Are these words burying me, or sympathizing with me?
"You brat really dare to say that?" Jiraiya slapped his forehead and subtly leaned toward Hiko without making it too obvious.
If Tsunade suddenly lashed out at Hiko, he could still intervene in time. Otherwise, if the two of them really clashed without warning, the result would be disastrous—and very entertaining.
"Glug!!"
After downing the rest of her sake in one gulp, Tsunade casually set the bottle aside, turned to face Hiko, and raised her hand, curling her index finger in a provocative beckon.
"Though my past is full of tragedy, I haven't fallen so far that I need a brat to pity me. If you think otherwise, then try and persuade me. If you can actually convince me, I won't promise anything else—but I will step forward to resolve the issue between Uchiha and the village."
As she spoke, she shot Jiraiya a scornful glance—clearly disgusted with him. He hadn't even dared to make a small promise. And this man still called himself one of the Sannin?
Why did I suddenly become collateral damage?
Don't drag me into your mess! I absolutely will not agree to that!!
Wait, is this real?
Hiko was stunned. Tsunade actually made such a bold offer? And judging by Jiraiya's reaction, it seemed he'd already mentioned some of Hiko's impressive achievements.
To the rest of the world, Uchiha Hiko was someone who worked tirelessly for his clan.
But in reality, everything he did was for himself—and for the future of the Uchiha as a whole.
If Uchiha weren't in such a dangerous and volatile position, Hiko wouldn't even bother with the clan's political baggage.
That outsiders didn't know this made it even better. As far as they were concerned, Hiko was a loyal Uchiha, doing his utmost to support his family.
Crack!
Itachi's pupils contracted slightly as the chopsticks in his hand snapped.
Tsunade's words had shocked him to his core.
Peace between the Uchiha and the village—that was something Itachi had long dreamed of.
Now, someone had just opened the door to that hope.
Unconsciously, Itachi turned to look at Hiko.
He couldn't wait to know if Hiko would accept the challenge of persuading Tsunade.
A tempting promise—but ultimately, one built on shifting sands.
Setting Tsunade aside, a woman too caught in her own trauma to easily change, she was not someone who could be persuaded easily.
Even if Hiko managed to sway her with logic or emotion—so what?
If Tsunade actually returned to the village and mediated on Uchiha's behalf, it would indeed help a lot. It wasn't exaggerating to say she could pull Uchiha back from the edge.
But here's the catch.
What happens when Tsunade leaves again?
Once she's gone, the Third Hokage and Danzo would revert to their usual behavior—targeting Uchiha like always.
After all that effort, nothing would have changed. Just another round of wasted time and energy.
So, while Hiko was genuinely touched by the offer, he remained unmoved.
"Why? You scared now?"
Still unfazed, Hiko shook his head and kept eating. Tsunade raised an eyebrow, continuing her provocation.
"I thought you were the kind of Uchiha who'd do anything for his family? So what now—you're chickening out?"
"I just think it's pointless."
Seeing that this meal was clearly going nowhere, Hiko set down his chopsticks and bowl, raised his head to meet Tsunade's gaze, and replied openly:
"Even if I manage to convince you, then what? You go back to Konoha, deal with the Daimyo's faction, support Uchiha, ease tensions between us and the village.
But what comes next?
You and Jiraiya pat your backs and disappear again. Then what happens to the clan?
It's obvious to anyone with half a brain. Once you're gone, the Third Hokage and Danzo will just pick up where they left off.
They've never truly stopped targeting Uchiha. If anything could've changed that, it would've changed years ago."
This kid really doesn't fall for cheap provocations.
Jiraiya gave Tsunade a helpless glance.
If Hiko was the type to be easily swayed, he'd have jumped up and taken charge already.
But the truth was, everything he said made sense.
Uchiha's situation wasn't going to improve because of a few nice words. Not after decades of suspicion, marginalization, and surveillance.
Even if Tsunade returned, it would be a temporary band-aid on a wound that had been festering for years.
