Chapter 18: Chapter 18
After listening to Tsunade's speculation, Yusuke maintained a faint smile, casually picked up a kebab, and took a bite before responding with a chuckle, "Isn't this all just your speculation, Princess Tsunade? You don't have any solid evidence, do you?"
Tsunade's lips curled into a sly grin. "I may not have evidence, but if I share my suspicions, with old man Sarutobi, do you think your life will be easy?"
Yusuke's smile broadened, undeterred by her threat. "It seems you enjoy joking, Princess Tsunade. If you want to discuss this seriously, I don't mind playing along." He placed the kebab down and leaned back calmly. "But I'll bet you won't say anything."
Tsunade's expression hardened. "And why is that?"
Yusuke raised his right index finger. "First, your relationship with the Third Hokage isn't what it used to be. To be honest, with how things are between you two, even if his life were in danger, I doubt you'd rush to save him."
Tsunade grunted but didn't refute his point.
Yusuke then raised his middle finger. "Second, Konoha is in a precarious situation right now—facing threats from outside and within. The Nine-Tails has escaped, White Fang is dead, and other villages are watching Konoha like hawks. The village desperately needs someone strong to hold things together."
He spread his hands and continued, "To put it bluntly, they can't afford to make me an enemy right now. Why do you think I could beat Sarutobi Shinnosuke in front of everyone just because he insulted White Fang? If that was the only reason, you'd be underestimating me."
Tsunade bit her lip, her brow furrowing as she absorbed his words. "Anything else?" she asked, though her tone was less confident.
Yusuke raised a third finger. "Third, they never treated me as one of their own, so why should I feel any loyalty to them? How do you think White Fang died? Do you really believe he took his life just because of some accusations? No, there were forces at play behind the scenes."
He leaned forward slightly, his voice carrying a serious undertone. "With the Third Hokage's strength waning and the Fourth Hokage election looming, it's clear that among the Sannin, you, as a member of the Senju Clan, aren't trusted, and you have no desire to be Hokage. Orochimaru is too extreme to be considered a viable candidate."
He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing, "From that perspective, White Fang was the most suitable candidate. But how could the Third Hokage, who took power from the Senju Clan, be comfortable handing it over to someone who wasn't related to him by blood or bound by a teacher-student relationship?"
Tsunade's grip on her wine glass tightened, her hand trembling slightly as if she might crush it. The weight of Yusuke's words pressed down on her. Even if she reported her suspicions to Sarutobi, what would she gain? Could she resurrect her family or take the Hokage's position for herself? The truth was, she no longer had any interest in becoming Hokage.
Realizing the futility of her threat, Tsunade's earlier triumph faded, leaving her dejected and unsure of her next move. Yusuke, noticing her change in demeanor, almost laughed. Despite her age, Tsunade had only recently been exposed to the harsh realities of the ninja world. Her inexperience in dealing with these matters was evident.
Sensing an opportunity to change the subject, Yusuke remarked, "Princess Tsunade, I assume I'll soon be sent back to the battlefield against the Hidden Sand Village, where the Third Kazekage and Chiyo are leading the charge?"
Tsunade, still rattled from their earlier exchange, responded irritably, "So what?"
Yusuke smiled knowingly. "I just wanted to remind you, even if your clan has declined, you're still a Kage-level ninja. Don't settle for any man just because you feel your age catching up with you."
He paused, his smile turning mischievous. "If you choose a weak man, he might die on you unexpectedly, and then you'd end up alone again, wouldn't you?"
"Stupid brat! Are you trying to piss me off?" Tsunade's temper flared once more. As a proud member of the Senju Clan, she wasn't one to take insults lightly. Fed up with Yusuke's provocations, she lunged at him, determined to make him regret his words.
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