Do You Regret My Shadow! (Seeking collection, seeking recommendation for new book)

Tsunade's heartbeat accelerated for no reason; this time she did not retreat, though her eyes flickered and her breathing grew slightly shallow.

The surrounding atmosphere turned amorous, the air itself seeming to thicken.

Yusuke watched those red lips so close at hand and slowly lowered his head.

Tsunade subconsciously closed her eyes, her long, curled eyelashes trembling gently.

Just as their lips were about to touch—

The main gate of the ancestral home was flung open, and Nawaki burst out in a flurry.

"Sis, you're back!"

"Huh? Brother Yusuke is here too."

His booming voice instantly shattered the ambiguous, tranquil atmosphere.

Tsunade jumped back as if startled by a rabbit, her cheeks turning as red as a ripe tomato in an instant.

She glared in shame and annoyance at her brother for ruining the moment, then cast a glance at the equally awkward Yusuke.

Without a word, she turned and rushed through the gate like a gust of wind.

The gate slammed shut with a bang, nearly hitting the nose of the bewildered Nawaki as he looked back.

Yusuke stared at the tightly closed gate and then at Nawaki, who stood before it with a blank expression, still oblivious to the situation.

"This kid really knows how to pick his moments," he sighed helplessly.

Nawaki scratched his head, looked at Yusuke, and asked in confusion, "Brother-in-law, what's wrong with my sister? Her face is so red, is she sick?"

Yusuke reached out and ruffled his hair: "Nothing serious, but Nawaki, brother-in-law has a piece of advice for you."

"Don't sleep too soundly tonight; keep one eye open even when you're in bed." With that, he turned and left.

Left behind, Nawaki stood at the entrance, scratching his head with a look of utter bewilderment: "Why does the atmosphere feel so strange?"

In the dark and damp base of Root, the atmosphere was heavier than usual.

"Yusuke was taken from his residence by Tsunade early this morning to the courtyard of Tohka Senju, and did not leave with her until evening."

"My subordinates were unable to get close enough to overhear the specifics, but I can confirm he spent the entire day inside."

The ninja codenamed "Shadow" knelt on one knee, reporting the situation to Shimura Danzō, who sat upon his seat.

"Tohka Senju."

Danzō narrowed his single eye, his fingers tapping against the armrest of his chair with a dull, rhythmic thud.

"It seems this brat has truly been taken under the protection of the Senju Clan."

Danzō's voice was cold, revealing neither anger nor joy.

The influence of the Senju lineage was deeply entrenched in Konoha, serving as one of the greatest obstacles to his control over the village.

Successfully assassinating Tsunade would mean eliminating the leader of the next generation of the Senju.

Although he had absolute confidence in the curse seal of Root and believed Yusuke could not leak any information regarding Root or their missions, one had to account for the unexpected. What if that old woman Tohka Senju possessed some special means, or what if Lady Mito intervened?

Once Yusuke leaked the mission to "assassinate Tsunade," the wrath of the Senju faction would be something he could not currently withstand.

"We cannot act rashly any longer."

"Recall all personnel related to 'Yusuke' back to the base; without my orders, no one is to have any further contact with him."

Danzō made his decision swiftly.

"Understood!" "Shadow" accepted the order without hesitation.

Danzō shifted his tone, a flash of ruthlessness appearing in his single eye: "Replace the surveillance team. Have Terai and his squad stand by, ready to monitor Yusuke's movements at all times."

"I want to know everything he does and everyone he meets every single day."

"Once he leaves Konoha or is found alone, find the most suitable opportunity to kill him in one strike. Do not give him any chance to escape or call for help."

"Understood!" The figure of "Shadow" slowly merged into the darkness and vanished.

Danzō leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes: "Yusuke must die!"

Meanwhile, at the Hokage Building.

Sarutobi Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, staring at the report submitted by the Anbu; the room was already thick with smoke.

The content of the report was much the same as what Danzō knew, emphasizing Tsunade's protection of Yusuke and the fact that Yusuke had spent an entire day at the residence of Tohka Senju.

