Tsunade Hime's Injury

Bing San frowned, his eyes filled with sorrow as he spoke to the Root Ninja: "Take this scroll and deliver it to Lord Orochimaru as quickly as possible. By hand, understand!"

The Root Ninja quickly bowed and turned to leave.

Bing San thought for a moment, then rapidly formed hand seals. With a poof, Xiangxue appeared in his place.

Xiangxue climbed onto Bing San's shoulder, nuzzled him, and said, "Did you call me because you missed me?"

Bing San chuckled awkwardly and said, "Uh, I have something to ask of you."

Xiangxue stuck out her tongue, complaining, "You only remember me when you need something, hmph, you're terrible!"

However, Xiangxue still took the scroll and quickly departed.

Orochimaru received the scroll from the mouth of a small snake and was slightly surprised. After concentrating in thought for a moment, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and shouted outside the tent, "Relay an order!"

An Anbu member instantly appeared in the center.

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and said, "Can I trust you?"

The Anbu member quickly nodded and said in a low voice, "It is my honor to be loyal to you, Lord Orochimaru."

Orochimaru licked his lips and said, "Deliver this message to Jiraiya within three days. If you fail to do so~"

The Anbu member lowered his head and interrupted, "Unless I die, I will deliver it on time."

Orochimaru patted the Anbu member's shoulder and said, "Thank you for your hard work!"

The Anbu member's body trembled slightly, and he got up to leave.

Three days later, Jiraiya personally met this Anbu member. After the Anbu member handed the scroll to Jiraiya, he immediately fainted.

Jiraiya was greatly alarmed. He quickly opened the scroll, glanced at it, and turned to run out.

An Anbu member responsible for relaying messages shouted, "Commander, where are you going!"

Jiraiya urgently shouted, "It's a matter of utmost urgency! Go tell Military Advisor Nara that he has the authority to make any decisions here." Then, he vanished.

As soon as Jiraiya left, a black and white figure crawled out from under a large tree not far away. He proceeded to punch and kick the tree next to him, clearly in a very bad mood.

Finally, eight days later, Jiraiya encountered Tsunade Hime in a small town in the Land of Fire, completely drunk. Tsunade only had one bodyguard with her, an old retainer of the Senju clan.

When the Senju clan was disbanded, the old retainer adamantly refused to leave. The Second Hokage, moved by his loyalty, personally inscribed his name in the Senju clan registry.

He became the uncle of the First and Second Hokage, and Tsunade's great-grandfather, Senju Shinyo.

The current Senju Shinyo was already very old, his hair completely white. If not for the Yin Seal specially improved for him by the Second Hokage, he probably wouldn't have been able to walk around.

He was also currently the only elite Jonin of the Senju clan. If the old man fully activated the Yin Seal, even the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, would have to avoid his edge.

Upon discovering Tsunade's whereabouts, Jiraiya eagerly rushed forward. However, he was caught by the old man with one hand.

After Senju Shinyo unleashed a Water Release Jutsu directly in Jiraiya's face, Jiraiya instantly sobered up.

Seeing that it was Senju Shinyo, Jiraiya shivered. He hadn't forgotten how many times he had been beaten by this old man when he was caught peeking at Tsunade.

Jiraiya wiped the water from his face and said, "Grandpa, spare me! Grandpa, spare me! Don't hit me, don't hit me. I really have something important to discuss with Tsunade this time. Her mother is gravely ill."

Afterward, Jiraiya carefully explained the message he received to the old man. The old man listened, nodded, then shook his head, and finally sighed before leaving.

After watching the old man walk away, Jiraiya took a deep breath, then turned and headed in Orochimaru's direction.

He didn't want to be caught by the old man again; seeing him made his whole body ache. The old man was skilled at hitting where it hurt the most, and his blows were exceptionally brutal.

Two days later, Tsunade returned to Konoha. The Third Hokage urgently met with Tsunade, putting aside his pride. He expressed his sorrow with great regret and pleaded with Tsunade, for the sake of Konoha, to temporarily reside at the Daimyo's mansion.

When Tsunade returned to the Daimyo's mansion, more than ten days had passed. As soon as she entered, a man walked towards her.

