Chapter 26

"I couldn't stand by and watch the Uzumaki Clan be destroyed."

Tsunade opened her mouth, but no words came out.

She could feel the struggle and pain in her grandmother's heart.

The moment she thought of what her teacher had done, the resentment in her heart exploded, and she even began to hate him.

If he hadn't been so selfish, how could her grandmother, the Senju Clan, and the Uzumaki Clan have ended up like this?

She took a deep breath, and her mind had never been clearer.

Remembering what Uzumaki Mito had said earlier, her expression hardened as she immediately grasped the key point.

"So, Grandma, was it because you saw what was happening with the Uchiha Clan—especially Uchiha Chisato's recent movements—that you began to consider another option?"

"You plan to give the Uchiha Clan a hand, join forces against those led by the Third Generation, and protect the Uzumaki Clan and the Senju Clan?"

Uzumaki Mito's eyes lit up. Looking at Tsunade, she said with a hint of relief, "You've finally come to your senses."

"I do have that intention. But having an idea isn't enough. I need to meet Jiri first and sound out her intentions before we can proceed."

"I hope this works out."

If it did, life would become much easier for both the Senju Clan and the Uzumaki Clan.

Besides, this would be an enormous boon for the Uchiha Clan as well.

If the two sides joined hands, neither would lose out.

Tsunade could see it clearly now—those four old men led by Hiruzen Sarutobi would not only target the Senju Clan in the future. To preserve their positions and benefits, they would spare none of the powerful clans.

Once the Senju Clan fell, the Uchiha Clan would be next.

After the Uchiha Clan was dealt with, it would be the Hyuga Clan, then Ino–Shika–Cho, the Inuzuka Clan, the Aburame Clan... one after another.

Only when every clan stronger than them, every clan unwilling to obey them, had been suppressed—when the Sarutobi Clan had become Konoha's strongest clan, perhaps when all of Konoha had become Sarutobi Village—would that suppression ease somewhat or come to a stop.

That was the consequence of a small clan seizing the Hokage's position from the great clans!

Before this, neither she nor Tobirama had seen that clearly.

That was why they had caused such enormous trouble.

"Mm!"

After hearing this, Tsunade nodded heavily. "Then let's wait until we've met with the Uchiha Clan! I hope we can reach an agreement!"

"Right!"

She suddenly remembered that Uchiha Chisato had recovered to her peak, and her eyes brightened as she turned to her grandmother. "Grandma! If Uchiha Chisato could return to her peak, maybe she has a way to help you recover too?"

"Even if you can't fully recover, she should at least be able to help you live a few more years, right?"

"Didn't she examine you a few years ago? I remember you saying that her Life Origin and Soul Origin had both developed problems, right?"

"That was far more serious than your condition;"

"You only shortened your lifespan because you sealed a Tailed Beast and had been constantly draining your vitality and Chakra to maintain the seal, wasn't that right?"

"If Uchiha Chisato could heal herself back to her peak, she could definitely help you recover too, right?"

At that thought, Tsunade finally felt a glimmer of hope.

Ever since she had seen past her illusion of the Third Generation and understood what the Senju Clan and the Uzumaki Clan would face in the future, the pressure in her heart had weighed down on her like a mountain.

She could barely breathe.

This was not something someone her age could bear at all.

But what if her grandmother could live another ten or twenty years, perhaps even longer?

Then none of those burdens would need to fall on her shoulders!

She would only need to offer a little support from the side and lend a hand.

How easy would that be?

In another ten or twenty years, Nawaki would have grown up long ago.

When that time came, she could dump all those responsibilities on Nawaki.

After all, he was the future clan head of the Senju Clan. Those matters were supposed to be his burden, weren't they?

She was just a young woman. She really shouldn't have to shoulder so much.

"Perhaps."

How could Uzumaki Mito fail to see through Tsunade's little scheme?

