The Hokage Office.
Tsunade stood by the window with her back to Uzuki Yugao, listening to her report.
"Of the three Kekkei Genkai mentioned in the scroll, we can confirm at least two. I've seen the Sharingan, and when we were in the Land of Waves, Su Yu-kun trained every day. That should also be related to a Kekkei Genkai..."
Uzuki Yugao analyzed.
After she finished speaking,
Tsunade finally turned around, her expression complicated.
Having three Kekkei Genkai at once would certainly attract Danzo's attention. What was more, Su Yu's parents' deaths were also connected to Danzo.
If Tsunade were in Su Yu's position, she might have defected, too.
"Lady Tsunade, Su Yu-kun had no choice but to leave Konoha, so..." Uzuki Yugao looked at Tsunade.
"I understand what you mean, but he isn't exactly safe out there, either." Tsunade knew what Uzuki Yugao wanted to say.
"I don't think he'll take any risks," Uzuki Yugao said after a moment's thought.
"How about this? You go with him. That way, you can protect him and keep in touch with us. We can use Katsuyu to pass messages." Tsunade fell silent for a moment.
"To keep an eye on him, too?" Uzuki Yugao's gaze dimmed, and she lowered her head.
"You're in the Hokage Direct Squad. You should know this is for the village's sake. If Su Yu-kun can make good use of his Kekkei Genkai, he can definitely become powerful. Even if he wants to become Hokage, it wouldn't be difficult. You belong to the Hokage's faction. As long as you don't do anything to harm Konoha, you can come back whenever you want. I promise that no one in Konoha will hurt you." Tsunade spoke earnestly.
Hearing Tsunade's promise, Uzuki Yugao felt relieved.
Then she raised her head.
"Yes, Lord Hokage. I'll leave right away."
"Wait."
Tsunade stopped Uzuki Yugao.
Uzuki Yugao looked at her in confusion.
Tsunade took the necklace from around her neck and held it out to Uzuki Yugao.
"This belonged to the First. Please give it to Su Yu-kun for me. It represents my hopes for him. I hope he'll become the next Hokage."
Uzuki Yugao froze for a moment, then carefully accepted Tsunade's necklace.
"Lady Tsunade, please don't worry. I'll make sure to give this necklace to Su Yu-kun and tell him what you hope for him."
Tsunade smiled and patted Uzuki Yugao on the shoulder.
Uzuki Yugao put the necklace away, bowed, and left the Hokage Office.
As the door closed,
the smile slowly faded from Tsunade's face.
From the advice Su Yu had given her, it was clear he was no ordinary boy.
Tsunade had taken out the First Hokage's necklace to test Su Yu in this way.
If Su Yu accepted the necklace, that would mean he accepted her hopes for him.
If he didn't accept it, that would prove his heart might not be with Konoha.
Of course, even if Su Yu refused, Tsunade wouldn't list him as a missing-nin.
Not unless Su Yu turned against Konoha.
She had also sent Uzuki Yugao to Su Yu because she could tell that Uzuki Yugao's feelings for him were complicated. Keeping someone like that in Konoha would be a problem, so she might as well send her to Su Yu.
Land of Waves.
A quiet beach and a warm sea breeze.
Su Yu lay on a beach chair, basking in the sun.
The Land of Waves was a small island. Su Yu had bought the beach where he was lying, along with some of the nearby houses.
Ever since the bridge had been completed,
life had gotten much better for the people of the Land of Waves.
The establishment of a ninja village had given the Daimyo of the Land of Waves a great deal of power.
Su Yu hadn't spent much to buy the beach, mainly because of Yuki Haku.
Zabuza was in charge of training the ninjas, and Yuki Haku was his closest assistant. The Daimyo treated the two of them like his own parents.
When Yuki Haku asked to buy the beach, the Daimyo immediately offered the lowest price.
To keep people from disturbing him, Su Yu had also bought ninjas to guard his home.
That's right, he'd bought ninjas.
For some reason, Zabuza had started offering ninjas for sale.
Simply put, he trained ninjas and then sold them to people who needed them.
Although they were only at the level of Ninja Academy students, they were still a cut above wandering samurai.
Su Yu had bought nine ninjas, enough to form three teams.
None of the nine were very old; they were around his age.
Zabuza had brought them from elsewhere.
The ninja world had endured several wars, and there were many children wandering around on their own.
They had no food or warm clothes, and not even a place to live.
Ever since they had come to the Land of Waves,
Yuki Haku had taken good care of them. Zabuza had taught them how to become tools, and they had obediently accepted his training.
As for Su Yu,
he had them form groups of three and treat their teammates like family.
He gave them training plans. Once they had trained enough, he would teach them different ninjutsu tailored to their strengths.
As for their loyalty to Su Yu?
Su Yu had already begun using the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
The Mangekyō Sharingan could directly control a person.
The Three-Tomoe Sharingan could do it, too, but it took a great deal of time.
By continually using genjutsu to influence someone, he could achieve the desired effect.
Su Yu wouldn't completely trust anyone.
Even with Uzuki Yugao, he held something back.
A sea breeze swept past.
Su Yu opened his eyes.
He sensed that Katsuyu was about to deliver a message.
Since Sage Katsuyu was a single entity, she could use the summoning contract to connect Su Yu and Tsunade.
They could summon Katsuyu, give her a message, and then end the Summoning Technique. The message would reach Sage Katsuyu, who could then pass it on to the other person.
In simple terms, Sage Katsuyu was like a tool they could use to chat, and she could even transport objects.
Su Yu summoned a small slug.
As soon as it appeared, the little slug spat out a scroll.
Su Yu picked up the scroll and opened it. A faint smile appeared on his lips.
Just as he'd expected.
Tsunade had read the scroll and immediately decided to send Uzuki Yugao to him.
In fact,
Su Yu had foreseen two possible outcomes.
The first was that she would send Uzuki Yugao to him.
The second was that she would promote Uzuki Yugao, leave her in the Hokage Direct Squad's Anbu, and have her stay in contact with Su Yu.
Tsunade had chosen the first option, which meant she didn't trust Uzuki Yugao.
As for the necklace Uzuki Yugao was about to bring him, and Tsunade's hopes for him, those were all tests.
Tsunade wasn't as foolish as she seemed.
Su Yu had given her advice precisely so she would become suspicious of him and send Uzuki Yugao over.
Uzuki Yugao would certainly think Tsunade's hopes for Su Yu were sincere. After all, she still had strong feelings for Konoha.
"Since Lady Tsunade has such high hopes for me, I can't let her down." Su Yu murmured.
He began writing a reply.
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