Konoha, Senju Clan's Ancestral Home~
Mito and Tsunade sat across from each other, their expressions both gentle and calm.
"Tsunade, it's been over a year since I last saw you. How has your training at the Shikkotsu Forest been?" Mito asked warmly, lifting her tea cup with a kind smile.
"It wasn't too bad. I went through Grandfather's records while I was there. He was really something…
The nonsense he wrote in the training scrolls nearly threw off my mindset," Tsunade said, her fingers pinching together to illustrate a small gap.
"But now, I can sense natural energy and have barely touched the threshold of Sage Mode."
Tsunade's tone carried a hint of pride.
According to Lady Katsuyu, the Shikkotsu Forest didn't have external aids for Sage Mode training. The fact that Tsunade could sense natural energy so quickly demonstrated her innate talent.
Mito chuckled lightly and shook her head. She understood better than anyone how terrifying Hashirama's abilities were.
Hashirama didn't just have an almost limitless chakra reserve; his Sage Mode was entirely unique.
Mito's thoughts drifted back over thirty years, to the climactic battle at the Valley of the End between Hashirama and Uchiha Madara. She and Tobirama had hidden nearby, ready to intervene if Hashirama fell.
But the moment Mito saw Hashirama unleash the full power of his Sage Mode, her anxiety evaporated.
At that moment, Hashirama's body seemed like a massive pump, drawing in vast amounts of natural energy from the earth and air. He shattered the balance of chakra and natural energy that others had to carefully maintain.
In Sage Mode, Hashirama became an embodiment of nature itself, with godlike destructive power in every movement.
And maintaining this state didn't deplete him; the natural energy around him replenished his reserves.
Sage Mode, which typically required prolonged preparation for only brief use, became Hashirama's default state, easing the strain on his chakra. He had mastered natural energy and Sage Mode to an unparalleled level.
"Tsunade," Mito said softly, "there's a vast difference between entering Sage Mode and mastering it in battle. That is the true hurdle."
"Your grandfather taught me to sense natural energy too. But even after over a decade of training, I never managed to use it in combat," Mito admitted with a gentle shake of her head, offering advice out of care.
Tsunade nodded but internally dismissed it. She already had her own plan to conquer Sage Mode—such as using Fuma cells.
As the topic ended, silence filled the spacious room. Only the chirping of birds outside broke the quiet.
Since Tsunade's visit, she and Mito had only exchanged lighthearted pleasantries, creating a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere.
Tsunade played the role of a dutiful granddaughter, while Mito appeared as the epitome of a kind elder. On the surface, they seemed like a perfectly normal pair of grandmother and granddaughter.
But both women knew the real issue looming before them—the man central to this storm: Fuma.
Mito gently stirred her tea with a spoon, relishing the calm. But deep inside, she felt a twinge of disappointment.
'If Tsunade truly stood with us, she would've sought my guidance immediately instead of pretending nothing happened.'
'She's been back in Konoha for three days. With her insight and judgment, it's impossible she hasn't noticed the undercurrents within the village.'
'Her demeanor suggests she's already made up her mind—to side with Fuma.'
Sensing no trace of hesitation or frustration in Tsunade's emotions, Mito's heart sank. A wave of discontent and unease washed over her. 'Could Tsunade truly abandon her Senju heritage and betray the Will of Fire?'
Tsunade's unexpected calm disrupted Mito's carefully laid plans.
Although Mito didn't believe Tsunade would fully align herself with the Hokage faction, given her deep bond with Fuma, she'd expected some internal conflict.
The familial ties to both the Senju Clan and the Hokage should've created doubt—an opening Mito could exploit.
But now, Tsunade seemed resolute, firmly leaning toward Fuma.
Adjusting her posture, Mito sat upright, exuding an air of authority. She fixed her sharp gaze on Tsunade. "About your lover… Don't you have anything to say?"
"In your absence, he's turned Konoha upside down. The village is almost unrecognizable."
Tsunade smiled faintly, meeting Mito's piercing gaze without fear. "I only want to say that I'm proud of him. He's a capable man who dares to turn his vision into reality."
Mito's expression faltered briefly, her face showing a flicker of anger.
Today, Tsunade had come to draw a line between her past and her future.
Mito massaged her temples, her voice softening as she tried to appeal to emotion. "Tsunade, Konoha is the village your grandfather built. You have a duty to protect it."
"Konoha has protected you for so long, given you a happy childhood. Why would you stand by and watch it fall into chaos?"
Tsunade shook her head slightly, draining her tea in one gulp.
