In a back alley on Sand Street, four figures squared off in pairs.
"Tsunade, you didn't come here just to reminisce, did you?" Orochimaru's voice was calm, yet his intention clear as he faced his former comrade.
Tsunade, a striking blonde in her twenties, stared at him coolly. Her expression showed nothing but distance and disinterest.
"I need your help," Orochimaru said simply.
"Help? Orochimaru, are you out of your mind?" Tsunade sneered. "I left the village years ago… but Konoha is still founded by my grandfather. You wrecked it and even killed the old man. Why would I ever help you?"
"With this favor, only you can grant it," Orochimaru replied, his smile cold as night.
Tsunade narrowed her eyes. "If it's about medical jutsu, you're barking up the wrong tree. I'm not a medical ninja anymore and I won't help."
"Shizune, let's go." Tsunade motioned to her companion and turned to leave.
"Orochimaru, you should at least hear my terms," Tsunade added over her shoulder.
"I know you used the Reaper Death Seal," Orochimaru said quietly.
Tsunade froze in her tracks, foot still in the air.
"This favor if you do it, you can see Nawaki and Dan again." Orochimaru's voice was gentle, yet terrible.
Tsunade trembled, then finally asked, "What favor?"
Orochimaru grinned. "Don't worry. It's simple. I only need your help to break an old sealing jutsu."
"A sealing jutsu?"
"Reaper Death Seal."
Night had fallen. Inside a small tavern on Sand Street, two women sat at a corner table. One, the stunning blonde, downed another shot of sake.
"Lady Tsunade are you really going to make a deal with Orochimaru?" Shizune whispered anxiously.
She thought of how the Third Hokage sacrificed himself using the Reaper Death Seal and warned what would happen if Orochimaru regained his hands. Konoha would never forgive it even though she, Tsunade, was the granddaughter of the First Hokage.
"Uncle and Nawaki would never forgive me," Shizune pleaded.
"I'm not a child. I know what I'm doing."
Tsunade stared at her empty glass in frustration. Orochimaru had given her a month to decide. In exchange for seeing the two people she loved most again, she'd have to help break the Reaper Death Seal.
"This cup's empty again?" she growled, signaling the bartender.
None of them noticed the young man seated at a nearby table with his back turned.
It was Neji Hyūga.
"So Orochimaru came, and she's this vexed, she didn't even see me come in," he thought.
Neji rose and approached their table.
"Well, well if it isn't the young Hyūga prodigy," Tsunade remarked to Shizune with surprise. "See? He did come."
Then her expression darkened. "Damn, I lose every bet."
"You're a bit drunk," Shizune said softly.
Neji felt a slight change in the air. Tsunade had noticed him he couldn't underestimate any Kage-level presence.
"So speak. What are you doing here, young Hyūga?" Tsunade asked.
"Lady Tsunade, I've been looking for you," Neji sat down calmly.
Her golden hair, flawless skin, perfect figure she looked far younger than her almost-fifty years.
Though he used honorifics, he spoke without reverence.
"Interesting kid," she reclined. "Why are you here?"
"To succeed to the Hokage seat."
The words froze the room. Tsunade and Neji stared at each other all else faded away.
Tsunade's lips quivered, almost speaking but Neji interrupted:
"Orochimaru came to you, right? He wants your help to break the Reaper Death Seal."
"And his offer? A meeting with Nawaki and Dan?" Neji's tone was calm.
Those words hit Shizune and Tsunade like thunder.
"How did you know?!" Tsunade gasped.
Was Neji a spy for Orochimaru? Impossible if he was, Konoha wouldn't be in shambles.
"I know more than you think," Neji said, waving his hand.
"I know the village plans to appoint you as the Fifth Hokage not just because of your contribution in the war, but because you're legitimate, right to the throne…"
"No way I refuse." Tsunade cut him off before he finished.
"My two grandfathers President Madara, Hashirama they fought for peace. But after they died, the wars only intensified. Now even civil unrest looms within the village."
Tsunade's eyes grew misty, sadness filling her gaze. "What's the point of being Hokage? If you can't achieve your ideals, if you can't protect the people, you're worthless. Only a fool would want to become Hokage."
Tsunade drained another cup.
Neji watched her quietly. "You're right. Only a fool would become Hokage."
Sacrificing yourself for even the trivial people around you only a fool would do that.
Tsunade stopped, surprised by Neji's unexpected reply. Yet, someone understood her and that was strangely comforting.
"But they weren't worthless," Neji continued.
"Huh?" Tsunade looked at him, curious.
Neji smiled. "If such power is worthless, then the entire shinobi world is trash."
She laughed and relaxed a rare moment of relief for her.
"But what will you do? I won't return it's your mission, so you've failed."
"Yes." Neji nodded.
"So…let everything be a matter of fate."
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