Senju and Uchiha combine?

Chapter 19: Senju and Uchiha Unite?

Beneath the Hokage Building, in a corner lit by a dim streetlamp, many shinobi couldn't help but click their tongues.

Could Princess Tsunade of the Land of Fire truly have found a Uchiha?

This joke had gone too far.

"Tsunade… Lady Tsunade."

Dan Katō approached with a sunny smile, not even glancing at Uchiha Yoru. Instead, he looked at Jiraiya and Orochimaru with a respectful smile.

"Is something the matter?"

Facing the unfamiliar Jonin Dan Katō, Tsunade spoke calmly, her tone clearly carrying a hint of arrogance.

Dan Katō, in turn, showed a sincere smile to Princess Tsunade.

"Lady Tsunade, I believe your proposal for the medical system is correct."

Tsunade nodded indifferently to Dan Katō's flattery, but Dan Katō gritted his teeth. Missing this chance would make it difficult later.

"During the village's night raid war a year ago, my sister died. Because of that, I strongly support the medical system discussed in the meeting just now. Would it be possible to discuss this further with you, Lady Tsunade?"

The smile on Dan Katō's face seemed genuine, as if it came from the heart. After all, as shinobi who had also lost loved ones, they should have common ground.

He had lost his sister, and Tsunade had lost her brother.

Uchiha Yoru listened and felt speechless. As expected, initiating the conversation was different from being prompted. This was exactly the tactic Dan Katō used in the original story.

(In episode 91 of the anime, Tsunade's flashback shows Dan Katō mentioning the loss of his sister.)

What a shame.

After hearing his words, Tsunade realized someone was trying to manipulate her, and they were quite persistent.

Suppressing a surge of anger, Tsunade put on a lazy smile and waved her hand.

"Never mind. I've said what I needed to say. The Third Hokage is right; the most important thing for the village right now is to win this war."

Tsunade didn't give Dan Katō any further opportunity. Instead, she turned and smiled at Uchiha Yoru.

"Yoru, it's a good thing I can give you a physical check-up tonight."

With a light laugh, Uchiha Yoru stiffly put his arm around the large woman's slender waist and disappeared under the dim streetlights.

Many Jonin emerging from the Hokage Building stared with wide eyes. Princess Tsunade had really found a Uchiha.

This was explosive news!

As Tsunade walked away, Jiraiya's eyes widened, his mouth agape. After a long moment, he exclaimed playfully, "No wonder Tsunade hasn't dated anyone all these years; she likes them younger!"

Although Jiraiya's remark was playful, Orochimaru, with a hoarse chuckle, exchanged a knowing glance with Jiraiya, seeing through the facade.

They both subtly glanced at Dan Katō, as they understood Tsunade.

Of course, they didn't know about her preference for younger partners, but Dan Katō had been too eager just now and revealed a flaw.

Trying to curry favor like that, and then bringing up his deceased sister – wasn't he just trying to get close to Tsunade?

Dan Katō, feeling awkward, let out a dry laugh and then walked away into the distance.

Under the night sky, the Hokage's temporary office building stood tall. Inside the Hokage's Office.

"Third Hokage-sama, the Jonin meeting has adjourned, and Lady Tsunade…"

As he listened to the Anbu's report, before Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, could say anything, Utatane Koharu frowned, showing a hint of displeasure.

"Hiruzen, what is Tsunade doing! What does she want! Doesn't she know how dangerous the Uchiha are!"

After three consecutive questions, Mitokado Homura, standing nearby, also frowned and adjusted his glasses, showing his displeasure. However, he was relatively calmer.

"Hiruzen, has Tsunade discovered something?"

It was clear that, with their ninja's observational skills, they had also noticed something unusual about Tsunade.

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly took a puff from his pipe and looked up at them, his expression calm.

"I suspect Dan Katō's previous actions have annoyed Tsunade. She secretly summoned a summoning beast during the Jonin meeting, which led to the scene outside."

As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a puff of smoke and shook his head.

"Senju and Uchiha. This must be Tsunade's counterattack."

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi's calm words caused Utatane Koharu to show deep displeasure and apprehension.

"Hiruzen, the village has finally achieved peace through our efforts. Tsunade has gone too far this time. She knows her identity is too sensitive, and this was merely Dan Katō's personal action."

Dan Katō was a Jonin without any significant influence. Even with his clan's Secret Technique, it wouldn't amount to much.

"Senju and Uchiha. Even if Tsunade were to be with any ninja from a major clan, it would only bring turmoil to the village."

Utatane Koharu said with a frown, clearly wary of Tsunade's influence due to her identity.

Tsunade represented the Senju. They could tolerate her finding any Jonin with little influence, but never someone from these major clans.

Dan Katō's covert investigation into Tsunade's information had not escaped their notice. In fact, it was precisely because they had tacitly allowed it that the scene at the Jonin meeting, where Dan Katō was well-prepared, had unfolded.

After all, Princess Tsunade's report on the medical system had already been submitted to the Hokage, so this Jonin meeting was merely to bring it up in front of all the Jonin.

Seeing the worry on Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura's faces, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, waved his hand with a deep voice and said:

"Tsunade may have gone too far this time, but the war in the Land of Rain is more important than anything right now."

As soon as the war in the Land of Rain was mentioned, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura's expressions turned grave.

"Hiruzen, White Fang's prestige in the village is too great right now. Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade should also be shouldering more responsibility."

Facing their suggestion, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, gazed deeply at his two old friends. He exhaled a puff of smoke, a look of determination appearing on his face.

"You are right. With the great war imminent and all nations eyeing the Land of Fire covetously, I absolutely cannot allow any turmoil in Konoha.

I intend to have Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya lead a ninja legion to the Land of Grass. They will form a pincer formation with the ninja legion currently under White Fang's command on the Amegakure battlefield. If the war in the Land of Rain escalates, Orochimaru and the others can enter the Land of Rain battlefield at any time."

Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura were discussing the deployment of ninjas in the Land of Rain, the door was suddenly pushed open.

With a bang, Danzo, who was covering one eye, revealed an angry expression as soon as he poked his head in.

"Hiruzen, you're not going to do anything about the major event of the Senju and Uchiha combining forces!"

Well, well, Shimura Danzo barged in and immediately started an argument. However, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was at the peak of his power during this time, would not tolerate his authority being challenged, especially during wartime. Therefore, he sternly shouted and reprimanded him:

"Danzō! I am the Hokage!"

"Hiruzen! You will regret this!"

Shimura Danzo glared with rage. This was too much!

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura exchanged glances and sighed helplessly.

"Danzō, the situation in the Land of Rain is unfavorable right now, and Hiruzen has his own judgment regarding Tsunade's matter."

Despite Utatane Koharu's counsel, Shimura Danzo angrily slammed the door and retorted:

"Hiruzen, leave the evil Uchiha brat to me!"

"Danzō, you!"

Mitokado Homura spoke, attempting to stop him. However, facing Danzo's petulant departure, Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his hand to stop the two of them. Instead, he said hoarsely:

"Let Danzo go. The most important thing right now is the battlefield in the Land of Rain."

While the Hokage's Office was discussing the Land of Rain battlefield, the night was far from peaceful.

Tsunade actually found an Uchiha?