Let Off Easily? Or Despair

"I..."

Tsunade wanted to defend herself, but as she recalled her own behavior, she found she could not open her mouth.

Perhaps this was her true destination.

If she could not even see the truth clearly herself, by what right could she lead her younger brother?

"I understand! From now on, whatever happens between the Senju Clan and Konoha has nothing to do with me."

Tsunade said, trembling, the light fading from her eyes.

Her heart was filled with confusion; she began to doubt everything—she doubted herself, she doubted Konoha, she doubted this world...

Senju Nawaki stepped past Tsunade and came to a halt before Sakata Ichimei.

"It seems you know something?" he said, narrowing his eyes and looking down at him.

"I have come to notify you: this is the alliance treaty between the Senju Clan and the Land of Fields. Due to the Land of Fields' shameless betrayal, the treaty is now void."

A scroll appeared in his hand and was unfurled.

On it were the signatures of Senju Hashirama of the Senju Clan and Sakata Ichiro of the Land of Fields' Sakata Clan, along with their bloody handprints.

Riiip.

The scroll was torn in two and tossed onto Sakata Ichimei's unrepentant face, though only a look of terror could be seen there.

This kind of treaty was not like a contract between a summoner and a summoned beast; it had no binding power to begin with, relying entirely on the integrity of both parties.

The Senju Clan's commitment to their word was renowned throughout the Ninja World.

Sakata Ichimei instinctively looked toward the Konoha side, specifically at Mitokado Homura. Konoha's reputation for keeping their word?

It had never been good, especially under Sarutobi Hiruzen, to whom he had pledged his allegiance.

From the destruction of the Uzumaki Clan to the expulsion of the Senju Clan, his shadow was behind it all.

A flicker of regret welled up in Sakata Ichimei's heart, only to be quickly drowned out by the situation at hand.

Konoha and Kumogakure Village, which bordered the Land of Fields, had already made their choice for him.

"Truly incompetent. Truly boring."

Senju Nawaki shook his head and walked away, not bothering to strike at Sakata Ichimei again.

The final outcome had already been determined.

Having finished this, he left amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd.

Tsunade followed behind Senju Nawaki, wanting to look at her brother and show her concern, wondering what on earth had happened to him.

There was no expected rage or retaliation; he simply left as lightly as he had arrived.

Questions swirled in the minds of those remaining.

Was he just going to let the Land of Fields go like that?

They did not understand the reason for Senju Nawaki's actions. He had done it merely to notify Sakata Ichimei, using this non-lethal method to intimidate and warn them.

It was like the whimpering of a defeated dog, which stirred a sense of satisfaction in their hearts.

A flash of excitement crossed Mitokado Homura's eyes. Senju Nawaki's performance clearly indicated that they had abandoned the Land of Fields.

In that case, the fertile land of the Land of Fields and the abundant resources it produced would belong to Konoha Village.

He felt a pang of regret that the terms he had offered Kumogakure Village were too generous.

A narrowed his eyes, the muscles in his body relaxing as he ceased to maintain a state of constant combat readiness.

Simple-minded as he was, he instinctively felt that Senju Nawaki's sudden appearance—just to cut down a tree of symbolic significance—was problematic, but he could not fathom the deeper meaning. He chose instead to secure the greatest possible benefit for Kumogakure Village.

The terms Mitokado Homura had offered were too excessive; he would continue to wait for the partition of the Land of Fields.

Ebizo frowned, making his choice after only a moment's hesitation.

Keeping Shamon's teachings in mind, he knew their Sunagakure could not afford to be greedy any longer.

The benefits of the Land of Fields before them were nothing but bait meant to ensnare them.

Given its geographical position—sandwiched between Kumogakure and Konoha, and separated from Sunagakure by several other nations—it was impossible for Sunagakure to maintain long-term control.

Sunagakure's ultimate goal should be focused on the Land of Rivers, which was closer to them.

After the incident at Takigakure, they should also be on their guard.

He always felt that Senju Nawaki and Sakata Ichimei were hiding something.

"Sunagakure is withdrawing from the Land of Fields."

