Konoha: Tsunade, I Am the Hokage! [14]

Tsunade straightened up and adjusted her clothes.

Even with strangers present, she didn’t want to come off as too unrestrained.

Her gaze swept the group, pausing briefly on Kagenori.

Then—

“So you’ve taken on another squad, huh? Looks like you’re really starting to enjoy this whole teacher thing.”

“Haha, being a teacher’s not so bad, honestly. They’re all excellent kids.”

Jiraiya stepped inside and took a seat.

He introduced each member, and everyone offered a polite greeting in turn.

Kagenori glanced toward Shizune, greeting her with a subtle nod—nothing overt.

Earlier, Shizune had been bold enough to argue with Tsunade, but now, in front of both Sannin, she stood stiffly to the side, sneaking glances at the three newcomers.

But—

She was clearly shocked to see Kagenori.

Back at the Academy, Kagenori had always been average—neither his grades nor his practical skills stood out. And now, after two years apart, he’d not only graduated early, but become Jiraiya’s student.

Shizune was full of curiosity.

But with Tsunade and Jiraiya both here, she didn’t dare ask.

Tsunade’s gaze moved on.

Sakumo’s son.

She recalled the recent rumors about Sakumo and, for a moment, her eyes dimmed as she looked to the next in line.

Yūhi Kurenai.

Shin Kurenai’s daughter—she’d have some talent for genjutsu, but as for the rest...

Tsunade shot a glance at Jiraiya, suspicion flaring.

On paper, Kurenai didn’t really fit Jiraiya’s style. Was he interested because of her looks?

Her eyes sharpened, going from doubt to something almost accusing.

Jiraiya, all too familiar with his old friend’s temper, paled and waved his hands frantically, whispering, “It’s not like that! Don’t get the wrong idea!”

He cleared his throat.

“Kagenori, why don’t you take everyone downstairs for a bit? I need to have a private word with Tsunade.”

“Yes, sensei.”

Kagenori nodded, leading the group out of the room—but they didn’t go far, just loitered around the floor below to give Tsunade and Jiraiya space to talk.

Tsunade leaned against the window, peering down at the street.

“So, that kid is the leader of your squad? Kagenori, right? The name rings a bell, but I can’t quite place it.”

“His grandmother is Senju Tōka,” Jiraiya explained.

Tsunade blinked, glancing downward.

“She’s Tōka-obaa’s descendant?”

“Yeah. His parents are ordinary, but the kid’s inherited the strength of the Senju bloodline—and, even more impressive, he’s got a sharp mind. He’s always been unusually mature for his age.”

Jiraiya’s tone was solemn. “I honestly think he has the potential to become a second Second Hokage.”

“Coming from you, that’s high praise.”

Tsunade propped herself up, gazing thoughtfully at the boy below.

Tōka’s descendant...

Senju Tōka had been Hashirama’s confidante; Tsunade herself called her great-aunt.

Without realizing it, she’s got a grandson already...

But she’s gone now, too...

Tsunade’s expression turned distant.

She sat back, her mood somber. “You’re not here to try to talk me into coming back to Konoha, are you?”

“I won’t try to persuade you.”

Jiraiya shook his head.

He knew Tsunade’s situation; forcing her back would only make things worse—for her and for the village.

As a friend, he refused to pressure her.

After a pause, Jiraiya got to the real point. “What do you think of Yūhi Kurenai?”

“Huh?”

Tsunade was caught off guard, then laughed. “You’re not about to ask me to take her as my disciple, are you?”

“She’s got a real gift for chakra control. Her body’s a bit on the weak side, but that can be improved—she’s definitely qualified.”

Jiraiya replied.

Tsunade fell silent.

He wasn’t wrong.

Genjutsu users usually did have precise chakra control.

Physically, she could improve with training, though there’d always be a limit—so it would be hard for Kurenai to inherit all of her skills...

But—

If trained well, at the very least, the village could gain a new leader in medical ninjutsu.

Tsunade considered for a while.

“Let her try, and we’ll see.”

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

Jiraiya grinned.

Tsunade didn’t object, just yawned.

At that, Jiraiya said, “One last thing—it concerns you the most.”

“There’s more?”

“Yeah. Matsuyama Kōji from the Pavilion asked me to deliver this IOU.”

Jiraiya grinned so wide his face nearly split.

He slid a slip of paper across the table.

Tsunade’s face immediately darkened, any trace of sleepiness gone as she glared at him.

“You bastard!”

“Ahem, with a reputation like yours, you really shouldn’t be skipping out on debts.”

Jiraiya nudged the IOU closer.

Tsunade gave a cold snort, pulled out a pen, and was just about to sign her name when her eyes narrowed. “If you want a favor for your student, you should pay up too—why don’t you just settle the bill for me?”

“What?”

“You’re loaded, anyway.”

Tsunade smirked.

Jiraiya’s expression froze.

Well, that’s technically true, but wasn’t I just supposed to deliver the IOU?

How did I get dragged into this?!

---

Ahead, the two girls walked side by side.

Kagenori and Kakashi trailed behind.

“I can’t believe you graduated early, Kagenori-kun—and became Jiraiya-sama’s student, no less,” Shizune whispered.

Kurenai smiled. “Graduating at seven isn’t that unusual for Kagenori. Kakashi graduated at five.”

“That’s different.”

Shizune shook her head.

She sighed.

“Kakashi was always a genius—our whole generation grew up hearing about him. But Kagenori...”

There were only a handful like Might Guy.

With Kakashi, everyone admired him but knew they’d never catch up.

Kagenori was different.

Nobody had ever talked about him—
Even Shizune’s memories of him were stuck at age five. She’d never imagined that the next time they met, he’d already become a prodigy.

Just thinking about it made her feel like the world had changed beyond recognition.

Kurenai was about to say something, when suddenly, the atmosphere shifted.

Ahead was the city wall of Tanzaku Town.

But right now—

Birds scattered skyward, their cries sharp in the sudden silence.

Something’s wrong!

Kagenori’s eyes sharpened.

“Everyone, get ready!”

A split second later, wires appeared all around, and kunai and shuriken rained toward them.

Kagenori flashed forward in an instant.

Midair, he’d already drawn chakra and formed the hand seals.

[Suiton: Suijinheki] (Water Release: Water Formation Wall!)

A rush of water rose, forming a high shield and enclosing everyone inside.

The kunai and shuriken struck, only to be swept away by the current, unable to break through.

At the same time—

Sakura petals fell all around.

[Falling Cherry Blossom Art]

Kakashi’s figure flickered, vanishing from view.

From behind the wall, masked ninja rushed in—at least a dozen of them.

“Take them! We’ll trade them for the young master!”

Amid the chaos, someone shouted.

The water wall collapsed; Kagenori had already unfastened his leg weights and tossed them aside.

“Stay sharp!”

And then, in a flash, he vanished.

Slice!

Kagenori’s kunai tore through a ninja’s throat, spraying blood all over him.

---

This is a fan translation of 木叶：纲手，我才是火影！by 卖身葬节操 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!