Chapter 89: Together?

Tōshirō explained, "Think carefully before you act. Your actions just now were way too reckless. You hit them, sure—you vented your anger, but have you considered how it looks to outsiders? From their perspective, you struck first. Outsiders will see it that way, and no matter how you try to explain, it won't change the fact that you resorted to violence. This father and son could easily take advantage of the situation, claiming we wronged them."

Tsunade opened her mouth to speak but hesitated, feeling frustrated.

Tōshirō continued, "And you say they poisoned you, but where's the evidence?"

Tsunade replied defiantly, "Isn't the proof right there in the medicine they created?"

Tōshirō shook his head. "That's just our word against theirs. Besides, have you ever considered that maybe the Daimyo himself could be involved in this?"

"The Daimyo?" Tsunade asked in surprise.

Tōshirō smirked, "Who's to say they aren't his pawns? They hold the power to twist the narrative. And with Konoha ninja involved, this could easily be viewed as political meddling on a grand scale."

He then briefly explained what "pawns" or "hidden hands" meant, helping her understand better.

Though Tsunade had experience, she wasn't naive. Hearing Tōshirō's explanation left her a bit shaken.

Tōshirō sighed, "Not everyone is as selfless as your grandfather. Most people have their own selfish desires."

Tsunade stamped her foot in frustration, biting her lip. "So what do you think we should do?"

Tōshirō made a gesture across his neck.

Tsunade's eyes widened, surprised by his ruthlessness.

Tōshirō said calmly, "It's the simplest and most direct way."

Thinking it over, Tsunade said, "But if they're tied to the Daimyo's interests, killing them won't change anything. Another person will just replace them. What's the point?"

Tōshirō raised an eyebrow, "Oh? You're catching on quickly. Looks like my lecture wasn't wasted. You're right; killing them is just a temporary solution. But it does relieve some anger."

Tsunade felt a sudden sense of sadness. "Isn't there a permanent solution?"

"There is, and it's simple yet difficult. If a force could unite the world under one banner and establish a flawless system, that would solve it."

"But wouldn't that lead to endless wars?"

"War to end war, killing to stop killing. People are stubborn by nature—unless you make them feel the pain, they won't behave."

Hearing this, Tsunade muttered the phrase to herself.

Tōshirō, worried she might misunderstand, gave an example, "Remember Jiraiya? He tried peeking on you in the bath, got caught, and you nearly beat him to death. He was in the hospital for weeks. Does he dare peek on you anymore?"

Tsunade blushed, "That's...a strange example."

Tōshirō shrugged, "Even so, this approach has its issues."

"Like what?"

"Even if you unify everything, human limitations remain. People age, fall ill, die. Wise ancestors can't guarantee wise descendants. In the end, the decay of the next generation could lead to the fall of a nation. You've probably heard of similar stories."

Tsunade nodded.

"The less someone knows, the more unjustified confidence they tend to have. But the more you know, the more helpless you sometimes feel."

At this, Tōshirō gave a faint smile. "So, in the end, I just choose to stay indifferent."

Tsunade: "..."

Tōshirō added, "Oh, and don't tell anyone about this conversation, alright?"

"If you're so worried about others finding out, why did you tell me?"

Without much thought, Tōshirō replied, "Well, you're my friend, and I felt I should warn you."

"Is that really the only reason?"

Tsunade lowered her head slightly, eyes drifting away as her fingers intertwined behind her back.

In a voice only she could hear, Tsunade murmured softly to herself.

Tōshirō couldn't make out her muttering and asked, "What did you say?"

"Nothing, nothing," Tsunade replied, turning her face away, avoiding his gaze. She then quickly changed the subject, "What did you mean when you said 'getting deceived'?"

Tōshirō shrugged, "It just means you should be more vigilant. Otherwise, one day someone could trick you into counting their money without you realizing it. Especially considering that you're the First Hokage's granddaughter, with Wood Release powers hidden in you; a lot of people would love to get their hands on your body."

Tsunade clenched her fist and huffed, "If anyone even tries to come after me, I'll punch them to pieces."

Tōshirō rubbed his forehead and sighed, "I've been telling you all this, yet I feel like it's gone in one ear and out the other. Why are you still so straightforward? It's like you act without thinking... especially since you don't even have...well, you know…"

Tsunade felt happy to know he cared for her—until his last comment.

Instantly, anger flared within her. She started trembling, glaring at him with her eyes widened, her forehead veins popping as her fury became visible.

Seeing her expression, Aokiji immediately realized his careless comment was a mistake, anticipating that Tsunade would make him pay for it. He even braced himself defensively.

But to his surprise, she closed her eyes, took a couple of deep breaths, and, despite her intense frustration, miraculously calmed down.

Tsunade gave a prideful huff, turned her head away, and strode off with a dismissive wave, as if saying, "I won't stoop to your level."

Tōshirō blinked, startled. He had really thought she was going to hit him.

Why didn't she? He couldn't pinpoint it, but lately, Tsunade's behavior seemed oddly out of character to him.

Maybe he'd spent too long playing the role of a subordinate, and his thoughts naturally veered in a certain direction.

Though not totally clueless, Tōshirō started to sense something was amiss.

Just as he was about to think it over, Tsunade's irritated voice came from ahead, "Tōshirō, what are you standing around for? Go finish off those two scumbags!"

While Tsunade wasn't bloodthirsty, she certainly wasn't merciful.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Aokiji quickly followed her.

Their mission was straightforward and effective—a quick strike late at night, with Tsunade observing and Aokiji carrying out the act, finishing off the two men.

"Consider yourselves lucky to die so easily," Aokiji muttered, looking down at the two lifeless figures with disdain.

Afterward, Tsunade stayed on for a while, creating an antidote that healed everyone and earning the villagers' gratitude.

With the mission complete, Tsunade waved goodbye and left. Instead of returning home immediately, she went to an inn, opened the room with her key, and found Aokiji asleep on the bed.

Hearing her enter, Tōshirō opened his eyes, not at all surprised. "The mission's done?"

"It's finished, and now there's just one final step left." Tsunade glanced around at the room, filled with large sacks of money and goods that the father and son duo had taken from the sick villagers.

Tōshirō frowned, "Did we really have to go this far?"

"I'm simply returning their money and belongings to the rightful owners," Tsunade replied seriously. "And don't even think about pocketing any of it."

"Come on, what kind of guy do you think I am?" Tōshirō replied, though without much conviction. He'd definitely thought about it for a moment.

But in the end, his sense of justice won out.

That night, Tōshirō and Tsunade, with sacks of money in hand, went from house to house, returning everything to the villagers like Konoha's version of Robin Hood.

After distributing the money, Aokiji wore a bittersweet expression. Morally fulfilled, sure, but he was left penniless.

"Will you...come back to Konoha with me?"

After their night of heroism, Tsunade stood there, hands behind her back, holding her wrist, one foot nervously scraping the ground as she looked at him with her large, hopeful eyes.

(End of Chapter)

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