Tsunade's Realisation

To recognise the promotion of rank from Genin to Chunin, Tsunade as the Fifth Hokage gathered and invited those who succeeded in front of the Hokage building.

The hundreds of people below each had grown into the mindset of a real soldier.

Sasuke and Sakura received their promotion to become a chunin, holding the certificate in their hands. Sakura knew what this meant for them, what this meant for her. That as chunin the role she would play in the battlefield will become bigger.

Sasuke didn't think much of it. For him the battle that's to come is the perfect grinding stone for him. Using their opponents flesh in a life and death battle to gain strength. His first objective had always been to kill Itachi, and to regain honor and glory of the Uchiha Clan. 

Naruto on the hand…

He stood quietly on a dark corner, unnoticed by anyone. His eyes drooped down, his heart heavy. He watched the people in front of him smile and celebrate. He failed to get promoted.

Naruto looks down on the ground. He felt bitter, and even resentment.

Tsuyu told him he's not qualified and doesn't deserve the rank. 

I did my best… I beat Neji too. Why did Hinata and Neji become chunin?

Tsuyu failed him more towards teaching him a lesson. Naruto would still join the frontline most likely so his rank never mattered in that sense. It's just a label if you think about it but Naruto craves approval most.

Naruto made a big mistake disobeying orders and that's enough to disqualify him.

As for Sasuke, he should be more strict towards Naruto. It's only thanks to his abilities that his decisions aren't considered high risk, and he does not go overboard and act within his abilities thus it's still acceptable. But if it comes to a situation where saving their comrade means failing the entire squad? This situation didn't occur thus far and it's a question what Sasuke would do. Regardless, Sasuke is still promoted.

Sakura did her role well, following orders to a point and her contribution and prowess exceeded most genins. In Tsuyu's perception, Sakura is not classified as cannon fodder and is an actual important member of the army.

Even other genins who had subpar combat ability but followed their order and fulfilled their role to their best ability are promoted to Chunin. Those that laze around, not taking the exam seriously, didn't fulfill their duty seriously, are not meticulous, late to their shifts even by a minute, all didn't receive promotions.

At the end 178 out of 300 participants were promoted to Chunin. This was already considered Konoha's higher up giving leeway to increase their fighting force.

Tsunade gave a congratulatory speech to them all, and that they shouldn't stop working on themselves so they can protect and fight for Konoha better in times of turmoil that's to come. 

As the crowd disperses, Tsuyu went to meet Tsunade.

"Tsunade-sama, the new recruit is still not up to standard. I suggest we whip them out in shape. We have limited time at our hands to have them grow slowly. I suggest a month-long intensive training camp to create a true soldier among them. I have compiled suggestions on programs that could improve them in just one month. I hope you can consider."

Tsuyu handed over the documents to Tsunade, which she flicked to read casually. Her expression changed multiple times in a few seconds the more she read it.

Is this torture or…

From her previous life experience, albeit she had different intentions altogether in the beginning, she learned of human tenacity and what kind of superior product can be forged from hardship.

Tsunade crossed her arms, her brows furrowed but ultimately she shook her head.

"The programmes aside… we can't afford to have too many idle Shinobi. We need to keep Konoha's image and to keep war funds coming. Once we send them on B and C rank missions, they would be sharpened out. So that problem will be solved."

Tsuyu frowned. Generally Konoha is funded by commissions. But during times of war, the lords and Daimyo would naturally send funds because Konoha's shinobi are Land of Fire soldiers.

"Tsunade-sama, is the war fund insufficient?"

"... Unfortunately, yes. We already squeezed as much as we could from the Daimyo. The rest is up to our village."

"Then it can't be helped…" Tsuyu can only give up on her idea. But then, maybe once Konoha put all their effort into the war she could proceed with her plan. As for the victim, there's a lot of genin to pick from and they wouldn't be doing anything that important anyways. She decided to bid her time.

