But the moment he heard the hot springs were popular with girls—and that they were mixed bathing—his morals instantly collapsed.
Sometimes people need rest too.
Let's go soak and relax!
And so the three of them dragged their feet for nearly a full week before finally returning to Konoha.
The Third Hokage really put on a show: he prepared a welcome procession that looked like the triumphant return of a conquering army.
News that one of the Legendary Sannin had come back shook the entire village.
Uchiha Yusuke, however, couldn't have cared less.
In fact, he didn't even attend the welcome banquet Hiruzen organized for Tsunade.
Yusuke understood perfectly: the Third Hokage brought Tsunade back to needle him.
If someone clearly doesn't welcome you, why go over and make yourself annoying?
Tsunade had left the village early. Yusuke had seen her before, but they weren't close.
When Tsunade was at her peak, he hadn't even graduated from the Academy yet.
Compared to Tsunade, Yusuke had dealt far more with Orochimaru and Jiraiya.
Day Off
A slanting wind, fine drizzle.
In weather like this, Yusuke didn't stay home to sleep—he gathered his ANBU subordinates for a banquet at an izakaya.
Besides the four squad captains—Kakashi, Might Guy, Kurenai Yūhi, and Nono Yakushi—there were also:
Gekkō Hayate, Shiranui Genma, Uzuki Yūgao, Mitarashi Anko, and others.
Yusuke's recruiting focus was mainly young shinobi.
After an aggressive wave of "poaching," he had basically scooped up nearly every elite from his own generation.
With everyone together like this, it practically turned into Yusuke's class reunion.
When peers gather, there's no shortage of shared topics.
They drank, laughed, and talked freely—each of them holding dreams of changing Konoha through their own efforts.
The Third Hokage was known as the symbol of "light," but under his rule, Konoha's darkness was very real.
Danzō could take the blame, sure—but Hiruzen himself wasn't innocent either.
Yusuke didn't have grand ambitions.
He simply wanted to step up and sweep away the dust Konoha had allowed to pile up for years.
He didn't expect instant results—he was ready for a long campaign.
Even though the Uchiha massacre's future had been altered, the ninja world's instability still remained.
To say nothing of the restless Akatsuki—already a serious problem.
Not to mention Uchiha Obito and Black Zetsu moving in the shadows.
Many trials still lay ahead for Yusuke.
He needed to secure more influence—so he could turn passivity into initiative.
He had already built his core team.
Next came strengthening both his own combat power and that of his subordinates.
If you're tough enough, you can stand firm through any storm.
The future was full of challenges, but with the system behind him, Yusuke was confident he could handle them.
Chōraku Street Izakaya
The banquet was officially underway.
Fine wine. Excellent dishes.
Konoha specialties—this high-end place had basically everything.
Yusuke wasn't stingy with newly recruited subordinates.
When he took over Danzō's territory, he'd seized a massive "inheritance."
He was now worth over a hundred million ryō; spending a mere hundred thousand or so on luxury didn't even sting.
Tsunade could gamble away hundreds of thousands—or millions—at a time.
Compared to her, Yusuke was practically frugal.
Not long after the banquet began, someone suddenly pushed the door open.
A light, amused voice drifted in from outside:
"I'll be the uninvited guest."
"I assume nobody objects?"
Tsunade entered with Shizune and joined the gathering directly.
Yusuke silently sighed.
He'd been intentionally avoiding Tsunade to dodge trouble—yet she still came to him.
Well. If she's here, she's here.
He wanted to know what she actually wanted.
Inside the izakaya, Tsunade and Shizune joining didn't cause much of a stir.
Everyone kept drinking and chatting as if nothing had happened.
Among the three Sannin, Jiraiya wandered the world, Orochimaru kept to himself, and Tsunade—despite being a "princess" formally named by the Fire Daimyō—was the most down-to-earth of the three.
Plenty of people here already knew her.
As for Shizune, she was Yusuke's classmate.
She blended into the crowd naturally, with zero awkwardness.
Yusuke quietly slipped into the men's circle—Kakashi, Guy, and the others.
If someone wanted trouble, he simply refused to give them an opening.
It wasn't that he feared Tsunade.
He just didn't want to fall into the Third Hokage's trap.
With Tsunade back, Hiruzen had definitely been whispering plenty into her ear.
