"Tsunade, you're back."
Inside the Hokage's office, Uchiha Fugaku stood alongside Nara Shikaku, both offering a courteous welcome. But Tsunade's expression—grim and simmering with restrained fury—was impossible to miss.
"Hokage," Tsunade said sharply, arms crossed, "what exactly is Uchiha Itachi to you?"
Fugaku blinked, sensing the storm behind her question. "…He's my son. Why?"
Tsunade's eyes narrowed into thin slits. "Then, Fugaku, congratulations—you've raised a real piece of work."
Fugaku winced. Even without details, he could already picture what had happened. Given his son's mission and Tsunade's attitude, something had clearly gone sideways.
They were of the same generation, Tsunade and Fugaku. That made the sting worse—being dragged back by someone young enough to be her nephew, made to feel helpless at the hands of a child who wasn't even born during the Second Great War.
"Tsunade," Fugaku began, voice calm, "you've heard what's happening in Konoha. We wouldn't have recalled you unless the situation was truly dire."
He didn't attempt to dodge responsibility. If his son had offended her, then so had he—he would own up to it. Tsunade was not only a legendary Sannin, but the last living Senju. Respect was due.
"I still refuse—"
"Tsunade!"
The door slammed open.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, stepped inside with a grave expression.
"Let me speak, Fugaku."
Fugaku inclined his head, stepping aside.
"Tsunade," Hiruzen said softly, "we need to discuss things privately. Please ask the others to clear the room."
"Shikaku stays. Everyone else, dismissed."
At her word, several elite jōnin standing guard outside vanished instantly. Even Hiruzen couldn't help but marvel—so this was the modern Uchiha? Their body flicker speed wasn't far behind Shisui's.
With the room clear, Hiruzen turned to Fugaku and Shikaku.
"The truth is… Tsunade's condition has kept her away from Konoha for years. She suffers from hemophobia—the inability to even look at blood without severe trauma."
Shikaku's eyes widened slightly. Fugaku, too, raised his brows. Neither had expected such a personal, painful reason behind Tsunade's self-exile.
The death of her younger brother, Nawaki… it scarred her deeply. Unlike in the other timeline, Tsunade and Kato Dan weren't lovers in this life. There was no second blow. But the first was enough.
Tsunade didn't speak. She only looked away, jaw clenched tight.
"She once proposed the formation of Konoha's medical corps," Hiruzen continued. "At the time, both the Uchiha and Uzumaki clans were among the few who supported it. That solidarity meant a lot."
"And now you want a medical ninja who can't even see blood?" Tsunade said bitterly, arms falling to her sides. "Tell me, Hokage, what's the point of summoning me back?"
Fugaku exhaled slowly, pouring himself a cup of tea before answering.
"We didn't know the full story. But even if we had… things are more complicated now. If the backup plan our ancestors left hadn't been lost, we wouldn't be in such a desperate state."
"Backup plan?" Hiruzen echoed, narrowing his eyes.
Even Tsunade's expression changed. Despite everything, anything related to the founding era—especially her grandfather—still caught her attention.
"You mean something left behind by Uchiha Madara?" she asked.
"Or by Uchiha Xiuyu?" Shikaku added thoughtfully.
Before Fugaku could reply, there was a knock at the door.
"Hokage," a voice called, "Jiraiya requests an audience."
Itachi.
"Let him in," Fugaku said.
The door opened, and the familiar figure of Jiraiya strode in, carrying his massive scroll across his back. His eyes immediately landed on Tsunade.
"Well, well," he grinned, "long time no see."
Tsunade hesitated—then, slowly, a smile crept onto her lips. "Yeah. It's been a while."
Everyone in the room knew how Jiraiya felt about her. And Tsunade? She'd always deflected those feelings. But in this moment, their exchange felt like two comrades finally coming home.
"If you two are planning to reminisce," Fugaku interrupted, clearing his throat, "do it later. We have pressing matters to discuss."
"Right," Jiraiya replied, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.
"Earlier, the Third Hokage asked about the Uchiha's backup plan," Fugaku said, glancing at Hiruzen. "I suppose it's time you knew."
