"My reason?" Tsunade slouched in her chair, staring at the ceiling. "Can't it just be that I don't want to come back?"
"Of course." Seiryu nodded. "The village respects your choice."
"Hey, Uchiha brat," Tsunade called, "I've read your plan. It's feasible, but have you considered the cost? It'll take several times more funding than now, and at least ten years to see results. All that money burned, and if you stop, the investment's wasted. Are you really willing?"
"To improve our ninjas' survival rates? Of course. As for money, that's my concern as Hokage." Seiryu replied.
Tsunade studied him intently, then said, "Let me think it over."
"Of course. The position of Medical Academy dean will always be yours," Seiryu said.
"At least you're more straightforward than the old man," Tsunade laughed. "Got any sake?"
"Tsunade-sama…" Shizune looked on in dismay.
"Inaho, go buy some sake and snacks for Lady Tsunade," Seiryu called outside.
"You're an interesting Uchiha brat," Tsunade laughed.
"Tsunade-sama, I am still the Hokage," Seiryu said, exasperated.
"Alright, I get it! I won't call you that in public," Tsunade said.
"By the way, Lady Tsunade, I have a personal favor to ask," Seiryu said.
"A personal favor?" Tsunade eyed him. "Something wrong with your body? Doesn't look like it."
"It's just that I've encountered a limit in my training. While reading clan records, I found mention of an ancestor, Uchiha Asahi, who was contracted with the Shikkotsu Forest. I have similar issues, but the records are unclear. I'd like to ask the Slug Sage for guidance," Seiryu explained.
"Shikkotsu Forest had an Uchiha summoner?" Tsunade was surprised, checking the contract scroll. She found Uchiha Asahi's name.
"Wow, really was one." Tsunade hadn't expected to see an Uchiha name on her grandfather's scroll.
She bit her finger, summoned a slug, and a thumb-sized Slug Sage clone appeared on Seiryu's desk.
"Tsunade-sama, is there something you need?" the Slug Sage asked.
"It's not me, it's him." Tsunade gestured to Seiryu.
"Greetings, Slug Sage." Seiryu smiled.
"I sense natural energy in you—are you a Sage user?" the Slug Sage asked.
"Yes," Seiryu nodded. "I wanted to ask about my ancestor, Uchiha Asahi."
"Asahi-sama's descendant? You're from the Uchiha clan?" the Slug Sage was surprised.
"That's right. I found hints that Asahi solved the Mangekyo's blindness problem with natural energy. But the method is incomplete. Could you help?" Seiryu asked.
"I see, but I don't have the answer either. Asahi learned Sage mode in Shikkotsu Forest, but later developed a path completely different from the Three Great Sages," the Slug Sage said.
"But Asahi did leave something in Shikkotsu Forest for the Uchiha. He asked that it be given to any future Uchiha descendant. Please wait—I'll find it."
A moment later, a scroll appeared on Seiryu's desk.
"This is the scroll Asahi left in my care," the Slug Sage said.
"Thank you." Seiryu inspected the scroll—its text was blurry, with two distinct sealing formulas.
"It requires Mangekyo-level ocular power and the same-source Sage chakra to open?" Seiryu frowned. This was the real thing, compared to what Black Zetsu had given him.
Seiryu put away the scroll and thanked the Slug Sage again.
"My pleasure. It's what Asahi intended," the Slug Sage replied.
"Can you tell me about Uchiha Asahi?" Tsunade asked, curious.
"It's normal you haven't heard of him. Even your grandfather Hashirama didn't know. But Asahi was the most talented of all the Shikkotsu Forest contractors through the ages," the Slug Sage said.
"Even more than my grandfather?" Tsunade challenged.
"In a way, yes," replied the Slug Sage. Chakra of Ashura and Indra had tangled for millennia, and the Sage had seen it all. Hashirama and Madara were the strongest for generations, but in terms of talent, Asahi—who suppressed both reincarnations of Ashura and Indra in his generation—was greater.
Sadly, Asahi failed to reach the next level.
At this point, Inaho returned with sake and food. The Slug Sage said, "You all continue. I'll return now."
"Safe travels, Slug Sage," Seiryu said.
"Child of the Uchiha, you remind me of Asahi in his youth. I hope next time we meet, you've completed the path he could not," the Slug Sage said.
"I'll take your blessing," Seiryu smiled.
The Slug Sage dispersed in smoke.
Seiryu set the sake and food on the desk.
Tsunade grabbed a bottle, and poured two cups.
"Tsunade-sama, is this really okay?" Shizune protested.
"What's the problem? If the Hokage doesn't mind, why should you?" Tsunade said, pushing a cup to Seiryu.
"Come! Drink!" Tsunade declared.
"I'm not of drinking age," Seiryu said.
"Don't give me that. Jiraiya told me what you've done. You forced the old man to step down, but you can't drink? Drink with me and I'll agree to stay as the Medical Academy dean."
"Alright, if you insist, I'll keep you company." Seiryu raised his cup.
"No 'to the Will of Fire' toast?" Tsunade teased.
"Lady Tsunade jests. It's just a private drink, no need for formality. First cup is to thank you for saving my life on the battlefield," Seiryu said.
"Now that's how it should be." Tsunade knocked back her cup.
After drinking, Seiryu looked at Shizune. "Don't just stand there—come eat with us."