The Third Hokage was, without question, a masterful politician.
He understood people.
He didn't try to talk Tsunade out of it directly—instead, he invoked the wishes of the two people Tsunade cared about most: Nawaki and Dan, urging her to stay calm.
Resurrection...
Such a taboo technique—if it truly existed—must come with a devastating cost.
Bang—!
Tsunade slammed both hands hard on the desk with a loud bang, gritting her teeth as she stared daggers at her teacher.
"Why does protecting Konoha require a lowly genin to sacrifice himself?!"
"...That's war, Tsunade." Sarutobi's voice was heavy with helplessness.
He knew full well—Tsunade had harbored deep resentment ever since Nawaki's death.
At herself, and at Konoha.
Dan's death had only pushed her over the edge.
Back when she'd left the village, she had convinced herself that dying for Konoha was stupid.
"No matter what,"
Tsunade stared at Sarutobi, her voice steely, "If there's a chance—I will bring them back!"
"..." Sarutobi took a slow puff from his pipe, exhaling smoke before calmly responding, "If you really can bring them back, I won't stop you. But the price—must never be the village's harm... I've got some savings, take them."
He laid down his conditions first, then offered help.
Hearing this—
Tsunade's anger slowly began to fade.
She lowered her head.
Then picked up the badge Takuya had given her, and turned to leave. At the doorway, she finally looked back.
"Thank you."
With that, she left in large strides.
Sarutobi continued smoking.
Better to guide than block.
He knew Tsunade. Deep down, her love for Konoha still remained—it had only been buried beneath the pain of losing those dear to her. As long as someone called her back, she would love the village even more deeply.
Because then, she would also be carrying Nawaki and Dan's will to protect Konoha.
Cough cough.
Sarutobi let out two soft coughs and adjusted his Hokage hat.
The aging face beneath that symbol of authority looked even older.
A ninja's life was filled with war—living to his age was already a miracle, but it came with countless hidden wounds. His strength had long since left him.
But he couldn't afford to grow old just yet.
Not until a proper successor was chosen.
His gaze landed on the bottles Tsunade had left behind.
One small red vial bore the handwritten label "for internal injuries."
"Tch. All these years, and her heart hasn't changed."
Sarutobi smiled, pleased. He picked up the bottle, sniffed it, then took a sip.
And then—!
Even just a little made his eyes light up.
He quickly took another mouthful, finishing most of the bottle, and closed his eyes to feel the effects.
He knew his body better than anyone. Many of his internal injuries—not even Tsunade could heal. And with his aging body, he was far weaker than anyone realized.
But!
That sip—was repairing him across the board.
It wasn't complete healing, of course, not with that small amount, but the accumulated "rust-like" internal injuries were clearly being eased.
"So this is the kind of item that mysterious merchant sells..."
Sarutobi's gaze flickered as he stared at the remaining potion.
Even hearing about it from Tsunade hadn't compared to this real, firsthand experience.
Clearly, this "mysterious merchant" warranted serious attention.
Sarutobi still didn't fully buy the "otherworldly merchant" story. From his perspective, Takuya—verified by Tsunade to be a normal person—was likely just a puppet. Someone being used by a greater force to manipulate Tsunade's grief for their own ends.
Tsunade would probably continue to trade...
...
Meanwhile, Tsunade and Shizune had exited the Hokage building.
"Lady Tsunade," Shizune asked nervously, seeing her expression, "Did the Third Hokage... refuse?"
Their original plan was to ask Konoha to fund the purchase of the jars.
Especially a level-three jar.
But after that conversation...
"He's the Hokage, after all."
Tsunade answered flatly, showing no disappointment.
Level-two jars cost 500,000.
Level-three jars, 5 million.
That kind of money wasn't small—not something that could be granted just on her word. Even if it truly could bring someone back, Nawaki and Dan weren't worth that much to the village.
"So what now?" Shizune was at a loss.
They still had a mountain of gambling debt, the Senju Clan was all but gone, and earning enough on their own for resurrection would take who knew how long.
"Obviously, we call the jar merchant and buy what we can." Tsunade's pace didn't slow. "Didn't the old man say he had savings? He wouldn't say no to business."
"But..."
Shizune wanted to say that probably wasn't enough, but when she saw Tsunade's eyes—
She couldn't.
That look was filled with unwavering determination.
Tsunade withdrew Sarutobi's so-called "savings," then returned to her old home. Though she hadn't been back in years, it looked almost untouched. Even the yard had barely any weeds, clearly someone had been maintaining it.
Maybe on the Hokage's orders.
Maybe out of respect for the Senju name.
Tsunade looked around the familiar place.
The once-bustling clan home now had only her left.
Hoo—
She let out a long breath, not letting herself sink into emotion.
She pulled out the badge and, just as Takuya had told her, pressed the eye-shaped button in the center.
From inside came the sound of a dial tone.
And then—
"Hello?" Takuya's voice came through. "Tsunade? Hang on a sec—Himari, stop messing around—"
"Mrow!"
Thump thump.
"Settle down already!"
The badge transmitted all kinds of strange noises. Tsunade and Shizune exchanged looks. After a moment, it quieted down.
"Sorry about that. Had a small situation over here," Takuya said. "Tsunade, did you call to buy more jars?"
"That's right." Tsunade's voice was calm and firm. "I've got some money on hand now."
"Well then—" a short pause on his end.
And then—poof—not from the badge, but right in front of them.
Takuya appeared in his black formalwear, sleeves rolled up, holding a soaked, utterly miserable white kitten in his hands.