The Girl's Crying

Dusk

Tsunade trudged dejectedly through the streets of Konoha, two young boys trailing behind her.

The girl's usually sleek, glossy high ponytail was today disheveled and dull. Tears glistened in her eyes, and the occasional sniffle betrayed how utterly miserable Konoha's little princess felt.

Jiraiya hung his head, watching his beloved in her sorrow, not daring to approach. He could only follow silently behind Tsunade to show where he stood.

Orochimaru's face was even paler than usual. He understood Tsunade's feelings all too well—his own parents had also died in this brutal war.

More perceptive than most, Orochimaru knew that Tsunade needed not just comfort now, but companionship. Yet the words of solace he had learned were pitifully few, nowhere near as glib as Jiraiya's.

Unfortunately, Jiraiya was acting like a coward right now. When it was time to step up, he'd turned into a shrinking turtle. So Orochimaru decided he'd do the same as Jiraiya—just follow Tsunade.

As a comrade, he was always there.

That was what Orochimaru thought, when suddenly Tsunade turned back. She forced a painful smile, tears threatening to spill from her eyes, her expression one of barely suppressed grief—pitiful enough to stir anyone's heart.

Jiraiya, seeing Tsunade's smile that was uglier than crying, finally mustered the courage to step forward and console her:

"Tsunade, you know how villagers love to gossip. Lord Hokage is so strong, there's no way he'll die..."

Before Jiraiya could even finish the word "die," Tsunade cut him off. She was terrified of hearing that word right now.

"Second Grandfather is the Hokage. Even Grandfather was afraid of him usually. He's so powerful—nothing bad can happen."

"He knows so many forbidden jutsu. Water Release, Fire Release..."

"..."

Tsunade sobbed through a long list, as if trying to prove something. But soon she couldn't hold it together anymore. Tears burst forth like a broken dam. She hurriedly said "See you tomorrow" and ran home without looking back.

A girl's pride forced her not to show weakness in front of her comrades. She was the Hokage's granddaughter after all.

In moments, Tsunade had vanished from Jiraiya and Orochimaru's sight.

"Jiraiya, why didn't you say anything earlier?"

Orochimaru looked at the crestfallen Jiraiya, a feeling of frustration rising in him—frustration at his friend's failure to act. The same Jiraiya who had once begged him to play the villain so he could play the hero, had turned into a block of wood at this critical moment.

"I... I..."

Jiraiya couldn't find words. He had wanted to say something, do something, but somehow he'd been possessed, his soul drained away.

"Tch!"

Worthless!

Orochimaru sneered, cursing inwardly, then turned and walked away toward his own home, ignoring Jiraiya.

Only Jiraiya's figure remained on the street. In the glow of the setting sun, his shadow stretched long. He stood there dazed for a while before snapping out of his failure.

Jiraiya walked home alone, his mind a tangled mess. All the comforting words he should have said now came flooding back, one after another.

But it was useless now.

Senju Clan Compound

Tsunade sobbed as she shot through the entrance of the Senju Clan Compound, desperate to reach her grandmother, Mito Uzumaki.

Grandmother Mito would surely know about Second Grandfather.

As soon as she entered, Tsunade saw that familiar flash of red hair. Mito sat at the table, which was covered in dishes.

"Grandma... Grandma..."

"The people in the village say Second Grandfather he..."

Tears streamed freely down Tsunade's face as she threw herself into Mito Uzumaki's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

Mito held Tsunade, gently patting her back. Grief welled up in her heart, tears glistening in her eyes. Several thoughts flashed through her mind.

Had news of Tobirama's death leaked out so quickly?

Who?

Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzō. Kagami Uchiha?

The faces of several people flickered through Mito's mind.

But the strongest thought was simply this—her granddaughter was truly pitiful!

"Is Second Grandfather really dead?"

Tsunade lifted her tear-streaked little face, seeking an answer from Mito Uzumaki.

Mito looked at Tsunade's tearful eyes. She desperately wanted to say that Tobirama Senju was fine, that it was all just rumors.

But she couldn't. The truth was a flame, and lies were paper. How could paper ever contain fire? Lies couldn't fool Tsunade. Deceiving her now would only bring greater pain later.

Better a short pain than a long one!

Mito gazed at her granddaughter with aching love, a thousand words swirling in her mind. Finally, she spoke slowly:

"Tsunade, you are the Hokage's granddaughter. Do you remember what your grandfather and second grandfather always told you?"

"Be strong, no matter what."

"Grandma will always be with you."

After Mito Uzumaki finished speaking, Tsunade's eyes went wide, the last shred of hope in her heart finally died, and she let out an even louder wail, tears streaming endlessly.

Mito Uzumaki had no choice but to keep softly comforting Tsunade.

The sun set, and the moon appeared over Konoha's sky. Its silvery light spilled across the village streets, yet it illuminated only a few figures. The streets that were usually bustling late into the night were now sparse, with only a handful of people.

In just one afternoon, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Uchiha clansmen, Tobirama Senju's death had spread like a virus, covering all of Konoha at an unprecedented speed.

The Hokage of Konoha was dead. He had led them to victory in the First Shinobi World War, only to fall in battle at the border negotiations on the eve of the peace they were about to gain.

How could they have any heart for pleasure?

Would the future of Konoha still be as peaceful and prosperous as the past?

The villagers, carrying grief and confusion about the future, closed their doors early.

Inside the room.

Time passed bit by bit. Tsunade's voice grew quieter and quieter. After crying for so long, she finally exhausted herself and drifted into a sorrowful sleep. The tear stains left behind ensured that Tsunade's dreams would not be happy.

Mito Uzumaki tiptoed over, moved Tsunade onto the bed, and covered her with a blanket. Her movements were careful, afraid of waking Tsunade.

Mito Uzumaki looked at the sleeping Tsunade and sighed. As a shinobi, life and death were already the norm, but life would go on, just as the sun rose every day.

"Tsunade, you must become stronger."

Mito Uzumaki murmured softly, then walked out of the room, found a basin, and washed her face. She had been crying for a long time too.

Now she had something more important to do than cry.

Konoha's Future now rested on her shoulders.

"Senju Momoki!"

Mito Uzumaki gave a command, summoning Senju Momoki. Her expression was as calm as an ancient well, unruffled.

Senju Momoki had long been nearby, waiting for Mito Uzumaki's orders. The crying in the house had been noisy all night, and he dared not slip up at a time like this.

"Go and call those brats over here!"

"Yes!"