Rescue

Even though Yue had seen countless powerhouses in later generations and even faced the malice of "correction force" head-on, he still felt a tremor at the soul level when seeing this peak powerhouse in the flesh.

It was the embodiment of pure, unadulterated "absolute power."

In short, a stat monster.

"Big Brother!" Tobirama frowned, stepping forward quickly to block Hashirama. "These two are Uchiha! Not only are they carrying a critically injured member of the Uzumaki Clan, but they are also using your dream as a bargaining chip for their deception! We absolutely cannot let them in!"

"Oh, come on, Tobirama, you're always so serious."

Hashirama patted his younger brother's shoulder carelessly, then bypassed him and walked straight up to Yue Uchiha and Hikari.

He showed no defense against Hikari's short blade, instead staring straight at Yue, his usually grinning face suddenly becoming incredibly serious.

"You just said... you represent a faction of the Uchiha who don't want to fight, and you've come to discuss establishing a ninja village?"

A light that could not be suppressed flickered in the depths of Hashirama's eyes.

"Yes, Clan Leader Hashirama."

Yue took a deep breath, meeting Hashirama's gaze with neither servility nor arrogance.

"Endless war has caused too much bloodshed for every ninja clan; even children only a few years old are being sent to the battlefield."

"Within the Uchiha, not everyone is a warmonger."

"Hikari and I have come specifically to find that path toward peace."

Upon hearing these words, Hashirama Senju froze.

The next second, to the horrified gaze of every Senju ninja present—and even Hikari Uchiha—this clan leader of the Senju, renowned throughout the Ninja World, actually sat down on the ground, tears streaming down his face like a waterfall!

"Waaaah... Madara! Did you hear that! I knew it, there are still people in the Uchiha Clan who understand me! My dream isn't just a pipe dream! Waaaah..."

"Big Brother! Stop this at once! What kind of example are you setting, crying like this in front of outsiders and your own subordinates!!" Tobirama's forehead throbbed with veins, and he wished he could use a Water Release technique right then and there to wash his brother away.

Watching this scene, which rivaled a comedy, Yue's mouth twitched uncontrollably.

Although he had long known the First Hokage had an intermittently goofy personality, seeing the contrast in person was still hard to handle.

However, this was precisely where Hashirama's charm lay.

"Ahem!"

After being lectured by his brother, Hashirama quickly wiped away his tears and stood back up.

His gaze finally fell upon Kushina on Hikari's back and Minato, whom Yue was carrying.

"This iconic red hair... it really is a member of Mito's clan!"

Hashirama's expression turned solemn instantly; he stepped forward quickly, his large palms hovering gently over Minato and Kushina.

With just a moment of sensing, Hashirama's complexion changed.

"Such terrifying puncture wounds... the internal organs are almost completely destroyed, and their life force has long since withered."

Hashirama looked up abruptly, staring at Yue Uchiha with suspicion and uncertainty.

"However, there is an extremely precise and profound Yin Release chakra inside their bodies, acting like chains, forcibly pinning their dissipating souls and their last shred of vitality into these broken husks!"

"Did you do this?" Hashirama looked at Yue.

"It was me." Yue nodded. "Hikari and I are grand-disciples of Izumi Uchiha, and we have been working hard to change our clan. While traveling, we discovered these two and used Yin Release to sustain their souls, but Yin Release can only 'deceive' death; it cannot reshape the body. In this land, the only ones who can save them are the Senju Clan's Yang Release and you, Clan Leader Hashirama."

"You are grand-disciples of Izumi Uchiha?" Tobirama caught the key point.

"Yes."

Hearing their answer and witnessing this miraculous Yin Release, Tobirama fell silent, then said nothing more, seemingly lost in thought.

"This is a miraculous technique. If you hadn't locked their souls, even the Sage of Six Paths couldn't have saved them."

Hashirama did not spare his praise, then waved his large sleeve, his tone extremely decisive:

"Someone! Prepare the highest-level intensive care medical room immediately! Get these two wounded inside!"

Seeing his brother's inclination to bring the two Uchiha inside, Tobirama immediately spoke up to stop him:

"Big Brother! The background of these two Uchiha is unknown; how can we let them enter the core camp of the Senju? Furthermore, treating injuries like this requires you to use the core Yang Release secret technique of our Senju Clan!"

Tobirama's meaning was clear.

Yang Release was the foundation of the Senju's standing. If it were displayed in front of Uchiha who possessed the Sharingan, the consequences of it being copied or its secrets pried into would be unimaginable.

Hashirama rubbed his chin. Although his personality was simple and honest, he was not without a sense of proportion when it came to the bottom line of clan secrets.

"Tobirama is right."

Hashirama turned to look at Yue, offering an apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry, Uchiha brothers. I believe in your sincerity regarding the desire for peace, and saving lives is also a principle of the Senju, but the core treatment process involves clan secrets, so..."

"I understand."

Yue nodded very sensibly, even taking the initiative to close his right eye, hiding his Three Tomoe.

"We will wait outside the medical tent and will not pry even half a step. As long as they can be saved, we will never overstep the rules of the Senju Clan."

He knew very well that one must eat a meal one bite at a time.

Moreover, his goal was to ensure Minato and Kushina could survive, and this did not conflict with the current situation.

"Good! Truly a reasonable Uchiha!" Hashirama laughed heartily. "Tobirama, take them to get settled! Leave the medical treatment to me!"

Watching his elder brother excitedly lead the medical team and the wounded away, Tobirama stared coldly at Yue Uchiha.

"Do not think that just because my brother trusts you, I will lower my guard."

Tobirama said coldly, "Until your identities and the origins of that Uzumaki clansman are verified, you are to remain exactly where I designate."

"Hikari, put the blade away."

Yue patted Hikari on the shoulder, signaling her to relax, then gestured for Tobirama to lead the way: "When in Rome, do as the Romans do. We shall follow your arrangements, Lord Tobirama."

Half an hour later, in a secluded corner on the eastern side of the Senju clan camp.

"From now on, this is your residence."

The Senju chunin in charge of guarding them pointed at a tent that, while spacious, was clearly isolated from the core area, and recited Tobirama's orders with a stern face.

"According to the clan leader's instructions, during the period of the wounded's recovery and identity verification, you are temporarily appointed as 'Special Guests' of the Senju Logistics Department. Simply put, your job is to help the logistics department inventory some scrapped ninja tools and unimportant old scrolls."

"You are not permitted to approach the medical area, the barrier zone, or the clan leader's main tent without authorization. There will be hidden sentries rotating twenty-four hours a day. Do you understand?"

This Senju chunin clearly held no love for the Uchiha, and he hurried away as soon as he finished speaking.

Hikari walked into the tent, surveying the crude furnishings with a furrowed brow: "Yue, are we... under house arrest?"

"A cushy job, house arrest, marginalization."

Yue stretched, lying down on the wooden bed with extreme naturalness. Far from showing any anger at being imprisoned, he let out a long, comfortable sigh.

"But this is also exactly what we need right now—absolute safety and a free, high-level infirmary."

After all, is there any place in the entire Ninja World safer than the Senju clan grounds?