Tsunade's Inner Unease

Uchiha Ang's words sent a chill down everyone's spine.

As the leader of the Dove Faction, he was usually mild and amicable toward his Clan Members.

No one had expected this thick-browed, big-eyed man to propose such an idea.

But after giving it careful thought, they had to admit it was a good plan.

Based on Uchiha Ang's words, awakening the Sharingan required sufficiently intense emotional upheaval.

What could cause a more violent emotional shock than the sudden death of parents one had lived with day and night?

Having one parent put on an act would make it seem more authentic and less likely to reveal any flaws.

Besides, this method would not be exposed after only a few uses, for a simple reason.

Once you had been drenched by the rain yourself, of course you would want to throw away someone else's umbrella too.

That was how Hogwarts' Sorting Ceremony had been preserved.

So while the method was somewhat hard to talk about, it was still worth trying, since it would only benefit their children and do them no harm.

The Uchiha Clan was also a clan that acted swiftly and decisively, never dragging its feet.

After the meeting ended, they began selecting people to carry out the plan.

They still had to choose carefully, because bloodline ninja also suffered from bloodline diseases.

Children whose bodies had not fully developed might find awakening the Sharingan too early to be a burden instead.

Thus, it was best not to select children who were too young, just in case.

After much picking and choosing, they selected more than a dozen "lucky ones."

After enduring the condemnation of their consciences, the elders present joined the happy ranks.

They exchanged glances and smiled maliciously.

Later on, some parents even bought cameras to record their children's socially mortifying moments.

From then on, every child who awakened the Sharingan had an unbearable dark history they could never look back on.

Hoshiryu Uchiha, who was eating, sneezed and drew a concerned look from Mito Uzumaki.

He waved his hand and said, "It's fine. My nose was just a little itchy."

Though he said that, for some reason, he felt a chill run down his back.

Somewhere deep down, he had the feeling that he was about to take the blame for something enormous.

Hoshiryu looked at Orochimaru and said, "It's already so late. Why don't you stay here for the night? We can go to school together tomorrow."

Orochimaru was eating. Hearing that, he could only nod in agreement.

Tsunade leaned over at that moment. Propping up her face with both hands, she widened her eyes and asked cutely, "Hoshiryu, what exactly is the surprise you said you'd give me in a few days?"

Because of both her status and personality, Tsunade had never been able to get along with the other children even within the Senju Clan.

When she thought about it, Hoshiryu Uchiha was her first friend.

Other than her parents and grandmother, no one had ever given her any so-called surprises.

Ever since the impatient Tsunade learned about it, her heart had felt as though bugs were crawling all over it, itching unbearably.

She desperately wanted to know what surprise Hoshiryu Uchiha had meant.

Now that Hoshiryu seemed to be in a good mood, Tsunade's Thoughts began to stir.

Though Tsunade did look adorable when she acted cute, Hoshiryu merely chuckled and continued eating.

Seeing that he had nothing more to say, Tsunade still refused to give up.

She picked up her Chopsticks, took a chicken leg, and placed it in Hoshiryu's bowl. In a coaxing tone, she said, "Brother Hoshiryu, just tell me."

Tsunade's sudden action gave Hoshiryu goosebumps.

He was about to refuse again when he saw her slightly reddened eyes and hopeful expression.

That pitiful appearance made Hoshiryu freeze.

Mito Uzumaki had considered most of the effects that adopting Hoshiryu would have.

But she had overlooked Tsunade's feelings.

Tsunade was happy to have gained a good friend, but she also disliked Hoshiryu somewhat.

She disliked that he had taken away some of her grandmother's love and some of her family's attention.

Mito Uzumaki's differing attitudes toward the two of them, in particular, made her feel a little sad.

As a child, Tsunade would not think about why Mito Uzumaki treated them differently. She only cared about the result.

The pressure from studying, along with being tricked again that afternoon, was more or less the last straw that broke the camel's back.

The Tsunade of the past might not have been capable of acting cute to curry favor, but with her heart aching now, she did it.

All she wanted was to receive a little comfort from Hoshiryu.

Though Hoshiryu did not know what exactly Tsunade was thinking, he knew something was off about her behavior.

So, as if possessed, Hoshiryu changed his mind and said, "All right. Since Tsunade wants to know so badly, come outside with me."

As he spoke, he looked apologetically at Orochimaru.

"Sorry, this is a surprise for Tsunade. I can't bring you along."

Orochimaru shook his head and said, "Not at all. I've already troubled you enough today. I'm more than satisfied."

When Tsunade heard Hoshiryu change his plans, she wiped her eyes and gave him a brilliant smile.

The moment Orochimaru finished speaking, Tsunade impatiently grabbed Hoshiryu and pulled him away.

After the adults in the dining room exchanged silent glances, Yosuke Senju quietly followed behind the two of them.

After leaving the dining room and heading outside, Tsunade stopped, turned around, and waited for Hoshiryu's next move.

Hoshiryu smiled at Tsunade, then glanced at Yosuke Senju following behind them without saying anything.

It was normal for an adult to follow behind when two children went wandering around at night.

Especially since one was a descendant of the Senju Clan, while the other was the village's recently famed genius.

If I were a spy, I'd risk taking a shot at these two as well.

"Tsunade, have you ever seen fireworks?"

Tsunade was a little disappointed upon hearing that.

She had seen plenty of fireworks before.

Still, she forced herself to perk up and said, "I have. Konoha holds fireworks displays every year during festivals. They really are beautiful."

Seeing the fleeting disappointment on Tsunade's face, Hoshiryu offered no explanation and simply continued, "That's good. I'll take you somewhere to watch fireworks."

With that, Hoshiryu carried Tsunade on his back and used the Body Flicker Technique to leave.

Clinging to Hoshiryu, Tsunade watched the scenery speed past around them and truly realized how strong he was.

His strength, along with the time they had spent together recently, made Tsunade feel safe. Unconsciously, she pressed her face against his back.

Before long, Tsunade felt Hoshiryu come to a stop.

When she opened her eyes, they had reached Konoha's highest point: Hokage Rock.

"We're here. You can get down now."

Hearing his somewhat muffled voice beside her ear, Tsunade's little face reddened. Then, pretending nothing had happened, she jumped down from Hoshiryu's back.

Tsunade like that had a silly, adorable charm.

Hoshiryu chuckled. Rather than teasing Tsunade as he usually did, he softly asked, "Tsunade, have you ever seen yourself in the form of fireworks?"

The instant he finished speaking, a massive ball of flame shot into the sky.

The next moment, a firework bearing Tsunade's smiling face bloomed high over Konoha.

And illuminated Tsunade's heart as well.