The Eye of the Immortal

On the way back to the barracks, Tsunade suddenly asked, "Xiao, why do you care so much about that family with Uzumaki blood? There are plenty of people like them!"

Uchiha Xiao laughed suddenly, "You didn't observe carefully just now. That child's eyes are the legendary Rinnegan of the Sage of Six Paths."

"Rinnegan? What is that?" Tsunade was somewhat confused. It was true that Madara's Rinnegan was an accidental product created after he bit off a piece of Hashirama's flesh.

Except for Madara and Black Zetsu, no one knew the conditions for awakening the Rinnegan. Following the sealing by the Filial Son and the battle between Asura and Indra, the Rinnegan had almost never appeared throughout the long years of the Warring States period, so almost no major clans had any records of it.

To this, Uchiha Xiao's explanation was, "I once browsed through ancient Uchiha texts and various myths and legends, and I saw the Rinnegan mentioned."

Tsunade nodded, not harboring much suspicion about this, though she still asked, "Are the Sage of Six Paths' eyes very powerful?"

Uchiha Xiao smiled, the corners of his mouth curling upward, "Do you believe me if I say that once that child grows up, he could destroy Konoha with a single thought—and it would be a crushing victory?"

Tsunade's pupils constricted instantly. She stopped in her tracks and looked at Uchiha Xiao, while Uchiha Xiao's expression remained unchanged. Seeing this, Tsunade was certain that Uchiha Xiao was not joking with her.

"Xiao, I think sending them back to Konoha with twenty people is still too dangerous. I'm going to have fifty—no, one hundred Senju jonin escort their family," Tsunade said immediately.

Uchiha Xiao's mouth twitched, "One hundred, and all jonin? Don't let that force attract everyone's attention. You must know that it's not just our Konoha people inside the Land of Rain right now."

Tsunade thought about it and agreed, then asked, "Xiao, then how many people do you think is appropriate?"

Uchiha Xiao crossed two fingers, and Tsunade understood, "Ten people?"

"Exactly, ten people. The target is smaller, and ten jonin are enough to fend off a forty-man squad. Before they strike, who would know that the people we sent out are jonin?" Uchiha Xiao laughed.

Tsunade nodded; she trusted Uchiha Xiao's words implicitly. And so, ten Senju jonin were dispatched to pick up Uzumaki Nagato's family. Before leaving, Uzumaki Nagato even kissed Uchiha Xiao and waved at him!

Uchiha Xiao smiled slightly and bid him farewell.

Three days of rest later.

Suddenly, a letter arrived. Tsunade opened the letter; it was in Uzumaki Mito's handwriting: "Little Tsunade, thank you for thinking of your grandmother. The people have arrived safely. Nagato is a very smart child with great talent, and he is very likable."

"I heard from the clansmen that you suffered almost zero casualties this time. Well done. You should observe more, ask more, and listen more to your commander's opinions." Reading this, Tsunade's face flushed; it seemed the returning clansmen had already told her grandmother the news.

"Finally, little Tsunade, the battlefield is not child's play. Be careful in everything, discuss matters more, especially Xiao's opinions. Grandmother is waiting at home for your safe return and will make you delicious food!"

Uzumaki Mito's words ended there, and a knowing smile appeared on Tsunade's face. Just then, Uchiha Xiao entered. Seeing the smile on her face, he couldn't help but be stunned, "My Lady, what is this?"

He then glanced at the letter in her hand and suddenly realized, "A letter from home is worth ten thousand pieces of gold. Is it a letter from Lady Mito?"

Uchiha Xiao found a chair and sat down. After these three days of rest, the local villagers had come to trust the conduct of their army, so the local village chief had taken the lead in renting them an office building and enough open space to pitch tents.

Because of this, Uchiha Xiao and Tsunade were able to discuss military affairs here. Seeing Uchiha Xiao approach, Tsunade smiled as she stood up and handed the letter to Uchiha Xiao, who was sitting with his legs crossed.

"Here, take a look. Grandmother is praising you and telling me to listen to you more. Also, Nagato and his family have arrived safely at Konoha and are staying at home. Now you can rest easy!" Tsunade was in a good mood. Although they had only been fighting for three days, she felt the time had passed so slowly, and she had been tense every day.

Now, this letter from home allowed her restless emotions to be soothed. Uchiha Xiao reached out to take the letter and read it carefully. The corners of his mouth lifted, unable to hide his joy.

"Lady Mito is also praising our Lady Tsunade for her ability to recognize talent. If Lady Tsunade hadn't made up her mind, I wouldn't have had the chance to show my skills," Uchiha Xiao laughed.

"Grandmother told you to call her Grandmother directly, why are you still calling her Lady Mito?" Tsunade snorted coldly. Uchiha Xiao stood up and pressed her back into the chair, saying, "Lady Mito is a senior and the most respected person in Konoha. Besides, this isn't home; it's better to address her as Lady Mito."

Tsunade thought about it and felt that seemed correct; after all, this was the command post, and there were two guards at the door.

But what did Xiao just do? He placed his hands on her arms! He pressed her into the chair—how dare he!!!

However, seeing that Xiao's expression remained unchanged, it seemed to be an unintentional act. Very well, she would forgive him. But Xiao's palms were quite warm. Tsunade thought of many things in that instant.

Uchiha Xiao was unaware of this; he walked to Tsunade's desk and lowered his head.

Uchiha Xiao looked at the map, deep in thought. Yesterday, scouts for Lord Orochimaru and Lord Jiraiya arrived in the village saying they would rendezvous today, and the meeting point was right here.

Thinking about it now, they should have arrived. Just as he was thinking this, the guards at the door pushed the door open, looked at Tsunade and Xiao sitting to the side, and saluted.

"Lord Xiao, Lady Tsunade, Lord Orochimaru's army and Lord Jiraiya's army are already waiting at the village entrance."

After speaking, they knelt on one knee, waiting for a reply. Tsunade stood up, intending to go out, but Uchiha Xiao hurriedly stopped her, "Lady Tsunade, we are currently a force at our peak. At this rendezvous, a commander-in-chief will inevitably be chosen."

"And the most likely outcome right now is that Lady Tsunade will be chosen as the commander-in-chief. If you are the one to go out and greet them now, your momentum will drop by a notch."

"I know you value the camaraderie of your fellow disciples, but you must fight for the position of commander-in-chief for this battle. Whether as your political capital or for the safety of the Senju troops, you must hold your ground right now."

Uchiha Xiao's words made Tsunade's lips part slightly. She hadn't expected that simply going out to greet them could have so many implications.

"Then, Xiao, what should I do?" Tsunade asked. She knew in her heart that Uchiha Xiao was doing this for her own good.

Uchiha Xiao said calmly, "You just sit here." As he spoke, Uchiha Xiao pointed to the main seat in the office, then added, "Afterward, I will go to greet Lord Jiraiya and Lord Orochimaru. You just need to wait here."

After thinking it over, Tsunade still shook her head, "That's not right. The three of us are fellow disciples after all. It wouldn't be appropriate for me not to go out and greet them."

Uchiha Xiao opened his mouth, but after thinking about the relationship between them, he shook his head and sighed. Perhaps this was the bond between the Sannin.

Uchiha Xiao did not try to persuade her further, but followed behind Tsunade as they headed to the village entrance to greet Orochimaru and Jiraiya.

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