He set his teacup down with a deliberate clink.
"Our clan's ancestor, Lord Xiu Yu, left behind a clone. That clone remained hidden in Konoha long after the original left."
Hiruzen inhaled sharply. "A clone? All this time…"
Even Tsunade looked stunned.
"I only knew Lord Xiuyu was powerful. I had no idea one of his clones had stayed hidden in the village," Hiruzen murmured. "And he's been gone for forty years…"
Fugaku nodded.
"He lived longer than any Uchiha before him. How? I can't say. But I can say this—Tsunade, you might not even know the truth about your grandfather's death."
That silenced the room.
"Didn't Hashirama die from wounds sustained in battle with Madara?" Jiraiya asked, brows furrowing.
Tsunade shook her head slowly. "No. I saw him before he died. He told me it wasn't Madara—it was a powerful enemy from another village. That's all he would say."
"And that enemy?" Fugaku said, folding his arms, "was strong enough to rival the First Hokage himself. Just days ago, another like him appeared. Strong enough to wipe out the entire village."
Everyone froze.
"But the clone of Lord Xiu Yu… he defeated him."
A collective exhale of relief swept through the room.
"The battlefield on the outskirts," Hiruzen said quietly, "the destruction there—that was their fight?"
"Yes," Fugaku confirmed. "And now, with the clone gone—its chakra exhausted—we must face what's coming together."
For a moment, there was silence. Then Jiraiya stepped forward, slapping a fist into his palm.
"Then we do it ourselves. Together. We'll defend Konoha with everything we've got."
Fugaku looked around the room—at the weary Tsunade, the thoughtful Shikaku, the humbled Third Hokage, and the determined Jiraiya—and nodded.
"Let's protect our home."
--------------------
There was a reason why Jiraiya radiated so much confidence now.
This was the prime of his strength—the moment he had finally mastered Sage Mode. The natural energy from Mount Myōboku coursed through him, elevating his abilities beyond even the Third Hokage at his peak. With this new power, Jiraiya no longer saw himself as just a wandering Sannin. He was now a force to be reckoned with.
After all, the legends of Konoha's founders—Senju Hashirama, Uchiha Madara, and even the enigmatic Uchiha Xiuyu—had always felt distant to him. Historical shadows. Untouchable myths.
He had only ever met the Second Hokage in person. He couldn't fathom the scale of Hashirama's world-shaping Wood Release or the devastating majesty of Susanoo. Those were stories, not reality.
Fugaku, however, watched Jiraiya closely. That aura… it was unmistakable.
"You've completed your Sage Mode training, haven't you?" Fugaku asked casually.
Jiraiya blinked, visibly taken aback. "How'd you know that?"
Fugaku smirked. "Our ancestor, Xiuyu, recorded extensive notes on senjutsu in our clan's scrolls. Myōboku Mountain isn't the only holy site with Sage techniques. Ryūchi Cave and the Shikkotsu Forest also have complete paths to senjutsu mastery."
Jiraiya's mouth twitched.
Once again, it became painfully clear to everyone in the room: having powerful ancestors is a cheat code. Just a single piece of legacy knowledge could change the tide of the entire ninja world.
"But wait," Jiraiya frowned, "Uchiha Xiuyu didn't have any connections to the three sacred sites. How does he know all this?"
He remembered the Great Toad Sage, who once hesitated whenever Uchiha Xiuyu name was mentioned. Vague warnings. Cryptic pauses. The ancient toad had survived since the time of the Sage of Six Paths, and yet—he feared Uchiha Xiuyu?
At this very moment, the Great Toad Sage sat in a trance on Myōboku Mountain. Normally, he dreamed of future events, his visions guiding the toads and their chosen summoners. But now—nothing. The threads of destiny were tangled beyond recognition.
"Jiraiya… don't pursue Uchiha Xiuyu. His fate no longer belongs to this world. He's more unknowable than the Ōtsutsuki themselves. He may not even be in this dimension anymore…"
Back in the Hokage's office, Jiraiya was still reeling from the implications. Fugaku, sensing the tension, merely smiled.