Unless she was willing to stay in Konoha permanently.
But... was that even possible?
Since it wasn't, what was the point?
"So, you're not interested?"
Tsunade, whose energy had been blazing with provocation a moment ago, now lost interest.
"Right. I'm not."
Hiko replied calmly.
"Unless you change the conditions. For instance—either you become the Fifth Hokage... or you kill Danzo. Choose one. Do you dare?"
Oh, so you want to provoke? Two can play that game.
Let's see if she had the guts to follow through. If she dared, he'd back her. If not—then spare him the nonsense and finish your sake.
"..."
Did he really just say that!?
Fifth Hokage? Me?
Or kill Danzo!?
Tsunade was stunned.
Jiraiya choked on his drink, his face turning red. Shizune blinked in disbelief. This junior—so composed and attractive—actually had the gall to utter such a crazy ultimatum.
If Tsunade became Hokage, the promise she'd made would carry real weight.
Or, if she killed Danzo, one of the biggest threats to Uchiha would be gone. With him out of the picture, even if they were still monitored, the clan could continue without fearing total annihilation.
At most, it would be passive surveillance.
Unbothered by everyone's shocked expressions, Hiko kept talking:
"Uchiha is targeted—but at least we're alive. Danzo is different. He's always had a dangerous obsession with eliminating us completely."
"So now, Lady Tsunade—can you make me that promise?"
"..."
Damn this brat!
Just because she said she'd consider helping didn't mean she wanted to be the Hokage—or take out Danzo!
She started this provocation, but somehow he had turned the tables with surgical precision. The switch was so fast, even she didn't know how it happened.
Tsunade glared at Hiko with wide eyes, clearly furious but holding herself back from responding.
Hiko sighed, his tone tinged with disappointment:
"As expected... in this world, women and gamblers really can't be trusted."
Crash!!
The table exploded as Tsunade slammed her fist down, her chakra surging violently. The impact nearly tore her top apart. Her eyes burned with fury as she shouted:
"You damn brat!! What did you just say!? Women and gamblers can't be trusted!?"
I knew it—couldn't resist, could you?
Hiko shrugged and calmly stepped to the side.
Now that the provocation had worked, dodging her punches felt almost exhilarating.
"Don't run!"
Tsunade roared as Hiko tried to slip away.
"Uchiha Hiko, get back here and explain yourself!"
Hiko stopped and turned back, wagging his finger mockingly.
"What's there to explain? Even Jiraiya didn't dare to make a promise. And you? You threw out a condition but never backed it up. What's unclear?"
I'm going to punch this kid into the next village!!
Tsunade was seething, trembling with fury.
"Even if I return to the village, the old man's not going to just hand over the Hokage's seat. You'll never see that promise fulfilled!!"
"Meaning... if I can convince you, you'll stay in the village and at least aim for the position of Fifth Hokage?"
"Heh~~~"
Tsunade laughed bitterly, her breath short.
"So that's your game. You want to use me to shield Uchiha from future targeting by the village."
"Fine. If you've got the guts, convince me. If you manage that, you'll have my support."
Fifth Hokage?
Tsunade had never wanted that—not since the trauma of losing Nawaki and Dan.
If she'd truly desired the position, she could've had it after the Third Great Ninja War. There would've been no contest with Minato or Orochimaru.
Hiruzen would've gladly handed it to her.
But the Third was a contradictory man—clinging to power, yet claiming to put the village first.
Maybe he supported Minato as a stopgap—someone easy to control. He didn't want someone like Orochimaru with too much ambition.
Let's not pretend past Hokage were saints. Blood, lies, and conspiracy tainted all their hands.
Same with the Kazekage, Mizukage, Tsuchikage, and Raikage—no one ruled without getting dirty.
The promise of becoming Fifth Hokage was unlikely. Tsunade's bottom line was to return to Konoha and make sure Uchiha didn't walk the path of no return.
And that... was good enough.
She wouldn't wear the Hokage's robe, but she could still shape the future.
Deal.