Seeing that the Fire Country Daimyo remained composed despite the attacks, the Thunder Country Daimyo pressed further with scorn:
"In the past, he was forced into retirement due to his lack of leadership during the Third Great Ninja War. Who would have thought he'd come crawling back? Konoha really has no one left to rely on."
"Other villages are cultivating the next generation—building up new talents and capable leaders. But look at Konoha. It's nothing but a bunch of decrepit old men and washed-up relics propping up the system."
"By the way, isn't Tsunade-hime back in the village? Didn't Sarutobi Hiruzen oppose her becoming Hokage? Or is it just his usual authoritarianism holding her back?"
"Hmph. It's good she returned. If Tsunade herself hadn't come to this meeting, I wouldn't have bothered giving Konoha this much attention."
The Fire Daimyo remained stoic, lips pressed into a thin line, trying his best to sidestep the direct insults and keep his emotions from boiling over.
Seeing his composure, the Water Country Daimyo spoke in feigned regret:
"It's unfortunate. We were prepared to help you stabilize the situation and even push Konoha for a formal explanation. But now it seems you've chosen your stance."
"These types of incidents—if they happen once, they'll happen again. It's the same story we saw in the Hidden Mist. The Third Mizukage's Bloody Mist rule, and even under Yagura, the situation didn't change."
"..."
Would there really be a next time?
The Fire Daimyo's will began to waver. The Mist Village had become a cautionary tale—proof that unchecked power and failed leadership could spiral out of control. If Danzo wasn't removed now, who could guarantee he wouldn't retaliate or even lash out against the Daimyo himself?
Those who thrive on power often lose their sanity when stripped of it. They become dangerous.
Despite trying to maintain reason and remind himself not to be influenced by whispers and political manipulation, cracks were forming in his mental defenses.
Endless provocations erode patience.
Once doubt begins to root, it's difficult to weed out.
Yes… Sarutobi Hiruzen was showing his age.
This unspoken thought lingered in the Daimyo's heart.
Before, there had been no one suitable to take the mantle. But now… Tsunade had returned.
If she became Hokage, the balance between the Daimyo's estate and Konoha might become stable again. Trust could be restored.
And so, without realizing it, the idea began to bloom: perhaps Tsunade should become Hokage.
"Hopefully, this won't create too much fallout."
After wrestling with the dilemma for days, Fugaku finally decided to trust Hiko's instincts. He used his own channels to leak the classified intel to the Bounty Guild.
Though he was under constant surveillance as clan head, Fugaku had long prepared contingencies. Even Konoha couldn't monitor his every move 24/7—especially not within Uchiha territory.
He had more than enough skill to manipulate the watchers. If Fugaku couldn't even circumvent this level of surveillance, he'd have been unworthy of being the Uchiha Patriarch.
Now the intel was out.
If the fallout created chaos within the higher ranks, all the better.
This was what Fugaku hoped for: a disintegration of the corrupt leadership that held Konoha in its grasp.
But part of him still worried—what if the leaked information led to open war? What if it endangered the clan, the village?
There was no turning back. What's done is done.
All Fugaku could do now was wait.
While the daimyos indulged in court life, banquets, and political dances, the ninja tasked with guarding them remained constantly vigilant.
Of the shinobi dispatched from Konoha, only three had any real freedom: Hiko, Tsunade, and Shizune.
Hiko's sole assignment was to monitor Uchiha activity, not routine patrols or guard duty.
As for Tsunade—she had virtually nothing to do.
"Why are you sighing like that?"
Hiko looked up from his drink as Tsunade groaned for the umpteenth time.
"You come here to drink, and all you do is mope. If you're going to ruin my peace, just leave already."
"What else can I do? I'm drowning in debt."
Tsunade slumped forward on the table, letting out another deep sigh.
"The Chuimu Street folks already met with the Daimyo. I can't dodge the debt anymore."
Suddenly she bolted upright, glaring at Hiko.
"Actually, you're responsible for this too. Why is it that you, Uchiha Hiko, are completely untouched, while I, Tsunade, am the one paying for everything?"
"...."
How bold.
Hiko rolled his eyes. "You were the one chasing me around, destroying half the street in the process. You're liable for the damages, not me. How in the world did you twist that around?"
With the deal between Hiko and the Uchiha collapsed, the village refused to cover the losses. Everything landed on Tsunade's shoulders.
She was drowning in gambling debt already—this was the final straw.
Those debt collectors could show up at any moment.
Just thinking about it made Tsunade feel like vanishing.
Seeing that familiar glint of despair in her eyes, Hiko cautioned her:
"You'd better not run. If you do, things will only escalate. Forget the gambling debts—if the Chuimu merchants can't collect from you, they'll stir trouble here, in the Daimyo's court. At that point, Tsunade-hime will become a laughingstock, and Konoha will suffer too."
"You think I want this?! Then tell me—where am I supposed to get that much money?!"
Tsunade was fuming, fists clenched, clearly ready to start throwing punches.
"I'm a healer, not a banker. I have no idea how to make that kind of money."
"What about Shizune?"
"She went to check on Kakashi's recovery."
Tsunade groaned and slumped back down.
Hiko blinked. A curious idea formed in his mind.
"What if you leaked the news? Let the Daimyo and his nobles know that you're short on money—and offer medical services?"
High-ranking nobles fear death more than anyone. That's universal.
Tsunade wasn't just any medic—she was the Medical Sannin. In the past, even with stacks of gold, these nobles couldn't buy her time.
Now? Opportunity knocks.
Even a basic check-up would fetch a fortune. These people weren't short on money.
"...You're seriously suggesting this?"
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "I'd love to charge them. But how do you even bring that up? 'Hi, I'm broke, pay me to cure your imaginary illness?' I can't just ask for money."
Nobles might be rich, but it's awkward to demand payment for services, especially in the middle of a political summit.
Tsunade had refused all requests so far—she was too distracted, too overwhelmed.
"Please."
Hiko scoffed. "You're hopeless. You're really only good at spending money, not earning it. It's not about asking. You let the word spread."
He leaned closer, lowering his voice.
"Leak the story. Say you're buried in debt after the Chuimu incident, barely holding it together. Let them think you're in a miserable mood."
"If they offer money, it's not rude. If they insist on payment, you're just accepting their generosity."
"You said I'm stupid?"
Tsunade's eyes twitched. She slammed the bottle on the table, her aura flaring.
Anyone else would've frozen in fear, but Hiko just kept sipping.
"You are," he said calmly. "You're missing the obvious. Let them throw money at you. You're Tsunade of the Sannin. Half the nobles would line up just for a physical exam."
People had waited years to see her. Some would pay obscene amounts.
Let them come begging.
"..."
It actually made sense.
Tsunade's fury dissolved into blinking confusion.
It was embarrassing to offer services unsolicited… but if the patients asked her—well, she couldn't just refuse, right?
If they handed her money, practically begging for her attention, could she really say no?
The thought of thick envelopes filled with ryo waving at her was too tempting to resist.
Motivation surged within her.
"I swear, once I earn some of it—I'll buy you a drink!!"
With new resolve, Tsunade tossed the bottle aside and bolted out of the courtyard faster than she had when chasing Hiko earlier.
Money was motivation.
Crushing debt created incredible urgency.
Gamblers learned fast when their backs were against the wall.
"Tsunade-hime looks... desperate."
Shisui entered the yard, handing a scroll to Hiko.
Hiko snorted.
"If you owed as much as she does, you'd be desperate too."
He opened the scroll. It was mostly fluff.
With a shrug, he handed it back to Shisui..
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