The Girl's Tears

Dusk

Tsunade trudged along the streets of Konoha, with two boys following behind her.

The high ponytail that was usually smooth and glossy looked disheveled and dull today. Tears glimmered in her eyes, and the occasional sob showed just how miserable the little princess of Konoha felt.

Jiraiya hung his head. Seeing the girl he loved so heartbroken, he didn't dare approach her. He could only follow silently behind Tsunade, letting her know he was there for her.

Orochimaru looked even paler than usual. He understood how Tsunade felt right now. His own parents had died in this brutal war, too.

More sensitive than most, Orochimaru understood that Tsunade needed not only comfort but company. But the few words of comfort he knew were nothing compared to Jiraiya's gift for talking.

Unfortunately, Jiraiya was acting like a coward. When he should have been making an effort, he was hiding like a turtle in its shell. Well, Orochimaru would do the same as Jiraiya and simply stay with Tsunade.

As her companion, he would always be there.

That was what Orochimaru thought when Tsunade suddenly turned around and managed a strained smile. The tears in her eyes were on the verge of spilling over, and she struggled to hold back her grief. It was heartbreaking to see.

Watching Tsunade force a smile that looked worse than crying, Jiraiya finally couldn't hold back and tried to comfort her:

"Tsunade, you know the villagers always talk nonsense. Lord Hokage is so powerful; he definitely couldn't have died..."

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

"Second Grandpa is the Hokage. Even Grandpa is afraid of him sometimes. He's so strong—he'll definitely be fine."

"He knows so many forbidden techniques, like Water Release and Fire Release..."

"..."

Tsunade sobbed as she said so much, as if trying to prove something. But soon she couldn't hold on any longer. Her tears burst forth like water through a broken dam. She hurriedly said goodbye for tomorrow, then ran home without looking back.

The girl's pride kept her from showing weakness in front of her companions. After all, she was the Hokage's granddaughter.

Before long, Tsunade had disappeared from Jiraiya and Orochimaru's sight.

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

Looking at Jiraiya, who seemed utterly lost, Orochimaru couldn't help feeling frustrated with him. Jiraiya had begged him to play the villain so he could swoop in and save the girl, yet at such a crucial moment, he'd acted like a block of wood.

"I... I..."

Jiraiya couldn't get the words out. Just a moment ago, he had wanted to say something, to do something, but for some inexplicable reason, he had been standing there like his soul had left his body.

"Tch!"

Useless!

Orochimaru sneered and cursed inwardly, then turned and walked home without another word to Jiraiya.

Only Jiraiya remained on the street. In the glow of the setting sun, his shadow stretched long behind him. He stood there in a daze for a while before finally recovering from his failure.

Jiraiya walked home alone. His thoughts were a tangled mess, and one comforting phrase after another came to mind.

Unfortunately, none of them would do any good now.

The Senju Clan Land

Sobbing, Tsunade shot through the entrance to the Senju Clan Land, desperate to get to her grandmother, Mito Uzumaki.

Grandmother Mito would surely know what had happened to Second Grandpa.

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

"Grandma... Grandma..."

"People in the village said that Second Grandpa..."

Tears streamed freely down Tsunade's face. Choking on her sobs, she threw herself into Mito Uzumaki's arms.

Mito Uzumaki held Tsunade and gently patted her back. Grief welled up in her heart, tears glimmered in her eyes, and several thoughts flashed through her mind.

Had news of Tobirama's death spread so quickly?

Who was it?

Hiruzen Sarutobi? Shimura Danzō? Kagami Uchiha?

Their faces flashed through Mito Uzumaki's mind.

But the strongest thought was simply: My granddaughter is so unfortunate!

"Did Second Grandpa really die?"

Tsunade lifted her tear-streaked face and searched Mito Uzumaki's eyes for an answer.

Looking at Tsunade through tear-filled eyes, Mito Uzumaki wanted to tell her that Tobirama Senju was fine and that it was all just a rumor.

But she couldn't. The truth was a flame, and a lie was a sheet of paper. No paper could hold back a fire. There was no way to keep the truth from Tsunade, and deceiving her now would only cause greater pain later.

Better a short pain than a long one!

Mito Uzumaki looked at her granddaughter with a heart full of compassion. A thousand words flashed through her mind, but in the end, she spoke slowly:

"Tsunade, you're the Hokage's granddaughter. Do you remember what your grandfather and second grandfather used to tell you?"

"Always be strong, no matter what!"

"Grandma will always be here with you."

When Mito Uzumaki finished, Tsunade's eyes widened. At last, the hope she had clung to died. She let out an even louder wail, and her tears flowed without stopping.

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

The sun set, and the moon appeared above Konoha. Its bright light spilled over the streets, but there were hardly any people to be seen. Streets that were usually bustling until late at night held only a few scattered passersby today.

In just one afternoon, thanks to the Uchiha's tireless efforts, the news of Tobirama Senju's death had spread through all of Konoha like a virus, faster than ever before.

Konoha's Hokage was dead. He had led them to victory in the First Shinobi World War, only to fall during border negotiations on the eve of the peaceful life they had been about to win.

How could they possibly feel like enjoying themselves?

Would Konoha still be as peaceful and prosperous as it had been?

Grieving and uncertain about the future, the villagers shut their doors early.

Inside the house

Time passed bit by bit. Tsunade's cries grew quieter and quieter. After crying for so long, she was finally exhausted and fell asleep in her grief. The tear tracks left on her face were a sure sign that her dreams would not be happy.

Mito Uzumaki carefully lifted Tsunade onto the bed and tucked her in, moving as cautiously as she could so as not to wake her.

Watching Tsunade sleep, Mito Uzumaki sighed. For a ninja, death and separation were commonplace, but life still had to go on, just as the sun rose every day.

"Tsunade, you have to become even stronger."

Mito Uzumaki murmured softly, then left the room. She found a basin and washed her face. She had been crying for a long time herself.

Now she had more important things to do than cry.

The future of Konoha rested on her shoulders.

"Tomoki Senju!"

At Mito Uzumaki's command, Tomoki Senju came at once. Her expression was as still as an ancient well, without a ripple.

Tomoki Senju had been waiting nearby for Mito Uzumaki to call on him. The crying in the house had gone on all evening, and he wouldn't dare let her down at a time like this.

"Go call those brats over!"

"Yes!"