Chapter 12: Tsunade's Political Awareness

"Since Tsunade-sama has made her decision, we should follow through. I believe everyone will abide by Tsunade-sama's choice!"

Kamizuki Hikari obediently voiced his agreement, while also trying to calm his own restless and panicked thoughts.

As the saying goes, two tigers cannot coexist on one mountain—unless one is male and the other is female.

[If Tsunade were a transmigrator, she'd be difficult to deal with... Better to pick someone else! Kurenai has been getting along well with Asuma lately, stealing her would be too much of a hassle.]

[Anko... pass!]

[Ayame looks beautiful and has a clean background. She's a good option.]

[Uzuki Yugao is also quite attractive and capable. Plus, with Gekko Hayate recently deceased, she could be a great choice.]

[Shizune is too well-endowed. A woman with such assets is out of my league. Pass!]

[There aren't many single kunoichi left in this generation. Should I set my sights on the next one? Tenten seems to like me quite a bit... Should I consider developing something there? But she's too young now. If I choose her, I'll have to wait at least two years. Otherwise, it just feels wrong!]

Tsunade looked up in silence.

She had never expected Kamizuki Hikari's inner thoughts to be so complicated and erratic.

Not to mention, he seemed to have an encyclopedic knowledge of every beautiful woman in Konoha.

Just like Jiraiya, a little pervert.

"Forget it, let's go back."

"Konoha Hospital is severely understaffed. I'll do another round to see if any other patients need my help."

As the Fifth Hokage and Konoha's top medical-nin, Tsunade truly had it rough.

[Anyone can be saved, except the younger relatives of Mitokado Homura.]

[Speaking of which, since there are so few medical-nin, why not train more? There are plenty of kunoichi in Konoha. It's a waste for them to be on the battlefield—better to have them in support roles. Just imagine, put them in uniforms, show off those beautiful legs... What a sight!]

Tsunade: 'Heh, this little pervert... Coming to the hospital just to stare at women's legs. Worse than Jiraiya. But I do want to train more medical-nin. The problem is, there aren't many suitable candidates.'

[Since she's taking Haruno Sakura as a disciple, why not let others try as well?]

[Yamanaka Ino is Inoichi's daughter. Tenten is Gai's disciple. Hinata is the Hyuga clan heiress. Plus, there are other kunoichi from various clans. Give them a chance, and even if they don't succeed, it will help win their loyalty.]

[Too bad Tsunade's political awareness is lacking. She never considered this.]

Tsunade: 'My political awareness is lacking? You little brat, talking nonsense!'

Since this brat was badmouthing her in his thoughts, he shouldn't blame her for borrowing his ideas.

After all, thoughts in someone's mind don't have copyrights.

As the rightful Fifth Hokage, Tsunade was bold and decisive. If he had a problem with it, he could try suing her.

"Hikari!"

"I just thought about it... If I directly take Haruno Sakura as my apprentice, it might make others envious. Instead, I should recruit a group of young shinobi and select the most outstanding ones through a rigorous process. That way, no one can complain. What do you think of this idea?"

[What the hell?! Tsunade came up with the same plan as me?!]

[Since when did her political awareness become this sharp?]

[Wait... Something like this did happen in the original story. When Sakura requested to become her disciple, Tsunade had Shizune train Ino and the others as well. But in the end, only Sakura remained.]

[Now that Tsunade is recruiting on a large scale, isn't that a major change to the story?!]

[Well, this has nothing to do with me. I'll just enjoy the show! I'm just a salted fish without dreams.]

This guy was hopeless.

Tsunade had wanted to use his thoughts to provoke him into taking things seriously, but he didn't bite at all. That was a little frustrating.

Forget it. Treating patients was more important.

---

Kamizuki Hikari realized he had fallen out of favor.

He was so handsome and capable. In the past, whenever he came to the hospital, the ladies would warmly chat with him, and some would even take the initiative to teach him medical knowledge.

But ever since Tsunade arrived, he had turned into a background extra.

"Don't rush everyone! While treating patients, I'll explain some medical principles. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. However, I'm on a tight schedule, so you can only ask three questions per patient. Understood?"

"Understood! Tsunade-sama is so cool!"

"Tsunade-sama is so kind! I wonder what kind of man could possibly be a match for her... If only I were a man!"

"Don't even think about it. I'm the best choice for Tsunade-sama! Tsunade-sama, look at me! Look at me!"

"Don't push! You brats need to respect seniority. I was trained by Tsunade-sama herself, so step aside!"

"Big Sis, you should think of the bigger picture. We young ones still have a chance. You're too old. Give us youngsters some opportunities."

[People say a woman's voice is like a lark—pleasant and melodious. But today, I realized that comparison is completely wrong. A single woman is at least ten larks, chirping non-stop. It's so annoying.]

[I better slip away.]

[With Tsunade awakening her political talent and winning people over at the hospital, I doubt she'll notice me sneaking out.]

So many women... So annoying.

For the first time, Tsunade agreed with Hikari's thoughts. With so many voices chattering at once, it really did feel like a flock of birds chirping in her ears.

Even the sweetest voice would become unbearable in such a situation.

One word—annoying.

Still, Hikari's thoughts were fascinating. Even with all this noise, she could hear them clearly. That was interesting.

"Alright, quiet down!" Tsunade said with a smile. "Aside from those on duty, anyone who wants to follow me, come along!"

Konoha Hospital was her domain. The hospital director, Kira, was one of her former students, and the head nurse, Mikan, was from the Senju clan.

Back when Sarutobi Hiruzen forced the Senju clan to abandon their name under the Second Hokage's decree.

Mikan was one of those who, under those conditions, gave up the Senju name and kept only "Mikan", which wasn't the most elegant name.

She had remained unmarried all these years as a sign of loyalty to the Senju. In the shinobi world, women usually took their husband's surname after marriage.

Mikan followed the order to abandon the Senju name, as she had no choice. But she had full control over her own marriage.

This was her way of staying loyal to the Senju, and Tsunade deeply understood the sentiment. It only added to the weight on her shoulders.

Mikan was just one example. How many others from the Senju had also refused to take on new family names, living on with only their first names?

As the last remaining Senju, Tsunade carried an enormous burden.

Even so, she knew this was irreversible.

The Senju clan had already faded into history, and it was best to let them rest in peace.

That was the best outcome for both Konoha and the Senju.