Kawakaze's hand casually brushed the underside of the table, a subtle gesture that didn't go unnoticed.
"I heard that you and Danzo are working together," he said nonchalantly.
The room instantly grew tense, as if the temperature had dropped.
"What do you mean?" The Uchiha Clan Head's face darkened, his fear barely concealed. To him, Kawakaze's words sounded like the precursor to a direct accusation—or worse, retaliation.
"Danzo is a wolf with an ambitious heart, and he's never had a favorable view of the Uchiha. Working with him is no different from conspiring with a tiger." Kawakaze's tone remained calm as he sipped his tea, his words cutting through the room like a blade.
"The Uchiha and Danzo have no ties," the Clan Head retorted, his voice firm but defensive. "You shouldn't come here spreading baseless rumors, sir. Is this all you came to say? If so, I'll have to ask you to leave."
He gestured for Fugaku to escort their guest out.
Kawakaze chuckled lightly as Fugaku stood up. "You're really something, Fugaku. A model future clan head—capable of killing your own clan members."
Fugaku froze, his hand lowering slowly as a cold realization dawned on him: Kawakaze had seen through him.
"When did I kill my clan members? If you keep spewing nonsense, don't blame me for being rude," Fugaku snapped, his voice rising in anger.
"You lack depth," Kawakaze said dismissively. "You still have a long way to go." He turned his attention away from Fugaku, fixing his gaze on the Clan Head instead.
"Danzo doesn't want my hospital to open because I almost killed him. What about you, Uchiha? Are you standing in my way too?"
The Clan Head's expression grew increasingly grim. Though Kawakaze's tone was calm, his words carried a weight that couldn't be ignored.
Kawakaze leaned slightly forward, his eyes sharp. "Is it because of the ancient feud between the Uchiha and Senju Clans?"
The question struck a nerve. The Clan Head's composure faltered as the momentum of the conversation slipped out of his grasp.
"So what if it is?" the Clan Head finally responded, his voice tinged with bitterness.
"By the decree of my second grandfather, the Senju Clan has already integrated into Konoha."
"There is no longer a Senju Clan, so why can't this feud be resolved?"
Tsunade, silent until now, frowned deeply. She couldn't comprehend the Clan Head's stubbornness. Wasn't the goal of the village—peace among its people—far more important than clinging to old grudges?
"Just say what your goal is," the Uchiha Clan Head said impatiently. His usual composure had been shaken, and he couldn't figure out Kawakaze and Tsunade's intentions.
"You, as the Uchiha Clan Head, want your clan to fully integrate into the village and gain the honor and recognition you deserve," Kawakaze said bluntly. "I can help you." He paused and gestured toward Tsunade. "Or, the next Hokage can help you."
The Clan Head's face darkened, his agitation evident. The thought of a Senju becoming Hokage again was intolerable. Memories of the Second Hokage assigning the Uchiha to the Konoha Military Police Force—a move that had isolated them and tarnished their reputation—still burned fresh in his mind.
"Once you've said your piece, you can leave," he said coldly. His thoughts swirled. This wasn't just about a family feud anymore; the hospital Kawakaze and Tsunade wanted to build now threatened the Uchiha's future standing in the village. It couldn't be allowed.
Tsunade's voice broke through his inner turmoil. "Let's not concern ourselves with whether I become Hokage or not," she said. "Do you really think working with Danzo to stop the construction of our hospital will bring any benefit to the Uchiha?"
Her question landed like a stone in a pond, sending ripples of doubt through the Clan Head's mind. She was right—there was no advantage to this alliance, only old grudges. Danzo stood to gain by removing a perceived threat, but the Uchiha would get nothing.
Kawakaze stepped in again, his tone calm yet firm. "If you're willing to cooperate with us, I guarantee your Uchiha Clan can find its place in the village. Even if Tsunade becomes Hokage, she won't harm your clan—I'll make sure of that. I've come with sincerity."
Before the Clan Head could respond, Kawakaze disappeared in a flash and reappeared beside him, placing an arm around his shoulders. In an instant, the two vanished from the meditation room.
Fugaku and Tsunade froze, exchanging bewildered looks.
"Where did he take my uncle?" Fugaku demanded, kunai in hand. His gaze was sharp, ready for anything, even if it meant confronting Tsunade.
"He'll bring him back," Tsunade said calmly, sipping her tea. She trusted Kawakaze completely, though she couldn't deny the suddenness of his actions.
