I, Konoha's Sage of Life

Inside a tavern.

Tsunade and Shizune sat on one side of the table, while Kanda Kyoichi occupied the other. Two bottles of sake sat on the table between them.

"Kid, you're way too young to be drinking. Focus on your training instead—that's the right path," Tsunade said as she pulled both bottles toward her side.

Kyoichi was speechless.

If you just want to drink more, just say it. I'm paying anyway. I can't cover your debts, but I can afford some sake.

"Lady Tsunade, who is this…?" Shizune asked curiously.

"Oh, right. I forgot to introduce him. This is Kanda Kyoichi, the one the old man wrote to me about a few days ago. Technically, he's a relative," Tsunade said casually, her tone softening after a sip of sake.

Though she found his overly serious demeanor annoying, she appreciated his straightforwardness in treating her to drinks.

"Oh, so it was the Hokage who wrote about him. No wonder he specifically asked you to lead this mission."

"Lead a mission?"

Tsunade paused, then glanced at Kyoichi with renewed interest. "You're a jōnin now?"

"Yes, I just got promoted," Kyoichi nodded.

Tsunade stared at him for a few moments. Her expression dimmed slightly, and she tilted her head back to take a few more sips.

Shizune observed this and nodded silently to herself. Indeed, he's clearly part of the clan.

But…

Kyoichi's demeanor and actions seemed to resemble the Second Hokage far more than the First.

Tsunade finished her first bottle, then reached for the second and poured herself another glass before speaking again. "Let me guess, the old man asked you to convince me to return to the village?"

"Not at all. In fact, I didn't even know I'd run into you," Kyoichi replied.

But internally, he couldn't help wondering.

I wasn't planning to seek her out just yet—though I was considering learning some techniques from her. But if that's my plan, there's no way the Third Hokage would've known about it.

What's his angle here?

"He didn't, huh? Hah, I see."

Tsunade sneered and reached over to pour him a drink.

"Sorry, I don't drink," Kyoichi declined politely.

Although most alcohol in the ninja world was fairly mild, he hadn't been a drinker in his previous life, and he certainly wasn't starting now.

Tsunade froze for a second, then poured the drink for herself.

After downing it, she suddenly slammed the bottle onto the table with a loud crack. The glass fractured, and the remaining alcohol began to seep through the fissures.

Shizune flinched in surprise.

She had been with Tsunade for three years and had never seen her this upset while drinking—not even when she was drinking alone.

What's going on?

"Enough of this. It's boring. Let's go," Tsunade muttered, grabbing her green coat and leaving her seat in frustration.

Kyoichi's mind raced.

Judging by her mood, it seemed that the Third Hokage must've talked to her about something. Though he hadn't assigned Kyoichi any specific mission, it was clear he wanted to use Kyoichi as a bridge to coax Tsunade back to the village.

Moreover, building a closer relationship with Tsunade would also strengthen Kyoichi's ties to the Hokage faction.

Tch.

He sighed, got up, and followed her.

Tsunade walked down the street, heading toward the area where Asuma and the others were working. Eventually, she stopped at a spot near a railing overlooking the scene.

She gazed at the three young ninja hard at work.

The Hokage's kid? One of the others must be from the Yūhi clan… and the shorter one—

"An Uchiha?"

"Yes, Uchiha Shisui. He's a descendant of Kagami-senpai. He's only five," Kyoichi explained.

"Kagami…" Tsunade murmured, her tone softening. Then, after a moment, she turned to him and asked seriously, "Do you want to become Hokage?"

The question seemed abrupt and out of place, but there was a certain weight behind it.

Kyoichi understood immediately that she must be thinking of her brother, Nawaki. After a moment of thought, he shook his head.

"No, I have no interest in becoming Hokage. To be honest, I just want to be a teacher."

"Oh?"

Tsunade raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by his answer. She studied him for a moment and saw that he was telling the truth.

Her curiosity piqued, she momentarily set aside her lingering thoughts.

"Why is that?"

"Hokage seems like way too much work. If you're the Hokage, you barely have time to focus on what you want to do. That's just how I feel right now—maybe I'll change my mind someday, but who knows?"

Kyoichi spoke plainly.

Tsunade chuckled softly, brushing her hair behind her ear as she glanced at him. After a moment, she sighed.

"The Senju clan has long since become part of Konoha as a whole. But to think, after all these years, someone who can awaken the power of the Senju still exists… And you really do remind me of the Second Hokage."

"My grandmother was said to resemble the Second Hokage a lot."

"That's not what I mean. I'm talking about your personality and the way you carry yourself," Tsunade said lightly.

As a child, she used to cling to Tobirama occasionally, but no matter how much she clung to him, he would remain focused on studying ninjutsu, reading, and strategizing—always disciplined and meticulous.

In that regard, Kyoichi was exactly the same.

Shizune's eyes widened in surprise.

So Kanda Kyoichi has awakened the Senju bloodline? That explains everything!

She had been wondering why Tsunade suddenly changed her plans to return to this area after mentioning visiting the Land of Waterfalls.

It turns out she had specifically come to meet Kyoichi.

And now it all made sense—fifteen years old and already a jōnin.

How impressive!

The two stood by the railing, chatting casually. Thanks to their shared lineage, they quickly became more familiar with each other.

In terms of bloodline, they were technically cousins.

Tsunade seemed to cheer up a bit. Noticing a medical book sticking out from Kyoichi's pouch, she pulled out a key from her waist.

"Kid, staying out here is probably for the best. This is the key to my house in Konoha. There are some secret techniques and books inside—you can take a look."

"I'm not going back to Konoha," she added firmly, tossing him the key.

Leaning against the railing, Tsunade seemed lost in thought.

Kyoichi glanced at her, then quickly averted his eyes.

Even with a serious gaze, his peripheral vision seemed to always land there.

Taking a deep breath, he forced the image from his mind and said seriously, "Lady Tsunade, it's fine to enjoy life outside the village, but gambling… isn't exactly ideal. If I recall correctly, both you and the First Hokage have notoriously bad luck."

"Hey, kid! I just complimented you, and now you start this?" Tsunade gritted her teeth.

"Casinos are full of trouble. With your luck and skill, it's like throwing money away," Kyoichi shrugged.

As he spoke, a playing card flicked out from his sleeve and danced nimbly between his fingers, almost imperceptible to the naked eye.

Tsunade narrowed her eyes.

Shizune checked her pouch—and froze.

The card was theirs.

"Kid, you're pretty quick, huh?" Tsunade's expression shifted to one of intrigue.

She hadn't expected him to be so skilled with cards.

"Basic tricks, nothing more. But Lady Tsunade, trust me—casinos are not something you can handle."

"Why didn't I think of this before? You're absolutely right, Kyoichi! Casinos are too dangerous for me. Quick, show me a few more tricks so I can defend myself! What about dice?"

Her eyes sparkled with genuine enthusiasm, her tone and even the way she addressed him suddenly changing.

The sincerity in her voice was unmistakable.

"…Uh." Kyoichi was at a loss.

Is she trying to defend herself—or just planning to learn new tricks to use herself?

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