On their way back to camp, Tsunade suddenly asked, "Xiao, why do you care so much about this family with the Uzumaki Bloodline? There are plenty of people like them!"
Uchiha Xiao suddenly smiled. "You weren't paying close attention just now, were you? That child's eyes are the legendary Rinnegan of the Sage of Six Paths."
"The Rinnegan? What's that?" Tsunade asked, puzzled. And indeed, Madara had acquired the Rinnegan by accident after biting off a piece of Hashirama's flesh.
Aside from Madara and Black Zetsu, no one knew what it took to awaken the Rinnegan. After the Filial Son sealed Asura and Indra, the Rinnegan had almost never appeared again during the long years of the Warring States period. As a result, almost none of the major clans had any records of it.
Uchiha Xiao explained, "I once read through old Uchiha texts and various myths and legends, and came across the Rinnegan."
Tsunade nodded, not particularly suspicious. Still, she asked, "Are the Sage of Six Paths' eyes really that powerful?"
Uchiha Xiao smiled, the corners of his mouth lifting. "That child will be able to destroy Konoha with a single thought once he grows up. And he'll do it effortlessly. Do you believe me?"
Tsunade's pupils contracted. She stopped and looked at Uchiha Xiao. His expression hadn't changed, and seeing that, Tsunade was sure he wasn't joking.
"Xiao, I think sending just twenty people to escort that family back to Konoha is too dangerous. I'll send fifty—no, a hundred Senju jōnin to protect them," Tsunade said at once.
Uchiha Xiao's mouth twitched. "A hundred, and all jōnin? Don't let that force draw everyone's attention. Remember, Konoha isn't the only one operating in the Land of Rain right now."
Tsunade thought it over. He had a point. Then she asked, "Xiao, how many do you think would be enough?"
Uchiha Xiao crossed two fingers. Tsunade understood. "Ten?"
"That's right, ten. It's a smaller target, and ten jōnin are more than enough to hold off a forty-man squad. If they don't show their skills, who'll know we sent jōnin?" Uchiha Xiao said with a smile.
Tsunade nodded. She trusted Uchiha Xiao's judgment, so ten Senju jōnin were sent to escort Uzumaki Nagato's family. Before leaving, Uzumaki Nagato even gave Uchiha Xiao a kiss and waved goodbye!
Uchiha Xiao smiled and waved back.
Three days later, after they had rested,
A letter suddenly arrived. Tsunade opened it; it was in Uzumaki Mito's handwriting. "Little Tsuna, thank you for remembering your grandmother. They've arrived safely. Nagato is a clever child with a wonderful talent, and he's very likable."
"I heard from the clan members that you suffered almost no casualties this time. Well done. You should observe more, ask more questions, and listen to your commander's advice." Tsunade blushed as she read this. It seemed the clan members who had returned had already told her grandmother everything.
"Lastly, Little Tsuna, the battlefield is no place for games. Be careful at every turn, and discuss things when you need to. Pay special attention to Xiao's advice. Your grandmother will be waiting at home for you all to return safely. I'll make you something delicious!"
That was the end of Uzumaki Mito's letter. Tsunade smiled warmly. Just then, Uchiha Xiao came in. Seeing her smile, he couldn't help but pause. "Lady Tsunade, what's going on?"
Then he glanced at the letter in her hand and suddenly understood. "A letter from home is worth its weight in gold. Is it from Lady Mito?"
Uchiha Xiao found a chair and sat down. After three days of rest, the locals had come to trust their army's conduct. The village chief had arranged to rent them an office and a piece of open ground large enough for tents.
That was why Uchiha Xiao and Tsunade could discuss military affairs there. When Tsunade saw him approach, she rose with a smile and handed the letter to Uchiha Xiao, who was sitting with one leg crossed over the other.
"Here, take a look. Grandma is praising you and telling me to listen to you more. Also, Nagato and the others arrived safely in Konoha and are staying at home. You can relax now!" Tsunade was in a good mood. They had only been fighting for three days, but it felt as if time were crawling by. She had been on edge every day.
Now the letter from home had soothed her restless emotions. Uchiha Xiao took it and read it carefully, a smile spreading across his face as he struggled to hide his delight.
"Lady Mito is praising our Lady Tsunade for knowing how to recognize talent, too. If you hadn't made up your mind, I wouldn't have had the chance to show what I can do," Uchiha Xiao said with a smile.
"Grandma told you to call her Grandma directly. Why are you still calling her Lady Mito?" Tsunade snorted. Uchiha Xiao stood and pressed her back into the chair. "Lady Mito is our senior and Konoha's most respected person. Besides, we're not at home, so it's better to call her Lady Mito."
Tsunade thought it over and decided he had a point. After all, this was the command post, and there were two guards at the door.
But what had Xiao just done? He'd put both hands on her arms and pressed her into the chair. How dare he!!!
But Xiao's expression hadn't changed; it seemed he'd done it without thinking. Fine, she'd forgive him. Besides, his palms had been rather warm. In that instant, Tsunade thought of all sorts of things.
Uchiha Xiao had no idea what was going through her mind. He walked over to Tsunade's desk and leaned forward.
Uchiha Xiao studied the map, deep in thought. Yesterday, Lord Orochimaru and Lord Jiraiya's scouts had arrived in the village and said their forces would join up today. The meeting point was right here.
Thinking about it now, they should have arrived. Just then, the guard at the door opened it and saluted Tsunade and Xiao.
"Lord Xiao, Lady Tsunade, Lord Orochimaru's and Lord Jiraiya's forces are waiting at the village entrance."
Then he knelt on one knee and waited for their reply. Tsunade stood, ready to head out, but Uchiha Xiao hurriedly stopped her. "Lady Tsunade, our forces are at full strength. When we join up, we'll have to choose an overall commander."
"And the most likely outcome is that you'll be chosen. If you're the one who goes out to greet them, you'll lose a little ground before things even begin."
"I know you care about your fellow disciples, but you still have to compete for command of this battle. Whether it's to build your political standing or to keep the Senju troops safe, you need to stay calm right now."
Uchiha Xiao's words left Tsunade's lips slightly parted. She hadn't realized that going out to greet them could have so many implications.
"Then, Xiao, what should I do?" Tsunade asked. She knew he was looking out for her.
Uchiha Xiao replied calmly, "Stay seated." As he spoke, he gestured toward the main seat in the office, then continued, "I'll go greet Jiraiya and Lord Orochimaru. You just need to wait here."
After thinking it over, Tsunade shook her head. "That wouldn't be right. The three of us are fellow disciples, after all. I shouldn't stay here instead of going out to greet them."
Uchiha Xiao opened his mouth, but in the end, he thought about the relationship between them and shook his head with a sigh. Perhaps that was the bond between the Sannin.
Uchiha Xiao didn't try to persuade her again. Instead, he followed Tsunade to the village entrance to welcome Orochimaru and Jiraiya.