"I will be at my office…" Tsunade went ahead. But as she sat down in her office, her eyes turned serious and there's a hint of worry.

I wish I was mistaken… But unfortunately… she really didn't see anything wrong with what she's suggesting does she.

She flicks the pages to re-confirm the cruelty and atrocities she suggests for the training. 4 hours sleep. Genjutsu induced stress. Continuous swimming, running, hiking. Induced alertness from continuous live attacks. All while keeping their chakra signature low.

She's not a human being… 

Tsunade bit her thumb. She always had that uneasy feeling regarding Tsuyu that she ignored and thought she was just overthinking it. Now? It's not her imagination… it's real. She felt worried that someone like Tsuyu carries so much power, and that Danzo is allowing her. What happened that such a child with such a mind can be born?

Tsunade starts to consider the possibility that Danzo had used his brainwashing methods like he did to ROOT members or whatever other methods. Like Orochimaru, she doesn't believe someone can be born naturally into whatever Tsuyu was.

Sarutobi-sensei, didn't you notice, or is this what you wish for?

She wondered if Hiruzen allowed this in the first place. Considering Tsuyu can control 9 tails power even since she's 7, she highly suspects Danzo had turned her into a weapon from the very beginning through dubious means. Being able to control 9 tails power at such a young age is already unnatural in her opinion so there must be something behind it. As for asking Danzo about it, she highly doubts he would just admit it.

Tsuyu didn't know what kind of thoughts Tsunade had on her. Danzo sitting in his shady office sneezed all of a sudden.

Am I getting too old? I cannot get sick now… Only I can lead Konoha out of its predicament…

Danzo calls out to a Root member on standby to prepare him for a full body check up.

That being said… Danzo wrote the instructions for a mission he would like Tsuyu to take. The few Root members he sent failed to retrieve anything useful because at the site there's too many powerful monsters at the location where many prisoners are experimented on by Orochimaru. He doesn't have too many experts at hand. So Tsuyu is the perfect candidate given her power and she has Flying Raijin and can return to the village at any time.

Tsunade sees the mission content, her eyebrows furrowed. 

"Search on Orochimaru hideout. Gather intel on his research…" The location is there, but the specific purpose and what intel is to be searched is not said.

For Danzo to not send his Root member secretly out… no, it means he did send them out but he couldn't get anything. Thus he wanted to move Tsuyu, Konoha's strongest weapon.

Tsunade moves out of her office and comes down to the dark staircase leading to Root. None of the Root members dare to stop her after she smashed one of them in one punch. She went directly to his office and kicked his door open.

"Danzo… I told you to not move out of your line. Didn't I make myself clear last time?"

Danzo glanced at Tsunade, his expression calm from start to finish.

"Tsunade. What's the matter for you to come down to this gloomy place?"

"Don't pretend to not know. Explain clearly. What are you trying to find from Orochimaru?"

"... It's not what you think, Tsunade. I am merely trying to give Konoha a better chance of fighting."

"What do you mean?" Tsunade squinted her eyes.

"It's a simple matter of giving her a little bit more power."

"... Cursed Mark… the one Orochimaru left on her… you…"

"Compared to the 9 tails she carries, that little mark is not worth mentioning. You don't have to concern yourself with it. If you don't want her to have any more power… you can take the 9 tails out of her, give the complete 9 tails to that good naive boy. That way you can be rest assured Tsunade." Danzo mocked Tsunade in the last sentence.

Tsunade bit his lips. Danzo mocking words cannot be refuted. She's wary of her having more power. But 9 tails inside of her was already a huge power that the little curse mark is not worth mentioning. It's just a little boost. And Konoha still needs her power, despite her negative opinion on her.

"... I will keep an eye on her, Danzo… you better not act rashly… or I will tear down this Root of yours."

"Of course." Danzo said casually. It seems Tsunade agreed to let her take the mission. But there's a caveat. Tsunade will send her own people and see whatever there was on Orochimaru's base.

And the most important part is to observe Tsuyu in detail.

***