Naoki Senju had indeed reminded Tsunade deliberately, precisely to prevent her from still harboring hope for Konoha.
In the original timeline, Orochimaru had launched the Konoha Crush Plan, giving the Third Hokage a dignified death, sacrificing himself heroically to protect Konoha. But Danzo and Root had held their forces back, certainly intending to kill him with a borrowed knife.
And after Tsunade returned to Konoha and became the Fifth Hokage, Konoha's older generation repeatedly made things difficult for her, leaving her with very few trusted people she could call upon. Aside from the Anbu, she had only Genin such as Little Team 7 and their teachers.
She was clearly Konoha's legitimate heir, with strength, prestige, and ability sufficient to serve as Hokage, yet she possessed almost none of a Hokage's actual authority. How tragic!
One could say that all of Konoha had rotted to its roots. It fell far short of the flourishing Kumogakure and could only compete in awfulness with the poorest village, Sunagakure, and Kirigakure under its Blood Mist Policy.
Naoki Senju would never allow Konoha's filthy scum to bully Tsunade or the Senju Clan!
Before awakening Wood Release, Naoki Senju had been unwilling to think about these things. After all, although Konoha had vast resources, there were many things it could not do-Akatsuki, for instance. After mastering an arsenal of ninjutsu, wouldn't it be more fun to visit Akatsuki and see the paper angel Konan and the rice-hauling Pain?
But things were different now. Awakening Wood Release meant being tied to Konoha. Who in the vast shinobi world did not know the First Hokage's illustrious name? Never mind anyone else; Tsunade would never allow him to mix with a bunch of missing-nin. For Tsunade, and for himself, Naoki Senju had to purge Konoha and sweep away its monsters and demons!
With his thoughts clear, Naoki Senju began studying his first Wood Release ninjutsu: the Wood Clone.
Although this was only a basic Wood Release ninjutsu, its capabilities were extremely powerful, and it had played crucial roles in numerous battles. During the battle at the Valley of the End, for example, Hashirama had used a Wood Clone to deceive Madara Uchiha and win the battle.
During the Fourth Shinobi World War, Madara Uchiha had created twenty-five Wood Clones, activated twenty-five Susanoo, and sent the Five Kage scurrying for cover.
Thus, Naoki Senju placed great importance on this Wood Release ninjutsu. Although he did not yet know the exact chakra circulation route, he knew the hand seal sequence. With enough attempts, he would succeed eventually. With Tsunade accompanying him, he did not need to worry about chakra backlash during training, either.
Horse-Dog-Snake.
Naoki Senju slowly formed the hand seals, sensing the route along which his chakra flowed. Thanks to last night's Water Walking practice, although the total amount of chakra in his body was growing ever larger, every bit of it remained under his control.
After noting several areas where the reactions were more pronounced, Naoki Senju continued forming hand seals, searching for the correct route.
Noticing that Naoki had begun experimenting with Wood Release ninjutsu, Tsunade immediately focused all her attention on him. Knowing the hand seal sequence did not mean one had learned a ninjutsu. Anyone could imitate hand seals, and the Byakugan could even imitate chakra flow, but only the Sharingan could copy ninjutsu.
The dangers involved went without saying. Only the Sharingan could keep them under control.
After a moment's thought, Tsunade could no longer hold back. She bit her fingertip, drew it across her palm, formed hand seals, and called out:
"Summoning Technique!"
A human-sized Katsuyu appeared in the courtyard and spoke in a human voice. "Lady Tsunade, what are your instructions?"
Tsunade's body trembled slightly, but she held herself up and ordered:
"Help me monitor his condition. The moment his chakra becomes disrupted, suppress it immediately."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade."
Katsuyu obediently crawled over to Naoki and encircled him with her long body.
Tsunade let out a long breath of relief. Katsuyu was part of the Katsuyu Sage and could skillfully wield natural energy. Her chakra was of higher quality than Tsunade's, so only Katsuyu could suppress Wood Release chakra. Even Tsunade could not.
Then Tsunade lowered her head and looked at the bright red blood on her palm. Although she still felt somewhat dizzy, she showed no signs of fainting.
"Naoki..."
Tsunade murmured to herself, her lovely eyes fixed on Naoki Senju as he experimented with ninjutsu, seemingly carrying something impossible to put into words.
At that moment, however, Naoki Senju dared not let himself become even slightly distracted. Otherwise, he certainly could have answered Tsunade, "Big sis, I can do it~"
Unfortunately, experimenting with ninjutsu was far too dangerous to allow the slightest distraction. The smallest mistake could send his Wood Release chakra out of control, with unthinkable consequences.
Fortunately, Naoki Senju's chakra control was outstanding, and he had already discovered several essential chakra pathways.
Horse-Dog-Snake.
Chakra flowed along the pathways he had mapped out, and then the outline of wood slowly began to grow from Naoki Senju's back.
Tsunade's expression changed, and she shouted anxiously, "Katsuyu, suppress it, quick! Naoki's chakra is about to backlash!"
But Katsuyu, who was protecting Naoki, did not panic. She explained calmly, "Lady Tsunade, his chakra is not backlashing. Also, this is Lord Hashirama's Wood Release, isn't it?"
Tsunade's expression eased somewhat, and she nodded. "It is indeed Grandfather's Wood Release. Unfortunately, I don't have his ninjutsu scrolls with me."
Upon hearing this, Katsuyu moved away from Naoki and said:
"Lady Tsunade, I need to return to Shikkotsu Forest first to pass this news on to the Katsuyu Sage. Also, please bring this child to Shikkotsu Forest when you have time. The Katsuyu Sage will probably want to meet him."
Tsunade nodded gently. Although the Katsuyu were all parts of the Katsuyu Sage, each possessed an independent consciousness. It was hardly strange that the Katsuyu Sage would want to meet Naoki. The Senju Clan had held a contract with Shikkotsu Forest for over a hundred years, yet her grandfather, Hashirama Senju, had been the only one to possess the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai. The Katsuyu Sage was bound to be curious.
"All right. I was planning to have Naoki sign Shikkotsu Forest's Summoning Contract anyway. Having him meet the Katsuyu Sage would be a good thing, too."
"Then I shall take my leave, Lady Tsunade."
After speaking, Katsuyu vanished in a puff of white smoke as the Summoning Technique ended.
Meanwhile, Naoki Senju had also finished casting his Wood Clone. A wooden Naoki Senju slowly "grew" out of his back. Once it landed, its face and clothing became completely identical to the original's. Even Tsunade could not discern any difference.
"Big Sis Tsunade, it worked."
Looking at Naoki Senju's radiant smile and clear eyes, Tsunade felt an ache in her heart. If the Senju Clan had not declined, why would Naoki have needed to take such a great risk, experimenting with ninjutsu on his own?
Unable to help herself, Tsunade stepped forward twice and pulled Naoki, who was about her height, into her arms. She comforted him softly. "Naoki, thank you for your hard work."
Tears slipped onto his shoulder, their warmth spreading. Naoki Senju's mind was clear as he wrapped his arms around Tsunade without a trace of lust and teased, "If Big Sis Tsunade hugged me like this every day, any amount of hardship would be worth it."
Tsunade tightened her arms slightly, squeezing Naoki Senju until his face flushed red. Smiling, she threatened, "Let's see if you dare tease your big sister again."
Shizune stood in the corridor with a tray of tea and snacks. Watching the brother and sister laughing and playing, she could not help smiling:
"Lady Tsunade, you've come out of your slump~"