"That's right, you can't have a marriage with the Uchiha, can you?"
Marriage?
The mere mention of the idea sparked disbelief among the Hyuga elders.
Establishing trust with the Uchiha was indeed a monumental challenge. After pondering for a moment, Hiashi Hyuga spoke with measured thought:
"Since that's the case, let's not speak of this matter further for now. Everything will be discussed again after Uchiha manages his own crisis."
In any case, the Hyuga clan had nothing to lose.
If Uchiha truly wished to partner with Hinata, he must first pull himself out of his current predicament. Only then could the Hyuga sit down to discuss collaboration with any seriousness. Otherwise, talks of cooperation would remain nothing more than empty words.
While Uchiha Hiko was fighting to reclaim control of his fate, the Hyuga clan chose to observe quietly.
Meanwhile, the Hokage's office remained eerily quiet.
After returning to the village, Jiraiya headed straight to the Hokage's office without prior notice. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, welcomed him with open arms, glad to see one of his loyal disciples back.
However, that mood quickly soured the moment he learned Tsunade had demolished part of a street.
"So…"
Hiruzen massaged his temples and lit his pipe with a heavy sigh, taking several puffs to calm himself:
"So, the destruction in town was caused by Tsunade?"
"Yes," Jiraiya answered awkwardly.
"Because of what Hiko said, Tsunade lost her temper and chased him across town. Fortunately, Hiko left the area quickly, or the damage would have been catastrophic. If he had lingered even a little longer…"
He trailed off, unwilling to even picture the chaos that might have unfolded.
Tsunade, when enraged, couldn't be calmed by persuasion. Her pursuit of Hiko outside the town had ironically helped minimize the destruction. Had she wandered within the town for even a few more minutes, the damage might've quadrupled.
"I've done the calculations. The compensation is enormous."
If it had been a manageable amount, Jiraiya would've happily paid from his own pocket. Sadly, the damages went far beyond what he could cover. Despite all his book royalties, his earnings couldn't come close to paying it off.
The Third Hokage smoked in silence, his good mood gone. He had been thrilled at Tsunade's return—finally, they could resolve the issue with the Land of Fire's Daimyō. But now, before even approaching the matter of the Daimyō's approval, Tsunade had created a monumental problem.
The debt Tsunade carried was a mountain that weighed down on Hiruzen's already overburdened mind.
The village was strapped for resources. It was nearly impossible to cover this amount, and Jiraiya, subtly, was making it clear: "Old man, if you can help cover this, Tsunade might be easier to persuade to assist."
It was a veiled request.
But the debt was immense—crippling, even.
Hiruzen shook his head with another puff from the pipe and sighed:
"Jiraiya, I wish I could help, but you understand the village's financial situation. We haven't even resolved the Daimyō's funding. Without it, Konoha doesn't have the capital to cover something of this scale."
So focused was he on the debt, Hiruzen didn't notice Jiraiya's persistent winking and subtle cues.
As the Third Hokage continued, oblivious to Jiraiya's growing desperation:
"As for the debt, we'll deal with it after settling the Daimyō issue. For now, we must ensure Tsunade remains in the village. We need her influence to secure the Daimyō's trust."
'Deal with it'—how?
That vague phrase left too much to interpretation. Jiraiya understood the Hokage's intent, but kept blinking, trying to warn him that—
Bang!
The door burst open.
Tsunade entered.
The Third Hokage froze. In that instant, his heart plummeted.
So that's why Jiraiya had been signaling—Tsunade was listening.
Hiruzen cursed inwardly. He had said too much.
He had spoken of Tsunade's debt like it was a burden Konoha should avoid, unintentionally offending her deeply. The difference in treatment between Uchiha and Tsunade was stark.
Uchiha Hiko had extended a hand: covering mission losses, offering support, even settling Tsunade's gambling debts. Meanwhile, Konoha couldn't even offer the smallest support to one of its legendary Sannin.
That contrast cut deep.
"Tsunade, why are you here?"
Jiraiya gave a nervous laugh and rubbed his hands:
"I'm really glad you're back. For a while, I thought you'd run away again."
"And what's there to be happy about?"
Tsunade shot a sidelong glance at him. Her voice was cold and sharp. Realizing he'd stepped on a landmine, Jiraiya shrank back, casting a pleading look toward Hiruzen.
Old man, I can't clean this up. It's your mess.
The Third Hokage sighed, setting down his pipe. He now understood what had happened—and regretted his carelessness deeply.
"Tsunade, I didn't mean to refuse your request. It's just that the village treasury—"
"I don't expect the village to pay my debt."
Tsunade cut him off coldly.
"I'll handle my own affairs. I'll deal with the debt. I'll even go speak to the Daimyō. But if I do that, I want to know—what exactly will I get in return?"
Let's stop pretending. No more vague promises. No more 'we'll see.'
If you want me to clean this mess, then tell me what I'll get. Is it an SS-rank mission reward? Recognition? A seat at the table?
The Third Hokage grimaced. Things had taken a turn he hadn't anticipated.
Missions of this nature shouldn't be equated with monetary rewards—but Tsunade had forced that conversation, fueled by disappointment.
Before Hiruzen could respond, Tsunade spoke again:
"I'll take care of the debt and I'll go to the Daimyō's estate—but on one condition."
"Speak," the Third Hokage said, trying to maintain calm.
Anything but taking on Tsunade's full debt or giving out S-class rewards would be manageable.
"Withdraw all surveillance and targeted operations against the Uchiha clan. Approve this, and I'll depart for the Daimyō's mansion immediately."
"What?!"
Hiruzen leapt from his seat, stunned. Her words hit like a thunderclap.
Even Jiraiya stood slack-jawed.
Had Hiko cast a genjutsu on her? What the hell was going on?
Tsunade, who usually avoided politics and clan affairs, now demanded the surveillance on the Uchiha be lifted?
"This is impossible!" Hiruzen's voice rose with panic.
"Tsunade, what's gotten into you? Why such an unreasonable condition? Did Uchiha bribe you?"
"What's so unreasonable about it?" Tsunade countered coolly.
"Is Uchiha not part of this village? Are they not one of Konoha's founding clans?"
"The tragedy of the Nine-Tails attack was regrettable, yes. But old man, can you look me in the eye and claim you only started targeting Uchiha after that night?"
"Well, I—"
The Third Hokage wanted to offer some justification, but he couldn't.
He could lie to the public, but not to Tsunade—not to Jiraiya.
"In short, this condition is non-negotiable. I won't agree to it!" Hiruzen declared, voice firm.
"You've changed, old man."
Tsunade's eyes dimmed with disappointment. After a pause, she shook her head and turned away.
"Why do you do this, old man…" Jiraiya sighed, voice bitter.
Caught between his master and his companion, Jiraiya could only watch helplessly.
He turned and followed Tsunade out of the office.
Outside the Hokage's building, Tsunade stopped and asked calmly into the air:
"Where is Uchiha Hiko? Don't pretend you don't know."
There was silence—then a reluctant answer came from the shadows.
"...At the Akimichi clan's barbecue restaurant."
Even the Anbu, seasoned and stoic, dared not defy her.