"I hope you'll forgive me, but I can no longer speak to you as your granddaughter, Lady Mito. My current role is the wife of the Uchiha Clan's leader."
Mito's gentle facade froze, her brows furrowing as her demeanor hardened.
As a woman of the Warring States Era, Mito understood the weight of Tsunade's words.
Originally, she had been the Uzumaki Clan's crown princess, sent as a peace offering to the Senju Clan during their alliance. She had carried her clan's expectations on her shoulders.
But after meeting Hashirama, Mito had been captivated by his charisma, strength, and humor, dedicating herself entirely to Konoha's growth and forgetting her Uzumaki roots.
Repositioning herself, Mito adopted a dignified diplomatic tone. "If that's the case, I understand."
"Then tell me, as the Uchiha leader's wife, how do you justify Fuma's actions? His open defiance of the Will of Fire, his direct challenge to the Hokage, and his subtle attempts to divide Konoha—what are his intentions?"
"Luring clans, pushing economic reforms, and seizing resources from outside may make the Uchiha Clan flourish on the surface.
But in truth, he's using Konoha's reputation and resources to feed his clan, showing no regard for the bigger picture."
"Konoha belongs to all its residents and all its ninja—not just one clan. Surely, you understand this simple truth?"
Tsunade chuckled, staring at Mito's slightly aged face with a hint of melancholy. "Hearing your words only makes me admire Fuma's wisdom even more."
Mito raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Tsunade's calm demeanor. "Oh? And what has Fuma said that's so wise? I'd like to hear it."
Tsunade's gaze shifted past Mito, landing on a portrait of Hashirama hanging on the wall. After a brief pause, she replied:
"Knowing that the God of Shinobi once existed above all ninja, yet still indulging in petty infighting and repeating an outdated and meaningless Will of Fire…"
"This village, established by the God of Shinobi, is nothing short of laughable."
*Bam!*
A violent surge of Nine-Tails chakra erupted around Mito, her eyes turning into fox-like slits.
Tsunade's words had struck a nerve in the woman who had dedicated her life to Konoha, the Will of Fire, and her late husband's dream.
Even the Nine-Tails stirred with excitement within its cage, loosening its restraint and flooding Mito's body with its chakra.
.........
"How amusing… It's been decades since I last saw this woman lose her composure like this. Consider this chakra as my ticket for enjoying such a heartfelt performance—no need to hold back."
Nine-Tails chuckled, a deep rumble echoing within the confines of Mito's mind. However, its amusement was short-lived.
Within mere seconds, golden chains burst forth from Mito's body, extinguishing the Nine-Tails' chakra surrounding her.
"Foolishness, Will of Fire, absurdities, Konoha…?"
"Tsunade, could you kindly explain to me how these two words—'Will of Fire'—and your grandfather's ideals are connected?"
Mito reabsorbed the Nine-Tails' chakra into her body, her voice cold and calm, yet carrying an undercurrent of bone-deep frost. At that moment, she resembled a volcano on the verge of eruption, awaiting only the final spark to detonate.
Tsunade, however, remained composed. She stood unaffected by the overwhelming pressure radiating from Mito.
As a woman who had spent considerable time with Fūma, Tsunade had long grown accustomed to dealing with extraordinary situations.
The bloodlust and dark aura Fūma exuded during his moments of passion far eclipsed the oppressive atmosphere of the Nine-Tails' chakra.
And Tsunade had endured far worse—sparring with Fūma amidst his bloodthirsty haze and smoke, a testament to her resilience and fortitude.
"Please, no need for haste… Allow me to recount the deeds of my grandfather, and perhaps you could correct me if I am wrong."
Tsunade's tone was casual, her demeanor calm, as she recalled Fūma's scathing analysis of Hashirama.
"From the Warring States Period, my grandfather waded through rivers of enemy blood, exterminating the rival clans. He engaged in brutal battles with the Uchiha clan, embodying the archetype of a Warring States ninja."
Mito narrowed her eyes, nodding slightly to signal Tsunade to continue.
"Later, when he acquired the strength to pacify the chaos, he allied with another extraordinary ninja, Uchiha Madara, to establish Konoha."
"And my question is this: Why did my grandfather refuse Madara's proposal to unify the entire shinobi world back then?"
Mito snorted coldly. "That's simple. At that time, the Senju clan was weary of the endless conflicts of the Warring States Period. They yearned for peace."
"Hashirama, too, had no desire to senselessly kill. Forcing unwilling shinobi into Konoha's fold would have only forged unnecessary chains of hatred."
Tsunade nodded lightly, then pressed on.
"Later, my grandfather and Madara captured eight tailed beasts and distributed them to other villages like goods. Why did he do that?"
