Tsunade-senpai and Kei-kun walked home together. The entire way, she was bashful like a shy little girl. If she didn't look so youthful, someone might've quipped: "Why is a woman in her thirties acting like a blushing maiden?"
Minato Namikaze felt a tingle at the back of his head, like he had turned into one of those wide-eyed cat emojis. A bunch of thoughts he shouldn't be thinking were flooding into his mind.
After all, to Minato, Tsunade was a senior. She was from the same generation as his teacher Jiraiya—and even someone Jiraiya had feelings for. He had once hoped Tsunade might become his teacher's wife. Now, she might become his sister-in-law instead.
"So... was what Nawaki-senpai said a few days ago actually true? Did Tsunade-senpai really develop strong feelings for Kei back then?"
"Tch... so this is how intense senior love stories are? And when Kei said age doesn't matter as long as there's love... he wasn't being poetic—he was stating facts?"
Minato murmured to himself, his worldview getting thoroughly reshaped.
In the end, unable to make sense of it, Minato chose to just give them his blessings. If they truly loved each other, then being together wasn't a bad thing. After all, as Kei's best friend, he had long known that Uchiha Kei was a textbook example of a harem protagonist—not like him, a die-hard one-love-for-life romantic.
Of course, Minato believed his buddy would definitely claim to be a pure-love believer too. After all, during Kei's cringy chuuni phase at fourteen, he once said: "Loving one person is pure love; loving many is also pure love. Don't underestimate the depth and breadth of true love."
Yes, Minato always thought that theory was way too ahead of its time—but as long as his friend was happy, that was what mattered. Kei had said he'd never force anyone; it would always be mutual.
Our sunshine boy, always generous to his best friend.
Shaking his head, Minato pushed those thoughts aside and finally understood why Orochimaru had said Tsunade had to become the next Hokage—even if she didn't want to. If she really did get together with Kei, she would have to sit in that seat. Every side involved would expect her to.
Even if she gave up the Hokage position within five years and passed it to a Fifth Hokage, it wouldn't matter. What mattered was fulfilling the expectation and role that came with it.
To the average person, this might sound strange. But once you reach a higher perspective, it makes sense.
Thanks to Kei's influence and recent studies in the Grand Library—including political theory and alternate world history—Minato's political IQ had risen dramatically. He could now see and understand the bigger picture.
After all, this wasn't some esoteric theory—it was realpolitik, as old as the ninja world itself: alliances, political marriages, merging of interests.
"If that's the case, then yes, Tsunade-senpai stepping up as soon as possible is the right move. At this rate, if she doesn't take over from Lord Third soon, it might be too late. Even Orochimaru-sama said Lord Third is becoming increasingly conservative, so Tsunade-senpai has to act now."
"Because if we wait too long, the Third might become the very source of Konoha's stagnation. Better to let him pass on the future of the village while still shining with his former glory."
Minato muttered—quite heretically—laying out Sarutobi Hiruzen's future path.
He knew his thoughts were bordering on treason in the shinobi world. But under Kei's influence, he no longer thought that way. He believed in his vision and in what he needed to do to make Konoha better.
This stemmed from Minato's sense of duty and mission—true Will of Fire, a will to protect Konoha.
So, Minato reached out to Tsunade on WeChat and asked to meet.
Tsunade suggested they meet in the genjutsu world.
Apparently, after her younger brother Nawaki came back to life, she'd been spending most of her time with him in the spiritual network, not really concerned with the outside world. She was technically on vacation, so she had plenty of free time.
And that's why Tsunade was completely unaware of the latest gossip outside. Her student, Shizune, would go out occasionally to buy ingredients but wasn't interested in rumors. Besides, when Tsunade was logged into the spiritual network, Shizune had to guard her physical body.
Poor Shizune—diligent, pitiful, helpless.
Of course, Shizune never saw anything wrong with this. She thought it was natural. As Tsunade's student and subordinate, it was her duty to take care of her master.
———
After meeting in the vast genjutsu network world, Tsunade let Nawaki run off to play by himself, then pulled Minato into a private room.
This house had been built by Tsunade to mimic their old home, clearly meant to give Nawaki a sense of family.
"Minato, what's up?" Tsunade asked cheerfully. Ever since reuniting with her brother, she'd been in a great mood.
Minato, having already rehearsed his words, got straight to the point. "Tsunade-senpai, did you know Orochimaru-senpai gave up becoming Hokage?"
Tsunade blinked, surprised. "Orochimaru gave up the position? Why would he? Who's supposed to be the Fourth Hokage now? Jiraiya? Or you?"
Minato shook his head. "I'm still young. I'll compete for the Fifth Hokage later. As for Jiraiya-sensei, you know what he's like. He'd never take the job."
"As for why Orochimaru-senpai gave up—you've been in this genjutsu world most of the time lately, haven't you noticed what he's been up to?"
Tsunade scratched her head, a little troubled. "So that guy's been holed up in the library researching? Skipping out on being Hokage? He wants me to do it instead?"
Minato nodded. "Honestly, no one else fits the role. And Orochimaru-senpai even suggested you speak directly with Lord Third and start the process of taking over."
"Lord Third may be old, but he still retains the brilliance of a former shinobi legend. He wouldn't resist your leadership. He'd guide you sincerely and help you take on the mantle, gradually handing over power."
Tsunade looked annoyed. "That damn Orochimaru—always dumping problems on me."
Minato gave a helpless smile. He didn't agree with her calling the Hokage seat a mess, but out of respect, he didn't argue. Instead, he said, "There's no helping it. Given the current situation, you're the best fit. And becoming Hokage is what's best for Konoha, for you... and for Kei, isn't it?"
The implication being: if you're dating Kei, who else could become Hokage?
But Tsunade didn't catch that subtext. Still unaware of the outside rumors, she took Minato's words at face value—interpreting it as part of Orochimaru's plan.
So, she understood it like this: to protect the secret of the genjutsu world, to protect Nawaki's life within it, she needed to protect Uchiha Kei. And for Kei to remain safe in Konoha, she had to become Hokage.
Currently, Tsunade was hyper-sensitive about protecting Nawaki. With Orochimaru subtly urging her, she no longer had the will to refuse.
Though annoyed, Tsunade nodded with determination. "Fine. I'll go see the old man and demand power. But I'm not doing this for long. Minato, since you want to be the Fifth Hokage, help me out now!"
"Bring your students and act as my personal guard. Once I'm officially the Fourth Hokage, I'll make you my new Hokage advisor and the captain of my guard unit. Then I'll hand you a bunch of responsibilities."
"Don't think you'll have it easy!"
She made it very clear—this was her way of pulling in free labor, and also preparing the groundwork for Minato's future promotion.
Minato smiled brightly. "Of course. I'd be honored."
At the same time, he couldn't help but admire how Tsunade-senpai's attitude toward becoming Hokage had changed so quickly after Kei was mentioned. Clearly, she did have feelings for Kei. Otherwise, she wouldn't have agreed so decisively the moment his safety came up.
Indeed, love gives women strength—Minato was genuinely impressed.
And just like that, Minato and Tsunade completed a cross-server conversation. Their core reasons differed completely, but the outcome was the same.