"Hey, hey, hey, hey!"
"Tsunade, stop being lovestruck. By the time that brat grows up, you'll already be old."
"Even if you're just joking, do you really plan on changing your surname to Hyūga?"
Seeing the way Tsunade was looking at Tanaka, Jiraiya had to step in and break the atmosphere.
If this continued, he couldn't guarantee that these two wouldn't completely ignore the age gap and end up together.
After all, time and circumstances were on their side.
"Why not?" Tsunade snapped back, but Jiraiya's words clearly irritated her.
She was a proud Sannin, a Senju descendant, and the mastermind behind the medical ninja training system proposal. Yet, aside from Tanaka, no one supported her idea.
She had no say in other matters, but did she not even have the right to decide who she wanted to marry?
Who was Jiraiya to interfere?
If he cared so much, why didn't he stand up earlier and vote in favor of her proposal?
Jiraiya would've been better off staying silent... his words only triggered Tsunade's rebellious streak.
Her conflict with Hiruzen.
Jiraiya's indecisiveness.
And Orochimaru's silence.
All of it pushed her defiant nature to the limit. And given her background and personality, as long as it didn't harm the village, she had no problem going against Hiruzen or Jiraiya.
"The meeting is over, right? If it is, then I'm leaving."
"Brat… hmm, Tanaka, come with me."
Tsunade glanced at Hiruzen, then, without waiting for a response, took Tanaka's hand and boldly walked toward the conference room door, completely ignoring Jiraiya's heartbroken expression.
"Hizashi, I'll be borrowing your student for a bit. I promise to return him to the Hyūga clan in one piece."
Tsunade made sure to inform Hizashi, knowing that after today's Hokage meeting, everyone present fully understood one thing: Tanaka's status within the Hyūga clan was of utmost importance.
Anyone who dared to harm him would have to face the full wrath of the Hyūga.
"Tsunade-sama, you're overthinking it."
"You don't need to worry about the Hyūga clan. What's most important is that he enjoys himself."
"If, in the future, you truly wish to take the Hyūga name and marry into our clan, we would welcome you with open arms."
Hizashi quickly stood up and waved at her, but his words stabbed Jiraiya straight in the heart like a knife.
"Tsunade, wait a moment."
Just as Tsunade was about to leave with Tanaka, Hiruzen had no choice but to step in.
"What is it?"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
After today's events, the master-student relationship between her and Hiruzen was barely hanging by a thread.
They were just one step away from completely cutting ties.
"Tanaka, on behalf of the village, the villagers, and all the ninjas, I want to thank you. Thank you for the Hyūga clan's contributions."
Ignoring Tsunade, Hiruzen stood up from his seat, walked over to Tanaka, and did something that left all the clan leaders in shock.
The dignified Third Hokage bowed deeply to Tanaka.
He gave a full ceremonial bow.
"Hokage-sama, you flatter me. I am unworthy of such a grand gesture."
"Without the village's protection, the Hyūga clan wouldn't have its current status. Rather than saying the Hyūga are making sacrifices, it would be more accurate to say we are repaying our debt."
Watching the Hokage bow to him, Tanaka did not feel any sense of satisfaction. Instead, his pupils contracted slightly, and a chill ran down his spine.
As expected of a disciple trained by the Second Hokage.
Just moments ago, he had forcibly taken the medical ninja training system proposal from Tsunade, even pulling her closer to the Hyūga clan. Yet now, as the Third Hokage, he was bowing in gratitude to Tanaka.
And he was doing it in front of the Sannin, Minato, and the heads of multiple ninja clans.
What a terrifying level of cunning.
If it were anyone else, even if they didn't outright lose their temper on the spot, they would at least be fuming with anger.
"Repayment? Good… what a noble 'repayment to Konoha.' You truly are a ninja who has inherited the Will of Fire."
Hiruzen appeared slightly moved by Tanaka's words, nodding in praise before shifting the conversation.
"To be honest, I feel ashamed. As Hokage, I should have fully supported Tsunade's proposal, which benefits both the village and the people. However, as you just mentioned, even a Hokage has times when he is powerless."
"The enemy villages are watching Konoha closely. The Second Great Ninja War left Konoha with heavy casualties."
"The military expenses to prepare for other nations, the pensions for wounded ninja, the funeral costs for fallen warriors—each of these expenses has nearly emptied Konoha's treasury."
"So, even though I understand that her proposal would benefit the village, I truly have no choice."
Hiruzen sighed, seemingly lamenting his helplessness.
Damn… He's already rebuilding his public image. Tanaka's heart grew heavier.
Unlike the incompetent Hiashi, Hiruzen had ruled Konoha for decades, trained countless ninjas, and maintained a firm grip over the village.
Regardless of how reckless or foolish he became in his later years, there was no denying that, in his prime, the Third Hokage was one of the strongest, most resourceful, and most cunning of the Five Kage.
Externally, he suppressed the major ninja villages, often single-handedly.
Internally, he kept the White Fang, the Sannin, the Yellow Flash, and even Danzō in check.
That required more than just strength.
And now, with the Hyūga clan pouring all its resources into supporting Tsunade's medical system while the others opposed it, the public perception would surely be negative.
But with the Third Hokage standing up, bowing, and speaking sincerely while revealing Konoha's financial struggles, his speech might not fool the experienced shinobi in the room—but it would definitely deceive the villagers and lower-ranked ninja.
What shocked Tanaka even more was Hiruzen's next move.
"Due to financial constraints and wartime losses, the village truly cannot afford to approve or support Tsunade's proposal. However, as Hokage, I cannot simply watch as you and the Hyūga clan sacrifice your resources for the village without receiving any recognition."
"Those who contribute to Konoha must be rewarded."
"Tanaka, though you are young, your strength should already be at the level of a jonin."
"Here's my offer: if you pass the jonin exam, I will personally grant you access to the Scroll of Seals, allowing you to select one A-rank jutsu."
"You may learn it yourself or share it with the Hyūga clan. This is Konoha's way of expressing gratitude, to you and to the Hyūga."
Hiruzen stepped forward, his voice full of sincerity, making his offer seem both honorable and generous.