Searching for Tsunade: The Three Sannin Reunite

Danzo was imprisoned, Root had been destroyed, and Orochimaru fled with grave injuries.

The chaos in Konoha finally began to subside.

The Third Hokage still lay unconscious in the hospital. Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane presided over the situation, yet they never truly felt secure.

Now, the only one who could intimidate all sides and stabilize Konoha was Uchiha Mu!

This lone young man had single-handedly fought two Kage to a draw, crushed Orochimaru, deposed Danzo, and become Konoha's pillar with his invincible record. He was also recognized across the ninja world as the new generation's supreme ruler.

He refused every title and honor offered by Konoha's higher-ups. In his daily life, he either trained at the fields outside the village or watched Sasuke from afar, never involving himself in matters of power.

After witnessing Uchiha Mu's overwhelming strength, Sasuke had completely shed his former impatience and trained harder than ever.

He wanted only to catch up to Uchiha Mu, surpass him, kill Itachi with his own hands, and avenge the Uchiha Clan.

Before dawn every day, Sasuke went to the training grounds and trained with everything he had. Even when covered in injuries, he never stopped.

Uchiha Mu occasionally paused to watch, but he never offered guidance.

He understood that Sasuke could only walk his own path.

That day, a group of unusual guests arrived at Konoha's gates.

Envoys from the Five Great Ninja Villages stood in neat formation, their expressions respectful. Each held a treasured artifact from their respective village as they waited quietly outside the gates.

The Hidden Cloud Village, Hidden Stone Village, Hidden Mist Village, Hidden Sand Village, and Konoha itself—the Five Great Ninja Villages had gathered without any fanfare, bearing only deep reverence.

Their sole purpose in coming was to pay a visit to Uchiha Mu.

While showing goodwill, they also intended to probe Konoha's stance, afraid that they might inadvertently offend the young man capable of crushing those beyond Kage level.

Ever since Uchiha Mu had ascended to godhood in a single battle, the daimyo of the Five Great Ninja Villages had been unable to sit still.

No one dared underestimate Konoha anymore, much less the Uchiha Clan, now reduced to only two boys.

At the front of the group stood a tall, striking woman.

Her dark skin made her white hair shine all the more brilliantly. She was Mabui, the Fourth Lightning Shadow's personal secretary.

Mabui held an exquisite brocade box containing the Hidden Cloud Village's most precious lightning-nature chakra crystal.

The pale violet crystal glimmered brilliantly, containing vast, pure Lightning Release chakra. It was a supreme treasure coveted by countless Lightning Release ninja.

Her expression appeared calm, but the fingertips clutching the brocade box had turned faintly white, and an almost imperceptible flicker stirred in her eyes.

This was not her first meeting with Uchiha Mu.

Back when she had traveled with the Lightning Shadow, they had met by chance. Uchiha Mu's unexpected confession had remained etched in her mind, impossible to dispel.

Her gaze passed through the crowd and precisely settled on the mountaintop not far away.

She could clearly sense that Uchiha Mu was there, quietly watching this place.

Their gazes met silently across the distance.

There were no words, no unnecessary gestures, yet an indescribably subtle feeling filled the air.

A faint blush crept over Mabui's cheeks. She hurriedly looked away and lowered her eyes, concealing the fluster in them.

Yet the stirring in her heart surged like a tide, impossible to suppress.

On the mountaintop, even Uchiha Mu's originally icy, indifferent gaze rippled slightly, and the cold aura around him unconsciously softened.

At last, he had seen her again.

However, with so many people present and their respective identities between them, both restrained themselves in tacit understanding.

Neither stepped forward, neither reminisced, and they did not even dare exchange a single unnecessary glance.

This hidden affection could only be quietly buried in their hearts, surging unnoticed in a corner where no one could see it.

Behind Mabui stood the envoy from the Hidden Stone Village.

