Konoha: Starting the Game as Yoriichi

"Lady Tsunade!" Seeing that Tsunade was about to faint, Shizune cried out in alarm and rushed forward to support her. Fortunately, Tsunade only staggered for a moment before steadying her body. Her face was filled with confusion and a trace of indescribable grief.

Clearly, the death of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had hit Tsunade hard. Her voice trembled as she asked, "Sensei... how... how did he die?"

Seeing Tsunade like this, Jiraiya knew that Teacher's death had truly been a great blow to her. "It was that guy, Orochimaru."

"Orochimaru colluded with the Sand Village and attacked Konoha during the Chunin Exams. Sensei... he fought to the death to protect the village."

Orochimaru!

The moment she heard that name, Tsunade felt as if she had been struck by lightning, and her whole body trembled. "How could it be him? Why would he do such a thing?"

Faced with Tsunade's question, everyone was silent. No one could answer her. To be honest, even Jiraiya, who was also one of the Sannin and had been through so much with him, still couldn't figure it out. Why did Orochimaru have to kill Sensei? Could it be... just because he wasn't chosen for the position of Hokage, and Minato Namikaze was?

"Let's find another place to talk," Jiraiya suggested after a moment of silence.

Afterward, Shizune supported Tsunade, and Kusuo held Hinata. The group went together to the small house where Tsunade was currently staying. After resting for half a day, when Tsunade reappeared before everyone, she had recovered her composure and accepted the reality. She no longer looked so haggard.

Kusuo watched this and sighed in his heart. As expected of a Sannin. This ability to calm one's turbulent emotions is truly admirable.

Seeing that Tsunade's condition had improved, Jiraiya's boisterous personality was on full display. He got straight to the point. "We've come this time because we've been entrusted by the village and the Daimyo to invite you to serve as the Fifth Hokage."

The moment his voice fell, Shizune's eyes lit up. This is great! If Lady Tsunade can return to the village to serve as Hokage, then she won't go gambling anymore in the future. And I won't have to watch her suffer every day, drowning her sorrows in alcohol. Shizune had seen Tsunade's pain every day as she tried to persuade her with earnest words. After her lover died, even her only brother was gone. The heavy blow of losing all her loved ones had left Tsunade in a slump ever since.

"I refuse." But Tsunade didn't even have to think about it. She shook her head and directly refused. Her expression was cold, her tone resolute, as if there was nothing more to discuss.

"Why?" Jiraiya's heart grew anxious, and he became very agitated.

"It's nothing. I have hemophobia. It's not very suitable for the Kage of a village," Tsunade said faintly, her expression still impassive.

"This..." Tsunade's words instantly silenced Jiraiya. That's right! As the Kage of a village, battles are unavoidable. But if you have a fear of blood, how can that work? On the battlefield, life and death are common occurrences, and blood is an everyday sight. The great Hokage... fainting because of a fear of blood? If word of that got out, it would be the joke of the century. It could lead to a major disaster.

Jiraiya frowned, feeling anxious.

Suddenly, PAK!

The sound of a sword being drawn startled everyone. They all looked over and saw that Kusuo had drawn the sword in his hand.

"Kusuo..." Hinata carefully tugged on the corner of his clothes, not understanding why he had suddenly made such a move.

Tsunade glanced over lightly. From the corner of her eye, she saw the boy. Him again? What does he want to do now? Does he want to use force because I don't agree? The moment this thought arose, she smiled. What a ridiculous idea.

However, the next second, Tsunade's smile froze.

"Lady Tsunade, I'm afraid your hemophobia has already been cured for a long time, hasn't it?"

The moment Kusuo's calm words came out, Tsunade's eyes widened. Her entire aura pulsed. She whipped her head around and stared at him. "You little brat, what do you know? Do you know my own condition better than I do?"

The aura of one of the Sannin, a Kage-level powerhouse, was on full display.

VMM!

The aura exploded. Faced with the tide-like, endless pressure, the very air around them began to vibrate slightly. The corners of the table slowly moved, a testament to the astonishing power of her aura.

Unfortunately, Kusuo's expression did not change. He looked as calm and carefree as ever, completely unaffected. He looked directly at Tsunade.

Naruto and Hinata broke out in a cold sweat. When had they ever seen a Kage-level powerhouse in such a rage? The only Kage-level experts they had a chance of seeing in the village were the Third Hokage and Jiraiya-sensei. But the late Grandpa Third had always looked at them with a smile, instilling the Will of Fire in them. He had never put pressure on them. As for Jiraiya, there was even less need to mention him.

But Kusuo was different. He would say that, let alone the aura of a Kage-level powerhouse, he had even cut down a Kage with a single slash.

So, he said faintly, "When you punched the wall earlier, you didn't infuse chakra into your hand, so it got scraped and bled a little. When I held your fist, I even deliberately waved it in front of you to see if you would faint. The fact is, Lady Tsunade, you don't have hemophobia."

Kusuo spoke as if to himself, completely confident. "Or rather, the Lady Tsunade of the past did indeed suffer from hemophobia because of her inner pain, but now, it's already healed!"

His words were powerful and convincing, and the cause and effect were explained clearly. Tsunade was speechless. She had been called out. Indeed, her hemophobia had long since been cured during these years of healing. But to escape responsibility, to escape herself, Tsunade had chosen to hide it. This was something that even Shizune, who had been with her all this time, did not know.

"I didn't expect your observation skills to be quite so sharp," Tsunade said, her tone softening in resignation, giving him an offhanded compliment.

