The two shinobi guards watched the deranged Daimyo, knowing that anything they said at this moment would be useless. It would be better to call Tsunade in to take a look!
Exchanging glances, one of them left to inform her, while the other stayed behind to protect the Daimyo.
In less than two minutes, Tsunade arrived before the Daimyo.
Seeing the two corpses in the room, she couldn't help but frown.
[Holy crap, this daimyō is downright disgusting!]
The thought nearly made Tsunade burst into laughter.
No, no—she can't keep listening to Hikari's inner voice. Better block it for now. She regretted bringing him along. If she accidentally laughed because of his thoughts, the situation would become way too awkward.
"Daimyō-sama, are you alright?"
Looking at the trembling Daimyo, Tsunade felt a deep sense of concern.
If the daimyō had gone mad, they would have to consider appointing a new ruler. A deranged daimyō would be incapable of handling state affairs.
"I-I'm fine! Hurry up and check me! I just took a pill—the assassin at your feet delivered it! I'm worried it was poisoned!" The Daimyo was on the verge of tears.
At this moment, he finally understood the difference between these shinobi who danced on the edge of death and his own subordinates.
Once someone like this was pushed into a corner, they would truly kill without hesitation.
Tsunade frowned as she glanced at the female corpse beside the daimyō. The woman's clothes were disheveled, and the daimyō's "little brother" showed no signs of calming down. She couldn't help but feel exasperated.
'So this is the "illness" you were suffering from, Daimyō-sama?'
'And damn, you've got quite the stamina for an old man. Still going strong at your age—impressive!'
Suppressing the sarcasm in her heart, Tsunade stepped forward and began examining the Daimyo.
She checked his brain, limbs, heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys—everything.
"Your blood flow is slightly accelerated due to hormonal stimulation. This is a normal reaction to the drug you took." She said while casually picking up the small pill from the table and sniffing it lightly.
"This contains an excessive amount of stimulants. Long-term use will deplete your body's reserves and shorten your lifespan."
After explaining her findings, Tsunade took a few steps back, putting some distance between herself and the Daimyo.
He was fine!
Thank goodness.
But as he looked down at his still-enthusiastic "little brother", the daimyō's face flushed. He then whispered, "Tsunade… shouldn't I, uh, release this energy? It's not good for a man to hold it in for too long, right?"
Tsunade shook her head. "This pill mainly stimulates the body's potential. If it weren't for my expertise in medical-nin techniques, I wouldn't have been able to examine you properly while the drug was still active."
"Simply put, this effect comes at the cost of your lifespan. If the Daimyo doesn't mind trading life expectancy for a moment of pleasure, then by all means, find a woman in the back to vent."
Daimyo: So basically... my little brother is done for, huh.
On one side, his remaining lifespan. On the other, his ability to enjoy himself.
What a tough choice.
The Daimyo felt like crying. Why couldn't there be a perfect solution in this world?
Something that would let him enjoy the rest of his days without sacrificing his health.
"Tsunade, please help me neutralize the drug."
Tsunade shook her head. "This type of drug can only wear off naturally. If forcefully interfered with, it could cause even worse side effects. You just have to endure it, and once time passes, it'll be fine."
Endure?
How the hell he was supposed to endure this?!
The Daimyo felt like he was being consumed by desire.
At this moment, he hated Danzō with every fiber of his being. If Shimura Danzo were standing before him now, he would order his execution without hesitation.
"Tsunade, don't you want to become the Fifth Hokage? I'll make it happen for you. But you should know, this assassin was sent by Danzo. He even said that once he becomes Hokage, he'll give you to me as a pet."
"I've always held great respect for your grandfather, Senju Hashirama. For Danzo to dare treat you like this—I want him dead. Is that too much to ask?"
The Daimyo knew that relying solely on his own men, he would never be able to kill Danzo in his lifetime.
And if he didn't kill Danzo, he wouldn't be able to move past this.
For the first time in his life, he realized just how close death could be.
Even if he could no longer indulge in women, he still had plenty of other pleasures to enjoy.
Fine food, fine wine, beautiful women—even if he couldn't touch them, he could still admire them.
If he died, he'd have nothing.
He now strongly suspected that Danzo had already colluded with his son and was plotting against him.
Otherwise, given how cunning Danzo was, why would he suddenly want him dead?
Tsunade hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded.
Even though she was about seventy percent skeptical of the Daimyo's claims, that didn't affect her resolve.
This was the Daimyo's command. Even if Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu objected, they couldn't do anything about it.
As for military funding, since the Daimyo had already agreed to make her Hokage, that wouldn't be a problem anymore!
After this incident, the Daimyo's opinion of Konoha had dropped to an all-time low.
Power was important, but his own life mattered more.
"Then please issue an official decree. However, we won't be able to deliver Danzo's corpse to you. As a village elder, his body contains many of Konoha's secrets."
"A decree?"
The Daimyo suddenly felt a sharp pain in his teeth.
The assassin sent by Danzo was right there. If Danzo found out that he had ordered his execution, how would he retaliate?
"Uh, about that... I'll issue the decree after you take care of things."
"My official seal is missing. I'm having craftsmen make a new one as we speak!"
Even he didn't believe the excuse he had just made.
At this moment, the Daimyo had completely chickened out.
Tsunade sighed. She knew her main goals were securing military funds and becoming the Fifth Hokage.
"Daimyo-sama, about the military budget..."
Before she could finish, the Daimyo immediately said, "Take my note to the Finance Department. The funds will be allocated as per the usual arrangement. That acceptable?"
Just like that, it was settled?
Tsunade hadn't expected her worries along the way to resolve so smoothly.
"I'll go change my clothes. Tsunade, if you have nothing else, go to the Finance Department and collect the funds." The Daimyo casually wrote an authorization, stamped it, and handed it to Tsunade.
Looking at the familiar seal, Tsunade was tempted to make him sign an order to eliminate Danzo. But after some thought, she decided to hold back.
This Daimyo was clearly too afraid to even face Danzo now. That meant fewer obstacles for her once she became Hokage.
The Daimyo left after signing the document, leaving only Tsunade and Hikari in the room.
"Let's go." Having obtained what she wanted, Tsunade turned to Hikari and walked away.
[Phew, it's finally over!]
[Now I can leave everything to Tsunade and go back to being a carefree, invisible slacker!]
Heh, dream on.
Tsunade smirked inwardly. She had finally found a reliable helper—no way she was letting him slack off!
Leaving the Daimyo's residence, Tsunade, Hikari, and Maito Gai headed straight for the Finance Department.
In this world, money ruled all.
With the military funds secured, Tsunade's position as the Fifth Hokage was rock solid. No one could shake it anymore.
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