Senju Territory

Senju Arashi focused on recovering her strength. And to help Qiancao vent his anger, she mobilized every Senju patient who was able to move and put them through hellish rehabilitation training in the forest.

Watching Senju Arashi and Uchiha Chigusa dote on each other, the young Senju ninjas grew even angrier, but there was nothing they could do. They could only vent their fury through sweat.

After staying at the Aburame Base for five days, Senju Arashi finally recovered all her strength.

Early on the sixth day, Senju Arashi stood before Aburame Den and Aburame Kei with two Uchiha and seven Senju ninjas to bid them farewell.

The ninja possessed by Black Zetsu looked bewildered. He only remembered being unconscious after he was injured, so why was everyone looking at him strangely now that he had woken up?

Meanwhile, the two little brats from the Uchiha Clan, who should have been mortal enemies of the Senju, had become honored guests. They spent every day chatting and laughing with Miss Arashi.

Everyone merely stared at the Uchiha brat with envy, jealousy, and resentment. Not one person voiced any objection.

For a while, he even suspected he had fallen victim to the legendary Mangekyo Sharingan genjutsu, Tsukuyomi, and that his real body was still lying on the battlefield at Mount Hakkoda.

"If you notice anything unusual, withdraw immediately or seek help from nearby ninjas," Senju Arashi instructed Aburame Kei at the doorway.

This time, Aburame Kei wasn't going back to the Senju Territory with the others. He still had some observations to complete.

He was holding an exquisitely crafted bamboo cage containing a giant rhinoceros beetle.

"Chigusa, this is a token of our friendship." Aburame Kei handed the cage to Chigusa.

Chigusa accepted the gift, touched nonetheless, though he politely declined. "I don't know how to take care of one. I'm afraid I might not treat it well."

Aburame Kei shook his head. "It's a special kind of rhinoceros beetle found on Mount Hakkoda, and it's highly collectible."

"I heard collecting these is popular among young members of the Senju Clan. You just need to find it a worthy owner, Chigusa. It could even help you get along with the young Senju."

Deeply touched by his kindness, Chigusa patted Aburame Kei on the shoulder in thanks, moving him once again.

Because of their clan's secret techniques, ninjas from other clans were often afraid to make physical contact with the Aburame.

After spending these past few days together, Uchiha Chigusa's equal treatment of him, free of disgust or fear, had made Aburame Kei consider him a kindred spirit.

For Chigusa, though, there was no particular reason. He simply thought the Aburame Clan in the Naruto anime was incredibly reliable.

Anyone who had watched the Naruto anime tended to like the Aburame Clan, unless they were so afraid of bugs that they couldn't help it.

After saying goodbye to the Aburame research base, the group headed for the Senju Territory.

When Chigusa had first left the Uchiha Territory by way of the Naka River, he'd been burdened by his mission and uncertain about the future. His mood had been heavy the entire way.

Now he had Wuming by his side, while Senju Arashi kept things lively with her jokes and acted as their guide. The journey had turned into a delightful one.

Senju Arashi was knowledgeable and could effortlessly recount the stories and legends associated with every sight along the way, opening Chigusa and Wuming's eyes.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and the group finally reached the Senju Territory.

It was still some distance from the site of the future Konoha, but they could already make out a bare, flat-topped mountain in the distance.

That mountain was the future Kage Rock, where two powerful ninjas would one day discuss the founding of Konoha.

But the Senju Village of this era was nowhere near the size of the later Konoha. It was merely a somewhat prosperous village.

Unlike the Uchiha Village, where everyone wore the Uchiha Clan's insignia, most of the people in Senju Village came from different ninja clans.

This was thanks to the Senju Clan's location at a major crossroads in the Naruto World. Most trade between countries took place in the Senju Territory.

The Senju Clan had made its fortune by serving as guards for the marketplace.

The small-time vendors along the way greeted Senju Arashi with great enthusiasm when they saw her return. Some particularly emotional shopkeepers even burst into tears as they told her:

"Everyone said you and the evil Uchiha ninja had died together, Miss Arashi. I just couldn't bring myself to believe it."

"I'm so glad to see you've come back safe and sound!"

Senju Arashi smiled, raised a fist in the air, and shouted to the Senju ninjas gathering around her, "The Senju will never lose to the Uchiha!"

"Yeahhhhhh!" The Senju around them roared with excitement, while even some people from other clans applauded.

The wicked little Uchiha beside her couldn't help feeling envious at how popular she was.

Along the way, most members of the clan had stopped to check on Senju Arashi, a clear testament to her popularity.

At last, the group arrived at the gate of a refined, old-fashioned residence.

Lanterns bearing the characters "Senju" hung from the pillars beside the gate. Senju Arashi explained to Chigusa and Wuming, "This is where the main branch of the Senju Clan lives."

A Senju ninja who had accompanied Senju Arashi to Mount Hakkoda knocked on the door. It opened a crack, and a young male ninja peered out.

As soon as he recognized the visitors, he hurriedly opened the gate all the way. Chigusa saw several people standing in neat formation behind it, though he had no idea how long they'd been waiting.

At the front stood a dignified middle-aged man and a red-haired middle-aged woman. They were clearly Senju Arashi's parents.

The family looked so much alike. Senju Arashi's bright, lively eyes resembled her father's, while her delicate nose and mouth resembled her mother's. She'd inherited the best of both parents' looks.

Senju Arashi hurried forward and bowed to her parents. "I'm sorry. My mission failed, and I worried everyone!"

Senju Arashi's mother looked visibly haggard. Rumors had spread these past few days that Senju Arashi and the Uchiha ninja had died together on Mount Hakkoda, and she had shed countless tears over them.

Now, seeing her daughter return, she hurried over and grabbed her by the arm. "You're back. That's all that matters. You're back!"

Senju Arashi's father was just as moved, but as clan head, he kept his emotions in check and merely reprimanded her. "I want a detailed explanation of why your mission failed!"

Though Senju Arashi's mother was displeased by his lack of warmth, she understood that this was what he had to do as the Senju Clan's head. She only held her daughter's arm, her eyes red, and remained silent.

Before Senju Arashi could report what had happened to her father, he caught sight of Chigusa and Wuming following behind her.

"Who are these two?" Senju Arashi's father asked in confusion. He had never seen either of them in Senju Village.

Senju Arashi casually introduced them. "These are friends I made on my trip: Uchiha Chigusa and Uchiha Nanashi."

As soon as she spoke, the entire Senju residence fell silent. Everyone gaped at the three of them, stunned.