Still, if she truly could live another ten or twenty years, she would not mind helping Tsunade carry the burden for a few more years;

And properly training Nawaki while she was at it.

"That is why I said we should wait until we meet Uchiha Chisato."

Uzumaki Mito handed over a letter, her tone calm. "Only after she has fully recovered and we confirm that the method in her hands is not one of a kind can we move forward with the rest. Make a trip for me. Deliver this invitation to Uchiha Chisato and invite her to visit our home sometime soon."

Tsunade took the letter and nodded. "Understood. I'll go right away."

She left the house without slowing her pace and soon reached the Uchiha Clan's compound. After meeting Uchiha Chisato, she bowed according to custom, handed over the invitation, and briefly explained why she had come.

Uchiha Chisato took the letter, unfolded it, and gave it a quick glance. Her brow lifted slightly before she folded the paper again and looked up at Tsunade. "I understand what you mean. I have no problem with meeting."

The tension in Tsunade's heart eased, but the other woman's next words immediately made her frown.

"However, I have no time for the next half month." Uchiha Chisato's tone was flat, as if she were discussing some trivial matter. "Wait twenty days. Then I will bring my son, Xunjing, and visit together. If nothing unexpected happens, you should receive what you want that day. That is all."

There were not many words in the invitation, yet Uchiha Chisato saw through the probing hidden between the lines at once—Uzumaki Mito wanted to extend her life. She sneered inwardly. It seems that woman isn't one to resign herself to fate either. She had the same idea as me. Good. When we meet to discuss a deal, it shouldn't take too much effort.

Tsunade grew anxious and stepped half a pace forward. "Twenty days? Can't it be sooner?"

She did not say it outright, but her expression already said everything—the situation in the Land of Whirlpools was urgent. Who knew when the enemy would make their move?

Uchiha Chisato did not wait for her to finish, nor did she explain further. She merely raised her eyes, and an overwhelming aura suddenly bore down on her.

Tsunade felt her shoulders sink as though a mountain had pressed down on her. Her back bent into an arch, her whole face flushed red, and her entire body trembled uncontrollably. Her knees nearly buckled, almost sending her directly to the ground. Fortunately, the pressure came quickly and vanished just as fast, disappearing completely in the blink of an eye.

Uchiha Chisato lifted her teacup and took a sip, looking as composed as though nothing had happened. She raised her eyelids, glanced at Tsunade, and waved dismissively. "I have made myself clear. Go back."

Tsunade gritted her teeth, her clenched knuckles turning white. Anger burned in her heart, but she forcefully suppressed it and lowered her head. "Yes. Then I'll take my leave."

She turned and quickly left the courtyard. Only after stepping through the main gate did she let out a long breath, and the trembling in her body gradually subsided. She looked back at the quiet residence, her gaze complicated.

What terrifying pressure. Thoughts churned through her mind. I really underestimated her before. Her strength is absolutely no weaker than Grandma's. And that vitality wasn't an act, either. It seems she truly has recovered.

That was good news. At the very least, it proved that Uchiha Chisato really possessed a way to save her grandmother.

Tsunade returned home in a fury and began pouring out her grievances to her grandmother the moment she stepped inside.

She recounted everything that had just happened, pouting as she complained, "Grandma, you have no idea how terrifying Uchiha Chisato is! I only said a few words, and she released her aura to crush me. That pressure almost pinned me to the ground!"

After hearing it, Uzumaki Mito not only failed to comfort her, but laughed instead. "Hehe, you rashly went to probe her, and now you know how formidable she is?"

"Who do you think Uchiha Chisato is?"

"She looks gentle on the outside, but only those who lived through the Uchiha Clan's internal strife back then knew how forceful and domineering she was when she ** the entire clan by herself!"

"She is a peerless genius whose talent is no worse than mine, perhaps even greater."

"Back then, she argued with your second grandfather several times over matters concerning the Uchiha Clan."

"Even your second grandfather could do nothing about her and could only yield. That tells you how formidable she is."