Konoha, reported by the Fourth Hokage at the start.

Chapter 288 Tsunade's Heart

"Thank you for standing up for me earlier."

Tsunade pouted, somewhat annoyed, and said, "Otherwise, my suggestion will be rejected by that old man again."

Lightning Release clone - White Fang shook his head and said, "No, I'm not speaking up for you."

As he spoke, his Lightning Release clone, White Fang, moved away, with Tsunade following beside him. He continued, "War is cruel, and I just hope that more of my comrades will survive."

Upon hearing this, Tsunade thought of her younger brother Nawaki again and sighed, "Yes, war is cruel. I don't know how many more people will die before it ends."

Lightning Release clone - White Fang stopped and, looking at Tsunade who had also stopped and was puzzled, confidently smiled and said, "I will do my best to end this war as soon as possible and prevent more people from sacrificing themselves."

A handsome and mature face, a confident and determined smile.

At that moment, Tsunade seemed to see her younger brother, who had once promised to protect more comrades on the battlefield and become the strongest Hokage in history.

Both were very confident and had a selfless heart to protect their fellow villagers.

"You...don't you hate the old man?"

Tsunade couldn't help but ask the question that had been bothering her.

She had heard about what happened to Hatake Sakumo back then, and even guessed that some of the intricacies involved were inseparable from that old man, the Third Hokage.

She also believed that Hatake Sagumo's wisdom would not be blind to the intricacies of the situation.

Otherwise, the other party wouldn't have given up their Konoha ninja membership back then and chosen to become an ordinary villager.

It was obvious that the other party knew the role that old man from the third generation played in it.

But now the other party still loves the village and is still willing to obey the Third Hokage's orders to fight for the village. Tsunade really wants to know what Hatake Sagumo is thinking at this moment. Doesn't he hate her?

Lightning Release Clone - White Fang, with his hands behind his back, turned and continued walking forward, tilting his head slightly towards the direction of his home, and smiled, "My home is in the village, do I need any reason to protect my family?"

What good is hatred?

What good is having no hatred?

Does protecting one's family require considering the hatred one harbors for someone?

Whether there is hatred or not, my determination to protect my family will not change in the slightest.

This was the answer from the Lightning Release clone, White Fang. Tsunade understood it and was captivated.

Unbeknownst to him, his heart had already been quietly tied to the Lightning Release clone, White Fang.

A young girl's infatuation is nothing more than this.

There's a reason why the classic trope of a hero rescuing a damsel in distress and then offering himself in marriage has always been so successful.

While everyone else remained silent, Tsunade's Lightning Release clone, White Fang, stepped forward to speak up for her, granting her approval of a proposal that had been repeatedly rejected by the Third Hokage. This was akin to a hero rescuing a damsel in distress.

Especially when others didn't agree with her, her Lightning Release clone, White Fang, stood up and acknowledged her. At that moment, Tsunade's tired and disappointed heart was instantly soothed and affirmed.

Those instantaneous shifts in mindset are what most easily evoke a heart-stirring feeling.

Coupled with the conversation just now, the spiritual connection between the Lightning Release clone - White Fang and her younger brother Nawaki made Tsunade think of her brother. She found the shadow of her younger brother Nawaki in the Lightning Release clone - White Fang, and her long-standing longing for her brother suddenly had an object to be poured out.

The combination of various emotions made Tsunade, who had never been in love before, fall for it instantly.

Love at first sight, that's it.

Tsunade's affection came easily, but for it to continue, Lightning Release clone White Fang had to make a firm choice and seize the opportunity.

Otherwise, someone as proud as Tsunade wouldn't take the initiative even if she were in love.

In the original work, Kato Dan was very clever. He noticed that Tsunade had a slight affection for him when she caught up with him. He immediately seized the opportunity to send Tsunade home and decisively developed this affection further, eventually successfully stealing away the Konoha princess whom Jiraiya had been longing for.

If he hadn't died later, as the man of the Konoha princess, Kato Dan might not have been inferior to Minato in becoming Hokage.