"Has Senior Tohka finally lost her patience as well?" Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed inwardly.

As Hokage, the intelligence he possessed was far more comprehensive than Danzō's.

He knew that after he took office as the Third Hokage, the Senju Clan had split into two main factions.

The conservative faction, led by Lady Mito, strictly adhered to the will of their teacher Hashirama, silently guarding Konoha without participating in power struggles.

The radical faction led by Tohka Senju, however, harbored resentment toward Tobirama's policy of dissolving the clan, yearning only to restore the glory of the Senju Clan.

He was wary of this power, yet he understood that as long as Lady Mito remained, and as long as the Senju lineage's original intent to protect Konoha stayed unchanged, they would not truly shake the foundations of the village.

This breadth of mind and character was where he considered himself superior to Shimura Danzō.

Shimura Danzō only wanted to control and eliminate, while he, as Hokage, needed to consider balance and stability.

This Yusuke who had suddenly appeared was quite interesting.

A Chūnin in strength, yet he had rendered great service during the mission in the Land of Rain, earned the favor of Tsunade, and was now even accepted by Tohka Senju.

Judging by how much that girl Tsunade cared, this kid's position in her heart was likely not insignificant.

"Perhaps this is an opportunity?" Sarutobi Hiruzen muttered softly, exhaling a ring of smoke.

Rather than letting Shimura Danzō exacerbate the conflict with extreme measures, it would be better for him to try and win Yusuke over himself.

Tsunade was not only the granddaughter of the Hokage, but also a student of his, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Where her heart leaned was of great importance.

The next day, at the Hokage's office.

Shimura Danzō was summoned by Sarutobi Hiruzen. Sarutobi Hiruzen brought up the topic as if it were unintentional.

"Danzō, I hear you've been quite interested in a little fellow lately?" Sarutobi Hiruzen tapped the ash from his pipe, his tone indifferent.

Shimura Danzō's heart stirred, but his expression remained unchanged: "Hiruzen, who are you referring to?"

"That Chūnin named Yusuke, the one who returned from the Land of Rain with Tsunade."

"He performed well on this mission, provided key intelligence, and prevented a conflict in the Land of Iron; his merits are not small."

"Young people with potential are the future of the village; we should cultivate them more."

Sarutobi Hiruzen stared into Shimura Danzō's single eye as he spoke.

Shimura Danzō was silent for a moment before saying: "Root reports indicate there are some suspicious points regarding his identity that require further investigation."

"Investigation is necessary, but one must be mindful of the methods used."

"I received word that your men have been lurking near the residence of Tohka Senju."

"Danzō, Tohka Senju is a hero of the village and a trusted partner of the First and Second Hokage; disturbing her is highly inappropriate."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's tone grew heavier.

Shimura Danzō narrowed his single eye, looking at Sarutobi Hiruzen. Although the other man's tone was calm, the warning in his words was already quite clear.

Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a cloud of smoke, the haze stinging Shimura Danzō's eyes.

"The village needs stability; any unnecessary friction and suspicion should be avoided if possible."

He looked at Shimura Danzō with a sharp gaze: "I do not wish to see any radical actions that disrupt the internal harmony of the village."

"Otherwise, even with our decades of friendship, I will never tolerate it."

"Do you understand what I mean, Danzō?"

Shimura Danzō listened expressionlessly, sneering inwardly: Hiruzen, you are still as hypocritical as ever, wanting to use a soft policy to stabilize the Senju lineage?

Unfortunately, some threats must be strangled in the cradle.

Shimura Danzō said with a cold glint in his eyes: "Hiruzen, you will..."

"Danzō, I will not regret it." Sarutobi Hiruzen interrupted him, then added, "You must remember, I am the Hokage!"

Shimura Danzō nearly choked on his breath; he had a remark he simply had to spit out.

He let out a cold snort and slammed the door as he left, but the more he thought about it after stepping out, the angrier he became.

"Bang!" The Hokage's office door was violently pushed open once more.

"Hiruzen, you will regret this!"

He roared, turned, and walked away; he felt much better now.