Naruto: Reborn with the Tenseigan

Takashi wagged his finger at Tsunade, saying, "As long as there's enough profit, I think someone as ambitious as Hanzo the Salamander wouldn't mind collaborating with Danzo Shimura. With his abilities, infiltrating and assassinating—most people simply wouldn't be able to stop him."

Danzo Shimura couldn't possibly make a move himself, as the risk of exposure was too high. If any word got out that he was secretly assassinating a fellow villager, he would be in deep trouble.

That's why the Third Hokage didn't allow him to use the village's resources—he was worried Danzo might screw up and make things worse.

If that happened, and Mito Uzumaki flew into a rage, the fallout would be impossible to contain.

This left hiring someone else as Danzo's only option.

Hanzo the Salamander was the perfect candidate. Plus, Takashi was stationed at the Rain Country border camp, which was nearby, requiring minimal effort to reach.

"Hanzo the Salamander," Tsunade muttered, frowning. This was no ordinary person—he was practically a demigod. The title alone showed just how powerful he was.

To put it bluntly, Hanzo's abilities placed him among the top tier in the ninja world.

If he really made a move, Takashi would be in danger.

Considering Takashi's combat abilities as seen so far, facing an assassination attempt by someone like Hanzo was definitely a dangerous situation.

"When I left, I specifically asked around. Danzo has claimed that his old illness has flared up, and that he's resting at home, recuperating. But he could leave the village at any moment, and try to persuade enemies from outside to come after you."

"Resting at home?" Tsunade scoffed. "That's just an excuse so he can quietly leave the village."

Tsunade put the last piece of meat in her mouth, set her plate down, and said seriously, "So what are you planning to do? Ask to be transferred back to the village?"

"No." Takashi immediately rejected the idea.

If Mito Uzumaki intervened, even if the Third Hokage wasn't happy about it, he'd give her enough respect to bring Takashi back.

"Why not?" Tsunade asked, puzzled. "You know someone is trying to target you. Why not think about coming back?"

Takashi responded firmly, "Isn't there a possibility that Danzo wants Lady Mito to step in and have me brought back?"

"Tsunade, people who are skilled at schemes are inherently dirty. Someone like Danzo Shimura wouldn't hesitate to use despicable methods to achieve his goal."

Don't be fooled by the Third Hokage standing firmly on Lady Mito's side. If a situation arose that worked in his favor, he wouldn't hesitate to play dumb.

"Lady Mito is certainly not afraid of Danzo, but certain actions, if they spread rumors, can lead to misunderstandings."

Sakumo Hatake was a prime example of that.

Tsunade looked like she had more to say, but Takashi cut her off and continued, "Lady Mito has a very special status. Danzo certainly wouldn't dare target her openly. But me? He'll come after me the moment I get back to the village. And when that happens, the ninjas stationed at the border camp might feel discontent, and their families might have grievances too."

Public opinion, at times, is scarier than an assassination.

"So we're just going to wait and react?" Tsunade frowned, frustrated by the lack of control over the situation. It was too passive.

"Not exactly." Takashi smiled. "Think about it. As long as I stay in the camp, he can't manipulate public opinion against me. As for assassinations, he first needs to find someone willing to do it. After all, nobody's stupid. Without enough incentive, who would take that kind of risk?"

Hanzo the Salamander was strong, but was he stupid?

Definitely not.

Without sufficient profit, no one would care about Danzo.

The problem for Danzo right now was that he'd been stripped of his position and no longer had control over village resources and power.

Without sufficient profit, convincing Hanzo to make a move would be next to impossible.

"If you were Hanzo, would you help Danzo for no reason?"

Without enough benefits, only a fool would agree to something like that.

Tsunade shook her head decisively.

She wasn't stupid, and neither was Hanzo.

It all depended on what Danzo could offer to entice Hanzo.

"So, in the short term, you're safe?" Tsunade asked.

"Yes," Takashi nodded.

"Then, shouldn't we talk about what just happened?" Tsunade's eyes narrowed as she took a step toward the door and locked it.

