His words were half true and half false, but perfectly reasonable. An orphan with both Senju and Uzumaki bloodlines, blessed with the legendary Wood Release, would indeed have been endangered by his own gifts in the chaos of Konoha back then. Neither Danzo, who coveted power, nor the enemies watching hungrily from outside the village would have let him slip away.
The sharpness in Tsunade's eyes gradually faded, replaced by a trace of sympathy and guilt. She remembered her own turbulent past and understood the pressure this young man had endured. Slowly, she walked back behind her desk, righted the Hokage Chair she had knocked over, and sat down again. Her entire presence, however, had changed completely.
"Listen carefully, kid." Tsunade's gaze grew utterly resolute, her voice firm and ringing with unquestionable authority. "From today on, you're under my protection! No one in Konoha will dare lay a finger on you! You no longer need to hide your power. The glory of the Senju and Uzumaki should shine in the sunlight, not hide in the shadows!"
Those words were like a decree of pardon, announcing a complete change in Toru Kujyo's standing in Konoha. Listening beside them, Shizune felt her heart surge with emotion, and her gaze toward Toru Kujyo filled with awe.
Toru Kujyo bowed slightly. "Thank you, Lady Hokage."
This was exactly the result he wanted. Tsunade's promise of protection mattered more than anything else. He raised his head and smoothly steered the conversation back. "Lady Hokage, now that there are no concerns about my identity, regarding the companion I recommended..."
"What's her name? Where is she now?" Tsunade immediately asked, showing deep concern for another descendant of the Uzumaki Clan.
"Her name is Karin. She's also an orphan of the Uzumaki Clan." Toru Kujyo's eyes turned cold.