Unfortunately, Kato Dan died.

Currently, the Lightning Release clone, White Fang, is unaware of this part of the story involving Kato Dan and Tsunade, but their developments are quite similar.

Lightning Release Clone - White Fang also made the right choice and seized the opportunity.

At a crossroads where the two were about to part ways.

Under the moonlight, the Lightning Release clone, White Fang, shimmered even more brightly with his silver hair, and without hesitation, he turned towards the road Tsunade was taking home.

"It's late, let me take you home." Lightning Release clone - White Fang's face was calm, as if everything was natural and he had no ulterior motives.

"Hmm..." Tsunade lowered her head slightly and gave a soft "hmm".

At this moment, no words are needed.

One wanted to send it, and the other agreed.

The two walked in sync, and under the moonlight, their shadows gradually drew closer together.

Both of them understood the longing in each other's hearts for one another, which was a signal to continue their journey together.

As they chatted along the way, the two became increasingly compatible, and their hearts drew closer.

"Good night!"

After dropping Tsunade off at home, Lightning Release clone White Fang didn't linger and said goodbye before leaving.

"Good night!"

Tsunade stood there watching until the figure of her Lightning Release clone, White Fang, disappeared around the corner before she lightly walked home.

At this moment, the Lightning Release clone, White Fang, who had just turned the corner, could no longer suppress his inner joy. His eyes narrowed slightly, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

"Interesting, interesting, I didn't expect to have such an unexpected gain."

"Haha, I bet the Third Hokage will have a very interesting day when he finds out that his great enemy's clone got Tsunade pregnant."

Lightning Release clone - White Fang returned home with a smile on his face, as if he had found yet another way to take revenge on the Third Hokage.

From beginning to end, the Lightning Release clone, White Fang, was only thinking about how to take revenge on the Third Hokage from Tsunade. He wasn't moved by love at all.

After all, he wasn't some naive young man who had never seen a woman before.

As the Lightning Release clone, White Fang, returned home, the Fire Release clone, Fugaku, and the Third Hokage had already completed their first round of conversation in the side hall of the Hokage Building.

"What do you think of my proposal, Chief Fugaku?"

Fugaku, using his Fire Release clone technique, looked at the Uchiha clan's battle roster given to him by the Third Hokage and was somewhat surprised.

The list was filled with radicals, the Uchiha clan members who were most dissatisfied with the Third Hokage and full of hostility towards him.

Unexpectedly, the Third Hokage included these Uchiha clan members who were hostile to him in the battle roster.

Aren't you worried that some of these people might develop the Mangekyou Sharingan because they lost their comrades in the war?

Fire Release Clone - Fugaku didn't understand, nor did he intend to delve into it. In any case, it didn't matter who he sent, as long as he could go.

Now, the man who is about to become the Princess of Konoha is the one whose Lightning Release clone, White Fang, is on his way. As long as he makes a name for himself in this war, becoming Hokage is a sure thing.

If all else fails, once you acquire Kamui's abilities, you can simply forcefully use illusions.

Now that Amaterasu's Fire Release technique has been successfully developed, Fugaku's Mangekyou Sharingan is no longer as important, as he can now use Izanami on two different people.

Li Yao had already chosen one of the candidates: Orochimaru.

By then, with the support of Tsunade, Konoha's White Fang's Lightning Release clones, Orochimaru, and the Uchiha clan, he wouldn't fear losing the Hokage position.

As for Danzo and the Third Hokage's resistance.

Ha ha.

Fugaku smiled inwardly as he used Fire Release: Clone Technique. By the time Li Yao's main body emerged from the Dragon Vein, having already copied Izanami's genjutsu chakra, he could easily force the Third Hokage to abdicate.

Once the Fire Release clone, Fugaku, becomes Hokage, Li Yao's main body will personally capture these two old dogs, forcibly seize their souls into their bodies, send them back to Konoha, tell them everything, and finally make them witness how their families and relatives disappear under Li Yao's torment.

(End of this chapter)