Chapter 599.I’m Finally Not the Hokage Anymore! Time to Go Home!

—Shahzaam, Jacob Mooe, kevin Williams, Jose Sierra, Pasang Sherpa, Acedia, kurtis newman, Nhoxious, Little Sand, sediaz, Targaryen, King Scales, Kurgarraz.

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’How embarrassing.’ Shizune couldn’t help but cover her face. ’Lady Hokage, why are you teasing a child like that?’

"Lady Hokage, shouldn’t we find somewhere to rest and get something to eat?" Shizune quickly changed the subject.

"Right, we should find somewhere to eat. I’ve been worked to the bone over this brat’s problems. When we get back, I’m definitely going to make Jiraiya pay." Recalling the scene when Naruto’s seal had malfunctioned, Tsunade felt a headache coming on. Fortunately, they had managed to stabilize the situation.

Damn it all. That scare actually cured my hemophobia. She truly couldn’t go through something like that a second time.

"Shizune, don’t you think we should..."

"Absolutely not!!" The moment Tsunade opened her mouth, Shizune knew exactly what she was about to suggest. She immediately and firmly refused. "Lady Hokage, you absolutely cannot touch that money. I still have some funds left – enough for us to eat and stay at an inn."

But I wanted to find a place to gamble a few rounds. Tsunade instantly wilted. Yet another attempt to get her hands on money had failed. Shizune’s defenses were impenetrable, leaving not the slightest opening.

Seeing Tsunade deflate, Naruto, hiding behind her, snickered. With no money in her pockets, Tsunade was completely listless, unable to muster any enthusiasm even for food. She slumped dejectedly over the table. Her request for alcohol was also shot down by Shizune. The reasoning was simple: if she drank, the three of them would be sleeping on the streets before long. Compared to sleeping on the streets, Tsunade decided to temporarily abstain from drinking!

As mealtime arrived, the restaurant gradually filled with diners, including various traveling merchants. "I never expected the Leaf Village to replace its Hokage so quickly. Word is their Sixth Hokage simply threw on the Hokage battle robe and took office, skipping all the procedures."

"You said it. Quite unexpected. But the strange thing is, the villagers all seem to have accepted the result."

"Of course they have. The Fifth Hokage ran off and abandoned the village. Kazuki’s strength and achievements more than qualify him to be Hokage. Does it really make a difference whether he officially became Hokage or not? Not really. He just put on the robe."

The speakers were merely making idle conversation, but the listener had pricked ears. The previously dejected Tsunade sat up straight. Shizune was equally surprised. Kazuki had become the Sixth Hokage – and in one fell swoop, skipping all the steps. That was fast. Amid her surprise, the look Shizune directed at Tsunade turned somewhat reproachful. ’Lady Hokage, that person who "ran off and abandoned the village"... sounds rather familiar, doesn’t she?’

"Ahem!! Eat up, eat up. After we finish, we’ll head back to the village. We’ve been out long enough; it’s time to return," Tsunade said, feeling rather guilty under Shizune’s gaze.

We’re going back to the village?! Naruto nearly leaped out of his chair. He had been waiting for this day for so long. Ever since being tricked by Kazuki into coming along, Naruto had been miserable, constantly disciplined by Tsunade. At first, it had been tolerable, but as time wore on, he began to miss his days in the village.

Tsunade had been dragging her feet all along, waiting for Kazuki to finally sit in the Hokage’s office. Now that there was a Sixth Hokage, what was the point of wandering around outside?

Returning early to enjoy life was the correct move. If not for sheer necessity, Tsunade had never wanted to be Hokage in the first place. Her ideal life was working at the Leaf Hospital, occasionally taking private commissions, earning a decent pile of cash, and then comfortably hitting the gambling halls for a few rounds. That was the life she dreamed of – not sitting stiffly in the Hokage’s office, facing an endless mountain of paperwork day after day. Exhausting, without a shred of freedom, and worst of all, she couldn’t even touch her own salary. With Shizune, that little financial watchdog, around, Tsunade could forget about having money in her pockets. Unless she took private jobs on the side.

Weren’t you the one who absolutely refused to return to the village before? Now look at you, urging us to hurry up.

"Let’s move out!!!" After repeated urging, Shizune and Naruto finally finished their meal. Tsunade practically dragged the two of them out the door, already anxious and eager to get back. Previously, she hadn’t wanted to return because going back meant dutifully performing the duties of a Hokage.

But now, things were different. Returning meant she was the former Hokage. She could do whatever she wanted without anyone stopping her.

"Heh heh heh..." Thinking of the carefree, unrestrained days ahead, Tsunade laughed triumphantly. The laughter was somewhat eerie, sending chills down the spines of Shizune and Naruto. This was not the Lady Hokage they knew. With Kazuki now the Hokage, the burden was on his shoulders. Tsunade could return to the village with a clear conscience.

Life on the road had been miserable – no gambling, no alcohol, and worst of all, very little good food. Tsunade had to admit, she missed the village’s cuisine. And, of course, she missed a certain scoundrel. As for any punishment awaiting her upon her return... she wasn’t particularly concerned. Worst case, she’d put in some extra effort in bed and smooth things over with the bad guy.

Kazuki’s time away from the village hadn’t been long, and the village remained the same as ever, unchanged. Upon returning, Kazuki headed straight for the Hokage building. Forewarned by the Anbu, Shikaku arrived ahead of him. "Lord Hokage."

Waiting at the office door for a few minutes, Shikaku straightened and bowed respectfully as Kazuki approached with Mabui, Kisame, and Itachi.

"Mm." Kazuki nodded slightly.

"Come in." Kisame stepped forward to open the door. After Kazuki entered with Mabui and Shikaku, Kisame closed it behind them and took up his post to the side, mirroring Itachi. Glancing at Mabui, who immediately began organizing documents upon entering the office, Shikaku proactively reported,

"Lord Hokage, all the supplies requested by the Stone Village have been handed over to Shisui for delivery to the border. They should be nearing their destination by now. Once the transfer with Onoki is complete, this matter will be concluded."

Kazuki showed little reaction, signaling for Shikaku to continue. Shikaku proceeded to report the remaining matters one by one, finally bringing up Jiraiya.

"After Lord Jiraiya returned to the village, he immediately went off carousing. So, under the pretense of your orders, I assigned him a mission – to head to the border camp and make contact with the Third Hokage, to prevent any troublesome situations." Shikaku didn’t spell out exactly what those troubles might be. Others might be confused, but Kazuki understood instantly.

Indeed, Kazuki understood immediately and even laughed. "Jiraiya... he certainly knows how to live it up. But that’s to be expected. A man his age, cooped up at the border camp for so long – of course he’d go out and indulge the moment he returned. Given his nature, changing him is impossible. As long as he doesn’t pull any of his old stunts, it’s fine." Mentioning this made Shikaku laugh and shake his head. He also mentioned the warning they had given Jiraiya.