The Senju Clan - Tsunade's Medical Laboratory
At noon, Shirou, familiar with the routine, arrived at the laboratory once again.
"Shirou, tell me—how does it feel to exceed the mission's requirements?"
Tsunade, lounging lazily in her office chair, wore a teasing smile as she gazed at him.
Shirou glanced at the IV line recently inserted into his arm. A flicker of defiance crossed his face, but he quickly fell silent. He bore the weight of his mission and the burden of humiliation as if carrying the world on his shoulders, his frustration plain for all to see.
"Captain Tsunade, the Uchiha may have made mistakes in the past, but now we only wish to protect the village alongside everyone else—not to remain isolated."
His raspy voice conveyed the plight of his clan once again, pleading their case.
In Tsunade's eyes, Shirou standing before her—though serving as her spy—was also a passionate defender of his clan.
"Alright, alright. That's ancient history. Let it go already."
Tsunade's breezy nature showed as she waved dismissively, chuckling. The enmity between the Senju and Uchiha clans had long faded into history. After all, how many Senju remained in Konoha now?
"Shirou, aren't you going to explain about the intel you've delivered twice?"
Under her meaningful gaze, Shirou's expression turned resolute.
"Captain Tsunade, the situation on the Amegakure battlefield is critical. Based on the previous intel, it's hard to definitively claim that the village's upper echelons are behind all of this."
"I apologize for the matter with Nawaki, but investigations concluded it was an accident. And as for last night, Captain Tsunade, you of all people should understand the weight of your status."
"In essence: I, a Uchiha who believes in the Will of Fire, refuse to believe the village could be so corrupt. There must be bad apples in the mix."
Yet, as Shirou spoke, his tone faltered, as if even he didn't fully believe his own words. Despite this, he forced himself to continue with feigned conviction:
"Captain Tsunade, your influence is significant. Even in private, there's talk in the village and within the Uchiha clan. They say whoever marries you has a good chance of becoming Hokage. As for Jonin Kato Dan, perhaps his actions were personal rather than conspiratorial."
His flawed reasoning screamed of someone clinging desperately to faith in the village, masking the truth with an unyielding belief in the Will of Fire.
"Personal? Accidental?"
Tsunade smirked faintly and elegantly crossed her long, slender legs. Her composed demeanor exuded a serene beauty.
The sunlight streaming through the window illuminated her golden hair. For a moment, she seemed tranquil and still.
In the ninja world, chakra was a blend of spiritual and physical energy. Nearly all strong ninjas possessed steadfast beliefs. When those beliefs were shattered, their strength often faltered.
As the saying goes: "A darkened heart grows tenfold stronger, but redemption weakens by threefold."
Shirou had no intention of breaking anyone's beliefs. Instead, he preferred to sow seeds of doubt. Once cracks formed in someone's conviction, he could subtly shift their beliefs without them realizing it.
"Captain Tsunade, I believe in the Will of Fire, and I trust the village!"
Sensing Tsunade's wavering resolve, Shirou reaffirmed his own beliefs with determination. The implication was clear: If someone's faltering, it's you, not me.
Even without manipulative tactics, simply providing foresight of future events was enough to nudge things in his favor. Planting seeds of doubt today would eventually grow into towering trees.
Knowing the future and not using it for personal gain? That would be absurd.
"Tch, stubborn Uchiha brat."
Watching Shirou continue his persuasion, Tsunade chuckled disdainfully.
"And your clan? Didn't you just say you were ready to sacrifice yourself for them in critical moments?"
Abruptly shifting her tone, Tsunade's sharp, amber-brown eyes pierced into him. Shirou took a deep breath. This was a test.
Surely, Tsunade hadn't become the Fifth Hokage by sheer luck. Her sharp mind constantly probed for weaknesses. But—!
When acting... act flawlessly.
"Captain Tsunade, I..."
Shirou's face flushed as he struggled internally, torn between his clan and the village.
To Tsunade, Shirou—her younger brother's peer—was bearing far more than he should for his age, burdened with loyalty to both clan and village.
For a moment, Tsunade smirked sarcastically.
The prideful Uchiha were setting aside their pride to integrate with Konoha, while certain people in high positions had forgotten who helped elevate them there in the first place.
Satisfied with her test of Shirou's character, Tsunade's tone softened.
"Shirou, you'd better behave in the future. After all, the whole village—and even your Uchiha clan—are watching you."
Her teasing yet affectionate tone sent a chill down Shirou's spine as Tsunade's sisterly gaze landed on him.
(Big Sister Beam!)
So bright... so big...
But! No time for distractions.
"Captain Tsunade, I was just trying to help out."
Shirou muttered weakly, realizing the precariousness of his position.
"Last night was just a misunderstanding. Besides, I've already reported to my clan. They've approved funding for your research on Kekkei Genkai diseases, and they'll provide additional intel."
He paused before adding, "Captain Tsunade, about your... reputation. The rumors about you loving sake and gambling too much... My clan can provide financial support if needed."
Tsunade's face darkened with anger.
"What's that supposed to mean!?"
Does this guy think I'm cheap?
"And what's this about gambling and sake? Are you trying to bribe me!?"
Do I look like that kind of person!?
"Captain Tsunade! That's not what I meant!"
Shirou stammered, overwhelmed by the awkwardness of the moment.
With Tsunade observing closely, he felt like he was dancing on an explosive tag, caught in the tension between the Senju, Uchiha, and Konoha's politics.
Tsunade, sipping tea with a mischievous smirk, remarked,
"Shirou, this is your chance to become the bridge between your clan and the village. Even though the Senju are weak now, our voice in the village still carries weight."
The Senju were no longer the powerhouse they once were. But with the Uchiha's help?
The events surrounding Nawaki and the Jonin Council had accelerated Tsunade's maturity. She was now facing Konoha's darkness head-on, understanding that threats didn't just come from enemies but sometimes from allies—or even from one's people.
The village had nearly forgotten the Senju in just two decades. Now, Tsunade intended to remind them.