After the initial shock faded, Tsunade continued reading the scroll in her hands.
The further she read, the more her expression changed.
By the time she reached the final section, her brows had already knitted together slightly, not in displeasure—but in understanding.
The mission assigned by Hiruzen Sarutobi was simple on the surface.
Mentor Qingshui.
But Tsunade was no fool.
She instantly understood the true intention behind the old man's decision.
This wasn't merely about guidance or instruction.
It was about claiming him.
Ever since Qingshui's sudden rise in strength and his performance in the Land of Rain, he had become a highly valuable asset—one that the Hokage faction could not afford to leave unclaimed.
It was the same pattern as always.
Nawaki, her younger brother, had once been taken under Orochimaru's wing.
Minato, the once-in-a-generation genius from the Academy, had been taken in by Jiraiya immediately after graduation.
Now, Qingshui had stepped into that same role.
Calling it "mentorship" was just a polite way of avoiding formalities.
To outsiders, this was no different from Tsunade taking him in as her personal disciple.
From this moment onward, Qingshui would be regarded as firmly standing within the Hokage faction.
If this had happened before Tsunade met Qingshui, she would have refused without hesitation.
She had long since cut ties with Konoha's politics.
All she wanted now was gambling, drinking, and drifting from place to place—free of responsibility, free of expectations.
But now…
She closed the scroll slowly.
Images of the Land of Rain flashed through her mind.
Qingshui standing calmly in front of Hanzo.
Qingshui coordinating attacks, supporting allies, healing comrades.
Qingshui deducing weaknesses and making decisive calls.
She exhaled softly.
She had already acknowledged his talent long ago.
In fact, she had even privately considered grooming him as her successor—the next head of Konoha's Medical Department.
With Hiruzen Sarutobi's order, that plan suddenly became legitimate.
Official.
And best of all—
Mentoring Qingshui wouldn't be tiring.
He didn't need constant instruction.
He didn't need hand-holding.
All he needed was guidance and refinement.
If things go well, Tsunade thought lazily, I might finally be able to dump all my responsibilities on him and retire properly.
She folded the scroll shut.
"Go tell the old man," she said casually, not even bothering to look up, "that I accept the mission."
The ANBU ninja stiffened for a moment.
He pretended not to hear her calling the Third Hokage "the old man."
Then, without another word, he vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.
The moment he left, Tsunade's serious expression disappeared instantly.
She slapped the scroll onto the table, turned back toward the gambling mat, and grinned.
"Alright! Next round!"
Even though she proceeded to lose spectacularly.
---
Meanwhile, inside the Hokage's office in Konoha.
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane arrived together, their expressions unusually serious.
"Hiruzen," Homura asked, "why did you call us here so urgently?"
"We'll talk once Danzo arrives," Hiruzen replied calmly, smoke curling from his pipe.
Unlike the two advisors, Danzo Shimura rarely operated within the Hokage Tower.
He spent most of his time hidden within the depths of the Root base.
They waited in silence.
A moment later, the door opened with a sharp creak.
A cold snort echoed through the room.
Danzo Shimura entered.
His cane tapped against the floor as he walked forward, his visible eye filled with restrained resentment as it landed on Hiruzen Sarutobi.
In Danzo's heart, the position of Hokage had always belonged to him.
Only I am suited to lead Konoha forward, he thought bitterly.
Hiruzen is too soft. Too hesitant.
Once my body adapts to Hashirama's cells… this title will be mine.
Hashirama Senju.
The First Hokage.
The man who possessed the legendary Wood Release—power unmatched in the ninja world.
After Hashirama's death, no one had ever truly inherited that power.
Not even Tsunade, his own granddaughter.
Years ago, Hiruzen Sarutobi had authorized experiments involving Hashirama's cells, hoping to recreate Wood Release.
But the cost had been horrific.
Countless lives lost.
Unable to bear it, Hiruzen had ordered the project terminated.
Danzo, however, had never given up.
In secret, he had partnered with Orochimaru and restarted the experiments—this time, on himself.
Hiruzen, unaware of these thoughts, took a slow drag from his pipe and finally spoke.
"I've received intelligence from Jiraiya," he said gravely.
"Iwagakure appears to be plotting against Konoha."
The atmosphere in the room instantly changed.
Homura and Koharu both stiffened.
The Second Shinobi World War had ended barely over a year ago.
Another conflict—especially with Iwagakure—would be disastrous.
"Hiruzen," Homura asked anxiously, "what do you plan to do?"
Before Hiruzen could answer, Danzo slammed his cane lightly against the floor.
"A mere Iwagakure dares to provoke Konoha?" Danzo sneered.
"Give me a squad, and I will erase them completely."
Hiruzen's expression darkened.
"That is absolutely unacceptable."
His refusal was firm, leaving no room for debate.
Danzo's jaw tightened.
This was always the case.
Danzo shouted for war.
Hiruzen had to think about consequences.
"You will regret this, Hiruzen."
"I am the Hokage, Danzo."
The words were calm—but heavy.
Danzo felt humiliation burn in his chest.
One day, he swore silently, I will make you feel exactly what I feel now.
Koharu finally spoke.
"Danzo, Hiruzen is right. Drop the matter."
Danzo snorted but said nothing more.
"However," Hiruzen continued, "we still need intelligence. Danzo, I am assigning this task to Root."
Homura and Koharu raised no objections.
Danzo accepted the mission silently.
Just as he turned to leave, Hiruzen spoke again.
"Wait."
Danzo paused.
"I plan to hold a Joint Chunin Exam."
That caught everyone's attention.
After graduating from the Academy, ninjas became Genin.
To advance to Chunin, they had to pass the Chunin Exams.
A Joint Chunin Exam meant inviting other villages to participate.
On the surface, it was an examination.
In truth, it was a battle of prestige.
A peaceful way to display military strength and attract missions.
"Why now?" Koharu asked.
"Iwagakure is moving in the shadows," Hiruzen replied.
"We cannot rule out other villages doing the same."
"Konoha must show strength."
There was another reason.
One Hiruzen did not voice.
Qingshui.
He was still a Genin.
And Hiruzen intended to ensure that Konoha utterly dominated this exam.
"What villages will be invited?" Homura asked.
"All of them," Hiruzen answered decisively.
"Any village willing to participate will be welcomed."
No one doubted Konoha's confidence.
Danzo, uninterested, simply wanted to leave.
"Is that all?"
Hiruzen nodded.
Danzo turned and left, the door slamming shut behind him.
---
Meanwhile, back in the Land of Rain.
Qingshui looked at Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato.
"Your foundations are solid," he said calmly.
"But you lack real combat experience."
He paused briefly, then continued.
"Tomorrow, I'll take you out to accept real missions."
Their eyes immediately lit up.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)