Gazing at his older sister Tsunade, Nawaki couldn't help but hesitate.
Madara Uchiha's sudden appearance had indeed left him stunned and at a loss, but Madara's words had flashed through his mind like lightning, leaving a deep impression on his heart.
That was right. Only by enduring the trials and tribulations of war firsthand could he truly grow stronger.
And for Nawaki, who was determined to become Konoha's great Hokage, this chance to fight on the front lines was an opportunity that came once in a lifetime. He didn't want to let it slip away, no matter what.
So Nawaki looked steadily at Tsunade's worried, caring face and said resolutely, "Sis, even if the enemy is clearly targeting me this time, I still insist on going to the front lines to fight."
He paused briefly, his gaze growing even more resolute, as if a blazing fire burned within him. Then he declared firmly, "Whether Madara Uchiha is good or evil is beside the point. Just based on what he said at the end—that I have to go through the trials of battle in order to grow—I've made up my mind. I have to go!"
Nawaki's eyes were filled with determination. He showed no sign of backing down. Faced with her little brother's resolve, Tsunade was at a loss for a moment, unsure how to respond.
Just then, Uchiha Xiao slowly reached out and gently patted Tsunade on the shoulder, trying to soothe her growing anxiety.
Uzumaki Mito was a little dazed. As she looked at Nawaki, she seemed to see Hashirama as he had been all those years ago, always charging forward, no matter how many powerful enemies stood in his way.
Nawaki was nowhere near Hashirama's strength, but she really couldn't bring herself to discourage that fiery determination.
She sighed deeply, her face filled with resignation, and gently shook her head.
As the younger generation grew up, they became more and more independent. Mito sighed to herself. Ah, children have their own blessings.
Even so, the one she worried about most at that moment was Senju Nawaki. She sincerely hoped he would return safe and sound.
Mito shook her head and went back to her room. Seeing this, Uchiha Xiao sighed, then prepared to take out the Explosion-Proof Suit he had bought for his brother-in-law.
Xiao focused his mind and used his thoughts to relay Senju Nawaki's height, age, and other detailed information to the mysterious system.
After receiving the information, the system rapidly adjusted the 2090 Blast-Proof Suit until it fit Nawaki perfectly.
Then Xiao deftly pulled a finely crafted storage scroll from inside his clothes.
With Tsunade and Nawaki watching curiously, he began to mold the chakra within his body. In an instant, a sharp pop rang out, and a thick cloud of white smoke billowed up.
While the sudden cloud of smoke completely captured and distracted Tsunade and Nawaki, the system and Xiao worked together seamlessly, silently transporting the modified suit into the cloud in an instant.
The whole operation went so smoothly that it looked as though the suit had come straight out of the storage scroll.
Caught off guard, Tsunade and Nawaki were both choked by the thick smoke and began coughing repeatedly. Tsunade's ample chest shook with each violent cough, nearly making Xiao's Sharingan stare straight ahead.
Realizing he had lost his composure, Xiao quickly snapped out of it and looked away.
He rubbed his eyes in a fluster, secretly relieved. Thank goodness Tsunade and Nawaki were both struggling to keep their eyes open because of the smoke. Otherwise, I would've embarrassed myself right here and died of shame!
Once the wisps of white smoke and the mysterious scroll had completely vanished, Xiao finally opened his eyes, which he had kept tightly shut.
The corners of his mouth lifted into a gentle smile, warm as a spring breeze. Tsunade, gradually recovering from her shock, happened to catch sight of it.
Looking at the man's charming smile, Tsunade felt her cheeks heat up, and her heart seemed to skip a beat.
She instinctively tried to look away, but found her gaze held fast, unable to shift even an inch.
Meanwhile, unlike his sister, who was focused on Xiao, Senju Nawaki had fixed all his attention on Xiao's hand.
A seemingly ordinary piece of clothing rested quietly in Xiao's palm.
"Big Brother Xiao, what kind of clothes are you holding?" Nawaki asked curiously, pointing at the garment.
Hearing her little brother's question, Tsunade snapped out of it and turned her gaze to Xiao's hand.
Only then did she notice that a black, jacket-like garment had somehow appeared in his hand.
Seeing that everyone's attention was on the garment, Xiao was secretly pleased. He knew he had succeeded in piquing their interest.
He quickly explained with a smile, "Tsunade, don't underestimate this garment! It isn't ordinary clothing. It's a special ninja tool I prepared for Nawaki.
"It may look plain, no different from ordinary clothes, but it actually has incredibly powerful defensive capabilities.
"It can completely negate all damage from explosions, and its defensive power is astonishing.
"Even against a Kage Level opponent's full-power attack, it can withstand three hits!"
Tsunade's face first lit up with delight, but then her brows furrowed and she looked doubtful. "Xiao, are you really sure that a little leather jacket like this can withstand a Kage Level opponent's fierce attack?"
It was no wonder Tsunade was skeptical. At first glance, the garment looked plain and utterly unremarkable.
Its color was dull, and its style was ordinary. It had no unique design or decorations to catch the eye.
Tsunade even thought that a single swing of her blade would tear the garment to pieces as easily as a sheet of paper.
But in response to her doubts, Xiao said nothing more. He simply smiled and beckoned to Senju Nawaki, who was standing nearby.
Nawaki couldn't help feeling a little puzzled, but because he trusted Xiao, he still walked toward him without hesitation.