Moving into the Senju Clan Grounds

Sarutobi Hiruzen stared at Shin and the others for a moment, a look of sorrow then appearing on his face.

"Sigh, I never expected the Uzumaki Clan to suffer such a catastrophe. Rest assured, Konoha and the Uzumaki Clan are the closest of allies; we in Konoha will certainly find the culprits."

"For now, you should settle down in Konoha. Don't worry, absolutely no one in Konoha can harm you here."

After Sarutobi Hiruzen made his stance clear, Uzumaki Hikari and Uzumaki Kai visibly relaxed quite a bit.

"Lord Hokage, you must help us find the culprits," Uzumaki Kai said, weeping.

His parents and relatives had all died in this clan extermination.

Uzumaki Akiko was also wiping away her tears; thinking of her own kin, she couldn't help but let them fall.

"Rest assured, the Uzumaki Clan are allies of our Konoha. Anyone who strikes at the Uzumaki Clan is an enemy of our Konoha," Sarutobi Hiruzen said solemnly.

It must be said that the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, still had a few tricks up his sleeve. Under his soothing words, even Kushina, who had been feeling somewhat nervous, relaxed.

As for how Shin knew this, it was, of course, because the hand Kushina was holding his with was no longer gripping him so tightly.

When they had first entered Konoha, Kushina had been clutching Shin's hand tightly; it was impossible for a five-year-old Kushina not to be nervous upon arriving in the unfamiliar Konoha.

"Tsunade, how about letting them stay at the Senju Clan Grounds?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked Tsunade.

"That's no problem, but there is one thing I need you to explain to me."

Bang!

Tsunade slammed her fist onto Sarutobi Hiruzen's desk, causing the solid wood desk to crack like a spiderweb.

"Third, after we entered the borders of the Land of Fire, we encountered an attack by an unknown force of ninja. What exactly is going on here?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen was startled and immediately stood up.

"You encountered an attack?"

Seeing Tsunade's icy expression, Sarutobi Hiruzen knew it must be true. Could it be that ninja from other countries had entered the Land of Fire?

Sarutobi Hiruzen asked with an unpleasant expression, "How many ninja attacked you?"

"Twenty-five. At least ten of them were jonin, and there was even an elite jonin," Tsunade said angrily.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression shifted constantly. A dozen or so jonin and an elite jonin—this was no small force.

If they really were ninja from another country, perhaps there was some conspiracy afoot.

"Tsunade, this is my dereliction of duty. I failed to detect such a large force entering the borders of the Land of Fire. Rest assured, I will send Anbu ninja to investigate this clearly."

Sarutobi Hiruzen knew that for Tsunade to be this angry, there must have been casualties.

"Tell me once there is news."

Tsunade led Shin and the others out of the Hokage's office. Just as they stepped out, they saw a man with a gloomy temperament walking toward them.

Tsunade frowned; it was that man, Shimura Danzō.

Although Shimura Danzō held a high position in Konoha, Tsunade detested him; the man did things in a very underhanded way.

"Tsunade, you're back. Are they people from the Uzumaki Clan?"

Shimura Danzō looked at the Uzumaki clansmen behind Tsunade, his eyes flickering. At this time, both of Shimura Danzō's eyes were intact, he had not yet transplanted the Sharingan, and the same went for his arm.

"Hmph."

Tsunade let out a cold snort and, without even acknowledging Shimura Danzō, led Shin and the others away.

As he left, Shin glanced at Shimura Danzō. He had already recognized him; after all, the scar on Shimura Danzō's chin was very iconic.

Shimura Danzō's expression was gloomy. Tsunade hadn't given him any face at all, just like those people from the Senju Clan.

Shimura Danzō walked into the Hokage's office, glanced at the damaged door, and then turned his gaze toward Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Danzō, why have you come?" Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned.

"I came here because there is something I need to discuss with you."

"Coincidentally, I also have something to discuss with you." Sarutobi Hiruzen stood up, walked to the window, watched Tsunade leave with the survivors of the Uzumaki Clan, and then waved his hand.

With a wave of Sarutobi Hiruzen's hand, the Anbu ninja hidden in the shadows responsible for protecting the Hokage's safety instantly departed, leaving only Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō in the office.

"Danzō, I ask you: Tsunade said she encountered an attack on her way back. I want to know, does this have anything to do with you?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen stared at Shimura Danzō, his gaze extremely sharp.

"Hmph, you actually suspect that I would strike at your disciple," Shimura Danzō snorted coldly, his eyes narrowing.

"This has nothing to do with me."

Danzo flicked his sleeves and left, abandoning the matters he had originally intended to discuss with Sarutobi Hiruzen.

As I thought, this does have something to do with you, Danzo.

Sarutobi Hiruzen sat down. He understood Danzo better than anyone; even though Danzo hadn't revealed a single flaw, Sarutobi Hiruzen still saw right through him.

Punish Danzo? Setting aside the lack of concrete evidence, even if there were clear proof, Sarutobi Hiruzen would still shield him. Therefore, he had to find a way to deal with Tsunade.

"This is the Senju Clan Grounds. You will live here from now on. Most of the houses are empty, so you may choose whichever ones you like."

After bringing Shin and the others to the Senju Clan Grounds, Tsunade spoke to them.

"It's so big! It's actually even larger than our Uzumaki Clan Grounds," Uzumaki Akiko couldn't help but remark.

Shin swept his gaze across the area. It was far too empty; it seemed the once-greatest clan of the Warring States period existed in name only.

"Kushina, which one do you want to live in?" Shin asked Kushina.

"Shin brat, and you little girl, come with me," Tsunade said to Shin.

"Hm?"

Shin looked at Tsunade with a questioning gaze.

"Brat, you didn't act so simple earlier, and I saw it." After saying this, Tsunade turned and walked toward another area.

Shin's expression stiffened. After a moment of hesitation, he took Kushina's hand and followed Tsunade.

Seeing Shin and Kushina follow Tsunade away, Uzumaki Kai felt a twinge of jealousy.

"Damn it, why is Lady Tsunade treating him differently than she treats us?"

Uzumaki Akiko didn't think much of it. Being able to have a place to stay was already good enough. After choosing an empty room, she began to clean.

"Why are we following her?" Kushina asked, clearly annoyed.

Shin spread his hands. Since Tsunade had discovered some of his strength, he could only hope she wouldn't go around talking about it.

If Tsunade were to spread the word, he would likely face endless trouble in Konoha from now on.

Following Tsunade to a small courtyard, she said, "There are a few empty rooms over there; you can stay here."

"Then many thanks, Lady Tsunade."

Shin looked over the small courtyard. He had to admit, it was much better than the area they had seen before.

"Does anyone live here?" Shin asked Tsunade.

"That's right, I live here. It just so happens that I'm bored living alone, so I'll let an interesting brat like you stay here."

Tsunade looked at Shin with a hint of interest in her eyes. She was particularly eager to probe into this not-so-simple brat.

"As for you, little girl, you're just a bonus, so you'd better thank me," Tsunade said, looking at Kushina.

"I won't thank you at all!" Kushina said indignantly. Being called a "bonus" was infuriating.