Chapter 87.2- One Thousand Hands

“You will forever be remembered as the Tsuchikage who lost Iwa their home. The last Tsuchikage.”

“Like I said, worth it”

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“You should be out there” I heard her footsteps, cane moving before feet followed before I heard her voice speak. If I turned around . But then again, I had sensed her chakra walk into the building minutes earlier. She was moving slower than she should have. Her voice was quieter as well.

“Doing what? I’m more useful in here. Thinking.”

“Celebrating your victory. If you must put everything in political terms like your insufferable Granduncle, then being seen with the people in their moment of joy” She said.

“Moment of joy. I wonder how many have lost family in this war”

“It could be all of them, and it would not matter because in the end you gave them victory.”

“Does the same apply to you?” I asked, turning around for the first time.

“Does Tsunade’s death not matter because we won in the end?”

“It matters. But in the end, it means she gave her life for something. For this village.”

“Fuck the village” I said, and I wasn’t surprised when she took a step back, eyes flickering about the room. It was not a wise thing to say as Hokage, but fuck it.

“Tsunade didn’t die for the village. She died for me. Chiyo went after her because she was related to me. I was the one she wanted, and when she saw she could not have me, she turned right around and went for the next best thing. She wanted me to hurt. Me. Not Konoha, me. It was personal.” I said, words flooding out of me like a torrent. Once one left, the followed in no time, defying any attempt to stop or control the tide.

“Indeed. And will you allow her to win? Stand here sulking like an outcast while Hiruzen no doubt whispers his poison in the ears that will listen.”

“Chiyo won’t win. Whatever joy she gets from causing me pain won’t match what I will do to her in return.” I said. The letter I had sent the second I’d gotten back to the office would see to that. Because Suna was the object of my attention now, and one way or another, I would have my vengeance.

“And in your search for revenge, you will allow your Grandfather’s village slip from your fingers. Don’t be stupid, my son. I raised you to be a lot of things. Stupid was never one of them. Get down there. Show off some ninjutsu for the children. Dance with a Yamanaka maiden or two. Play Shogi with the Nara. Cement yourself as their Kage. It is not enough to be a warrior. Now, you must be a father.”

“I can’t. I close my eyes for a second, and I see her smile. Everytime I dare to sleep, she’s there asking me why. Why I couldn’t help, why I didn’t put Chiyo down when I had the chance. Why I sent her there knowing I didn’t even need her in fucking Iwa. Why…”