Outside Konoha, Tsunade gazed at the gate that was both familiar and strange.
At this time, Konoha still maintained its past prosperity and peace; people came and went on the streets, and the shouts of vendors and the laughter of children intertwined into a scene of harmony.
However, the number of patrolling Ninja squads had clearly increased, their gazes more alert and their steps more hurried.
"I'm finally back." Naruto took a deep breath of Konoha's familiar air.
"Yeah, we're back," Jiraiya responded casually, discreetly scanning the surroundings.
Unlike the two of them, Tsunade had remained silent from the moment she stepped into Konoha, and no joy of returning home could be seen on her face.
Her gaze slowly swept across the familiar streets and buildings, finally crossing the outline of the entire Village and fixing on the distance.
"Tsunade, let's go to the Hokage Office first..." Jiraiya had just started to suggest reporting to the Third Hokage when he was curtly interrupted by Tsunade.
"You guys go first, I'll come later."
Without giving Jiraiya or Naruto any chance to ask or dissuade her, Tsunade turned around and walked straight toward the Cemetery, in the opposite direction of the Hokage Building.
Jiraiya watched her receding back, his lips moving slightly before finally letting out a barely audible sigh.
He knew her too well; he knew where she was going and who she was going to see.
"Let's go, Naruto," he patted the shoulder of the still dazed Naruto, "we'll go see the Old Man first."
Tsunade arrived at a place that seemed forever shrouded in solemnity and tranquility.
Tsunade walked with steady steps through rows of cold stone monuments engraved with names, finally stopping before two tombstones standing side by side.
The one on the left was engraved with the name "Kato Dan," and the one on the right was "Senju Nawaki." These two names represented the parts of her life that were once the warmest but were now lost forever.
She didn't place bouquets or clear the weeds like ordinary mourners; she just stood there quietly, as if she had turned into another stone monument herself.
After a long time, Tsunade spoke softly, her voice low and raspy, as if afraid of disturbing the souls resting here.
"I'm... back."
The brief silence felt like gathering courage, or like a wordless exchange.
"Konoha... still looks the same, yet everything seems different." She continued to murmur, like a belated report to her loved ones, or like sorting through her own chaotic thoughts.
She raised her head, gazing at the crystal-clear blue sky above Konoha, and fell silent.
In the Cemetery, only the sound of the wind answered, but Tsunade seemed to draw a certain resolute strength from this eternal silence. She gazed at the two cold stone monuments for one last moment, then turned and left decisively... When Tsunade pushed open the heavy wooden door of the Hokage Office, the three people in the room—Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, Jiraiya, and Uzumaki Naruto—seemed to have just finished a conversation.
"Tsunade..." Seeing the figure enter, the Third Hokage's dim eyes instantly flashed with an extremely complex expression—relief at a Disciple's return and hope for the future.
"Are you willing to come back..."
"Yeah, I'm back." Tsunade walked into the center of the office, her gaze sweeping over Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado, who were sitting on the sofa with solemn expressions; she just nodded slightly as a greeting.
"Tsunade, your return this time..." the Third Hokage asked tentatively.
One of his greatest wishes was to find a worthy Fifth Hokage for Konoha; he was truly tired and wanted to retire.
"Have you come to your senses?"
He so hoped to hear an affirmative answer, but Tsunade's response was like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing the flame of hope that had just ignited in his eyes.
"As for the matter of the Hokage position, we'll talk about it later." Tsunade waved her hand unceremoniously, stating her attitude directly.
"I came back this time because there are other more important matters to handle. Until these things are cleared up, I will stay in Konoha temporarily."
The Third Hokage couldn't hide his disappointment; knowing he couldn't force it, he could only let out a helpless sigh.
"Sigh... Alright, in any case, this will always be your home. If you need anything, you can come to me anytime."
"Understood." Tsunade nodded, then suddenly changed the subject, looking at Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya, you're well-informed. Where is that fellow Orochimaru's most likely hiding place?"
She asked this core question point-blank.
Jiraiya seemed to have expected this; his expression became solemn. He had already been gathering intelligence in secret, and Orochimaru's Forbidden Jutsu research forced him to take it seriously.
"Still looking. I've found a few targets, but that guy has many bases, so it's difficult to track him down."
"Find him as soon as possible."
...After walking out of the Hokage Building, Naruto was not in a good mood; he had just learned that Sasuke killed Danzo.
He had sworn to bring Sasuke back, but now, Sasuke already possessed such formidable power, while he was still the same, stuck in place.
How could he bring Sasuke back like this? Still dreaming of becoming Hokage? What right did he have to protect his comrades, what right to become Hokage?
An unprecedented anxiety and anger at his own incompetence filled Naruto's heart as he clenched his fists tightly.
"Naruto..." Seeing his Disciple like this, Jiraiya felt pity and wanted to offer some comfort.
"I'm fine, Pervy Sage!" Naruto suddenly looked up, forcefully interrupting Jiraiya, his eyes burning with intensity and his tone firm.
"I just... realize more clearly that I'm still not strong enough! Not nearly enough!"
Seeing Naruto like this, Tsunade also glanced at him.
"In the coming days, I'll be going to gather intelligence. You Cultivate well on your own."
Jiraiya patted Naruto's shoulder and turned to leave under Naruto's determined gaze... On Hinata's side, she knew that Tsunade and Naruto had returned.
She slowly opened her eyes; her cultivation was already at the Late Stage of the Golden Core. Her whole being exuded a mysterious aura. She had consumed the Medicinal Pills she exchanged for earlier, making it easy to break through to the Late Stage.
"Is Naruto back..."
Hinata stood up; she already had a plan in mind. It was time to go see that Fox.
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