"Huh? This…"
Hearing this, the Root members present couldn't help but look shaken, exchanging hesitant glances with each other.
Although Danzo had recently given an order stating that if they encountered one of the Legendary Sannin, Tsunade, and if their mission conflicted with her, they could abandon the mission without penalty, they still felt reluctant.
Handing over their target to Tsunade so easily felt like a defeat.
"I won't say it again." Tsunade's patience was wearing thin.
Although Danzo was under Kiyoshi's control, and if Kiyoshi himself gave the order, Danzo would naturally obey without question, Tsunade didn't trust the Root members at all.
She feared that this mother and daughter duo would only be moved from one prison to another, molded into emotionless assassins.
"Didn't you hear?" Kiyoshi's calm voice broke in as he addressed the Root members. "Leave them here. You can go."
Inwardly, Kiyoshi sighed.
Initially, he had only felt that Karin had potential, and instead of letting her languish in Kusagakure, he thought it would be better for Danzo to bring her to Konoha for proper training.
If there was still time, he even hoped to prevent her mother's unfortunate fate. He hadn't expected to run into Tsunade mid-mission, who had immediately intervened.
"Wait…"
Noticing Tsunade's intention to act, the Root captain felt immense pressure.
Knowing Danzo's limitations against Tsunade, even with Uchiha Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan and the Izanagi technique, he began to break into a cold sweat.
After hesitating and weighing the situation, he finally caved. He ordered the other Root members to hand over Karin and her mother before retreating, their backs drenched with sweat.
"Tsunade-sama, they're under a Genjutsu," Shizune rushed forward, noticing the two unconscious figures lying on the ground.
Upon inspecting the young woman's body, Shizune gasped at the countless bite marks scattered across her skin. Anger flooded her voice. "Those people… they went too far."
"Release."
With a quick gesture, the Genjutsu on the two was dispelled.
Karin and her mother soon regained consciousness, but upon seeing the unfamiliar faces of Tsunade, Shizune, and Kiyoshi, they shrank back in fear.
"Don't be afraid. You're in the Land of Fire now…" Tsunade said gently. "You're safe."
However—
The mother and daughter clung tightly to each other, still staring at the trio with apprehension.
"We've heard about what happened to you…" Tsunade sighed softly.
"If you stayed in Kusagakure, your daughter would only face the same fate as you, treated as a mere healing potion. Leaving that place is for the best."
The Uzumaki Clan was closely related to the Senju Clan, and the two families had been close allies long ago.
The Uzumaki had declined the offer to help form Konoha, instead founding Uzushiogakure in the Land of Whirlpools.
Uzushiogakure had once been Konoha's ally; in fact, the leaf symbol on Konoha's headbands had originated from the Uzumaki Clan's emblem.
However, because of their vast chakra reserves and mastery of powerful sealing techniques, the Uzumaki had drawn the envy and fear of other nations.
When the Land of Whirlpools was attacked, the Uzumaki had reached out to Konoha for aid.
Yet, it was the beginning of the Second Shinobi World War, and Konoha was already facing immense challenges, fighting on multiple fronts.
Resources and forces were stretched thin, and disagreements within Konoha's leadership further delayed their response, ultimately resulting in a tragic missed opportunity for rescue.
Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, was indecisive, with Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado remaining passive and Danzo adamantly opposing the idea.
Danzo had felt that resources should focus on eliminating the main threat from Kumogakure on the front lines.
By the time Konoha's leadership reached a consensus and dispatched reinforcements, it was too late.
The Land of Whirlpools had already fallen, its secrets and sealing techniques plundered, and its people scattered across the lands.
Danzo's cold and calculating nature meant he likely saw the Uzumaki Clan as a distant ally who didn't directly belong to Konoha.
To him, if they couldn't be used for Konoha's benefit, they had no right to exist. So he had left them to fend for themselves.
Many Uzumaki survivors, bitter at Konoha's betrayal, chose to wander rather than seek refuge in the Land of Fire. They felt that Konoha had broken its promise.
Tsunade's grandmother, Uzumaki Mito, had been heartbroken by Konoha's inaction and lost all faith in Konoha's leadership under the Third Hokage.
Once full of life and youth through her clan's sealing techniques, Mito aged overnight, her spirit crushed.
Already grieving over the loss of the First Hokage, she had clung to Konoha out of loyalty to her late husband, but with this betrayal, she lost her will and soon made the decision to pass on the Nine-Tails to young Kushina, who had been brought from the Land of Whirlpools.
Had it not been for her heartbreak, Mito, a princess of the Uzumaki clan with pure blood and an extraordinary lifespan, could have lived much longer.
"This is Lady Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin and the granddaughter of the First Hokage…" Kiyoshi said warmly.
"You may not recognize her, but perhaps you've heard of her grandmother, Uzumaki Mito?"
"You… you're Mito-sama's granddaughter?" Keiko Uzumaki, Karin's mother, looked at Tsunade in shock.
When the Land of Whirlpools was destroyed, Keiko, a simple member of the Uzumaki Clan, had been just a child.
But she'd heard tales of Mito, the princess who had married Konoha's First Hokage, the "God of Shinobi" who had brought peace to the lands.
Meanwhile, Karin looked on in confusion, unable to understand the significance of the Uzumaki Clan or the history behind it.
"The events surrounding the Land of Whirlpools were complicated," Tsunade murmured, a hint of sadness in her gaze.
"My grandmother tried her best to help, but unfortunately, those blinded by greed and ambition got in the way… She passed soon after, never finding peace."
"Stay with us for now," she continued. "If you'd like to settle in Konoha, I can write you a letter of recommendation for the Third Hokage. It won't be like Kusagakure."
Tsunade moved closer and examined them carefully, her face becoming serious as she noticed their weakened state.
"Tsunade-sama, both of them are malnourished, but…" Shizune trailed off, hesitant. Keiko had overdrawn her chakra for healing, and her life force was nearly depleted.
If it weren't for the natural vitality of the Uzumaki, she likely wouldn't have survived this long.
"No matter. At least we're not too late." Tsunade reassured them with a soft smile.
It was a severe case, but not beyond her skills. Had they met later, even she might not have been able to save them.
"Oh, thank you, Tsunade-sama." Keiko knew she had no other choice. Gratefully, she and Karin bowed deeply to Tsunade.
"Tsunade-nee, perhaps we should stay here for the night," Kiyoshi suggested, "so they can rest and receive some treatment."
Tsunade nodded. "Yes, that might be best."
"Wood Style: Four Pillar House Jutsu."
With a surge of power, Kiyoshi raised his hand. Sunlight pierced through the once dark and eerie mist, illuminating the clearing.
A beautifully crafted wooden house rose from the earth, looking like a work of art, leaving Keiko and Karin stunned.
"That's… amazing." Karin's mouth fell open in awe, her wide eyes fixed on Kiyoshi, the boy who seemed not much older than herself.
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