He tossed out the words coldly and left this place of trouble.

He had to rush to the battlefield in the Land of Rain; a faint sense of unease lingered in his heart.

Tsunade's declaration just now meant she would not be returning to the Land of Rain battlefield, so their Sunagakure could take advantage of the other ninja villages staying out of the fray to seize the Land of Rivers they desired.

Their Sunagakure would no longer have to live a life under the thumb of others.

Even launching a war requires waiting for someone else's approval.

Amidst the bewildered gazes of those present, Ebizo's figure vanished.

Mitokado Homura was overjoyed; dissatisfied with the initial distribution, he began to hatch new plans the moment he saw Ebizo depart.

Sakata Ichimei remained slumped where he was.

His mind drifted back to his father's teachings and an ancient legend.

The Land of Fields was once known as the Land of Crushed Stone, a barren wasteland that only achieved its current prosperity with the help of the Senju Clan.

The Protection Tree at the Daimyo Mansion was a testament to their friendship and a safeguard for the Land of Fields, something his father had urged him to hold dear above all else.

Senju Nawaki's actions left him feeling deeply unsettled.

He turned his gaze toward Mitokado Homura, hoping to latch onto a new patron.

Only by signing a new alliance with the Five Great Ninja Villages could the Land of Fields continue to thrive.

He refused to believe that the Land of Fields would decline if it left the Senju Clan to find a more powerful backer.

Mitokado Homura helped Sakata Ichimei to his feet, ignoring the departing Ebizo of Sunagakure, and began to redistribute the interests of the Land of Fields.

Forty percent to Konoha, forty percent to Kumogakure Village, and twenty percent to the Land of Fields.

Only A of Kumogakure felt a slight dissatisfaction, but he quickly let it go.

He accepted this arrangement; based on their respective strengths and the strategic location of the Land of Fields between the two nations, this was the most optimal distribution.

The three parties signed the agreement in short order.

The interests of the Land of Fields had been fully allocated.

For the three parties signing the pact, it was the best possible outcome.

A perfect resolution.

Tsunade chased after them, unconsciously following behind Senju Nawaki and Senju Tojian.

Senju Nawaki stopped in his tracks and let out a long sigh.

Tsunade might have been irresponsible toward the Senju Clan, but she had always cared for him as a younger brother with meticulous attention, never once failing him.

"Sister, you are still the Princess of the Land of Fire. Once you find the answers you seek, you can come find me in the City of Wood."

Senju Nawaki spoke with a gentle tone, preserving a final shred of warmth.

Tsunade had merely been deceived; the truly detestable one was Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had used her as a pawn.

"I will no longer participate in any wars. I intend to travel throughout the Ninja World. Nawaki, take care of yourself."

Tsunade hesitated for a long time before voicing her decision.

The Tsunade before him had not experienced the death of Senju Nawaki, nor the death of her lover, yet she had arrived at the same conclusion as in the original timeline: to wander the Ninja World.

The earth-shattering changes of this period had shattered her former perceptions.

The irreconcilable conflict between her clan and the village.

The teacher she once revered—she had failed to see his true face.

She felt as though she had been living inside a massive lie. The "genius of the Senju Clan," the "future hope of Konoha," the "healer of all Konoha"—it was all a joke, tools used by Sarutobi Hiruzen to control her and restrict Senju Nawaki.

Her younger brother was far more capable than she was.

That former confidence and composure had vanished entirely.

Tsunade began to re-examine herself.

"If you have need of anything, come find me in the City of Wood."

Senju Nawaki nodded; he was pleased that Tsunade had made such a choice.

His consciousness had ultimately changed, making it impossible to perfectly empathize with the bond between the siblings.

Their relationship could never return to what it once was, but a fragment of warm familial affection remained.

Senju Nawaki's "Way of the Ninja" was a form of self-righteous fairness: those who were good to him, he would treat well in return; those who schemed against him, he would scheme against in turn.

Nawaki picked up his pace, heading toward the Land of Rain, where a massive upheaval was taking place.

It was tied to Nawaki's grand design, the key to restoring his body to its complete state.