"Really? So, do you have any assurance?"
Ruri asked with concern.
Actually, whether Tsunade could become one of their own, she wasn't particularly concerned. It was only because of Hakushi that she asked.
If, at the time, Hakushi couldn't bear to do it, she could replace him, or Ayane could.
"No."
Hakushi, sitting next to Ruri, answered decisively.
"That's not like you."
Ruri gave Hakushi an unexpected glance.
"Because Master Tsunade is too kind and tends to be emotional. This is an advantage, but many times, it can also be called a flaw, becoming a fatal weak point for others to attack her!"
Hakushi's voice was somewhat muffled.
"After all, as a Medical Ninja, it's inevitable for her to have a bit of a compassionate heart."
Ruri had seen many Medical Ninjas; most of them began their careers with the intention of saving lives, filled with compassion and love.
But the cruel environment of war gradually suppresses these feelings within them.
Yet occasionally at the right moment, these emotions would be released.
After all, as long as they're human, this compassion is something everyone possesses.
Hakushi also had this compassion, but his compassion would save many people while killing many others simultaneously.
"Furthermore, going to Master Tsunade this time is actually using her."
Hakushi sighed.
"?"
Hakushi exhaled and said, "If she figures things out later and joins our side, there naturally won't be any issues."
"Then what does it mean to use her?"
"Because Master Tsunade will take a long time to explore the doubts in her heart. Doing so is actually wasting time for present-day Konoha. If Master Tsunade were to return to Konoha at this moment, with the remaining influence of Jiraiya and the Third Hokage, she could easily override Danzo and rapidly unify the forces within Konoha. Three to five years later, this would pose a major threat to the Land of Demons."
However, now that Tsunade is off looking for those answers, it's equivalent to being lost. If she can't figure things out, she can't return to Konoha.
So, although it's exploring a problem, it is actually wasting Konoha's development time.
"Once she figures it out and obstinately wants to return to Konoha... the time left before the start of the Fourth Great Ninja War won't be much. Adding to this my arrangements on the Konoha side, what Master Tsunade returns to take over will only be a terribly messed-up situation."
If she joins the camp on the Land of Demons side, nothing will happen.
But if Tsunade, after wasting Konoha's best development time, still insists on returning to assist Konoha... neither he nor Nagato will give Konoha time to regain strength.
"You're certainly quite sneaky, even trapping your own teacher."
Ruri figured out the key and didn't know what to say.
"I can't gamble the lives of my family and subordinates for a future where even I see no hope. As long as Master Tsunade can join my side, none of this will be an issue. Otherwise..."
A sharp light flashed in Hakushi's eyes.
Ruri fell into deep thought and didn't object.
Anyway, she hasn't had any good feelings about Konoha.
Although she wishes to kill Danzo as soon as possible, Danzo did create numerous favorable development environments for the Land of Demons. Danzo has played a significant role in turning Konoha into its current state.
"What about Ayane? She should be back now, right?"
Hakushi suddenly asked this question.
"Hmm, but she has the day off today and took her precious son out for training in the Gentle Fist and Byakugan."
Ruri responded casually.
In truth, Ruri felt some discomfort.
Compared to her son, Ayane's son Aya is more like a Ninja.
At a young age, he has already shown very strong Ninja talent, excelling in both the Byakugan and Gentle Fist.
Unlike Asuka, who chose a path that left the entire Uchiha Clan stunned.
The son of this generation's Clan Leader, always from the outstandingly talented Uchiha Clan, wants to become a distinguished scientist... An unexpected path for anyone.
One wonders what the buried ancestors of the Uchiha Clan, if they knew, would feel in their hearts.
Thinking about this, Ruri sighed sorrowfully.
◎
"Come in."
After opening the door, Asami Shinsui returned to the Hokage Office after a few days.
"Hokage-sama, is there something you need?"
Wearing a white coat, Asami Shinsui slightly bowed to the Third Hokage, seated behind the desk.
It was then she noticed another individual in the office.
No, it can't be called a person, but an old green-skinned frog, short-bodied, draped in a grey robe, appearing to be of some age.
The frog rose from a nearby sofa, comparing Asami Shinsui with a kindly smile.
"Shinsui, this is Fukasaku Sage, one of the two sages from Mount Myoboku, here to assist you in studying the unknown toxin. Also, Fukasaku Sage is the Immortal Technique teacher of Jiraiya."
The Third Hokage smiled as he introduced the old frog's identity to Asami Shinsui.
"Is that so? I apologize for my disrespect, Fukasaku Sage."
Shinsui's face showed surprise, and she immediately bowed respectfully to Fukasaku Sage.
Sannin Jiraiya holds a high position in Konoha, so, as Jiraiya's Immortal Technique teacher, Asami Shinsui must respond to the sage.