The man was about 1.7 meters tall, with a handlebar mustache, large eyes, and a high nose bridge. He looked quite pleasant.

Upon seeing Tsunade, the man immediately greeted her, "Elder Sister Tsunade has returned. Why didn't you notify us in advance so your brother could prepare a room and clothes for Elder Sister?"

Tsunade simply responded with an "Mm" and walked inside. The man's smile didn't diminish; in fact, he smiled even more happily.

This man was Tsunade's half-brother, Tachibana Miya.

According to Bing San's investigation, all the Daimyo in the entire ninja world were from the same clan. They all shared the surname Tachibana, meaning they had the same special ancestor – the Son of Heaven written in the history books.

Tsunade Hime was Tsunade's honorific title; in reality, she should also be called Tachibana something.

However, because her maternal grandfather, the First Hokage Hashirama Senju, was the God of Shinobi.

And because the Second Hokage had no children, Tsunade was sent to Konoha to inherit the Senju clan.

Therefore, she could be called Senju Tsunade. Her brother Nawaki, on the other hand, should be called Tachibana Nawaki.

Tsunade walked to her mother's room and saw that her mother's complexion had slightly improved, indicating that Bing San's medicine had had a small effect.

However, as a medical prodigy, Tsunade could see at a glance that her mother's life force had already been severed, and she was merely being sustained by special medicine.

Tsunade's mother saw Tsunade and said happily, "Tsun-chan, you're back. Cough, cough, come closer so Mother can get a good look at you."

Tsunade's heart was filled with complex emotions. If Bing San hadn't sent the message, she might not have even seen her mother's final moments.

Tsunade took a shallow breath and said, "I'm not a child anymore, Mom. Can you stop calling me that so affectionately?"

Tsunade's mother was very happy. Tsunade hadn't spoken to her in such a tone for many years.

The mother and daughter chatted for about half an hour before a servant came to inform them that the Daimyo was hosting a banquet for Tsunade Hime. The location was in the outer hall of her mother's room.

Tsunade Hime disliked her father greatly, though in truth, he hadn't done much.

It was simply that the imperial family was the most heartless. As the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, he was equivalent to a feudal lord. Even if there was familial affection, it had to be restrained and not shown.

Didn't you see Cao Cao merely say he liked Cao Cong the most, and Cao Cong died?

Just two days later, Tsunade's mother was failing. At her mother's bedside, Tsunade, a strong woman, shed gentle tears.

Tsunade's mother, holding Tsunade's hand, spoke intermittently, "Tsun-chan, Mom knows. Please don't resent Mom, okay?

Back then, your maternal grandfather only had me, an unworthy daughter. Your second uncle was solely focused on research and unwilling to marry.

The vast Senju clan, with three to four thousand members, couldn't be without an heir.

Tsunade, Mom loves you. Mom knows you've suffered a great deal.

Tsunade, Mom also washes her face with tears every night. In my dreams, you're always covered in scars.

Tsunade, your maternal grandfather passed away early. Your second uncle died in battle in the Land of Lightning. Mom only has you as family.

Tsunade, in truth, your father loves you very much too.

Tsunade, you've always lost money these past few years. Though your father is the Daimyo, he can't casually use the country's money.

Tsunade, your father even sold his favorite inkstone to pay off your debts.

Tsunade. Mom and Dad love you. Tsunade, please forgive Mom.

Tsunade..."

Ultimately, this gentle woman passed away full of regret. Tsunade Hime collapsed on the bed, sobbing uncontrollably.

The Daimyo entered from outside the door and gently draped his clothes over Tsunade's mother. He turned and left. Inside the room, only the wailing Tsunade Hime remained.

Senju Shinyo stood at the doorway, gazing up at the azure sky. The sunlight of the Land of Fire was a bit harsh, making his eyes feel dry.

The next day, the Daimyo's Madam passed away. The entire nation mourned.

Tsunade Hime personally saw her mother off. This strong woman, since her paternal grandfather died of illness, her clan disbanded, her second paternal uncle died in battle, her paternal grandmother passed away, her younger brother died in battle, and her lover died in battle, her mother had now also passed away.

Though she was in her early thirties, appearing radiant on the surface, her heart was already deeply scarred and unable to bear the burden.