บท 99: Chapter 99: Takuya Yagami, Do You Even Know What “Ordinary” Means?
In the Leaf Village, Tsunade's status is second only to the Hokage himself.
She's on par with the village elders and the Hokage's advisors.
So, Koharu Utatane's accusation doesn't really hold up.
It's like a Genin getting in trouble for mouthing off to a Jonin—disrespecting someone stronger or older. But if both sides are Jonin, what's the big deal if one insults the other? What's anyone going to do about it?
"You…"
Is that really the point?
Koharu was practically fuming with anger.
Seeing this, Homura Mitokado quickly stepped in to smooth things over.
"Alright, Koharu. You know what Tsunade's like. No need to take it out on the kid."
With Homura's reassurance, Koharu's face softened a little.
The Third Hokage exhaled a puff of smoke and sighed.
"Tsunade and the others think the Leaf should initiate peace talks rather than waiting until the war ends. I refused."
So that's it, huh?
Well, in that case, I'll let it go.
Knowing she was partly at fault, Koharu couldn't stay mad. She had played a part in convincing the Third Hokage to abandon the idea of peace talks. If she and Homura hadn't backed him up, who knows if Danzo could've held onto his position as commander of the front lines?
Tsunade had been giving them the cold shoulder because of this.
Everything was for the village. Homura was right—it wasn't worth getting worked up over a kid.
As she walked out of the Hokage's office, Tsunade turned to an ANBU agent hidden in the shadows. "Tell Takuya Yagami to meet me at the Akimichi family's barbecue restaurant," she ordered before leaving with a scowl.
The ANBU agent sighed. He didn't dare refuse and had no choice but to carry out the order.
"Takuya Yagami, Lady Tsunade wants you to meet her at the Akimichi barbecue restaurant right away."
Just as Takuya was debating whether to grab some ramen or go grocery shopping, an ANBU ninja appeared with the message.
"Tsk, looks like she's really upset," Takuya muttered to himself.
Judging by the situation, Takuya could tell Tsunade's attempt to convince the Third Hokage to start peace talks had failed. Now she was likely at the barbecue place, eating meat and drinking away her frustration. And as for why she called him…
It was probably because she needed someone to vent to—and maybe because her wallet was empty.
He hadn't eaten yet, so barbecue sounded like a good idea.
Kushina and Uzumaki Nami needed some time alone to get to know each other better, so Takuya didn't want to disturb them.
As for Mikoto Uchiha, Takuya was sure she'd come looking for him once she heard he was back.
Right now, he wasn't in the mood to visit the Uchiha compound.
Ah, the usual spot with the usual flavor.
Aside from being a bit pricey, the Akimichi family's barbecue had no flaws.
"I'm here for Tsunade," Takuya said as he entered the restaurant.
"Please follow me. Lady Tsunade is waiting," the staff member responded, leading him to a private room.
Inside, Tsunade was already drinking. Her cheeks were flushed, and she seemed a bit tipsy.
One glance at the two empty sake bottles beside her, and Takuya couldn't help but be impressed.
How long has it been, and she's already downed two bottles?
She was already working on the third one—no way she could handle much more at this pace.
Takuya didn't bother telling her to slow down or offering her any comfort. After taking off his jacket, he sat down, picked up some chopsticks, and started grilling meat on the grill.
Tsunade tilted her head back and downed the third bottle like it was water, then squinted at Takuya through her drunken haze.
"Hic~~"
She let out a loud hiccup, not caring in the least.
"You're not going to tell me to stop drinking?" she asked, half-expecting him to.
"Why would I?" Takuya replied nonchalantly, taking a sip of the juice he'd grabbed on the way in. "I know you're in a bad mood, so what's the point of trying to stop you? If you want to drink, go ahead and drink. Getting drunk might help you forget your troubles."
"Cough, cough!!"
Tsunade was taken aback by his response and started coughing.
Takuya watched her for a moment but decided against going over to pat her on the back or anything like that. With Tsunade's resilience, this was nothing—just a minor hiccup.
Sure enough, after a few more coughs, Tsunade calmed down, though the flush on her face deepened.
She picked up a piece of grilled beef, popped it into her mouth without worrying about the heat, and, after blowing on it a few times, grumbled, "I couldn't convince the old man. He and Danzo are on the same page—they don't want to negotiate until the war's over."
"Figured as much," Takuya said as he continued placing meat on the grill, not even bothering to look up.
"Rain Village has been ramping up its military, expanding outward. Starting a war is a dangerous signal. If other villages follow suit, the entire shinobi world could be thrown into chaos, leading to wave after wave of conflict, with no end in sight."
"So, you think I was wrong too?" Tsunade asked with a bitter smile.
"No, you weren't wrong." Takuya shook his head, putting down his chopsticks and looking at Tsunade with a serious expression. "On the contrary, you were right. Your goal was to end the war quickly, minimize casualties, and reduce the village's losses."
"But you didn't consider one thing—that your perspective is shaped by your position. Where you stand determines what you see."
"Take me, for example."
He pointed to himself, smiling.
"I'm just an ordinary Chunin of the Leaf. Why the village is at war with Rain Village, when we should start peace talks, when the war should end—none of that is for me to worry about. I'm just a lowly Chunin. My job is to complete the missions the village gives me and make sure I stay alive. That's it."
"You're saying my actions were unnecessary?
That I overstepped?" Tsunade clenched her fists, her frustration evident.
Takuya replied calmly, "Don't drag me into this. It has nothing to do with me. You should ask the people who rejected and opposed you."
"The meat's ready. Let's eat."
Yeah, right!
Ordinary? How many "ordinary" people in the Leaf are like you?
Tsunade shot Takuya a sharp glare, then grabbed her chopsticks and started stuffing her mouth with meat, like a squirrel hoarding food, packing her cheeks full.
Then she glared at Takuya as if to say, I've taken all the meat—what are you going to do about it?
Doing this on purpose, huh?
Takuya couldn't help but laugh, putting down his chopsticks and calling out, "Check, please! Lady Tsunade will be paying."
"Don't!"
Tsunade panicked. She was broke—not a single coin to her name.
She'd left all her money at the casino. They didn't call her a "big spender" for nothing—she wouldn't leave until she was cleaned out.
If the staff really came over to settle the bill, she'd be in big trouble.
The great Lady Tsunade, having to eat on credit? She'd rather die of shame.
Click, the door to the private room slid open, and a smiling staff member stood at the entrance.
"Would you two like to settle the bill?"
It's over… I've got no dignity left.
Tsunade felt like crying.
Takuya grinned, enjoying her misery, and told the staff, "I misspoke. Please bring us two more plates of beef, one of venison, and two more bottles of sake."
"Certainly, please wait a moment."
The staff member closed the door with a smile and quickly brought in the additional orders, cheerfully setting them down before leaving.
You scared me half to death.
Tsunade let out a sigh of relief, patting her chest a little too forcefully. She quickly grabbed a bottle of sake to calm her nerves.
The rest of the meal was spent with Tsunade alternating between eating and loudly cursing out the Third Hokage, Danzo, and the others. Her voice carried, but no one outside seemed to care.
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