"It's said our ancestor's Sharingan could glimpse fragments of the future. Omniscient, some claimed. But that's probably just legend. Still… he knew secrets about this world most never will."
Jiraiya stayed quiet.
Shikaku leaned forward, shifting the topic. "What about Tsunade's condition? Hemophobia can't be treated like a regular illness—but maybe there's something we can try."
"I was thinking the same," Fugaku nodded. "Desensitization therapy could work."
"Desensi—what?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
"It's a psychological method," Fugaku explained. "Repeated exposure to the trauma source in controlled settings. Eventually, your mind stops reacting with fear. It's not easy… but it's possible."
Tsunade turned her head away, eyes shadowed. "I'm not interested."
Fugaku's voice softened. "I understand. But let me say one last thing. Death… isn't always final. With techniques like Impure World Reincarnation—or even true resurrection—some fates can be reversed."
That made her pause.
"What do you mean by that?" she asked, a spark of curiosity flickering beneath her sorrow.
"These were notes left behind by our ancestor," Fugaku replied. "He hinted at certain techniques capable of defying death. I don't know how it works… but I know this much—only power can bring dreams to life. That's all I can say."
In truth, Fugaku knew little about the specifics. Uchiha Xiuyu never recorded the details of the Rinnegan or the Samsara of Heavenly Life. It was knowledge even the Uchiha dared not pass on lightly.
For now, Fugaku turned his full attention toward the coming crisis—the Five Nations' Joint Chūnin Exam.
---
Three days later, the delegation from the Land of Wind arrived in Konoha.
The Kazekage entered the village with his three children and a team of elite ninja led by Maki. But of course, this "Kazekage" was a lie. The real one had been long dead—killed and replaced by Orochimaru using a sophisticated disguise technique.
Even Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't notice the imposter. Orochimaru, confident in his deception, walked among them freely.
The fools in Sunagakure are still in the dark, he mused.
Konoha bustled with energy, unaware of the serpent in their midst. Orochimaru's eyes gleamed as he took in the strengthened Uchiha-led village.
Danzo… you old fool. You used me and then painted me as the villain. But now look at you—rotting in the grave. While I stand here, stronger than ever.
Orochimaru's tongue flicked across his lips. "Sensei," he whispered under his breath, "you've grown so… small. But this village—under Uchiha leadership—it's thriving. How does it feel to be second best?"
---
The following day, Kumogakure arrived.
The Fourth Raikage led the team himself, flanked by Darui and Nozomi. Absent were Killer Bee and Bokuto—both had suffered major injuries in a recent incident and were left to recover.
On the third day, Iwagakure made their entrance. Ōnoki, now bent with age but still sharp, led the group. With him were his son Koto, granddaughter Kurotsuchi, and a cadre of hardened shinobi.
Lastly, Kirigakure arrived—fashionably late and as enigmatic as ever.
The village sent no Kage. Instead, the diplomatic envoy was led by Mei Terumi and the ever-watchful Ao. Yagura, the official Mizukage, remained absent—a necessary choice. After all, he was still secretly under the control of a Sharingan.
Obito couldn't risk exposing his plans, so Mei's presence was a calculated move.
Still, no one raised an eyebrow. Kirigakure had always been shrouded in fog—both literally and politically.
---
For the first time since the founding of the Hidden Villages, the Five Great Nations stood together within Konoha.
The village hummed with activity. Security doubled. Patrols tripled. Elite ANBU moved in shadows. Even Uchiha Sasuke—marooned in this altered world—was secretly aiding in the defense under Fugaku's orders.
"Master…" Boruto looked up at him, his voice subdued. "When can we go home?"
Sasuke didn't answer immediately. He glanced around Konoha—so familiar, yet utterly alien.
This world wasn't their own.
"I don't know," Sasuke admitted quietly.
He was still recovering. His chakra—once near Six Paths level—had begun to diminish in this dimension. Every day, his recovery slowed. Whether it was from the Otsutsuki's last attack or the distortions of time and space, Sasuke didn't know.
But he did know one thing.
Whatever was coming… they would have to face it with what strength they had left.
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