Naruto Birdcage

Tsunade was growing increasingly anxious.

She had already steeled herself for the ultimate sacrifice, yet Makoto refused to give her the opportunity.

Every day, she dutifully served him—bringing tea, attending to his needs—but that was all.

There had been moments of close contact, yet things never progressed beyond that.

Did she really have to strip naked and crawl into his bed?

But if she did that, would she still have any leverage to negotiate?

Her original plan was simple: she would seduce and hint at her intentions, and the Hokage—unable to resist—would make a move on her.

At that moment, she could use the opportunity to plead for Jiraiya's release.

She had assumed Makoto was that kind of man.

With so many women in his house and a stunning secretary in his office, who would believe he wasn't a womanizer?

Everything should have gone according to plan, yet it felt like Makoto saw right through her intentions.

He indulged in her service but never fell into her trap.

As the days passed, Tsunade realized that if she didn't act soon, it would be too late.

That night, Makoto was working late.

Most of the staff in the Hokage's office had already left.

Samui remained by his side, organizing the completed documents that needed to be sent to various departments the next morning.

Tsunade didn't dare interrupt his work, fearing it would only provoke his displeasure.

Just then, another person entered the office to deliver a report.

"The execution platform has been completed, Lord Hokage."

Execution platform...

Tsunade froze for a moment upon hearing this.

Then, her eyes widened in shock as she turned toward the speaker.

Makoto also looked up but instead asked with concern, "Working this late? Just getting off now?"

The ninja gave a simple, honest smile. "Just finished up. Lord Hokage, aren't you still working too?"

Makoto chuckled lightly. "Alright, I got it. I'll check it out tomorrow. Go home and get some rest."

"Yes, Lord Hokage. You take care as well."

After the man left, Tsunade could no longer hold back and approached Makoto.

"Lord Hokage."

"It's late. You should go home too," Makoto said flatly.

Tsunade bit her lip and softly called out again, "...Lord Hokage."

Samui was still organizing documents, but suddenly, she picked up a stack and walked toward the break room.

Lowering her voice, Tsunade asked, "Lord Hokage-... are you really going to execute Jiraiya?"

Makoto didn't even look up. "Wasn't that decided a long time ago?"

It was decided long ago.

He had told her as much back then.

He had also said that there was a chance she could change his mind.

There were still two days left until the execution.

There had been some progress, but it was nowhere near enough!

"Lord Hokage, is there really no room for compromise?" she couldn't help but ask.

Makoto replied calmly, "If you can get Namikaze Minato to come to Konoha and surrender himself, I won't kill Jiraiya."

"..."

How could she possibly do that?

Not to mention that she was stuck in Konoha and couldn't leave, even if she could, where would she even find Minato?

And besides… how could she even bring herself to say such words?

At that moment, Makoto put down his pen, seemingly having finished his work.

As he stood up, Tsunade, in a moment of desperation, grabbed his arm.

Makoto glanced at her sideways.

With a pleading tone, she said, "Lord Hokage, what do I have to do for you to spare Jiraiya?"

"Haven't I already told you?"

Makoto shook off her hand and walked toward the break room.

When he emerged, he had put on a cloak, and Samui was following behind him.

"Finish up and head home soon."

"Understood. Good night, Lord Hokage," Samui bid him farewell.

Tsunade could only watch helplessly as Makoto left the Hokage's office.

It wasn't until Samui handed her coat to her and asked, "Miss Tsunade, aren't you heading back?"

"..."

Only then did Tsunade, in a daze, leave the Hokage building.

The night was cold and desolate, the waning moon hanging alone in the sky.

She stared blankly at the empty streets, not knowing where to go.

Was everyone she cared about… going to leave her?

.............

There was only one day left until the execution.

That morning, before heading to the Hokage building, Makoto first went to inspect the newly constructed execution platform.

Everything was in place, and there were no issues with the location.

The area wasn't particularly lively— the execution platform had been erected quietly, and for now, no crowds had gathered out of curiosity.

Occasionally, a passerby would glance at it, wondering why a platform had suddenly appeared there.

What did surprise Makoto, however, was seeing someone unexpected observing the platform as well.

The person slowly walked toward him and gave a slight nod. "Lord Hokage."

Makoto smiled. "Lady Biwako, what a coincidence."

Sarutobi Biwako wore a calm, gentle smile. "It is quite the coincidence. I heard something had suddenly been built here, so I came to take a look."

Makoto said, "It's just a temporary structure. Once it serves its purpose, it will be dismantled."

Biwako chuckled. "The workers must have had quite a hard time."

Makoto, however, replied, "Isn't it a good thing for the workers to have jobs? Otherwise, they'd just be sitting at home unemployed."

Seeing that the conversation was drifting off course, Biwako said, "I'd like to invite Lord Hokage to my humble home for a chat. I wonder if you might have the time?"

The woman before him was the widow of the Third Hokage.

Ever since the Third's death, she had kept to herself, living quietly in the village.

Now, she was suddenly reaching out to him—Makoto could easily guess her intentions.

