Chapter 26

"I can't stand by and watch the Uzumaki Clan be wiped out."

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 everything her teacher had done, her resentment exploded, even beginning to turn into hatred.

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

She drew a deep breath, and her mind became clearer than it had ever been.

Recalling what Uzumaki Mito had said earlier, her expression sharpened as she seized on the crucial point.

"So, Grandma, it was what you saw happening with the Uchiha Clan-especially Uchiha Chisato's recent activities-that made you consider another option?"

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

Uzumaki Mito's eyes lit up. She looked at Tsunade, a note of relief in her voice. "You've finally come to your senses."

"That is what I have in mind. But an idea alone won't do us any good. I need to meet Jiri first and find out where she stands before we can go any further."

"I hope it works out."

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

Besides, this would be a tremendous boon for the Uchiha Clan as well.

Neither side would lose out by joining forces.

Tsunade could see it perfectly clearly now-to protect their positions and interests, Hiruzen Sarutobi and those three other old men wouldn't stop at targeting the Senju Clan. They would go after every powerful major clan.

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

After dealing with the Uchiha Clan, they would move on to the Hyuga Clan, then Ino-Shika-Cho, the Inuzuka Clan, the Aburame Clan... one after another.

Only when every clan stronger than theirs, every clan that refused to obey, had been crushed, and the Sarutobi Clan had become Konoha's strongest-or even turned all of Konoha into Sarutobi Village-would that suppression ease a little, or stop.

This was what happened when a small clan seized the Hokage position from the major clans!

Neither she nor Tobirama had understood that before.

That was how they had brought so much trouble upon themselves.

"Yes!"

After hearing her out, Tsunade nodded firmly. "Then let's wait until we've met with the Uchiha Clan! Hopefully, we can reach an agreement!"

"Oh, right!"

Suddenly remembering that Uchiha Chisato had returned to her prime, her eyes lit up, and she turned to her grandmother. "Grandma! If Uchiha Chisato could return to her prime, maybe she has a way to restore you too?"

"Even if she can't restore you completely, giving you at least a few more years shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"Didn't she come to you about her health a few years ago? I remember you saying there was something wrong with both her life origin and her soul origin, right?"

"That was much worse than your condition."

"Your lifespan was only shortened because sealing the tailed beast meant constantly spending your vitality and chakra to maintain the seal, draining too much of your vitality, wasn't it?"

"If Uchiha Chisato could heal herself and return to her prime, she must be able to restore you too, right?"

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

Ever since she had stopped seeing the Third Generation through rose-colored glasses and learned what the Senju and Uzumaki Clans would face in the future, the pressure had weighed on her like a mountain.

She could barely breathe.

This was far more than someone her age could shoulder.

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

Then she wouldn't have to carry any of those burdens!

All she would need to do was offer support and lend a hand.

How easy that would be.

In another ten or twenty years, Nawaki would be all grown up.

Then she could dump all those responsibilities on him.

He was the Senju Clan's future leader, after all. Wasn't he supposed to shoulder those things?

A young woman like her really shouldn't have to bear so much.

"Perhaps."

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

Still, if she really could live another ten or twenty years, she wouldn't mind sharing Tsunade's burdens for a few more years.

She could properly train Nawaki along the way, too.

"That's why I said everything would have to wait until we meet Uchiha Chisato."

Uzumaki Mito handed her a letter, her voice calm. "Only after she has fully recovered, and we've confirmed that the method she possesses isn't limited to a single use, can we move forward. Make a trip for me and deliver this invitation to Uchiha Chisato. Invite her to visit us sometime soon."

Tsunade accepted the letter and nodded. "Understood. I'll go right now."

She left without delay and soon reached the Uchiha Clan's residence. After meeting Uchiha Chisato, she greeted her with the proper courtesy, presented the invitation, and briefly explained why she had come.

Uchiha Chisato took the letter and unfolded it for a glance. Her brow rose slightly before she folded it again and looked up at Tsunade. "I understand what you're asking. I have no objection to meeting."

Tsunade felt relieved, but the woman's next words immediately made her frown.

"But I'm not free for the next two weeks." Uchiha Chisato's tone was casual, as though she were discussing something trivial. "Let's leave it until twenty days from now. I'll bring my son Xunjing with me when I visit. Unless something unexpected happens, you should be able to get what you want that day. That's all."

There wasn't much written in the invitation, but Uchiha Chisato immediately saw through the probing hidden between the lines-Uzumaki Mito wanted to extend her life. She sneered inwardly. Looks like that woman isn't willing to accept her fate either. She's thinking along the same lines as me. Good. When we meet to discuss a deal, I shouldn't have to waste too many words.

Tsunade grew anxious and took half a step forward. "Twenty days? Can't you come sooner?"

She didn't spell it out, but her expression said everything-the situation in the Land of Whirlpools was dire, and who knew when the enemy would strike?

Uchiha Chisato neither waited for her to finish nor offered any further explanation. She merely lifted her gaze, and a wave of oppressive power abruptly bore down on Tsunade.

Tsunade felt her shoulders sink, as though a mountain had descended upon them. Her back was forced to bend, her face flushed crimson, and her whole body trembled uncontrollably. Her knees nearly buckled, almost sending her straight to the ground. Fortunately, the pressure vanished as quickly as it had arrived, dissipating completely in the blink of an eye.

Uchiha Chisato lifted her teacup and took a sip, looking as composed as if nothing had happened. She raised her eyelids, glanced at Tsunade, and waved a hand dismissively. "I've made myself clear. You may go."

Tsunade clenched her teeth, her knuckles turning white. Anger simmered inside her, but she forced it down and lowered her head. "Yes. I'll take my leave, then."

She turned and hurried out of the courtyard. Only after stepping through the main gate did she release a long breath, the trembling in her body gradually subsiding. She glanced back at the quiet residence with a complicated look in her eyes.

What a terrifying presence. Thoughts churned through her mind. I really underestimated her before. Her strength is definitely on par with Grandma's. And that vitality wasn't an act, either. It looks like she really has recovered.

That was good news, at least. It meant Uchiha Chisato truly possessed a method that could save her grandmother.

Tsunade returned home fuming and began pouring out her grievances to her grandmother the moment she entered.

She recounted everything that had happened, pouting as she complained, "Grandma, you have no idea how terrifying Uchiha Chisato is! I only said a couple of things, and she unleashed her presence on me. That pressure nearly pinned me to the ground!"

After hearing her out, Uzumaki Mito didn't comfort her. Instead, she laughed. "Hehe, that's what you get for rashly trying to test her. Now you know how formidable she is, don't you?"

"Who do you think Uchiha Chisato is?"

"She may seem gentle on the outside, but only those who lived through the Uchiha Clan's internal strife back then know how forceful and domineering she was when she single-handedly subdued the entire clan!"

"She is an extraordinary genius whose talent rivals mine, and may even surpass it."

"She argued with your great-uncle several times over matters concerning the Uchiha Clan."

"Even your great-uncle couldn't do anything about her and had to give way. That should tell you how formidable she is."