Even if Tsunade had no bias against the Uchiha, who knew what misunderstandings a "morally flexible" teacher could produce after constant coaching?
If you can't be bothered with it—avoid it.
That was Yusuke's attitude toward Tsunade.
Hiruzen loved using "suffering" as a political tool, but Tsunade would never be as deranged as Danzō in targeting the Uchiha clan.
As for the Hokage seat itself, Yusuke didn't crave it that much.
If Tsunade wanted it, he could even step aside—he didn't really care.
What Yusuke wanted was an independent Uchiha clan.
As long as the Uchiha were strong enough, he would always have a powerful voice in the village.
Titles were meaningless.
Power was what mattered.
Sitting in an office all day and all night pushing paperwork—
that wasn't the life Yusuke wanted.
Shizune, the moment she arrived, got dragged into the girls' circle by Kurenai, Anko, and Yūgao.
Tsunade had plenty of acquaintances too, but for a moment she still seemed… out of place.
The party atmosphere felt like a reunion for young people.
For an older single woman, blending in wasn't that easy.
Tsunade glanced toward Yusuke, brows knitting, irritation rising.
With her status, she was usually the center of attention anywhere she went.
Yet today, at Yusuke's gathering, she was being ignored.
She snorted and went to the corner alone to drink sulkily.
If no one would entertain her, she'd turn that frustration into appetite.
"Deep-sea lobster—ten."
"Imported Lightning Country steak—five portions."
"Nara clan specialty venison—three jin."
With one hand holding the menu and the other slapping the table, Tsunade looked exactly like someone who was definitely not worried about money.
Before coming, she'd already investigated:
This banquet was entirely paid for by Uchiha Yusuke personally.
Outwardly calm, Tsunade's inner thoughts were dripping with malice.
That damn Uchiha brat dares ignore me?
Fine. I'm going to eat you into bankruptcy.
After ordering dozens of signature dishes, she still wasn't satisfied.
"Don't you have limited-edition red wine too?"
"Bring me two bottles!"
The izakaya owner looked torn.
Tsunade was a "princess," sure—but she was famously broke.
Back when he was still running a street stall, he'd heard endless stories about Tsunade borrowing money and haunting Konoha's casinos.
The Senju had once been mighty, but by Tsunade's generation, their glory had already faded.
If this lady couldn't pay later… it would be a nightmare.
But if he refused to serve her, he'd offend the Fire Country princess—one of the Legendary Sannin.
A mere izakaya owner couldn't afford that.
The owner hesitated—then his eyes suddenly sharpened.
Even if Tsunade can't pay… isn't the Third Hokage still here?
From that huge welcome ceremony, it was obvious he valued her.
Send the bill to the Hokage Tower—who would dare refuse?
Hiruzen cared deeply about reputation.
He would never allow "his student eating and running" to become a public scandal.
With that, the owner smiled knowingly.
A single meal costing several hundred thousand ryō—Tsunade was a rare big spender!
Customers are gods.
Time to make a killing.
He personally delivered two bottles of limited-edition red wine to Tsunade, face full of service-industry sunshine.
"Honored guest, please enjoy."
"If you need anything, just say the word."
Tsunade was very pleased with his attitude.
Now this is someone with eyes—unlike that clueless brat.
She waved him away and began eating like a beast.
Chomp. Gulp.
"Mmm. Not bad."
"Konoha food really is the best."
She ate happily, lips shiny with grease.
The food was high quality—and more importantly, she didn't have to pay.
Was there anything better?
Just imagining Yusuke's face when he saw the bill made her smug.
You pretended you didn't know me?
Fine. I'll be the one who spends the most.
Before coming here, Tsunade had already heard plenty about Yusuke from the Third Hokage.
Anyone who could make the Konoha higher-ups—who even she found annoying—panic and scramble…
Naturally, she was curious about this young man.
She'd wanted a straightforward clash with him.
Instead, it had become a freeloading dinner raid.
Tsunade shot Shizune a resentful look.
Only chatting with your classmates, ignoring your teacher completely.
All these years—what a waste teaching you.
Shizune's talent was limited, but because of Dan Katō, Tsunade had always guided her sincerely.
And Shizune had always served Tsunade with total devotion.
She was a loyal admirer.