Mito frowned, puzzled but patient. "Tailed beasts are catastrophic weapons. By giving each village such power, it forced them to consider the consequences of war. The balance of power between villages could maintain peace."
Tsunade clapped lightly, a playful gleam in her eyes.
"So, my grandfather, who tore through the Land of Fire during the Warring States Period, was simply too tired at the end to unify the shinobi world?"
"And distributing the tailed beasts was a genius move to maintain peace? Astonishing."
"Let me ask this: After my grandfather passed, how many shinobi died in the First Shinobi World War waged by the four other great villages he chose not to unify?
That number surely exceeds the resistance he would've faced if he had unified the world, doesn't it?"
"And during the Second Shinobi World War, how many Konoha shinobi were killed by Sunagakure using the One-Tail? Do you know that number?"
"Next comes the Third Shinobi World War. All five great villages are now racing to create 'Jinchūriki,' these war weapons. When the nine tailed beasts are unleashed, how many more shinobi will perish?"
"Who is responsible for these deaths? Shouldn't someone be held accountable for the Konoha shinobi who died at the hands of enemy villages or under the catastrophic power of the tailed beasts?"
Tsunade's piercing gaze bore into Mito, whose expression grew darker with each question.
She hadn't anticipated Tsunade addressing the matter from this perspective…
Tsunade waved her hand dismissively, skipping over the barrage of questions, and continued, ignoring Mito's speechlessness.
"And today, under the guidance of the Will of Fire, Konoha has even sacrificed its own shinobi for peace. The speed of such 'progress' truly astounds me. What's your opinion on that?"
"Still, this aligns perfectly with the Will of Fire. After all, sacrificing one shinobi for years of peace—such noble ideals—is where Konoha's flames burn brightest, isn't it?"
Tsunade's tone shifted, dragging the "Cloud Incident" of a few months prior into the conversation.
"This… That was a mishandling by the Third Hokage. It has nothing to do with the Will of Fire. It was merely a diplomatic compromise…"
Mito's face darkened. The "Cloud Incident" had enraged her as well, but she had been unable to intervene.
Tsunade sighed, her gaze drifting toward the Uzumaki clan emblem on the wall and the photo of Hashirama wearing his Konoha forehead protector.
"The Will of Fire simply emphasizes helping each other within the village and defending against external threats. Why complicate it with so many interpretations?"
"Highlighting sacrifice without emphasizing reward makes it seem as though these sacrifices are natural and noble under the Will of Fire. Is that right?"
"If my grandfather, with his overwhelming power, felt too weary from half a lifetime of killing and chose temporary peace over unification, I can understand that."
"But for the current weak and declining Konoha to flaunt itself as the shinobi world's leader while ignoring the predatory eyes of other villages? Isn't that laughable?"
"While the village obsesses over the Will of Fire, debating the balance between ninja clans and civilians, Konoha's strength wanes daily. Arrogance is a privilege of the strong, and clearly, Konoha no longer qualifies…"
Mito's face turned pale. Despite her immense strength, her perspective had its limitations.
She believed Hashirama had ended the chaos and brought over twenty years of peace to the shinobi world, which was a remarkable feat.
And how could a philosophy proposed by the man revered as the "God of Shinobi" possibly be wrong?
"No… Tsunade…"
"I feel like… you've misunderstood something…"
"The Will of Fire is good. It's just that some shinobi fail to execute it properly…"
Tsunade shook her head. Dipping her finger into her teacup, she drew two circles of different sizes on the table.
"Instead of fighting over a shrinking pie, endlessly arguing and backstabbing, why not focus on making the pie bigger? Big enough for everyone to share…"
With those words, Tsunade stood, lowering herself into a deep bow toward Mito.
"The words I spoke earlier were as the Uchiha clan's matriarch. If they were offensive, please forgive me."
"I thank you for raising me all these years, but I must follow my own path. I'm marrying into the Uchiha clan."
"In the future, I may forget the dissolved Senju clan and the Uzumaki blood in my veins, but I will never forget that I am a shinobi of Konoha."
"Though our paths may diverge and conflicts may arise, please believe that Fūma and I only wish for the village to grow stronger."
"Goodbye, Grandma Mito…"
With a deep bow, Tsunade solemnly bade farewell, then turned and walked out without looking back.
Mito watched her leave, her vision blurring as Tsunade's figure overlapped with that of a young woman from the past.
'So similar… Was I also this resolute when I refused the Uzumaki clan's demands back then?'
Mito sighed deeply and collapsed into her seat, exhaustion washing over her.
This was a cycle repeating itself.
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