He was the grandson of the Third Earth Shadow, Ōnoki. His face was still youthful as he held the Hidden Stone Village's secret Earth Release scroll in both hands. He was so respectful that he did not even dare raise his head, afraid that one careless move might offend that heaven-defying genius.

To one side of the group stood the Hidden Mist Village's envoy, a trusted subordinate of the Fifth Water Shadow, Terumi Mei.

Dressed in watery blue, he held a jade bottle filled with water-nature cultivation resources. His attitude was humble, and his eyes brimmed with reverence for Uchiha Mu. He did not dare show the slightest neglect.

At the rear of the group stood the Hidden Sand Village's envoys: Temari and Kankuro.

Kankuro still wore puppeteer attire and a mask over his face. With an indifferent expression, he silently remained at Temari's side as her guard.

Only when he looked toward Konoha did a faint, barely noticeable vigilance appear in his gaze.

Temari, meanwhile, had shed her former bold and flamboyant manner.

Her simple Hidden Sand Village attire outlined her slender, upright figure. She clenched her three-star folding fan so tightly that her knuckles had turned white.

The sharp competence that once filled her azure eyes was gone, replaced by anticipation and shyness.

Her gaze crossed the crowd and fixed firmly on the mountaintop, the affection in her eyes completely undisguised.

She had traveled thousands of miles and brought Kankuro with her to Konoha. On the surface, she had come to represent the Hidden Sand Village's goodwill, but in truth, it was all to see Uchiha Mu once more.

The disappointment and unwillingness she had felt when leaving Konoha last time had now transformed entirely into eager anticipation.

She had even rehearsed countless times in her heart what she should say after seeing him.

Just then, Uchiha Mu slowly moved atop the mountain.

He did not come down to meet the envoys of the Five Great Ninja Villages. Instead, he deliberately let his gaze rest on Temari.

Feeling that familiar gaze—cold, yet carrying a trace of gentleness—Temari's heart began pounding instantly.

Her face flushed crimson, and she hurriedly lowered her head. Yet the corners of her lips could not help but lift slightly, while the shyness and joy in her eyes could no longer be concealed.

She knew he had seen her.

That feeling of being noticed instantly swept away all the longing and unease she had carried for days.

Uchiha Mu's gaze lingered on her for a moment before quietly shifting away.

But Temari clearly caught that fleeting tenderness, and it gave her heart a little more courage.

She secretly made up her mind. This time, no matter what, she would tell him how she felt!

Upon learning that the envoys of the Five Great Ninja Villages had gathered, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane hurried to the village gates to receive them personally.

Both wore broad smiles and spoke respectfully. "You have all come from far away and must be weary. Please, come into Konoha and rest."

Mabui was the first to recover. Suppressing the stirring in her heart, she gave a slight nod and said humbly and politely, "Thank you, Advisor Homura. We came primarily to pay respects to Lord Uchiha Mu. We hope you can accommodate us."

The envoys from the other ninja villages also echoed her words, their tones incomparably respectful.

The smile on Homura Mitokado's face stiffened for an instant before he said helplessly:

"My sincerest apologies. Lord Mu has a proud temperament and dislikes being disturbed. I do not dare trouble him without cause."

He was telling the truth.

Uchiha Mu was cold and proud.

He accepted no one's control. Even Konoha's higher-ups did not dare provoke him carelessly, much less force him to receive visitors.

Hearing this, Mabui and the others showed traces of disappointment, but they did not press the matter.

They had long heard that Uchiha Mu was proud and unrestrained, and that he disliked social obligations.

Their personal visit already demonstrated their utmost sincerity. If they forcibly disturbed him and angered the young man, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Then, in that case, we will wait here."

Mabui spoke softly, her tone remaining humble, though her gaze could not help drifting quietly back toward the mountaintop.

The other envoys nodded as well, willingly waiting outside Konoha's gates.

Not one complained, and not one dared enter Konoha without permission.