Just as Senju Momoka bent forward, preparing to apologize to Qingguang with a full dogeza.
A hand suddenly grabbed her arm.
"Qingguang, you..."
Momoka looked up at Qingguang, who had stopped her, her eyes filled with guilt.
Tsunade had turned and walked away just as Momoka had expected. After all, no one wanted to live like a puppet on strings.
But when it came to Qingguang, she felt truly ashamed.
Not only had his father died because of this, but Qingguang himself had lived under the surveillance and brainwashing of Danzo and Hiruzen since childhood. He had even risked his life to undergo Wood Release experiments.
Everything Qingguang had endured was far more dangerous and burdensome than what Tsunade had faced.
At any moment, he might meet the same fate as Kagami and be gone.
"Senior Momoka, in your eyes, everything you and Lord Tobirama did to me for the village's future put me in danger."
"But I don't see it that way."
Senju Momoka let Qingguang help her back to her feet. Watching how he acted, she found it almost unbelievable.
Even she didn't think Qingguang was merely saying the right thing. Every word seemed completely sincere.
"Some people are born with disabilities. From the moment they're born, they risk being abandoned by their parents. Even if they survive, their lives will be far harder than most people's."
"I was born into the Uchiha, and I was already more talented than most. Uncle Hiruzen raised me to adulthood and found me several ninjutsu instructors. That's how I gained the strength I have today."
"Rights and responsibilities have always gone hand in hand. How could I enjoy such exceptional advantages, then turn around and complain about you?"
"Besides, my name is Qingguang. Though I never met my father, his ideals and his thoughts have always been with me. We're all striving to make this world a better place."
"My name is Qingguang—the clear light that comes with the rising sun. And all of you seniors are those who carried the torch through the darkness before dawn."
"You don't need to feel guilty. Someone has to carry this light on. Why shouldn't it be me?"
Momoka's nose began to sting, and her eyes grew moist.
From the moment she first met Qingguang, she had felt that the boy carried something of Kagami and Tobirama in him. But she hadn't expected that he would inherit more than just the two of them. Even the warmth Hashirama had possessed before he lost his way seemed to shine within him.
It was as if those three were standing behind Qingguang, supporting him as he continued forward.
Qingguang truly was a successor to the Will of Fire.
"Forgive me. I let my emotions get the better of me."
Momoka raised a sleeve of her blue robe and wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes.
"From now on, if you or Tsunade so much as gives the word, the Senju Clan will help you at any cost. We'll be ready to restore the clan at any time."
Momoka quickly composed herself. She placed her hands neatly on her thighs, bowed slightly, and made her promise.
Qingguang didn't respond. He simply turned around.
"Senior Momoka, I'll go check on Big Sis first. I'll come visit you again when I have time."
Only after watching Qingguang leave did Momoka wave and call Senju Itsuki in from outside.
Seeing Itsuki's expressionless face, Momoka felt a pang of guilt.
"Itsuki, do you hate me and Tobirama?"
"Why would I hate you or Lord Tobirama for no reason, Mother?"
"Qingguang was right. I've enjoyed privileges beyond those of ordinary people. I have no right or reason to hate you."
"It was all for the village."
Senju Itsuki had heard every word Qingguang had said from outside.
He admired Qingguang greatly, too. Only someone like him deserved the responsibility of carrying this plan.
He had wondered how he would feel if he and Qingguang switched places. He doubted he could bear the truth, and even if he eventually calmed down and accepted it, he would never think it was only natural.
"That's good. From now on, don't act openly in the village, but help them as much as you can in private."
"I'm a little tired. You should head back early, too."
"Yes, Mother." Senju Itsuki took his leave.
Momoka watched him go, her fingers clenching the hem of her clothes.
She had almost failed to hold to her principles and tell Itsuki the truth.
Senju Itsuki was actually a test-tube baby she and Tobirama had created.
"Tobirama Senju, to keep this so-called plan going, you even used your own child as a pawn?"
"Poor child..."
She had regretted it before. But once the plan began, it became a flood that would affect all of Konoha. There was no way to stop it. All she could do was grit her teeth and carry on...
After Qingguang left the wooden house, he kept turning over Momoka's words in his mind.
Every one of them had hit like a bombshell.
This plan, which had spanned all of Konoha and lasted nearly forty years, involved far too many things.
If Qingguang hadn't been a transmigrator, he might truly have broken down upon learning the truth and walked away on the spot, just like Tsunade.
But everything Qingguang had done had been deliberate, and it had all been part of his own plan.
It just so happened that his actions also aligned with what Momoka and Tobirama had hoped for.
Following the narrow path, Qingguang spotted Tsunade curled up beneath a tree behind Kage Rock.
She had her arms wrapped around her knees, her face buried against them.
Step, step, step...
Qingguang slowed his pace and sat gently beside Tsunade.
He said nothing, simply keeping her company as they watched the autumn leaves drift down in the wind.
He even picked the leaves that landed on Tsunade off her clothes.
"Qingguang, do you think I'm being too dramatic?" After a long while, Tsunade finally asked in a low, tearful voice.
Qingguang twirled a leaf by its stem, holding it up to the sunlight. "How could you be? Big Sis is the most carefree, straightforward woman I've ever met. I can't imagine anyone calling you dramatic."
"After all, dramatic people don't down several jugs of sake with dinner and then gnaw on a whole roast chicken."
Hearing that, Tsunade immediately looked up at Qingguang and burst into laughter through her tears.
Her eyes were red, and faint, dried tear tracks could be seen on her cheeks. "You little brat, you dare make fun of me?"
She swung her arm, then deftly hooked it behind Qingguang's neck and pulled him into a one-armed headlock!
"Big Sis, I wouldn't dare make fun of you. I'm just telling it like it is. There's nothing wrong with drinking heartily and eating your fill, right?"
"Besides, you're busy with one thing after another every day, and now you've taken over a whole pile of headaches at the Medical Department. You've been working so hard. I worry about you—I'd never..."
As he spoke, Qingguang expected to be hit with the lethal headlock, but it never came. Instead, he felt something rest against his shoulder.
The soft, silky strands of her hair brushed lightly against his skin with each breath.
"Thank you, Qingguang."
"Just let me lean on you like this for a little while."
"Mm..."
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