"Uh..."

What's this girl planning—is she coming for payback?

"Ahem." Takashi tried to defend himself. "Tsunade, you can't really blame me for that. You were the one who threw the blanket over my head. I still had the plate in my hands, I couldn't just let it drop."

"So, what do you suggest we do? Was it nice to look at?"

"Yes." Takashi, feeling that honesty was the best policy, nodded. "It was nice."

"You..."

Tsunade, who was ready to be angry, found herself at a loss. "Takashi Hyuga, you're really that blunt?"

"How about I take a loss and devote myself to you?"

"..."

"Takashi Hyuga, get over here and die!!"

"Wait, don't get violent. We can talk this out. Hey, are you serious? I might actually fight back."

"Hold on, I'm still a kid. You can't do this!!"

Tsunade's furious roar woke up everyone in the camp. People rushed out of their cabins and made their way toward the medical tent.

"Wait!!"

Most people weren't familiar with Tsunade, but Sarutobi Santou was.

Hearing the familiar voice, he paused, and his expression changed. He quickly stopped the others.

"Santou, what about the medical tent…?" Kobayashi turned back.

Sarutobi Santou rubbed his face and said helplessly, "It's Lady Tsunade. I'm sure of it. Let's go back and get some sleep. Those on duty, carry on. Don't disturb them."

Lady Tsunade was here at the camp, and in the medical tent at that.

Coupled with Takashi's shouting, the men in the camp exchanged knowing looks. Some of the more lecherous ones chuckled and cast envious glances at the tent.

"Ahem, everyone not on duty, get back to sleep. This is none of your business."

After shooing away the gawkers, Kobayashi pulled Sarutobi Santou aside and asked in a low voice, "Are you sure it's Lady Tsunade? Is she with Takashi…"

"Don't ask questions you shouldn't. Let's go." Sarutobi Santou didn't want to discuss it further. If Kobayashi couldn't keep his mouth shut, it would be trouble for everyone.

The camp, which had briefly come alive with activity, quickly settled down. Only the guards on duty occasionally glanced at the medical tent, curious about what was happening inside.

"Tsunade, enough already! Kissing is one thing, but biting me?"

Takashi rubbed his lips, which seemed to be bleeding.

Tsunade licked her lips, savoring the taste. After a moment, she shook her head. "It doesn't feel particularly special. Maybe it's because you haven't grown up yet?"

Damn it!!

If not for the restrictions of decency, I'd teach you the meaning of discipline!

"Let's sleep!"

Takashi grabbed a fresh blanket and covered himself, not wanting to argue with Tsunade. He pulled the blanket over and settled in to sleep. As for Tsunade, she could either join him or sleep at the table.

Fortunately, he'd been forward-thinking, knowing the harsh weather in the Rain Country would make blankets moldy in the damp winter, so he'd brought a few extras.

Only a fool would sleep at the table after all that.

In the dark, Tsunade felt a wandering hand slipping into her clothes. She let out a cold chuckle.

"Didn't you say I was rough and unladylike? Why are you reaching now?"

"Ahem!"

Takashi cleared his throat, trying to change the subject. "When are you leaving?"

"I can't stay too long."

Originally, Tsunade had planned to stay a while at the camp, but after her conversation with Takashi, she realized that her presence wouldn't be particularly helpful.

For now, Takashi's safety was assured.

Even if they were right and Danzo was indeed trying to persuade Hanzo to assassinate him, it wouldn't be easy.

"Then head back tomorrow. If you stay too long, people in the camp might get upset."

With New Year approaching, everyone was missing the village and their families. It was only a matter of time before people became dissatisfied with the company he had, especially since she was the only female ninja in the camp. At first, it might just pique their curiosity, but eventually, someone would surely start to resent it.

"Alright."

Tsunade wasn't one for lingering sentimentality.

At dawn, Tsunade quietly left the camp to return to the village, without even making an appearance to the camp's other members.

In her words, there was no need—she'd only stayed one night. No point in drawing it out.