Once Kana was gone, Yuki took a deep breath, composing herself before knocking lightly on the door.
"Come in," came Tsunade's familiar voice.
They stepped inside, greeted by the sight of the Hokage seated behind her desk, a stack of paperwork by her elbow. Tsunade glanced up, her gaze sharp as it moved from one face to the next.
"You're back," she said, her tone carrying both relief and authority. "I take it you were successful?"
Yuki nodded, glancing briefly at her teammates before she stepped forward to provide the details. "Yes, Hokage-sama. We were able to complete the mission, though there were… complications along the way."
Tsunade's gaze shifted slightly, her brow furrowing. "Complications?"
Yuki hesitated, but with a nod from Akane, she recounted the mission's events in concise but honest detail, not leaving out Kenshin's inner struggles. Maki and Akane added their perspectives, their voices steady yet tinged with the weight of the mission's toll.
Tsunade listened intently, her expression neutral as she processed each detail, though her eyes softened briefly when Kenshin's berserker state was mentioned. She leaned back thoughtfully, her fingers tapping softly against the desk.
She could picture the scene vividly: Kenshin, struggling under the weight of his emotions, unleashing power that was both formidable and uncontrolled. It was understandable. She'd witnessed countless shinobi consumed by the intensity of their bonds—especially with family.
As an Uzumaki descendant herself, she felt a connection to him, a kinship rooted in shared lineage and inherited strength. But her concern was tempered by the need to safeguard the village.
"Thank you for your honesty," she said finally, nodding toward the team. "I know it couldn't have been easy. Maki, Akane, take some time off. Get some rest. The Rinne Festival's in twenty days, so enjoy yourselves until then."
Akane and Maki exchanged glances, both of them looking somewhat surprised by the dismissal but grateful. With a respectful nod, they left, closing the door quietly behind them.
As the silence settled, Yuki took a step forward, her expression composed but her eyes clouded with concern. "Hokage-sama… may I ask if you're planning to take any action regarding Kenshin?"
Tsunade's gaze flickered, and her brows drew together slightly. "What kind of action do you have in mind?"
Yuki hesitated, her lips pressing together as she gathered her thoughts. "With respect, Hokage-sama… Kenshin is a powerful shinobi, and though I had started to trust him, I realized something on this mission."
Yuki paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "He's dangerous. Even if it's unintentional, the impact of his power… it's something that can't be ignored. If something like this were to happen in one of the Great Nations instead of a smaller one like the Hidden Grass… it could, no, it will spark a war."
Tsunade's gaze hardened slightly, though there was understanding in her expression. She studied Yuki, her own memories flashing briefly: memories of her childhood during the First Great Ninja War, of bloodshed and chaos as she fought in the Second and Third Wars.
She understood all too well the cost of power when wielded recklessly, even if unintentionally, having lost her own brother and lover to war.
After a moment, she sighed, her voice measured. "You're not wrong, Yuki. We've seen what unchecked power can do. And the fear that comes with it can lead to… devastating consequences."
Yuki nodded, her expression grim. "I respect Kenshin's dedication to his family, Hokage-sama. But if something like this happens again…" Her voice trailed off, leaving the thought unspoken but hanging in the air.
Tsunade looked down, her fingers stilling against the desk as she considered the delicate balance of trust, power, and responsibility Kenshin now walked.
"I'll handle it, Yuki," she said finally. "Kenshin is… complex. He's not a typical case. But I'll make sure the necessary precautions are in place to keep him—and everyone around him—safe."
Yuki inclined her head respectfully, though her gaze held a lingering trace of doubt. She trusted Tsunade's judgment, yet the uncertainty of Kenshin's power loomed large in her mind.
As Yuki exited, Tsunade leaned back, the quiet of her office settling around her like a heavy cloak. She exhaled slowly, her thoughts returning to Kenshin. She would need to meet him, talk to him directly, but the words she'd use still eluded her. Despite his immense potential, Kenshin was at a crossroads—a place she understood all too well. His choice to either control his power or be consumed by it was a familiar burden.
Just as she was beginning to collect her thoughts, a soft knock at the door pulled her attention back. She looked up as Maki entered quietly, her face etched with a mixture of worry and relief.
"Tsunade-sama," Maki began, bowing slightly. "I know we've spoken about Kenshin already… but I wanted to ask if there's anything specific you'll be doing for him."
Tsunade's gaze softened at the concern in Maki's tone. "I'll be speaking to him directly, for one," she replied, her voice steady but compassionate.
"But more than that, I'll be keeping a closer eye on him, and I'll consider what other measures might be necessary. For now, he needs time, just like all of you. I'll try my best to help him recover."
Maki's shoulders seemed to relax as she exhaled softly. "Thank you, Tsunade-sama. That gives me some peace."
There was a pause as Maki glanced down, seemingly gathering the courage to continue. "The night we left the Hidden Grass," she said quietly, "after everyone else had gone to sleep… Kenshin tried to take his own life."
Her voice trembled, but she kept her gaze steady. "I stopped him, talked him down. He was… so close to giving up on himself."
Tsunade's eyes widened, her expression shifting from surprise to a look of deep empathy. "Maki… thank you. I can't imagine how difficult that must have been—for both of you."
Maki nodded, a slight tremor in her voice as she continued. "I don't think he really wants to die, but he… he blames himself for everything. For hurting me and Akane. He can't bear the thought of hurting his family." She hesitated, her voice soft. "I don't know how much longer he can carry this alone."
Tsunade reached across her desk, placing a reassuring hand on Maki's shoulder. "You did the right thing, Maki. Kenshin is lucky to have a friend like you watching out for him. He's not alone—not anymore. I'll make sure he knows that."
Maki nodded, a faint but genuine smile breaking through her worry. "Thank you, Hokage-sama. I believe he can make it through this, with the right support."
As Maki left, Tsunade's determination solidified. This wasn't just a matter of strength or power—it was about helping a young man find his path, even if he'd strayed into darkness.
She resolved to meet Kenshin later that day, ready to speak openly and offer the guidance he needed.
A/N: And with that, the S-rank mission arc's over. I'm actually getting the hang of writing long chapters so you can look forward to chapters in the 3k word range.
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Once again, thank you everyone for your continued support and power stones. And as always, please give me your power stones and comment your opinions. They make a big difference and motivate me to write more.