Tsunade was furious—and utterly helpless.
After all, the way Jiraiya had dragged her back to Konoha this time was the exact opposite of what had happened in the original story.
In the original…
Jiraiya had relied on Uzumaki Naruto to make Tsunade change her mind and willingly return to clean up the mess.
And now?
She'd practically been hauled back by force!
Ever since that idiot found her, he'd shamelessly pestered her to come back. After she flatly refused, he simply tagged along like a piece of gum, making sure she was recognized wherever she went.
Everyone knew she was up to her ears in debt!
Usually she and Shizune disguised themselves whenever they gambled or checked into an inn, dodging creditors left and right.
And now?
Thanks to Jiraiya's stunt, everyone knew she was Konoha's Princess Tsunade.
Left with no choice, she'd finally returned.
But likewise…
the moment she thought of Konoha's recent headaches, her head began to throb.
Yes.
She might stay outside the Village, but she had her own sources. She knew all about the powerhouse who'd appeared in the Uchiha—Uchiha Jin—someone who could go toe-to-toe with Hiruzen Sarutobi without falling behind.
The problem, however…
was that if Hiruzen and the rest couldn't handle it, did they really expect her to fix it?
Damn it!
Did she even have the ability?
And even if she did, she sure didn't feel like helping Hiruzen.
So, right now…
Tsunade decided to phone it in. No matter what Hiruzen said, she simply wouldn't get involved.
As long as she didn't pick a fight with the Uchiha, odds were they wouldn't provoke her either.
Perfect.
Since Jiraiya had blown her cover anyway, she might as well stay in Konoha and coast for a while.
On the other side…
Jiraiya, clueless about her plan, simply escorted her straight to the Hokage Office.
"Old Man, I'm back!"
"Mission accomplished—I've brought Tsunade with me!"
…
Jiraiya stepped into the office, pride and delight written all over his face.
Yes!
He couldn't handle the Uchiha himself, but he was confident Tsunade could sort out the Village's chaos.
As for Tsunade…
she merely swept the room with a cold snort, not even bothering to greet anyone.
She might lack the power to settle old scores, but she could still ignore them. None of these elders would dare lay a hand on her; if the last shred of dignity covering the Senju Clan were torn away, they'd have to answer to the entire Village—never mind fight the Uchiha.
"Tsunade, Jiraiya!"
"Have you two any sense of decorum? This is the Hokage Office, not your living room."
"Can't you even knock?"
"Especially you—Tsunade!"
"Who are you glaring at? Can't manage a simple greeting?"
"Do you two show any respect for your elders?"
Utatane Koharu slammed the table, plainly fed up with them.
After all… had Uchiha Jin not been such a nightmare, she'd never have agreed to let these two back.
Homura Mitokado said nothing.
He too loathed their lack of manners; if Tsunade were pushed into office, would any of the old guard retain authority?
Indeed!
The three elders had just finished discussing their decision: they would back Tsunade as the next Hokage.
They had no choice.
Uchiha Jin was too much for them; their only option was to retreat in order to advance.
If they could make Tsunade the Fifth Hokage, the whole board would flip overnight—the Senju name still carried weight in Konoha.
But the problem…
was that seeing Tsunade's attitude left them panicking.
They'd once manipulated Minato Namikaze, but could they control Tsunade?
However…
while the Konoha "F3" were still mulling it over, Tsunade let out a disdainful snort. "So I'm not welcome after all. I knew I shouldn't have come back."
"Shizune, let's go!"
With that…
she folded her arms and strode straight for the door.
Shizune, hugging her little pig, eyes full of bewilderment, still followed.
"Insolent!"
Homura Mitokado couldn't bear it; he barked, "Tsunade, have you no sense of propriety?"
"Sorry, none," she replied with a cold snort. "So I'll spare your eyes."
She tossed the words over her shoulder without breaking stride.
Meanwhile…
Jiraiya's mind exploded at the sight; he leapt to block her path. "Tsunade, don't be angry! The Village is in real danger—this isn't the time for a tantrum!"
"Move, Jiraiya," she answered, voice like ice.
She had zero fondness for him.
After all their years as teammates, she'd long since seen through him.
A man brainwashed by Mount Myōboku, chasing impossible dreams, yet lacking the guts and resolve to make them real—that was why she'd always looked down on him.
Yet at the same time he was stubborn as a mule.
He clung to a twisted sense of loyalty to Konoha. He knew the Village's real disease but still lacked the courage to cure it; he only wanted to play patch-up artist.
Why had she chosen Kato Dan back then instead of her teammate Jiraiya?
Did she really not know what Jiraiya felt?
Of course not.
The reason was simple: he was a good-for-nothing.
When it came to choosing a partner, how could she possibly pick Jiraiya?
"Tsunade, give me some face," he kept trying.
But Tsunade simply raised a fist, ready to punch him aside.
Just then…
Hiruzen Sarutobi, who'd been puffing on his pipe, finally sighed.
"Tsunade, enough."
"After all this time, you still haven't come to terms with it?"
"The Village truly is in peril. Surely you don't want everything your grandfathers worked for destroyed?"
"To be blunt, we intend to make you the Fifth Hokage."
"We're old; it's time we retired in peace."
"Konoha carries Lord Hashirama's ideals and bears Professor Tobirama's toil; it will also be the place you protect."
"Stay."
"Tomorrow I'll send a letter to the daimyō and arrange your succession ceremony!"