Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!

Kawakaze felt a sense of relief once he left the Sarutobi Clan's territory. The matter was settled, and now it was just a matter of Hiruzen abdicating.

As for a formal nomination, it wasn't necessary—Tsunade's reputation alone was sufficient. With the Daimyō's approval, her position as Hokage would be secure.

Reaching the street, Kawakaze bought a nice toy for Kakashi. He also picked up some snacks for his disciples before heading directly to his residence with the Flying Thunder God Technique.

At the dojo, Sakumo was instructing three kids in practical combat, while Minato practiced alone, the Rasengan in his hand appearing larger than before.

"Sister-in-law," Kawakaze greeted Nayuki as he kicked away Onimaru and his pup, who had come sniffing for food.

"Ow~" the two dogs yelped in protest but soon moved on, knowing they'd have their way after a meal.

"Did the discussion go well?" Nayuki asked, aware of Kawakaze's errand.

"It went well," Kawakaze replied. He then picked up Kakashi, who was lying on the ground. "Kakashi, look at the toy your uncle bought you."

"That's good," Nayuki said, watching the two with a smile. Kawakaze's personality seemed to naturally appeal to children.

The two dogs circled around Kawakaze.

"They're really hungry," he noted casually, placing Kakashi on the back of the white ninken, which was over a year old and easily able to carry the boy.

"Haha~" Kakashi laughed, his small hands gripping the mastiff's neck fur tightly.

Kawakaze pulled out two skewers of meatballs, handing one to Onimaru and one to his pup, ensuring fairness.

"Go play," he said, patting their heads. Onimaru and his pup ran off happily.

Meanwhile, Kakashi sat steadily on the ninken's back, clearly enjoying himself.

"Come and eat, we'll practice later," Kawakaze called out, sitting down and stopping everyone in their tracks.

Sakumo and Minato were the first to arrive, followed by the three Ame kids. Thankfully, Kawakaze had bought enough food; otherwise, there wouldn't have been enough for everyone.

"Sensei, is it true that Sensei's wife is going to become Hokage soon?" Konan asked, using her cuteness to her advantage before Kawakaze could even swallow the meatball in his mouth.

"Who told you that?" Kawakaze asked, surprised. He was sure he had never mentioned such a thing in front of his disciples.

"My uncle said that we should practice hard and not let her down. He was laughing happily, saying that you're capable," Konan explained, dancing around as she repeated Sakumo's words.

"Cough, cough..." Sakumo coughed awkwardly, trying to mask his embarrassment. He wasn't the type to get excited just because someone in his family might become Hokage.

"Come on, don't be stubborn," Nayuki teased, laughing softly as she patted Sakumo on the side. "What's the harm in praising your younger brother?"

"Your uncle has bad eyesight," Kawakaze said, ruffling Konan's hair. "Sensei have always been awesome, okay?"

"Don't you know your place," Sakumo snapped, naturally unhappy with the jab. His glare made it clear that an unspeakable battle was about to break out.

"I'm going to go find my lady. Bye," Kawakaze said, taking the opportunity to flee. With a quick Flying Thunder God Technique, he disappeared from sight.

When he reappeared, he was already inside the hospital's research laboratory, where Tsunade and Orochimaru were busy at work.

"I'm here," Kawakaze said, pushing open the laboratory door. Neither Tsunade nor Orochimaru paid him any attention.

"Judging by your appearance, I take it you've settled things," Orochimaru remarked before Tsunade even looked up, her focus still on the petri dish in front of her.

"Well, he agreed," Kawakaze replied, though he had hoped to share his joy with Tsunade. Seeing her preoccupied, he realized it wasn't the right time.

He walked over to Tsunade and gently patted her on the shoulder.

"If you've made a mistake, then you need to make amends. It's fortunate he's come to his senses and decided to let it go." Tsunade paused for a moment, letting out a long, melancholy sigh but said nothing.

"Well, what's done is done, so don't worry about it anymore," Orochimaru said, his tone more open-minded as he tried to console her.

With the support of Kawakaze and Orochimaru, Tsunade slowly started to pull herself together.

...

Early the next morning, Hiruzen stood at home in front of a mirror, adjusting his brand-new Hokage robes.

"Hiruzen, why don't you let someone else go up on stage for you?" Homura asked weakly, his sunken eyes reflecting his exhaustion. He knew nothing good would come of Hiruzen taking the stage today.

"No need. I made my own mistakes, and there's no reason to make someone else suffer for them."

Hiruzen put on his Hokage hat and turned, giving his old comrade a firm pat on the shoulder.

"Homura, I'm sorry."

"There's no need to say that between us," Homura replied, forcing a smile as he accepted the situation. It was just the police force—he could handle that much.

"You don't have to go. I'm leaving," Hiruzen said before walking out alone, heading toward the village center where a confession stage had been constructed on his orders.

He walked slowly, reflecting on his past with each step. As he neared the center of the village, a faint smile crept onto his face. Abdicating the Hokage position no longer seemed so bad. If he had remained in power for decades longer, perhaps Konoha would have changed for the worse.

A high platform had been erected in the village center, and a crowd of villagers had gathered. Their anger was palpable, and a chorus of abuse followed Hiruzen as he ascended the platform.

He moved with poise, stepping to the center of the stage and picking up the megaphone.

"I know everyone is angry with me," he began. "Can I have your attention, please?"

His voice echoed through the megaphone, reaching every ear in the square. The crowd hesitated, some perhaps curious to hear his reasoning, others eager to hear his repentance. Gradually, the noise quieted.

"Thank you," Hiruzen said, bowing to the audience.

"I'm not standing here today to defend myself. The news you've heard is true. I was selfish and embezzled the condolence money. I can only apologize to you here."

He paused, taking a deep breath.

"However, I promise to repay every coin I embezzled over the years."

The admission hit like a bombshell. The crowd's anger erupted.

"Get out of here!"

"You're not worthy of being Hokage!"

"You're a vulture!"

...

The villagers cursed and threw stones, eggs, and rotten vegetable leaves at the platform.

Hiruzen did not move, allowing the objects to sporadically hit him. By the time the audience had exhausted their projectiles, he was covered in filth.

Ignoring the dirt on his body, Hiruzen continued to speak.

"It is I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who owes you an apology. I am sorry to the villagers and to the soldiers who gave their lives on the frontlines."

"Today also marks the day I step down from the position of Hokage. I am not worthy to continue leading Konohagakure."

With those words, Hiruzen removed his Hokage robe in front of the crowd. He folded it carefully and placed it to the side, bending slightly as he did so.

Next, he took off his hat and set it solemnly atop the folded robe.

Finally, he bowed deeply to the villagers below the stage and remained in that position for a long time.

From this moment forward, Hiruzen was no longer the Hokage of Konohagakure.