"How could I refuse an invitation from Lady Biwako?"

He accepted, and the two of them walked leisurely from the execution platform to the Sarutobi residence, chatting along the way.

Inside the living room, Biwako personally poured tea for Makoto before placing a ledger on the table.

"Lord Hokage."

Seeing her gesture toward it, Makoto picked up the ledger and flipped through it, his eyes soon showing a trace of surprise.

After a brief moment of contemplation, he said, "The Sarutobi clan's affairs—Sarutobi Ryuuji is handling them now, correct?"

Biwako nodded. "Ryuuji is well trusted by the clan, and he has agreed to this as well."

The ledger detailed the Sarutobi clan's assets and businesses outside the village.

If all of them were liquidated into cash, the total sum would be enormous—greater than Konoha's entire annual revenue in previous years.

For the head of any major clan in Konoha, this was an immense temptation.

But Makoto was no ordinary person.

He was merely surprised by the Sarutobi clan's accumulated wealth and foundation.

During the Third Hokage's reign, he had maintained a facade of integrity and selflessness, but it seemed the rest of his clan had not necessarily followed suit.

Maintaining his usual calm expression, Makoto closed the ledger. "Lady Biwako, what do you mean by this?"

Biwako replied, "Lord Hokage is compassionate and benevolent, dedicating himself to disaster relief and the well-being of the people of the Land of Fire. Our Sarutobi clan also wishes to contribute in any way we can."

Makoto chuckled. "I didn't expect Lady Biwako to have such a deep concern for the people."

"As members of Konoha, it is only right for us to share in Lord Hokage's burdens."

Biwako smiled, then hesitated before continuing, "About Jiraiya…"

As she spoke, Makoto's gaze happened to land on her, causing her to look slightly uneasy.

"Is Lady Biwako here to negotiate terms with me?"

"How could I dare?" Biwako sighed. "I watched Jiraiya grow up. This sentiment… I only hope Lord Hokage can understand it."

Makoto said, "I understand. Orochimaru was also someone you watched grow up."

"…"

Biwako's expression stiffened for a moment, but she quickly continued, "Does Lord Hokage truly have to execute Jiraiya?"

"It's not that I want to kill him," Makoto said plainly. "It's that the village cannot tolerate him. He violated Konoha's laws. If I were to spare him this time, what would I do the next time someone commits the same offense? And if I execute that person but let Jiraiya live, how would the villagers view Konoha's leadership and its laws?"

His words were impeccably righteous and morally unassailable.

Biwako said, "I know Jiraiya has made mistakes. I'm not asking Lord Hokage to pardon him completely, only to lessen his punishment."

"How would you lessen it?" Makoto asked in return.

"If not the death penalty, then lifelong imprisonment?" He chuckled. "Lady Biwako, I think for Jiraiya, that might be even worse than death itself."

"Could it… be reduced further?" Biwako asked again.

Hearing this, Makoto found it amusing and asked, "And why should I?"

He raised the ledger in his hand.

"Just for these?"

To an ordinary person, this was already an offer that could shake even the most resolute hearts—especially those in power.

But Makoto had access to countless mines on the Moon.

Would he ever be short on money?

Yet this was all that Biwako could offer.

After all, she was just a widow.

Just as Biwako thought the negotiation had failed, Makoto suddenly said, "Tsunade seems to visit you quite often."

Biwako was momentarily taken aback, then replied, "Ah, I'm just an old woman living alone. She worries that I'll be lonely, so she comes to visit me from time to time."

What did he mean by this? Why bring up Tsunade all of a sudden?

Biwako pondered deeply and suddenly recalled how Tsunade had once worked as the Hokage's assistant for days just to pay off her debts.

Could it be…

She thought of a possibility—a possibility that made her feel repulsed.

Biwako lifted her gaze to the Hokage sitting across from her.

Just moments ago, he had put on an air of fairness and righteousness, and for a second, she had almost believed that he truly conducted himself strictly by the rules.

Makoto said, "Tsunade has been pleading for Jiraiya's life and even took the initiative to work as my assistant. I must say, I admire her willingness to sacrifice herself for a friend."

"..."

"But good intentions alone are not enough. She often fails to grasp the essence of what needs to be done. If you have the time, Lady Biwako, perhaps you could give her some guidance."

"..."

Makoto then stood up and bid farewell.

Biwako, suppressing the revulsion rising in her heart, got up to see him off.

"Lord Hokage, take care."

"Lady Biwako, no need to see me out."

Leaving the Sarutobi residence, Makoto made his way toward the Hokage's office.

Tsunade hovered around him, begging like a loyal dog, and if he so wished, he could take her at any time.

But what was the fun in a woman throwing herself at him, desperately hoping that a single night in bed would settle everything?

Makoto had no intention of making things that easy for her.

He wanted those closest to Tsunade to be the ones to offer her to him.

He wanted her to understand just how much she would have to pay to get anything from him.

He wanted to watch as she slowly drowned in despair, as she gradually fell.

That was what made things interesting.

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