This was still a segment of the plot that remained unchanged.
Through the combined efforts of Jiraiya and Uzumaki Naruto, Tsunade ultimately returned to Konohagakure and assumed the position of Fifth Hokage, just as in the original course of events. This outcome was inevitable. Menma did not interfere, nor were there any external variables that altered the trajectory.
Tsunade's return was something that should have happened perhaps even more accurately, it was something Menma himself hoped for.
Because only in this way would Konohagakure continue to fall into its familiar state of internal friction and power struggles.
Unlike Sarutobi Hiruzen, who possessed both the prestige and resolve to suppress Shimura Danzō, Tsunade newly appointed and junior in seniority could not immediately exert such control. The constant tug-of-war between Hokage authority and the shadow forces beneath it would continue.
And to Menma, this Konoha was the most suitable Konoha.
If Danzō were to seize full control at this moment, it might prove advantageous in the long term but in the present, it would be extremely unfavorable for Menma.
Anyone with even a shred of sense could see it.
That mad old fox would mobilize every ounce of Konoha's power to achieve his goals.
In the original timeline, had it not been for the delay caused by the Five Kage Summit and his eventual death at the hands of Uchiha Sasuke, Danzō would never have relinquished power voluntarily.
This was precisely why Menma had refused Orochimaru's invitation earlier.
If possible, he did not wish to disrupt this portion of the plot at all.
He understood Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Danzō far too well.
Some things did not require meticulous preparation allowing them to unfold naturally would yield far greater results.
Within Konohagakure itself
When news spread that Tsunade had returned, and that the granddaughter of the First Hokage would assume the mantle of the Fifth Hokage, the entire village erupted in excitement.
The fear, confusion, panic, and uncertainty that had plagued the village were swept away almost instantly.
They believed.
They believed with unwavering conviction that this legendary kunoichi would guide Konohagakure back onto the right path.
That was the granddaughter of Senju Hashirama.
One of the Three Legendary Sannin of Konoha.
A woman who had defeated countless powerful enemies and saved innumerable Konoha shinobi across multiple wars.
The people of Konohagakure had every reason to trust Tsunade-sama.
To follow this true "Princess of Konoha."
After returning, Tsunade went through a brief and formal succession ceremony and officially inherited the title of Hokage. Without hesitation, she issued a series of decisive orders.
These included but were not limited to restructuring border defense forces, opening negotiations with Sunagakure, and revising the wanted order concerning Uzumaki Menma.
Before Tsunade's return, Konoha's internal directive had been clear:
Menma was to be brought back at all costs as long as he was alive.
But Tsunade, having already promised Naruto and burdened by guilt toward Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina, refused to push Menma fully into the role of an enemy.
The wanted order was revised.
Menma was still to be "brought back"
but the intent shifted.
Rather than a forceful capture, it was closer to persuasion.
Just like Uchiha Sasuke in the original timeline.
Konoha had never truly mobilized elite forces to hunt Sasuke down, despite his defection. To outsiders, it appeared as if the village had simply forgotten him.
Those who understood, understood.
This was Tsunade granting Naruto a privilege.
A living demonstration of the truth that rules are fixed, but people are not because rules are created by people in the first place.
In a system like a ninja village, the authority of the Kage was absolute.
However, Tsunade could not act without resistance.
The moment her orders were issued
Trouble arrived.
Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Shimura Danzō, leader of Root, came knocking almost immediately.
"Tsunade what are these orders!? Withdraw them at once!!!"
The moment the Hokage's office doors opened, Danzō's gloomy gaze locked onto Tsunade as he spoke in an openly hostile tone.
Other matters could be overlooked.
But this?
Danzō could not tolerate Tsunade acting so "recklessly" regarding Uzumaki Menma and Gaara.
Yes.
In Danzō's eyes, she was acting entirely on impulse.
Relaxing the pursuit of Uzumaki Menma and barring Root from involvement?
Negotiating with Sunagakure and allowing them to reclaim the One-Tail Jinchūriki?
Was this a joke!?
Danzō found such orders utterly unacceptable.
They were nonsense.
Tsunade, seated behind the Hokage's desk, frowned the instant she saw the three elders enter.
At her side, Shizune instinctively tensed upon noticing Danzō's aggressive demeanor.
Nara Shikaku, standing nearby, also frowned slightly.
When Tsunade had issued those orders earlier, he had already sensed what was coming.
"Is there something wrong with the orders I issued?"
Tsunade crossed her hands atop the desk and looked straight at Danzō, her expression firm and unyielding.
"Do you believe you have the authority to question them, Elder Danzō?"
She was the Hokage.
No one in this village was supposed to question her authority.
That was how it should be.
Yet in the days since her return, Tsunade had felt increasingly constrained.
Root was completely beyond her control she had no authority to intervene whatsoever.
Originally, Root had merely been an ANBU sub-division, no different from other ANBU units, meant to follow the Hokage's orders without exception.
By rights, Danzō's authority should not exceed that of an ANBU commander at most supplemented by his elder status.
And yet, Root's numbers rivaled the entirety of ANBU itself.
A "detachment"?
That was laughable.
Beyond Root, Tsunade also noticed that in several departments, her orders were not being executed cleanly. Some personnel instinctively deferred to Homura and Koharu instead.
This infuriated her.
Fortunately, Tsunade possessed both prestige and overwhelming personal strength. As the First Hokage's granddaughter, she still commanded loyalty.
Many ninja including the Ino–Shika–Chō trio's clans chose to firmly support her.
In other words, the majority of power still rested in Tsunade's hands.
But the feeling of restriction was unbearable.
Like the present moment
An elder storming in to aggressively question the Hokage.
Who gave you the courage?
Who granted you that right?
Tsunade suppressed the anger boiling within her chest. The three before her were elders she could not lash out impulsively.
"What's the issue?" she demanded coolly.
Danzō's eyes darkened.
"It's not an issue," he said coldly.
"It's a serious problem."