Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!

"Sister, you should rest."

Nawaki looked at Tsunade, his nose running as he fought back tears.

Next to him, Minato remained silent. This was the most tragic battle he had ever witnessed.

Tsunade sobbed in Kawakaze's arms, not speaking or lifting her head.

"Let's go and rest."

"Big Brother, take care," Kawakaze lifted Tsunade in his arms and nodded respectfully toward Sakumo.

"Go," Sakumo said quietly, his voice heavy with emotion. He said no more, but the weight in his heart was clear.

Tsunade instinctively wrapped her arms around Kawakaze's neck, her crying gradually subsiding.

Kawakaze disappeared from view and reappeared in Tsunade's tent. He gently placed her on the bed and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.

"Rest. You're exhausted," he said softly, removing her hands from his neck.

"Am I really that useless?" Tsunade murmured. Her face betrayed her exhaustion, and Lady Katsuyu had already vanished of her own accord.

"You're the best in my eyes," Kawakaze reassured her.

"No one could have anticipated the Third Kazekage would act so recklessly," he added, reflecting on the Suna ninjas lost during the Kazekage's desperate assault.

Tsunade's voice broke as tears began streaming again. "I don't know how I'll face their families when I return to the village. I'm the one who led them here, but…"

Her emotions overcame her, and her tears flowed freely. The sheer number of casualties was unbearable, even for a seasoned kunoichi.

Kawakaze sighed deeply. "Don't think about it too much. The wounded still need you. Right now, you need to rest."

With no other way to ease her pain, Kawakaze gently insisted, appealing to her sense of responsibility to ensure she took the rest she desperately needed.

"Yes, you're right. I need to rest… I need to rest," Tsunade whispered, her voice soft and wavering.

She closed her eyes, but tears continued to stream down her cheeks. Kawakaze sat by the bedside, watching as her lips moved without sound. After some time, Tsunade fell into a fitful sleep, curling up like a child seeking comfort.

Kawakaze silently pulled the blanket over her, his hand brushing her long, light-yellow hair away from her forehead. With a tender gesture, he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before standing and quietly leaving the tent.

Even in sleep, Tsunade's expression remained tense, her inner turmoil etched deeply into her features. Only time could ease the pain she carried.

In stark contrast, the Suna ninja camp was eerily vacant. Not far from Sunagakure, beneath the vast yellow sands, large underground caves had been constructed. The area, fortified by Shukaku, was secured with black runes that acted as seals, preventing detection by outside forces.

Within these hidden caverns, the defeated Suna ninja, led by Bunpuku, had gathered. Most of the surviving ninjas from Sunagakure were present, as the village itself was nearly abandoned, left with only civilians.

"Master Bunpuku, what should we do next?" Pakura asked, seated cross-legged beside the monk. Her demeanor was subdued, and her exhaustion was evident.

"I do not make decisions," Bunpuku replied calmly. Despite his role as a weapon of war, he had no authority or influence in determining the path forward. He closed his eyes again, focusing on regaining his strength. It was only by sheer luck—if it could be called that—that he had survived the Third Kazekage's actions.

Pakura sighed. "We need a decision-maker now," she said, glancing at the gathered Suna elders.

A group of Sunagakure's respected elders emerged, their presence commanding attention. Though their strength had long waned, their wisdom and authority remained intact.

"Then who do you think is suitable?" Pakura asked, her gaze fixed on the elders.

"Rasa can do it," one of the elders with kind eyes suggested, breaking the silence. He had shared a good relationship with the Third Kazekage and was willing to support Rasa.

"No, he's too young," another elder objected immediately.

"I think Pakura can do it," the lone elderly woman proposed, her tone confident as she spoke in support of Pakura.

"I'm not interested in becoming Kazekage," Pakura stated firmly. She understood that without the Daimyō's approval, the title would hold little weight. For now, the collective agreement of those present was what mattered. However, the uncertainty surrounding Sunagakure's survival weighed heavily on her.

"I recommend…"

"I recommend…"

The room erupted into a cacophony of voices, everyone offering their opinions. The underground cavern buzzed with debate, each person advocating for their chosen candidate.

"Do you have so much time to waste?" Bunpuku's calm but sharp voice cut through the noise. Though quiet, it carried a commanding weight that silenced the crowd.

The group exchanged uncertain glances, the elder monk's words leaving them stunned.

"How about this," one of the most respected elders began, his voice measured as he proposed a compromise. "Let Pakura temporarily assume the role of Kazekage to guide us through this crisis. Once we have secured Sunagakure's future, Rasa can take over when he's ready."

"I agree," Rasa said quickly, stepping forward. "Sister Pakura should lead us. I'll need time to grow stronger and prepare. For now, I want to avenge Sensei." Though young, Rasa recognized the wisdom of waiting and acknowledged his inexperience.

All eyes turned to Pakura, waiting for her decision.

She sighed, rubbing her temples as if the weight of their expectations had already settled on her shoulders. "Forget about the title for now. Let's focus on surviving this crisis first," she said reluctantly, her tone tinged with frustration.

"What's the situation in Konoha?" Pakura asked the intelligence officer beside him. Unlike the others, he had avoided the battle entirely and remained unscathed.

"Konoha has suffered heavy casualties and is currently treating the wounded in their camp," the officer replied. "It's unlikely they'll launch another offensive anytime soon. Even if a few scouts are sent, they might not be able to locate us."

Despite the circumstances, the intelligence officer maintained a reliable flow of information. It was no surprise he had earned the trust of the Third Kazekage.

"Will the civilians in the village be in danger?" Rasa, still inexperienced, asked what seemed like a naive question.

"There's no reason for Konoha's ninja to target civilians," the officer explained.

"The lives of civilians aren't significant enough for them to vent their frustrations. Besides, after such a crushing defeat, the Daimyō will undoubtedly step forward to negotiate with the Land of Fire."

An elderly man, who had previously voiced his support for Rasa, elaborated further. His tone was calm, with a hint of a smile in his eyes.

"That's reassuring," Rasa sighed, finally relaxing. He felt safe knowing these were all people his Sensei had trusted.

"Continue gathering intelligence and wait for the Daimyō's negotiation results," Pakura instructed. "If anything unexpected happens... I can't promise anything else. But I will die before you do."

Pakura's solemn vow, underscored by the determination in her eyes, left a deep impression.

"Why such a promise, Fourth Kazekage?" someone asked. Although Pakura had been recognized internally as the acting Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure, the title was yet to be formalized.

Nearby, Bunpuku opened his eyes and glanced at Rasa, his gaze filled with bitterness. Then, shaking his head, he reflected silently. Ninja were nothing more than tools—pawns manipulated by the greed inherent in humanity.

However, events did not unfold as they had hoped.

News of the Third Kazekage's death in battle and Sunagakure's devastating defeat reached the Daimyō of the Land of Wind. In desperation, he immediately dispatched emissaries to the Land of Fire to negotiate peace.

This development spread swiftly across the ninja world.

Meanwhile, the name of Kawakaze Hatake, a legendary figure who had once slain Hanzō of the Salamander, once again echoed throughout the lands. Additionally, Konoha's secret could no longer be contained—Tsunade had become the Jinchūriki of the Seven-Tails.

With such an overwhelming advantage, the Daimyō of the Land of Fire had no intention of agreeing to peace. He sought nothing less than to consume the Land of Wind entirely.

Despair consumed the Daimyō of the Land of Wind. Without the strength of Sunagakure's ninja, how could he hope to resist Konoha's might?