"Tsunade-sama, before we talk about this. I want to ask you some questions." Kushina decided to be the one to say this first.
Although Tsunade didn't understand what she meant, she rolled her eyes in response, "Alright, I will answer you."
"In all this time we have been in the Senju Clan Manor, you have never once come to visit Mito-sama's grave. I want to ask you about this, why did you never come here?" Kushina asked her with a straight forward yet gentle tone.
Tsunade frowned at that question, she lowered her gaze towards the ground as she said, "I did not want to return to Konoha where many of my loved ones had died…"
Hearing that reason just made Araki even angrier. If not for Kushina placing her own hand over his hand, he would have really raised it against Tsunade at this moment.
This… This was his elder cousin?! He couldn't help but want to shout at this woman! She was beyond pathetic in his eyes now.
Although Kushina was displeased as well, she tried to hide it from Tsunade's experienced eyes.
"I understand your reasoning. You didn't want to return to Konoha because it brings back memories of your loved ones who died here. Alright, I will ask my next question then."
"By your blood, you are an Uzumaki as well. You must have heard the news of Uzumaki Clan's Destruction. Did you ever go to visit Uzushio or maybe even asked the Hokage about why he never sent help to Uzushio while you were returning with him?" Kushina asked this next question with a heavy heart.
Araki's eyes widened as he heard the question. He didn't think Kushina would ask this question next.
Tsunade was naturally puzzled about the reason behind such a question. But she figured that since this girl was an Uzumaki, she wanted to ask this question to sate her curiosity.
She replied honestly, "Although I have Uzumaki Blood in me, I have never interacted with them. Honestly speaking, I don't have any deep feelings for them. Moreover, I can sort of understand why the 3 Great Villages would make their move against the Uzumaki Clan. Their sealing knowledge was so fearful. It was even harder to learn than the medical techniques which require perfect control and complete knowledge of human anatomy."
Now… if previous words of Tsunade only angered Araki, these seemed to rub some salt on them. It was like she was purposefully making the situation harder for herself.
Even Kushina clenched her fists. She couldn't believe that Senju Tsunade, someone who had Uzumaki Blood in her could also have such thoughts.
Half of her mind was screaming at her to just let Araki free reign. However, she still managed to control herself.
She asked Tsunade her next question, "You mentioned that you did not want to return to Konoha during Mito-sama's death because it reminded of the death of your other loved ones. Tell me, Tsunade-sama, why have you come now?"
Tsunade was a little shaken up at this question. She didn't think Kushina would use the answer from before and put it in a question here.
Fortunately, she soon found the answer to her question. Taking a deep breath, she answered Kushina, "It was because Sensei himself appeared and asked me to return to Konoha. A fierce war is about to erupt, my presence is required. I don't want to let the village founded by my grandfather be destroyed."
As she said that, she stared at Araki who was seated on the Clan head's seat.
"You know, I can tolerate that you are sitting on the Clan Head's seat. You have, after all, managed the Senju Clan all these years in my absence. Tell me, why is an Uzumaki sitting next to you, though?" This time, it was Tsunade's turn to ask a question.
Kushina wondered if she should speak at this time or not. However, she didn't need to speak at this time, Araki opened his mouth, "She will be my wife in the future, so her status is naturally equal to mine."
Hearing Araki's casual words, Kushina couldn't help but blush. Coincidently, the colour of her cheeks was the same as her hair. She heard a laugh in her mind 'You still get flustered so easily. Hahaha…'
Kushina shouted in her mindscape 'Shut up, fox! Don't disturb me.'
'Brat and another annoying brat, sitting on a tree, kissin~' The mental link was suddenly broken between them. And, if possible, Kushina's cheeks were even redder after hearing Kurama's words.
"I see…But still, you should get up from the seat. I know of what you both have done in Uzushio. Sensei informed me of the situation briefly… I know you have inherited Wood Release of grandfather and are pretty proficient in it. And Uzumaki Kushina is the Jinchuurikki of Kyuubi." Tsunade said this while carefully gauging their reactions.
Other than the deepening of his frown, Araki gave no other reaction. As for Kushina, she couldn't help but be a little nervous.
"Because you have inherited grandfather's bloodline, you will naturally become the Senju Clan Head in the future. But not now… Currently, the war is going to be upon us in nearly 3-4 years. You are significantly talented, but I need to take over the Senju Clan and use our funds to prepare for the upcoming War." Tsunade righteously said that while looking straight into Araki's eyes.
"You think you are more capable than me to lead the Senju Clan?" Araki asked her while raising his brow. It took great effort to maintain this indifferent face while he was burning with rage.
"You should know that I am one of the Three Sannins. I have earned my name in the Second Shinobi War with my strength and medical prowess. You shouldn't underestimate me." Tsunade declared it with a haughty expression.
At this moment, Araki broke out in a chuckle. It didn't seem as if the chuckle was out of happiness, but a mocking chuckle, "The Three Sannins? What a prideful title… A title gained from a defeat and yet you three are so proud of it that I am honestly baffled at your shamelessness."
After that, he said to her, "Elder Cousin, let's go outside."
"Why?" Tsunade asked him while frowning. She could hear that mocking tone of his and understood he looked down on her.
"I really want to see this 'amazing' strength of yours, cousin." Araki still hadn't stopped with his mocking tone as he gazed at his cousin.
Tsunade's frown deepened upon hearing him, but she figured it would be better to just show it to him.
Kushina didn't even try to stop Araki at this point. She was well aware that Araki was far beyond his boiling point. Now, he really wanted a release of all his discontentment…
After the two entered the field, Tsunade gazed at Araki and noticed that he still wasn't looking serious. Moreover, other than that disdain present in his eyes, there was a trace of hatred as well. She was quite puzzled over why he would have an angry look.
"Alright, since this will be a competition between us, why don't we two bet something?" Araki asked Tsunade with a neutral voice.
Tsunade's eyes twinkled a little at the mention of a bet. She immediately asked, "Alright, what will we be betting?"
"If I lose, I will hand over the Senju Clan to you. I will also obey any order you have." Araki said to Tsunade earnestly.
"Alright, what do I need to bet then? My half of the property?" Tsunade asked him while raising her eyebrows.
"No… I am not interested in something like the other half of the Senju Clan's property." He pointed his finger at Tsunade and said, "If I win, I want grandpa Hashirama's necklace."
Tsunade lowered her head to stare at the necklace tied around her neck. It was made of crystal gem.
"You want it to boost your Wood Release?" She asked him with a smile. This cousin of hers was quite knowledgable.
She was surprised to see him shaking his head negatively and say, "No, I don't want to boost my Wood Release through any external means. I have another use for this."
An emotionless look appeared in his eyes as she said, "Enough talk now. If you agree, we can start anytime now."
"Well, I don't get why you would need the necklace but sure. I agree to the bet." Tsunade readily agreed to the bet, not seeing any way she would lose the fight.