Chapter Sixty: Hokage

Tsunade deliberately contradicted Hiruzen Sarutobi, but deep down, she truly respected him. This was, in a way, her manner of showing affection, her own form of coquettishness toward him.

From a young age, Tsunade had lost her parents, and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, played a partial fatherly role in her upbringing. Sarutobi was the disciple of both the First and Second Hokages, while Tsunade was their granddaughter, and also Sarutobi’s own student. Naturally, Hiruzen had doted on her since she was a child.

Known as the "Professor of Ninjutsu," Sarutobi was an excellent teacher, but he was also strict. With Tsunade, however, his affection was evident—he could neither scold nor punish her, only attempt persuasion, or in other words, lecture her. Tsunade’s strong-willed and competitive nature inevitably led to frequent arguments between them.

At first, it was the typical rebellion of a young girl against the admonitions of an elder, but over time, this dynamic evolved into a unique form of affection between master and student—Tsunade’s way of being playful with Sarutobi. Eventually, both grew accustomed to this mode of communication, so much so that Tsunade found it hard to change, and it became her habit to challenge Sarutobi, even in private.

Although today was the opening ceremony of the Konoha Ninja Academy—a public event—the ceremony had yet to begin, and only the two of them were present. No one else was around to interrupt their conversation, making it more like a private moment.

Since it was a private exchange, Tsunade brought up the matter of the Shadow Clone Technique.

“Old man, I came to see you today not just because you asked me to attend the Academy’s opening ceremony. There’s something else I need from you.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn’t answer, only gazed helplessly at his willful disciple.

“Old man… old man… Third Lord… Third Lord… Sensei… Sensei…” Tsunade shifted her tone, gradually sounding more like a daughter affectionately pleading with her father.

“…I knew it. You wouldn’t have agreed to attend a village event so easily unless you wanted something. Go on, what is it? And honestly, this side of you is rather unfamiliar to me…” Hiruzen’s tone finally softened.

“Hmph, then I’ll just call you ‘old man’ again. I had already promised to attend today’s opening ceremony, it’s just that this morning, Kato…” At the mention of Kato, Tsunade paused, something crossing her mind.

She then changed her request, saying she wanted to learn the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, not just the basic Shadow Clone Technique.

Although she’d promised that morning to help Kato Yufeng by asking Sarutobi for the Shadow Clone Technique, since she had already opened her mouth and even made an exception to act coquettishly with him, why settle for just the basic? She might as well ask for the more advanced Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.

These two techniques belonged to the same series—the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique was an upgraded version of the Shadow Clone Technique. Both were developed by her grandfather, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. The Shadow Clone Technique was a B-rank jutsu, while the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique was an A-rank forbidden jutsu, currently sealed in Konoha’s Book of Seals.

Tsunade had studied the Shadow Clone Technique before, but only superficially, never mastering it, so she rarely used it herself, let alone teach Kato Yufeng. Her master, Sarutobi, however, was well-versed in both techniques.

Tsunade’s true intent in asking to learn the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique from Sarutobi was to benefit from his personal experience—the intricate insights and practical usage only he could provide. That was the most valuable knowledge of all.

As Sarutobi’s beloved disciple, Tsunade well understood the quality of his instruction.

“Multiple Shadow Clone Technique? That’s a forbidden jutsu, currently sealed in the Book of Seals, though it was developed by your grandfather, the Second Hokage,” Sarutobi replied, a hint of doubt in his voice.

“Didn’t you learn the Shadow Clone Technique before? You weren’t exactly proficient in it, and now you suddenly want to learn the advanced version?” He thought carefully, recalling Tsunade’s earlier words. “I seem to have heard the name ‘Kato’ just now… could it be…”

Fixing her with a suspicious look, Sarutobi asked, “Is this really something you want to learn, or is it that boy, Kato Yufeng, who wants to learn it?”

“What are you talking about? Of course I want to learn it. And since I’m asking for the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, I’ll need the basic one too. Didn’t you always tell me to build a solid foundation? And don’t forget to include your own insights and experiences with both techniques in the scroll, so I won’t have to keep bothering you later,” Tsunade replied, her cheeks flushing as her master exposed her real motives.

She quickly added, including both jutsus and his personal notes in her request.

“I did teach you the Shadow Clone Technique, but I recall you were unwilling to learn at the time. Now you suddenly want to study it again. You know, there are rules for teaching advanced village jutsu—outside the master-apprentice relationship, you have to exchange merit points. As the Third Hokage, how could I just…”

“Sensei… but I am your disciple, your favorite, aren’t I?” Tsunade interjected sweetly.

The Third Hokage looked at his doted-on disciple, who was acting so playfully, and his mind drifted to the frequent visits of Kato Yufeng lately. He knew exactly what was going on.

Sarutobi was silent for a moment. “Just this once. No exceptions in the future. After the ceremony, come with me to the Hokage’s Residence. It’s been ages since you last visited.”

“Thank you, Sensei. You’re the best.”

Seeing her master finally relent, Tsunade was overjoyed and couldn’t help but reach out to take Sarutobi’s arm, heading toward the ceremony platform.

As they spoke, an attendant ninja arrived to report that the ceremony was about to begin, and it was time for Sarutobi to take his seat.

Turning to see Tsunade’s eager face, Sarutobi felt a bead of sweat pop on his brow.

He couldn’t help but protest, “My voice is only deep and steady because that’s what’s required of the Hokage, the leader of Konoha. I’m only in my forties—I’m not so old that I need help walking!”

“Let go, I don’t need your support!”

“You’re the only one who calls me ‘old man’ all the time. You’ve practically aged me with that nickname. Who else in this village would dare address me so?”

“Hmph! And tell that Kato Yufeng boy to come to my office at the Hokage’s Residence tomorrow or the day after.”

“…Understood, old man.” Tsunade’s cheeks, which had just lost their blush, reddened again.

Hearing her master mention Kato Yufeng by name, and summon him to the Hokage’s Residence, she knew her little ploy hadn’t escaped his notice.

She kept calling him “old man,” a smile tugging at her lips, her cheeks still tinged with pink. Yet, she didn’t let go of Sarutobi’s arm—if anything, her grip tightened.

“Still calling me old man—you’re really going to age me at this rate…”

Tsunade glanced at her master. Sarutobi was dressed in his full formal Hokage attire for the Academy’s opening ceremony: a white robe with red flames at the hem, a specially tailored ceremonial battle uniform and ninja vest underneath, and on his head, the Hokage’s hat with the kanji for "Fire" on a red background.

He was tall and robust, not looking old at all, much like her two grandfathers once did. In formal settings, their attire was all but identical. They had all cherished her. They were all Hokage of Konoha.

Tsunade looked around the Ninja Academy, observed the young students growing quiet under their teachers’ direction, and gazed toward the distant Hokage Rock.

“Konoha. Hokage.”

Supporting Sarutobi as they walked forward, Tsunade’s smile broadened.

…

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