Suddenly, someone appeared beside her. Tsunade instinctively lashed out with a punch.
"It's me," Kawakaze quickly said, stepping back to another branch to avoid the blow.
"Ah, sorry. I reacted without thinking," Tsunade said, lowering her fist, her expression uneasy.
"You missed again. Just ignore him," Sakumo remarked casually, unfazed.
"What's the situation? Did you find anything?" Nayuki asked, ignoring the brief exchange.
"It's interesting—Uchiha and Danzo seem to be working together," Kawakaze revealed, his words shocking everyone.
"How is that possible? Danzo's attitude toward the Uchiha is too hostile for them to collaborate," Tsunade said, speaking up first. She knew all too well how much Danzo disliked the Uchiha.
"I saw someone from the Uchiha clan attack a three-man squad earlier. Who else would orchestrate this if not Danzo?" Kawakaze said, confident in his assessment. He recognized the chakra as belonging to the Uchiha ninja he had injured in an alley previously.
"The Uchiha would dare to align themselves with a wolf like Danzo?" Tsunade was still incredulous.
"The Uchiha's hatred for the Senju runs deeper than you realize," Kawakaze replied, voicing a truth Tsunade had yet to confront. She had naively believed the Senju could dissolve the animosity by their alliance with the Uchiha. But blood feuds are not so easily erased.
Sakumo and Nayuki listened in silence, occasionally frowning. Even Onimaru, perched on the tree, remained still.
"If the Uchiha and Danzo are really working together, will the hospital project still move forward?" Tsunade asked, her tone heavy. "The location is too close to the Konoha Military Police Force."
"Let's wait and see. I suspect this alliance won't last long," Kawakaze replied with a smirk. "Neither Danzo nor the Uchiha are likely to fully trust each other."
"So, do we keep monitoring the situation?" Tsunade asked tentatively.
"If you'd like, you can accompany me," Kawakaze said with a teasing tone. "I think my brother and sister-in-law can handle things here."
Tsunade's lips curved slightly into a smile. Sakumo averted his gaze, clearly annoyed. Nayuki, on the other hand, observed Tsunade's reaction with great interest.
"There will be opportunities in the future," Tsunade said, her cheeks flushing as she turned her attention to the construction site, deliberately ignoring Kawakaze.
Undeterred, Kawakaze moved closer and crouched beside her. "Then, can I hug you next time?"
Tsunade shifted slightly, keeping her distance. This guy is insufferable. "We'll talk about it later," she muttered, her fair face now as red as if she'd been drinking sake.
"Then no more shoulder throws, alright?"
"I did that subconsciously! You didn't even announce yourself," she retorted, flustered.
"So, if I say hello first, it's fine?" Kawakaze leaned in slightly, his tone shamelessly playful, enjoying the close interaction.
"I didn't say that!" Tsunade snapped, her frustration mounting. She had never met anyone so audacious. Jiraiya might flirt and get himself beaten up, but Kawakaze's thick skin was in a league of its own.
Nayuki chuckled softly. Her brother-in-law was surprisingly adept at this; she had never seen him pursue someone so persistently. Where on earth had he learned it?
Meanwhile, Sakumo remained entirely focused on their mission, diligently monitoring the target. His unwavering dedication to the task made it clear why he had one of the highest success rates among ninja. Kawakaze couldn't hope to compare in that regard.
...
The man in a black robe entered the Uchiha clan grounds, passing the guard post unnoticed as he made his way to the Clan Head's residence. Inside the quiet room, the Clan Head was already seated, calmly sipping tea.
"Uncle, it's been handled," the man reported as he removed his black robe, revealing his face. It was Fugaku Uchiha.
"Good. But do you think Danzo will take the bait?" the Clan Head asked, his expression calm but calculating.
Fugaku hesitated. "He might not. What if one of his men gets injured?"
The Clan Head's voice remained steady. "It doesn't matter. Danzo has no choice but to respond. This whistleblower must be dealt with, whether he likes it or not." He sipped his tea, his demeanor serene yet sharp, a stark contrast to the ruthless plan forming in his mind. "Once the three return, report to Root immediately. And don't forget to tend to your wounds. No loose ends."
Fugaku nodded, his gaze steady. "Don't worry, Uncle. I held back—I wouldn't go so far as to harm our own clan members severely." After all, he wasn't about to push his people into destruction, though Kawakaze's persistent interest in his actions hinted at his own overreach.
The Clan Head gave a curt nod. "Good. Keep a close watch and inform me of any developments."
Fugaku bowed and left, finding a concealed spot within the clan grounds to wait for the three unlucky ninjas to return. An hour later, they finally staggered into view, supporting one another and barely able to walk.
Fugaku hurried over, playing the role of a concerned leader. "What happened? Who dared to attack members of the Uchiha clan?"
The leader of the group replied through gritted teeth, "We were sent to question the construction workers, but on our way back, we were ambushed by the Senju Clan."
Fugaku's expression darkened. Senju, really? That's the excuse you're going with? He forced himself to maintain composure, masking his irritation. "I see. Don't worry. I'll handle this," he said, helping them toward the medical area while pretending to console them.
Behind the scenes, Fugaku was swift to act. He summoned Uchiha ninjas to heighten their vigilance and dispatched a messenger to Root with a report: "A conflict has erupted, and immediate support is required."
Tensions within the Uchiha clan escalated rapidly. Most members, unaware of the full scheme, grew anxious, their unease obvious to any onlookers. This did not escape the watchful eyes of Root operatives, just as the Clan Head had anticipated.
When the report reached Danzo, he had already been briefed on the alleged clash between the Uchiha and the Senju. As a supposed ally of the Uchiha, he knew he couldn't afford to sit idle.
Danzo sat listening as the kneeling subordinate reported the latest news about the Uchiha clan. Impatient, he waved his hand to interrupt mid-sentence.
"Send two small teams to assist the Uchiha," Danzo ordered tersely. "Ensure the construction team cannot proceed, but avoid direct conflict."
The Root ninja acknowledged the command, quickly organizing the teams before heading toward the Uchiha grounds.
After they left, Danzo leaned back, rubbing his chin where an old injury lingered, a faint unease settling over him. Something isn't right. However, he couldn't fathom that the Uchiha Clan Head would go so far as to turn against his own people.
At the clan grounds, the Root ninja halted before entering. A Uchiha ninja with the clan emblem on his shoulder approached them.
"The Clan Head has instructed that there's no need for you to intervene yet," he said curtly. "Simply observe. Follow me, and if things turn dire, we'll signal for your assistance."
The Root ninja exchanged glances, relieved. This was exactly what Danzo had instructed: observe and avoid unnecessary involvement. They agreed without hesitation, shadowing the Uchiha ninja to a location near the construction site, where they began their surveillance.
Meanwhile, Fugaku continued sipping tea with the Clan Head in the meditation room.
"They've already set out, Fugaku. Are you sure about this?" The Clan Head's tone carried a hint of unease. After all, Fugaku was no match for Kawakaze Hatake, and his confidence in Fugaku's strength was wavering.
"Uncle, if you don't trust me, then trust in our eyes." Fugaku's Sharingan flared to life, revealing the intricate pattern of the Three Tomoe.
"That's true. There aren't many like Kawakaze Hatake," the Clan Head muttered, his expression hardening. "No need to hold back—just capture some prisoners to report back."
His gaze turned cold, his eyes filled with ruthless intent. He wasn't fond of Danzo either, and his displeasure was evident as he set the teacup down forcefully.
Bang. The sound echoed through the room as the cup struck the table.