Chapter 314. Sweet Talker

Chapter 314. Sweet Talker

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"This is it?"

"Do you guys even know why I came back to Konoha?!"

"A one-for-three exchange? Don't tell me you were just messing with me!"

When she heard the plan was once again postponed indefinitely, Tsunade rolled up her sleeves, ready to throw down.

She had rushed back thinking she could trade one for three, worried that she'd end up accidentally selling off more of her clan land in a blur.

But now?

This is all she gets?

"You'd better give me a reason right now!"

As she spoke, the Fourth Hokage, the new advisor Nara Shikaku, and the old advisor Utatane Koharu all exchanged looks, then smiled bitterly and shook their heads.

Then—

Koharu looked at Tsunade and said, "Tsunade! Calm down first!"

"Calm down?! This was supposed to be triple! You all better compensate me!"

"Sorry! It's the village's decision. The plan is just on hold for now." Koharu shook her head and said with a businesslike tone, "After all, with the appearance of the First and Second Hokage, most people no longer agree to repurpose the Senju clan's land."

"I'm the only rightful heir, and I'm not saying anything. What are you all worried about?"

"It's not about worry. The idea of repurposing the Senju land was just a spur-of-the-moment decision. It seemed like a good location." Koharu shook her head again. "We had heard you rushed off and sold most of the land, so we thought the village could reclaim it. But now that Hashirama-sama and Tobirama-sama are back, most believe we should preserve their old home so people can remember them."

At this point, seeing Tsunade go quiet, she sighed. "Don't sell that land anymore! I think deep down, you don't really want to either. So keep it. If it's really not working out... the village can still buy it back."

After speaking, the three of them exchanged another look.

Then the Fourth Hokage coughed lightly and looked at the still-silent Tsunade with a smile, saying, "Of course, if Tsunade-sama really does want to sell, the village is still willing to buy it back at three times the price. Soon, Yuto Konoha Park will be completed, right next to the Hyuga clan estate. I hear the scenery is beautiful, the place luxuriously furnished, and packed with all sorts of cutting-edge tech from the Yuto Group. If you're interested, we can help relocate you there."

However—

After he finished speaking—

Tsunade didn't immediately agree. She opened her mouth... then snapped impatiently, "So annoying! Even after First Grandpa and Second Grandpa passed, they still left me with all this crap to deal with!"

Unfortunately—

By the time she rushed over—

It was already too late.

She hadn't gotten to see either of them.

When it came to selling the Senju clan's land, deep down she was still conflicted. That land held memories of her, Nawaki, her first grandfather, her second grandfather, Granny Mito… everyone. The parts she sold off before were just the outer fringes.

She wanted to sell it—but when it really came down to it… she couldn't let go!

If she'd just held her breath and pushed through back then, maybe she really would have sold it.

She sighed. "Let me think about it."

With that—

She turned, melancholy, and walked out of the Hokage's office. Minato and Shikaku just sighed and shook their heads, saying no more as they returned to their work.

Even though the plan had changed, it didn't impact the village much.

If anything…

"Naruto will be starting school soon," Minato muttered to himself, then shook his head with a helpless smile. "I still don't know who should be his team leader."

Kakashi was excellent.

And Obito… well, all his students were outstanding!

…

On the other side—

Tsunade walked aimlessly down the familiar yet distant streets after leaving the Hokage building.

"Tsunade-sama!" Shizune called out when she saw Tsunade, especially noticing the worried look on her face, which only made her more concerned. "It still can't be sold?"

At that—

Tsunade snapped out of it, rolled her eyes, and snapped, "What do you mean 'can't be sold'? I'm not selling it anymore! Really... it's like I lost tens of billions!"

She'd already spent a lot on cars and modifications, only to lose the Grand Prix!

Now…

She barely had any Ninja Beans left in her account.

Damn it!

But—

"That's great! That's great!" Shizune actually looked relieved, patting her chest as she said, "That land was passed down from the First and Second Hokage to you, Tsunade-sama. How could you sell it?"

