Facing an enraged Tsunade, Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was full of helplessness. "This desk of mine probably won't last much longer." "Answer my
Facing an enraged Tsunade, Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was full of helplessness.
"This desk of mine probably won't last much longer."
"Answer my question first!" Tsunade's arm muscles tensed, her furrowed brows showing her genuine anger.
Her fury wasn't just about pooling wealth for unified distribution—it was Hiruzen's clear targeting.
"I know what you're thinking," Hiruzen said, slowly rising from his seat to meet Tsunade's gaze at eye level.
Tsunade seemed to notice then…
Her teacher now radiated vitality, as if he'd shed a decade of age, the age spots on his face faded significantly.
Was this the effect of the cans?
Hiruzen, pleased with Tsunade's surprise, stood straighter, his smile brimming with confidence. "But it's not what you think. Take a look at this intel."
He handed her a report from his desk.
It detailed Gato's situation.
Tsunade read every word, her brows still tightly knit.
"Don't get it?" Hiruzen chuckled, then shook his head, his smile fading. "The Akatsuki, a mercenary group that emerged years ago, composed entirely of S-rank rogue ninja from various villages. Danzo once worked with Hanzo to take them down, but they failed."
"Hanzo?" Tsunade froze.
That name held special meaning for the Sannin.
Their title was forged in that battle.
But even he… failed to crush the Akatsuki?
"As you read," Hiruzen took a deep drag from his pipe, exhaling slowly. "The Akatsuki have been amassing wealth through small nations' wars for years. Now, they're resorting to ruthless measures… even eliminating Gato after he broke free of their control."
His eyes couldn't hide his concern.
Gato's death solidified his resolve to confront the Akatsuki.
Tsunade grew worried too.
"You suspect… there are can-openers in their group?"
The term can-opener referred to those who bought cans from Shen Mo, gaining otherworldly powers.
"They started gathering wealth long before Shen Mo appeared," Hiruzen shook his head, then said gravely, "But whatever their goals, their reckless actions will wreak havoc on the economy. And if there arecan-openers among them, with that much money…"
He didn't need to finish.
Tsunade's expression turned serious.
Money was always crucial, but now its importance had skyrocketed.
If the Akatsuki had can-openers…
With that wealth…
Their disruptive actions…
Couldn't be ignored!
"But what does this have to do with what you told the Ino-Shika-Cho clan heads?" Tsunade didn't forget her original question.
She demanded an explanation.
"Taking down the Akatsuki isn't easy," Hiruzen said sternly. "War is near, and extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. If we're committed to boosting our jōnin's strength, what's wrong with pooling wealth and redistributing it?"
"I know we need to strengthen them," Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "But! The Hyuga already agreed to contribute funds!"
That was the crux of the issue.
The Hyuga agreed to provide money for Tsunade to distribute.
But that was voluntary, unlike forcibly pooling all wealth for unified allocation.
The responsible party differed.
Tsunade wasn't politically naive. Hiruzen's move not only suppressed the Hyuga supporting her under the guise of wartime necessity but also earned gratitude from other clans.
"Tsunade…" Hiruzen sighed. "You've been away from the village too long. You don't understand. Without this, how much would the Hyuga actually give for others to buy cans? And… Hyuga Hiashi doesn't control everything in the Hyuga clan."
"I'll convince them!" Tsunade's fist clenched slightly.
"I've heard some in the Hyuga clan want Hiashi to be the Fifth Hokage," Hiruzen said calmly, his tone heavier. "His strength and reputation don't match yours, so those voices were suppressed. But Shen Mo's appearance gives Hiashi that chance."
In terms of wealth and resources…
The Hyuga were Konoha's undisputed top clan.
And Shen Mo's cans…
Could bridge their final gap—strength.
With the means, ambition would grow unchecked.
"…" Tsunade stared at her teacher, finally understanding. She opened her mouth, saying slowly, "So that's why the Uchiha ended up like that?"
Hiruzen's breath hitched, his aura momentarily solidifying.
After a long pause…
His breathing steadied.
He took a deep drag from his pipe, exhaling with a hoarse voice. "Tsunade, no matter what, I don't want to see that happen again."
"…"
Tsunade had nothing more to say.
She turned and left.
This time, without looking back.
Shen Mo, watching from his room, caught the entire scene.
Even without mind-reading, he knew a true rift had formed between Tsunade and her teacher, Hiruzen.
A rejuvenated, ambitious Hiruzen and a Tsunade determined to protect the village her brother loved in her own way were bound to clash ideologically.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have left the village for so long.
She was already deeply disappointed with some of Konoha's ways.
But…
As Shen Mo shifted his surveillance to Tsunade, he spotted an unexpected figure on the streets.
Orochimaru.
He'd slipped back into Konoha undetected?
Indeed.
Though disguised, Shen Mo's sharpened senses, aided by a custom detection service, quickly confirmed that this flamboyantly dressed woman was Orochimaru.
At this point…
He was likely plotting his Konoha Crush plan, yet he had time to return.
Seeing this cross-dressing Orochimaru, Shen Mo's interest piqued.
Another potential player.
With very clear desires.