This one compliment... made Jiraiya's spirits rise. He quickly chimed in. "Of course! This kid's observation skills aren't just outstanding! His strength is ridiculously strong! That guy Orochimaru, after he killed Sensei, it was him who got revenge!"

"Two stabs into Orochimaru's body, directly leaving him half-dead and severely wounded!"

"And he..." Jiraiya was energized, as if he had found a topic. He rattled off all of Kusuo's battle achievements, from cutting down the One-Tail to slaying Kisame with his sword. The more he spoke, the more excited he became, as if he shared in the glory.

On the other side, Naruto and Hinata were stunned. What had they just heard? So Kusuo is that strong?! While they were resting in their rooms before, Kusuo had actually gone out and killed a Kage-level powerhouse, and even drove away two others of similar strength. That amazing?!

Naruto's fighting spirit was instantly ignited. He secretly swore to train hard and catch up to Kusuo's footsteps one day.

And Hinata... just looked at her boyfriend with adoration. To be protected by such a strong man... a deep sense of happiness and security arose spontaneously. A powerful boyfriend... who wouldn't yearn for one? Who wouldn't be envious?

"Impossible!" If Naruto and Hinata, who knew a little about Kusuo's previous battle record, were only somewhat surprised, then Tsunade, who had not seen it, simply couldn't believe it.

A twelve or thirteen-year-old boy, cutting down the One-Tail, beating it until it was black and blue? Defeating Orochimaru, leaving him severely wounded and forced to flee? Slaying Kisame Hoshigaki with his sword, and even forcing Itachi and another mysterious expert who could supposedly use space-time ninjutsu to escape?

How can there be such a ridiculous thing! Do you think he's my grandfather, Hashirama Senju, reincarnated? In Tsunade's heart, the only one who could do these things was her most admired and adored grandfather. The legendary ninja, the man revered as the God of Shinobi.

"`ˇThat's right!" Jiraiya said, as if he could see through Tsunade's thoughts. "I dare to bet that this kid's future achievements will definitely far surpass yours and mine. It's not impossible for him to reach the heights of Lord First!"

Tsunade laughed. She still refused to believe it. At the same time, she scoffed in her heart. A boy in his early teens, on what grounds can he be compared to my grandfather?

"What a joke. A hundred-meter sword aura, parting the sea with one slash... to be able to unleash such Kage-level attacks so casually, does he have that much chakra?" After speaking, Tsunade even gave Kusuo a provocative look.

The latter remained as calm as still water, not showing any emotional fluctuation because of her doubts. A child with a good disposition, Tsunade thought, appraising him in her heart.

Just then, Kusuo, who had been quietly listening to Jiraiya and Tsunade argue, finally spoke up.

"How about this," he said. "I hear that Lady Tsunade likes to gamble. Coincidentally, I'm also interested in having a bet with you. Why don't we make a wager?"

A wager? This new term was refreshing to everyone, and they all became curious. Especially Tsunade. His words had piqued her interest, but she still pretended not to care. "What kind of wager? Why don't you tell me about it."

SWISH!

He drew his sword. Kusuo stood up directly and said, "It's simple. We'll go outside and have a fight."

"If I win, Lady Tsunade will come back to the village with us."

"If I lose, all of Lady Tsunade's gambling debts will be on me! And all her future gambling funds will also be provided by me!"

These words carried an astonishing aura. Tsunade was uncertain. This kid is so confident, he dares to fight me? Is what Jiraiya said true?

As she was hesitating, Shizune's words had the effect of a final hammer blow. "Lady Tsunade, the cat and Tonton..." Tonton the pink pig had long since been pawned off at the casino. And the cat had been lost to the casino today.

"Alright! I agree!" BAM! Tsunade slapped the table, finally agreeing to Kusuo's wager. The table was smashed to pieces with a pow.

But this move, which worked so well in the casino, didn't intimidate them at all. Especially Jiraiya, who actually whispered in the boy's ear right in front of her, "Go a little easy on her later. Don't hurt Tsunade."

"Dammit!" Tsunade's face turned the color of pig liver with anger. Could you two speak a little louder? Are you afraid I can't hear you?

With a flick of her sleeve, and an imposing posture, Tsunade led Shizune out first.

Kusuo followed behind with his sword. Jiraiya saw Naruto standing there dumbfounded and reminded him irritably, "Let's go, what are you still standing there for?"

Only then did Naruto react. Granny Tsunade is really going to fight Kusuo? That scene is definitely going to be spectacular!

"Oh! Okay, okay, I'm coming too!"

-------

Enjoying the story? Support the author and get access to early chapters by joining my Patreon!

Find me at My : pat*eon*com/RuneA

I, Herta's Fiancé, the Universe's Number One Male Fist (110 Chapter)

Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Succubus in Sixth Street (210 Chapter)

Reborn in Type-Moon, My Sister is Aoko Aozaki (210 Chapter)

MyGO!! A Story Voiced by Me (100 Chapter)

BLEACH: Blade of Purification (90 Chapter)

Konoha: Starting the Game as Yoriichi (250 Chapter)

My Real Job is Spying on Konoha, but I'm Also its Hokage (100 Chapter)

The Pinnacle of the Navy! Starting from Being Captured by Garp (80 Chapter)

Watching Yu-Gi-Oh! short videos is making the veteran players lose...(70 Chapter)

Uma Musume : The Trainer Who Just Wants to Live (50 Chapter)

Zenless Zone Zero The Random Kamen Rider (60 Chapter)

Genshin Impact: It All Began With Me Being Stepped On by Arlecchino (50 Chapter)

If there's a particular novel you're enjoying on Patron, please give it a 'like' so I know to focus on it.