Naruto: Binding Uchiha Sasuke, Hundredfold Return

"It's no big deal. If you really want to link us somehow, then he's barely working under me." Kazuki didn't bother hiding anything when it came to Orochimaru. After all, in Konoha, he was the one in charge!

"Orochimaru is a dangerous person, Kazuki. I suggest you keep your distance from him!" Jiraiya said seriously. "Plus, his experiments harm people and..."

"Well, then go ahead and arrest him if you think he's in the wrong," Kazuki replied nonchalantly, shrugging. "If you want to criticize him, kill him, or stop him, go for it. Just don't expect me to do anything immoral on your behalf."

Jiraiya sighed, realizing Kazuki wouldn't listen to his warnings.

"I see... Well, I'll be on my way then."

"I'm going to check on Naruto."

With that, Jiraiya left. However, he didn't leave Konoha entirely. It seemed he was determined to find Orochimaru!

Time flew by, and a month passed.

During that time, Jiraiya still hadn't captured Orochimaru, but Naruto had come out of his turmoil. Instead of being consumed by the need for revenge, Naruto trained harder with the goal of becoming Hokage. That's just who Naruto wasб where others would sink in grief, he would rise and grow stronger.

One day, Naruto sought out Jiraiya.

"Pervy Sage, I want to learn Sage Mode!"

Seeing the determination in Naruto's eyes, Jiraiya nodded.

"In that case, let's go to Mount Myoboku!"

With Naruto's talent, learning Sage Mode wouldn't take long, but more important than talent was the right mindset. Rushing to master Sage Mode could lead to failure—and worse, being turned into one of the stones at Mount Myoboku.

This was the main reason Jiraiya had refrained from taking Naruto to learn Sage Mode over the past year. Now that Naruto had accepted the truth about his parents and emerged stronger, his mindset was entirely different—more mature.

Seven days later…

Kazuki was basking in the sunlight at home when he suddenly heard the familiar voice of his system.

[Ding! Host's bound target, Naruto Uzumaki, has mastered Sage Mode. The host has received a hundredfold return... Congratulations, host, on obtaining a fixed amount of senjutsu chakra *100. The host can now automatically refine senjutsu chakra and instantly activate Sage Mode!]

"Instantly activate Sage Mode?" Kazuki thought, feeling a unique, powerful chakra surge through him. His face took on a white eye shadow, and senjutsu chakra radiated an aura as fierce as a Super Saiyan's.

"Kazuki-kun?" Karin, who had just come out with a plate of sliced fruit, stared in surprise at Kazuki's transformation.

"Karin, don't worry. This is just my new ability, called Sage Mode."

"A new ability? Kazuki-kun, you're amazing as always!" Karin's eyes sparkled with admiration.

"Just a little stronger. Nothing too extraordinary."

"You're being modest, Kazuki-kun. I've hardly seen you train, yet you keep growing stronger. If that's not amazing, then I don't know what is!"

Kazuki was speechless.

Who said I haven't been working hard? I've been working very hard!

There wasn't a worthy opponent left in the ninja world, and mastering Sage Mode hadn't changed much in his life.

Everything went on as usual.

However, after Naruto became proficient in Sage Mode, he returned, feeling stronger and more confident—and challenged Kazuki outright. But the outcome remained the same. Naruto couldn't last even thirty seconds against him!

Flying Thunder God Technique and Mangekyo Sharingan were simply too powerful!

...

Three Years Later...

An unexpected person returned to Konoha.

Tsunade!

Why was Tsunade back? No one knew. Kazuki only heard from Jiraiya's occasional comments that she was constantly shuttling between Konoha's casinos and taverns.

Oh, and also the Hokage Residence! When she ran out of money, she would go to the Hokage Residence to ask for more.

At first, with Kazuki's permission, Himan tried to support Tsunade's expenses. But her spending kept increasing, and soon, Himan found himself pleading with Kazuki.

"Kazuki-sama, if we keep giving Tsunade money, Konoha will go bankrupt! We can't keep up with her expenses!"

"Just ask the Daimyo for more. He collects so much tax from us, it's only fair he gives back a bit more."

Under Kazuki's influence, the Daimyo had increased Konoha's funding threefold. But even that couldn't keep up with Tsunade's gambling! Her losses were beyond belief!

"The Daimyo hasn't responded lately, and we've already taken this year's budget. If we ask for more…"

"I'll take care of the Daimyo. Don't worry."

Kazuki sighed, irritated.

The Daimyo was under Sasuke's influence, and only he could communicate directly with him. If not for Konoha's stability, Kazuki wouldn't even bother.

"That's good to hear. But there's one more thing, Kazuki."

"Speak up."

"Well… we don't actually have enough funds left to cover Tsunade's gambling debts. If she asks for money again today, we might not be able to give it to her."

"How can the Hokage of a major village like Konoha not have funds?"

"It's just… I need to save a month or two's worth of funds for regular village expenses. If we can't pay the ninjas for their missions, Konoha might come to a standstill."

Kazuki rubbed his forehead. "Is there any money we can spare?"

"There's some outstanding balance we owe to a construction team from the Land of Waves. They helped with a large expansion of Konoha's territory over the past two years. The balance was supposed to be settled by the end of this month…"

"Then… just don't give her any money!"

"But what if she makes a fuss? I can't exactly fight her."

"Is she really going to hit you? Give her the label of rogue ninja and see if she dares!"

Kazuki was exasperated. "You're the Hokage! How can you be so spineless?"

Himan sighed. "Her status is delicate. If I accuse her of being a rogue ninja just because she hit me, the villagers would probably stone me to death with spit alone!"

She was the granddaughter of the First Hokage, one of the Legendary Sannin! These titles made Tsunade very popular in Konoha, and that was why Himan didn't dare to offend her.

She was like a living relic!

It was better to keep her around than drive her out.

In any case, as long as he had Kazuki's support, Himan could handle his position as Hokage with peace of mind.

Then again, Tsunade's age, beauty, and charm… made it hard for Himan not to be captivated!

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The fanfic is finished on p@treon/tambeerg