Chapter 38
Chapter 38: Uchiha Yosuke, the Light in Tsunade's Heart
"Hold on! You're changing the subject, kid!"
Tsunade's eyes widened as she noticed Yosuke trying to steer away from her question.
She had clearly asked him what he had discovered or what information that old Uchiha Setsuna had passed on. Information that had made this kid seem eager to die on the battlefield.
A pointless death didn't align with the Uchiha way, but a glorious one did.
Knowing that the Uchiha clan's tendency towards mental instability increased with the awakening of their eyes, Tsunade furrowed her brows. It was a headache.
At last, she understood what her grandfather had meant about the Uchiha: stubborn and single-minded.
"Tsunade Captain, seeking death? I think you're mistaken."
Yosuke suddenly showed a smile unique to the Uchiha, his eyes growing fervent as he excitedly said, "I just want to test my own capacity."
Seeing the obsessive smile of a madman, Tsunade's face filled with anger, but she also caught a flicker of hesitation in Yosuke's gaze. It seemed she had guessed something.
Seeking death! This kid, brainwashed by the Will of Fire, had no reason to want to die. If he did, there was only one explanation: his death would prevent damage to the current situation.
Privately, the Uchiha clan had, after many years, finally found an opportunity. Publicly, this kid's Will of Fire ran deeply in his veins.
Recalling recent events, a spark lit up in Tsunade's bright brown eyes as she snapped, "Is the Nawaki incident about to happen again?!"
Boom!
Yosuke's pupils contracted as he looked visibly startled before he laughed awkwardly and said, "Captain Tsunade, could someone really be targeting our young clan leader, Fugaku?"
Yosuke's attempt to redirect the conversation made Tsunade scoff coldly. His reaction had confirmed her suspicion.
"Kid!"
Tsunade gritted her teeth. If the incident were to repeat, the target might not be the Uchiha's young clan leader—but rather this boy.
Because, unknowingly, he had become a bridge between the Uchiha and Senju clans.
If Yosuke were to suffer an "accident" under her watch, the Uchiha—those notorious loose cannons—would raise hell. If someone stirred up trouble in the shadows…
Tsunade felt a chill, heart racing. Knowing the Uchiha's tendencies, this would end in open hostility.
"You're too young to carry such a burden," Tsunade said, initially in anger but softening as she saw the youthful determination in Yosuke's gaze.
At his age, she had been up to different things, as had Rope Tree. Being a ninja was harsh enough, but this kid was shouldering a family burden and pressure beyond his years.
"Captain Tsunade, I…"
Seeming to have his bluff called, Yosuke's mask of obsession slipped, and he averted his eyes from her.
This only fueled Tsunade's anger towards the village's vile elders.
"I need all the information!"
She forced down her fury, glaring at him as she spoke. Under her intense gaze, Yosuke finally relented, bowing his head and whispering.
"Elder Setsuna sent word…no specifics on time or place. The only lead is a rumor about targeting an upcoming mission to the Land of Rain, seeking a chance to provoke conflict between the Uchiha and Senju clans."
With hesitation, Yosuke revealed this information, adding another layer of protection for himself. If trouble arose, he doubted two layers of safeguards could be bypassed. If he couldn't escape, he'd at least make them suffer.
"Bastards!"
Tsunade seethed at the village's rotten elders, forcing a child into a death wish.
They preached the Will of Fire but did anything in the name of power, while fearing the "evil" Uchiha. Meanwhile, this kid, for his clan and the village, was willing to die.
In front of witnesses, he would die with honor, and there would be no conflict between Uchiha and Senju.
"Captain Tsunade!"
"Be quiet!"
Tsunade's anger flared. After Nawaki, and then Dan…this was too much.
"You, kid! If you hide anything from me again, I'll break every bone in your body!"
Yosuke shivered under her intense chakra pressure. Truly worthy of the Senju, her chakra reserves felt like a Tailed Beast's.
After her anger faded, seeing his silent form left her ashamed.
In her eyes, he was a beacon of light within the darkness.
"Don't misuse that curse mark. I've told you—use it only in a limited state; you can only handle it in partial mode."
Tsunade's stern tone softened as she scolded him.
"What's with that look, kid? Remember, as your Jonin instructor and commanding officer, I'm giving you a direct order!"
Looking chastened, Yosuke quickly nodded. But Tsunade knew the stubborn Uchiha well enough to suspect he'd find himself back in his self-destructive rut soon enough.
"Sign your name on this summoning scroll."
Frustrated, she summoned a massive scroll. Yosuke stared in surprise. Was she really rewarding him for this?
"What are you staring at!"
Under Tsunade's glare, Yosuke took his kunai, cut his finger, and signed his name and bloody handprint on the scroll.
"Thank…you, Captain Tsunade."
His low voice filled the tent as he glanced at the young boy who was carrying such a weight. Tsunade's heart momentarily softened.
But true to her character, she scowled, taking back the scroll.
"Kid, rest up and heal. Once you're better, you'll be helping with supplies."
Furious, Tsunade thought, 'Really? The princess of the Senju, the Princess of Konoha, relying on a kid?'
"Third Hokage! Is this the Uchiha you fear and suppress? Or are you just playing another role, turning a blind eye, or deeming it too insignificant to notice?"
Looking towards the Land of Fire, a sad, fiery glint sparked in her eyes.
Then, looking back at the silent boy on the bed, she found herself giving a gentle smile.
Darkness and light—a stark contrast made obvious.
"Even in the dark, you don't know you're the light," she murmured.
In her heart, Yosuke was like a light amidst shadows, still young and frail but shining brighter than the village's corrupted elders.
***
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