"What do you know, girl?" Tsunade sighed, pausing for a moment. "They're gone! What's the point of keeping it? Besides…" She shot Shizune a sideways glance, "We're out of money!"

"Tsunade-sama, you're not planning to stay in the village? The village has changed so much! In a few more years..." Shizune sighed helplessly, "we might not even recognize it anymore."

"If we don't recognize it, then so be it!" Tsunade waved her hand. "If you want to stay, then stay. As for me... I still want to get out and travel. Staying here is just too annoying! If I've got this much free time, I might as well think about how to make some money!"

The people were gone, the place had changed too.

It was no longer the Konoha she held in her heart.

With that—

Shizune didn't respond right away. She looked hesitant. In the end, staring at Tsunade-sama's melancholic figure, she bit her lip and said, "Actually! Tsunade-sama… we still have money!"

"???" Tsunade narrowed her eyes, and in the slits, a dangerous gleam seemed to flash. "Did you secretly hide my money somewhere? Speak! How much did you stash? Damn it! I knew the money was disappearing way too fast recently!"

"No, no! That's not it! Tsunade-sama, don't you know yourself how fast you've been spending?!"

"Hm?"

"I earned it! These past few days, I made it! It's not a ton, but it's a little over a million!"

"A million in a few days?" Tsunade stroked her chin, eyeing Shizune suspiciously. "Even S-rank missions don't pay out that quickly! You better not be doing anything shady!"

"No, I swear!" Shizune's cheeks flushed a bit, then she puffed them in frustration and said, "I really earned it! Ever since the incident with the First and Second Hokage appearing, the internet's been going wild. A lot of people have been coming around the Senju clan compound to take photos and post online."

"So that's why there've been so many people around here lately! That explains it!"

"And then… and then…" Shizune stuck out her tongue awkwardly. "People were being noisy and annoying, so I put a little table by the gate and started charging tickets. I didn't expect… so many people would actually still go in! And over just a few days… I made a lot of money."

After she finished speaking—

"??!" Tsunade blinked, staring at the sheepish Shizune, then sighed and patted her on the shoulder. "You shouldn't have learned medicine from me—you should've gone into business! Seriously!"

"Tsunade-sama!!!"

"Alright, alright! You actually are pretty talented in medical ninjutsu." Tsunade chuckled, watching the pouting Shizune, then added, "I didn't expect that to be such a golden goose. Quick, go get the money—feels like forever since I've gambled. Let's top up 18,888 first and see where that goes!"

"I left the money in the room!"

"Let's go, let's go! Grab it!"

Just as they turned to head back and top up the 18,888, Tsunade suddenly paused, surprised by the sight in front of her… a flamboyantly dressed group of old men and women—especially one overly flirtatious Jiraiya who was making a group of elderly folks laugh heartily. Her curiosity peaked. "What are these guys up to?"

"They're probably going to the back hill to dance~" Shizune also glanced over and mused, "It's been many years now. It's a super popular activity among the middle-aged and elderly."

With that—

"Dance?" Tsunade seemed to recall something—Jiraiya once mentioned he'd become the top dancer in the team.

She immediately waved her hand and followed with interest. "Let's go! Let's take a look! Jiraiya dancing? Heh, that could be worth seeing!"

That guy was stiff as a board since childhood—he probably dances horribly!

Meanwhile—

Vice President of the Konoha Square Dance Association—Jiraiya—was happily chatting with a bunch of… young ladies.

Suddenly, he shivered. "Brr~"

Then, turning back to the girls, he grinned and said, "The weather's getting cooler. You ladies should wear a little more—don't catch a cold!"

"We're still plenty sturdy! You're not bad yourself, young man! Jiraiya-chan! Haven't gotten married yet, have you~? Want me to set you up with someone?"

"No! Really? Is she at least half as pretty as you? If not, I'll have to pass~"

"Hehehe~ You cheeky boy, such a sweet talker!"

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