"What is this!?"
Looking at the Intelligence Scroll Uchiha Yoru handed her, Tsunade raised a brow. It looked familiar—last time, a scroll like this had nearly gotten Nawaki killed.
At that moment, Tsunade's expression grew even more solemn.
After presenting the scroll, Uchiha Yoru's expression also became grave.
"Captain Tsunade, after I returned from Naka Shrine, Elder Setsuna secretly gave me this Intelligence Scroll."
When Tsunade opened the scroll, anger immediately appeared between her brows. After reading it, she furiously smashed her fist down on the table before her.
Crack!
The table split apart!
"Damn it!"
Raging fury surged in Tsunade's light brown eyes. They had actually plotted against her.
The contents of this intelligence were simple: Uchiha Yoru had written down some information about the future.
The general idea was that Nawaki would die, leaving Tsunade grief-stricken and vulnerable, giving someone an opportunity to take advantage of her. And Tsunade's medical report, which she had prepared earlier, would happen to be brought up at the Jonin meeting.
Nawaki's death would only make Tsunade more determined to push for it.
This intelligence was clearly a plan devised based on an analysis of Tsunade's personality, a plan to exploit her vulnerability. More importantly, whoever had prepared it knew her very well.
After all, not many people knew about the medical plan report she had been preparing.
That was why Tsunade was furious.
Watching the enraged Tsunade, Uchiha Yoru's expression tightened. He lowered his head and said in a low voice:
"Captain Tsunade, Elder Setsuna's health is not very good. From what I've observed, he probably only has two or three years left."
He could have been angry about the previous intelligence, since he could suspect it was fake and maliciously intended. But Nawaki's accident had already proven the intelligence was real.
Then what about this intelligence?
Thus, Uchiha Yoru put on a heavy expression. First, he said that Old Bastard did not have many years left, then he began persuading Tsunade.
"Captain Tsunade, with the war ongoing, although Elder Setsuna uncovered this intelligence, it may not necessarily be unrelated to an enemy village."
As he said this, Uchiha Yoru revealed a determined expression, as though he had begun believing his own words.
"Captain Tsunade, I believe it must be spies from an enemy village, secretly trying to drive a wedge between the Senju Clan and the village."
Seeing him so resolute, utterly convinced that it was a plot by spies to sow discord, Tsunade could not help but sneer.
"Kid, no wonder the Uchiha Clan had you approach Kushina. I suppose that was also because of this intelligence."
Without the slightest hesitation, Tsunade sneered and tossed the intelligence in her hand over to him.
Uchiha Yoru hurriedly caught it. Upon seeing the intelligence he had forged, his eyes widened as he put on a shocked expression.
"This! This!"
To put it plainly, the contents of this intelligence were almost identical to the mission he had previously confessed to, both involving getting close to a target. The only difference was the target itself.
Under orders from the clan, Uchiha Yoru was to approach Uzumaki Kushina, the future Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Meanwhile, this intelligence stated that someone was planning to use the opportunity to approach Tsunade, the Princess of the Senju Clan.
They were essentially the same!
"What's wrong, kid? Why have you stopped talking?"
Tsunade sneered at the kid before her, while Uchiha Yoru grew more and more embarrassed as he read, lowering his head.
Tsunade sneered inwardly at the sight. Where had all that impassioned energy gone? Wasn't he so fond of talking?
He had even made her apologize. This kid really thought he was invincible!
But then!
Tsunade suddenly reconsidered. Different positions naturally brought different perspectives. She saw things more comprehensively. That Uchiha Elder likely possessed a deeply buried intelligence network.
After all, he had once dared to rebel.
And that old man did not have many years left. Wasn't the kid before her exactly the talent she needed?
His mind was stubborn, his personality extreme. At the slightest disagreement, he was ready to shed blood for Konoha, a twelve-year-old shinobi who could fight for the village and the Uchiha Clan at any time.
She had already thoroughly figured out Uchiha Yoru's personality. He was responsible and so loyal to both his clan and village.
He was even a kid who had awakened his Sharingan out of guilt!
Once that Uchiha Elder died of illness in the future, couldn't this kid take his place?
If this intelligence network was in the kid's hands, what difference was there from it being in hers?
At that thought, Tsunade immediately smiled.
"Kid, you're too naive!"
Tsunade snorted coldly. She was already on guard. Even the Uchiha Clan knew to be wary of the Third Hokage, yet the Senju Clan had not realized it.
The kid before her believed spies were behind it, but her perspective was not so narrow. If spies truly knew this much intelligence, that would be terrifying.
Konoha would probably have long since been infiltrated beyond recognition.
And since this intelligence had been given to her by an old man of the Uchiha Clan, then its meaning was clear!
At that moment, Tsunade understood. This was the Uchiha Clan's pledge of allegiance. They wanted to ease their relationship with the village and gain its trust!
Because Uchiha Yoru frequently said that the village had been founded by the Senju and Uchiha Clans, and that the Uchiha Clan's goodwill toward the Senju Clan was meant to earn the village's trust, these subtle influences had gradually taken root.
Without realizing it, Tsunade had begun to equate the Senju Clan with the village.
After all, she was not wrong to think so. The village had been founded by the Senju Clan. The First Hokage and Second Hokage were her Grandfathers, while the Third Hokage had merely taken office in a crisis. Who dared say the Senju Clan could not be equated with the village?
"Captain Tsunade, I..."
Uchiha Yoru looked flushed and embarrassed. After all, the Clan mission he had accepted was somewhat difficult to speak of, especially for the proud Uchiha Clan.
They would rather go to the Land of Rain front lines than accept this mission.
Seeing Uchiha Yoru's awkward appearance, Tsunade gave a haughty snort.
"Kid, my Senju Clan has felt your Uchiha Clan's goodwill. I won't interfere in Kushina's affairs, but remember one thing: don't try any tricks on me!"
As she said this, a warning gleamed in Tsunade's eyes.
After seeing that warning gaze, Uchiha Yoru patted his chest and nodded firmly.
"Don't worry, Captain Tsunade. I swear on Uchiha honor!"
He was not stupid. If he truly approached Uzumaki Kushina, he would become a thorn in the side of the Third Hokage's faction. Perhaps one day, he would become a second Nawaki.
Dying inexplicably during a simple mission.
He had accepted this mission, but just as Mikoto had helped him, he only needed to go through the motions. He had made preparations as well.
If I can't have it, I definitely won't let anyone else have it either.
He refused to believe that Uzumaki Kushina, someone whose homeland had been destroyed and who had been ostracized into becoming wary of others, could still easily trust anyone else after his manipulation.
"Kid, this matter ends here."
Looking at Tsunade, Uchiha Yoru nodded solemnly.
"Rest assured, Captain Tsunade. I understand the Shinobi Secrecy Regulations, and there is also the Uchiha Clan's Mental Seal in my mind. I will never reveal any intelligence."
Major clans had their own methods of preventing intelligence leaks. Mental seals, for instance, prevented enemies from using genjutsu to pry open a captive's mind and obtain useful intelligence after they were captured on the battlefield.
That was also why Tsunade had not used genjutsu from the very beginning, not even when he had fallen unconscious after awakening his bloodline ability last time.
The Uchiha Elder had revealed so much intelligence, clearly as a gesture of goodwill. If she truly did that, would it not mean hostility and distrust?
Tsunade was not stupid.
Seeing the goodwill Tsunade had shown, Uchiha Yoru secretly breathed a sigh of relief. As for the enormous blame Elder Setsuna had to bear—
He could only say that this was all for the clan. If Elder Setsuna knew, he would surely support him.
Before you continue