When Tsunade later became Hokage, Shizune stayed at her side as secretary.
But they'd been away from Konoha for a long time.
Suddenly seeing so many old friends from school—Shizune getting carried away was understandable.
Besides, if Tsunade might inherit the Hokage seat, Shizune reconnecting with classmates could also be seen as building networks for Tsunade.
Back in school, Shizune had been a little infatuated with Yusuke too—
but when it came to the Hokage question, she would unquestionably support Tsunade.
Chōraku Street Izakaya — The Party Continues
Except for Tsunade drinking alone in the corner, the hall split neatly into two groups: men and women.
Men's Group
Kakashi, Might Guy, Shiranui Genma, and the others had already had quite a bit to drink.
With no missions hanging over them, drinking freely was one of life's simple joys.
A little tipsy, Guy was starting to feel unrestrained.
First he proposed performing a "youthful, passionate dance."
Then he declared he'd gift everyone a set of "youth outfits."
Kakashi immediately refused.
The dance alone was painful enough—maybe, maybe, in private he'd reluctantly join.
But those dark green jumpsuits?
Absolutely not.
Wear that in daylight, and you'd die socially by night.
Genma, toothpick in mouth, complained nonstop.
He was already chatty sober—drunk Genma was even worse.
Yusuke drank plenty too, but stayed clear-headed.
With Tsunade present as an unpredictable variable, he couldn't relax.
She hadn't started anything yet—but who could guarantee she'd stay quiet?
By personality alone, Tsunade would beat up Jiraiya without blinking.
Yusuke didn't believe she'd respect the "Hokage Assistant" title either.
Of course, if Tsunade wanted to cause trouble, she'd need a legitimate excuse.
"Peeping at women's baths" would get Jiraiya nailed every time.
But that wouldn't work here.
Every day in Konoha, countless young women were practically throwing themselves at Yusuke.
He was like Naruto after becoming the village hero—absurdly popular.
Sometimes popularity is a shield.
Targeting a public figure isn't as simple as it looks.
Women's Group
Shizune was chatting animatedly with Kurenai, Anko, Yūgao, and the others.
Back in school, they'd all been part of the "Yusuke fangirl club."
Now reunited, they had endless shared gossip.
Shizune, eyes bright with excitement, teased:
"You've all joined under Uchiha Yusuke… don't tell me you still have feelings for him?"
The girls blushed.
They were all single.
Pretending they'd lost interest in Yusuke would be self-deception.
Mitarashi Anko bit into a skewer of her favorite dango and fired back:
"You show up and the first thing you do is ask about Yusuke-kun."
"Shizune, you're the one who can't stop thinking about him, aren't you?"
Then Anko added bluntly:
"Orochimaru betrayed the village."
"All I want now is to help Konoha kill that traitor."
"I don't have time for romance."
She meant it.
When she'd run into Orochimaru in the Forest of Death, she'd tried to use the forbidden technique "Twin Snakes Mutual Death" to take him down with her.
But she was only a special jōnin—Orochimaru was on a completely different level.
Even going all out, she couldn't truly threaten him.
After Anko spoke, Uzuki Yūgao also shared her thoughts.
She admitted she'd liked Yusuke back in school—
but lately, Gekkō Hayate (their classmate) had been pursuing her intensely.
From her tone, she might even choose to give up on Yusuke and officially get together with Hayate.
Kurenai's eyes flickered slightly.
As Konoha's famous "rich, pretty girl," she never lacked suitors.
The most serious one was Sarutobi Asuma, the Third Hokage's son.
Asuma had chased her for a long time, but she still couldn't let go of Yusuke.
Recently, Asuma had left Konoha to become one of the Fire Daimyō's Twelve Guardian Ninja.
He'd warned Kurenai repeatedly to keep her distance from the Uchiha.
But in the end, she still chose to join Yusuke's ANBU.
With the clingy Asuma gone, Kurenai's attention shifted fully toward Yusuke.
She clearly liked him—
but she'd never gotten a response.
In recent years, Yusuke had been consumed by fear for his clan's fate.
And that forced him to neglect many things.
Yusuke should've lived a vibrant young man's life.
Instead, he'd been dragged into Konoha's political power struggle.
In the shinobi world, people are often powerless against circumstance.
The taste of it… only the one drinking truly knows whether it's warm or cold.
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