Fugaku remained on high alert, his mind racing. He refrained from summoning other clan members, knowing the news of the Clan Head's sudden disappearance would cause chaos.
Time ticked by slowly. After about ten minutes, Kawakaze returned with the Clan Head, whose face was pale and drained of color.
As Kawakaze released him, the Clan Head stumbled forward, his eyes wild. His gaze fell to the low table before him, which had been kicked over in the chaos.
There, etched into the underside of the table, was the emblem of the Senju Clan.
"So it really is the Flying Thunder God Technique," the Uchiha Clan Head muttered.
"I promise you, but I hope you'll do what you said."
By now, his composure had mostly returned. He raised a hand to stop Fugaku, who was about to step forward to support him.
"Show them out," the Clan Head instructed.
"No need," Kawakaze replied smoothly. "We can find our way." He offered a faint smile. "Nice working with you."
Before anyone could respond, Kawakaze repeated his earlier feat, placing a hand on Tsunade's shoulder. The next moment, they were gone, whisked away by the Flying Thunder God Technique.
In an instant, they reappeared in front of the stone table in the Hatake Clan's dojo.
"That far?" Tsunade asked, still shaken by the sudden transportation. Whatever had occurred during those ten minutes she'd been absent was overshadowed by her awe at the Flying Thunder God Technique, a feat beyond her comprehension.
"Teleporting over long distances is incredibly draining," Kawakaze said, his face pale under the moonlight. "This is almost the limit of what I can sense."
Though his words were spoken with practiced nonchalance, he leaned heavily against a stone pillar, playing up his exhaustion.
"It's fine. Just walk back slowly next time," Tsunade said, taking his hand and guiding him toward the house.
"It's just for convenience. I won't do it again," Kawakaze said, leaning against her for support. He couldn't help but notice how soft and comfortable her presence felt.
"I don't believe you," Tsunade shot back with a glare. "I know how incredible you are, okay?"
Despite her sharp words, she reached into her pocket, pulling out a special Military Rations Pill. Without waiting for him to protest, she stuffed it into his mouth.
"Chew and swallow," she ordered, holding her hand up in front of his face.
Kawakaze smirked as he complied, biting down on the pill and swallowing it. Her fist, still covered in saliva, withdrew with a mix of irritation and amusement.
Tsunade frowned. If I punch him for this, he'll probably play victim for weeks.
"You don't want to hit me, do you?" Kawakaze asked slyly, leaning closer and pressing his head against Tsunade's body with exaggerated innocence.
Before she could respond, he yelped as Tsunade grabbed a fistful of his hair with a swift backhand.
"It hurts!" he complained, his voice laced with mock pain. The more he leaned, the more she tugged.
"Come here," she said sternly, pulling his head back so that he was forced to stare up at the stars.
"I was wrong!" Kawakaze quickly admitted, his expression both sheepish and amused.
The two playfully tussled all the way back to the room. Once there, Tsunade helped Kawakaze onto the bed, brushing off his antics.
"I'm going back," she said, straightening up, but Kawakaze grabbed her hand before she could leave.
"Anything else?" she asked, trying to shake free, but his grip was firm.
"Tell Advisor Koharu to attend the groundbreaking ceremony tomorrow," Kawakaze said, his expression suddenly serious.
Tsunade's brow furrowed. She had expected another playful remark, but this was a sharp turn. "I see. Is this part of your plan?"
Kawakaze nodded subtly, his mischievous aura tempered.
Her curiosity piqued, Tsunade sat down on the edge of the bed, abandoning her plan to leave. "How did you convince that old fox?"
"Big stick and red dates. Who knows what works," Kawakaze replied nonchalantly, clearly teasing.
"Speak properly." Tsunade took his hand and gave it a squeeze, prompting him to be serious.
"I just took him out for a walk. Didn't lay a finger on him," Kawakaze said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "The other part was a deal—he agreed to cooperate if the hospital helps train Uchiha doctors and Medical-nin once it's operational."
Tsunade listened carefully, piecing it together. Kawakaze made it sound simple, but she understood the deeper implications. The Uchiha Clan Head had chosen survival and integration into the village over perpetuating the blood feud. It was a pragmatic decision, but not an easy one.
The two of them continued chatting, holding hands as the conversation flowed naturally.
Meanwhile, back in the Uchiha compound, the Clan Head likely spent a sleepless night, the image of the Senju Clan emblem burned into his mind as he sat amid the wreckage of the meditation room.