Tsunade was silent for a moment, then tilted her head back and downed the wine in her cup in one gulp, before refilling it.
She stared at the swirling wine, seemingly weighing it up. A nominal position with no real power, generous benefits, and wine to drink?
It didn't sound like there were any downsides. Just by holding the title, she could get money and wine for free, and occasionally look at the trivial reports of the Village to pass the time? As for the claim about stabilizing morale, although she scoffed at it, she knew her name still carried considerable weight within the Ninja World and Konoha.
"Just look at reports? No meetings? No need to see those annoying old geezers?" she confirmed.
"No need," the Sandaime answered definitively.
"All scrolls will be delivered directly. After you read or annotate them, just return them to the Anbu who delivered them. Unless you take the initiative to find me, no one will disturb your drinking and work."
"I pick the location?"
"You pick. Here, or where you live, or even a hot spring inn—all are fine, as long as it's within Konoha, ensuring the scrolls can be delivered safely."
Tsunade drank another cup, smacked her lips, and looked out the window at the somewhat grim street scene of Konoha.
Although she said she didn't care, deep down, she was not without attachment to this land where she had grown up and once fought for.
Right now, the Village was clearly in big trouble, and the atmosphere was uncomfortably tense. Holding a nominal title, drinking wine, and looking at reports didn't seem like much.
"Fine," she finally replied lazily, and added another sentence.
"Let's get this straight first: if I don't like something and start cursing, don't come regretting it. Also, the wine must not stop, and the quality must not be low."
A genuine smile appeared on the Sandaime's face, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
"Of course. Then, starting tomorrow?" He took out a delicate seal already prepared, engraved with the words "Konoha Special Wartime Advisor," and a simple appointment document, pushing them in front of Tsunade.
Tsunade didn't even look at the content of the document; she picked up the seal, breathed on it, and stamped the document. The action was as casual as pressing a thumbprint at a vegetable market.
"Alright, alright, stop nagging. I agreed, leave the wine, and you can go. Shizune, see him out."
The Sandaime didn't mind; he stood up with a smile, left the other unopened jug of wine, nodded to Shizune, and left.
The door closed, and the room was once again left with only the scent of alcohol and sunlight. Tsunade picked up the seal, weighed it in her hand, and scoffed.
"Special Wartime Advisor... The Old Man really gets more pretentious the older he gets." She tossed the seal casually to Shizune.
"Keep it safe. From now on, our salary and wine depend on it."
Shizune carefully took the seal and looked at the simple document that could almost be considered an "indenture contract," wanting to say something but holding back.
She always felt that things weren't that simple. Hokage-sama came to invite her personally and offered such generous terms—was it really just for a "symbol" and to have someone "look at reports"?
"Lady Tsunade, don't you think..." Shizune tentatively began.
"Think what? That the Old Man is digging a pit for me to jump into?" Tsunade downed another cup of wine and narrowed her eyes comfortably.
"What kind of pit could he dig? It's nothing more than wanting to tie me to this broken Konoha ship. If it really sinks, he just wants to drag me down with him. Anyway, I have nowhere else to go right now. I have wine to drink and money to get, and looking at reports won't cost me a piece of flesh. Let him do whatever he wants."
She lay back down on the tatami, shielded her eyes with her arm, and her voice gradually lowered.
"As for those reports... who the hell would read them seriously... hu..."
Soon, the sound of even breathing could be heard; she had fallen asleep again.
------------------------
There are already 70+ chapters available on my Patreon!
The story will continue to update 1 chapter per day on Webnovel,
while early access chapters are posted on Patreon.
Maybe it's not worth it today but it could be later
[email protected]/Kazenova223
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"