will the Hokage agree?"

Tsunade responded by slamming the Hokage's seal onto the table. The gesture spoke louder than words. The daimyo immediately understood, his face breaking into a smile.

"I get it, Tsunade. Don't worry. I'll fully support the village's future development. By the way, does Konoha need any supplies? Would some assistance from the daimyo's office help?"

With the Third Hokage out of power and Tsunade poised to become the new Hokage, the daimyo felt much more comfortable. He trusted Tsunade because of their familial connection and believed the relationship between the daimyo's office and Konoha would only improve under her leadership.

Although it might no longer be possible to siphon resources from Konoha as easily, repairing relations and smoothing over past tensions seemed like a worthwhile trade.

Tsunade crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "Support, you say? Well, Konoha is in disarray, and our resources are stretched thin. If you're offering supplies and funding, I'll gladly accept."

The daimyo clapped his hands excitedly, making a firm promise. "Of course! Tomorrow, I'll send people with everything Konoha needs—supplies, money, you name it. We must win this war and show Iwagakure just how strong we are."

Without the Third Hokage around to complicate matters, the daimyo felt relieved and genuinely enthusiastic about supporting the village. The prospect of improving relations with Tsunade as Hokage was an added bonus.

"Thank you on behalf of the village," Tsunade said, her tone light but firm. She had no qualms about accepting the daimyo's assistance. After all, stabilizing Konoha was in the best interests of both the village and the Land of Fire.

"Prepare a banquet quickly," the daimyo instructed his attendants. "We must properly entertain Tsunade—ah, no dancers or beauties. She probably isn't interested in that." He realized belatedly that such entertainment might not appeal to Tsunade and adjusted his plans accordingly.

Tsunade didn't refuse the invitation. She stayed for the meal, using the opportunity to build rapport. However, as the banquet dragged on, Tsunade found herself eager to leave. The food was good, but the conversation was tiresome, and there was much work waiting for her back in the village.

Before she left, the daimyo hesitated, his expression turning cautious. "Tsunade, you know... I pushed the Third Hokage hard, and while I was satisfied in the moment, I can't help but feel a little uneasy. Do you think I'm safe?"

The daimyo's concern was clear. A man like the Third Hokage might not strike back openly, but subtle retribution was not out of the question.

Tsunade reassured him. "You don't need to worry about your safety. The Third Hokage has no reason to target you. As for Shimura Danzo, he's no longer an issue. Furthermore, I'll have the ANBU strengthen your security, and Shinki's puppets will be deployed to ensure the palace is well-guarded."

The daimyo's face brightened. "Hyuga Shinki? That's excellent! I've heard about his puppets—they're formidable. With ANBU and his protection, I can finally relax."

Hearing that Danzo was dead brought the daimyo even more relief. For years, Danzo had been a looming threat, watching the daimyo's every move. Knowing he was gone brought a peace the daimyo hadn't felt in a long time.

"Exactly," Tsunade confirmed. "Between the puppets and the ANBU, the daimyo's palace will be secure. And with Danzo gone, there's one less threat to worry about."

With the arrangements settled, Tsunade didn't linger at the daimyo's palace. After a brief rest, she set out for Konoha to resume her duties.

By the time she returned, news of the Third Hokage's deployment to the frontlines had already spread. She understood that Shinki's decision to send him there was both practical and symbolic.

At the Sarutobi clan's courtyard, Koharu Utatane approached the Third Hokage, who was standing silently, gazing at the night sky with his hands behind his back. She hesitated before speaking, her eyes falling on the small box on the table.

"This... Hiruzen, is that what I think it is?" she asked softly.

The Third Hokage turned and nodded slightly. "Yes, it's Danzo's ashes. Shinki is a thoughtful young man. He claimed he would make Danzo's body into a puppet to vent the anger of the villagers, but in reality, he cremated him to protect Tsunade's reputation."

Koharu blinked in surprise. "A good boy? Are you sure? Shinki strikes me more as a devil than a saint."

The Third Hokage chuckled weakly. "Tomorrow, I'll personally lead the Hokage Guard to the frontlines. The village is short on resources, and even with the daimyo's support, this war won't be easy. Iwagakure is much stronger than Sunagakure."

Koharu's eyes widened in shock. "You're going to the frontlines? Hiruzen, why? No one forced you to—"

He raised a hand to silence her. "The village is in chaos because of my failures. I can't stay here while others clean up my mess. On the battlefield, I can still contribute and atone for my mistakes."

He gazed at the box holding Danzo's ashes. "It's also a chance to ease the burden on Tsunade. Without me in the village, she'll be able to lead without interference. And by fighting on the frontlines, I can change some of the villagers' perceptions of our generation."

Koharu sighed, understanding his reasoning. Sending the Third Hokage to the battlefield might seem harsh, but in the end, it was the best path forward for everyone.

>>>>>

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[Naruto: Maelstrom Of the Uzumaki]