Shocked. Confused. Puzzled.
Tsunade might have seemed carefree, but in reality, she was always observant.
What Saigoji Youmu said last night was so unbelievable that she had to confirm it for herself.
That's why she had touched his shoulder—twice.
It wasn't just a casual greeting. It was a test.
And the results left her stunned.
"There's not a single trace of chakra in his body."
That meant… he wasn't lying.
Tsunade's expression remained calm, but deep inside, a storm raged.
"A person this strong… without chakra?If someone like him… could exist… then maybe…
A bold idea suddenly formed in her mind.
At Tsunade's inn, Saigoji Youmu sat cross-legged on the floor, arms resting lazily on his knees.
"So? What's so important that you had to invite me here?" He asked casually.
Tsunade didn't hesitate.
"I'll get straight to the point."
She had already made up her mind on the way back.
"I want you to join Konoha."
Saigoji Youmu raised an eyebrow. "Join Konoha?"
Tsunade nodded, her tone unusually serious.
Even though they had only exchanged one move last night, her instincts told her—Saigoji Youmu's strength was at least on her level, if not greater.
A fighter of his caliber, unaffiliated with any major village, was too valuable to ignore.
"Konoha has the best strength, the best resources, and in the end, we will be the ones to win this war."
Tsunade's voice carried pride.
"If you join and prove yourself on the battlefield, Lord Third will grant you high status and honor."
For her, this was a no-brainer.
But—
"Not interested."
"Wise choice, we—wait, what?"
For a moment, Tsunade thought he had agreed.
But then she realized what he had actually said.
Her eyes widened. "What did you just say?"
"I said, I'm not interested." Saigoji Youmu repeated, unfazed.
"But… besides Konoha, do you have a better option?" Tsunade frowned, unwilling to give up.
Saigoji Youmu smirked. "Do I have to join a ninja village at all?"
Tsunade fell silent.
He was right.
Konoha was strong, but it wasn't perfect.
The Uchiha Clan's isolation. The Senju Clan's disappearance. Senju Kawarama's death, Hatake Sakumo's disgrace, Hyuga Hizashi's forced suicide, Naruto Uzumaki's tragic childhood…
Piece by piece, it all showed that Konoha was far from the bright and noble image it portrayed.
Saigoji Youmu knew—living in Konoha meant living at the heart of a vortex. One wrong move, and he'd be swept into conspiracies and conflicts.
And the other four villages?
Not much better.
That's why he had already made up his mind—he would never join any ninja village. He would only make deals with them.
"Are you saying you want nothing to do with the Five Great Nations?"
"Not exactly."
"Then…?"
"You want me in Konoha because of my strength, right?"
Saigoji Youmu leaned back slightly. "You don't need me to join to get that."
Tsunade narrowed her eyes. "What are you suggesting?"
Saigoji Youmu gestured toward Konan, who had been sitting quietly next to him.
"Let's make a deal."
Tsunade blinked. "A deal?"
"Accept her as your student, and I can agree to join the battle as Konoha's force."
"Her?"
Tsunade's gaze shifted to Konan.
The blue-haired girl met her stare, calm and unreadable.