After that rather unorthodox "psychological treatment" delivered by Heavenly Dao, Tsunade still harbored a final sliver of doubt about his claim of being the last surviving Uchiha. Yet she no longer had the energy—or the desire—to dig any deeper.
After all, the Sharingan in his eyes could not be fabricated.
As she watched Heavenly Dao crack lighthearted jokes, effortlessly keeping Shizune laughing at his side, Tsunade felt an unexpected flicker of sympathy rise in her chest.
In her eyes, his situation mirrored her own in more ways than one.
Both had been born into clans that stood at the very foundation of the Hidden Leaf Village. Both were now the final bearers of their bloodlines. The Senju and the Uchiha—once mortal enemies, later comrades-in-arms—had ultimately withered away together, leaving behind only echoes of their former glory.
The difference was that Tsunade still retained a veneer of prestige. She was a Sannin, a medical legend, a name spoken with reverence. Heavenly Dao, on the other hand, had to live in the shadows, constantly fearful that exposure would bring the village's upper echelons crashing down upon him.
"If Nawaki were still alive," Tsunade thought quietly, "he'd probably be just as popular with girls as this brat."
Her mind drifted to her younger brother—the energetic boy who once dreamed of becoming Hokage. If he had survived, would he have maintained that same stubborn optimism in the face of adversity? Would he have learned to smile through pain, just like Heavenly Dao did now?
Guided by those unbidden memories, Tsunade's fondness for him deepened without her even realizing it.
At that very moment, an icy-blue system notification flickered into existence before Heavenly Dao's eyes.
[New Quest: Any future in Senju + Uchiha?
Objective: Re-establish the Senju–Uchiha Alliance. Bring Tsunade into the Uchiha Clan.]
[Unlocked Intimacy Reward: Mystical Palm Technique.]
[Unlocked Defeat-CG Reward: Bloodline Limit — Wood Release.]
Heavenly Dao's breath caught for a split second.
So it finally came.
While chatting casually with Shizune, he kept his expression relaxed, but inwardly his excitement surged like a tidal wave. The reward he had been anticipating for so long had finally arrived.
Over time, he had learned to categorize the System's rewards into three primary tiers.
The first tier was Bloodline rewards—by far the most valuable. These granted sweeping enhancements to stamina, physical strength, speed, chakra reserves, and overall vitality, in addition to unlocking unique bloodline abilities. Every bloodline upgrade reshaped his foundation entirely.
The second tier consisted of Technique rewards. These expanded his combat versatility and tactical depth. While they lacked the raw stat amplification of bloodlines, a single high-tier or Forbidden Jutsu could dramatically alter a battle's outcome.
The final tier was Chakra Attribute boosts—straightforward numerical increases. Individually modest, but when accumulated, capable of producing staggering results.
Among all known bloodlines, the Senju lineage stood near the pinnacle.
Heavenly Dao had long suspected that acquiring Wood Release might trigger an additional evolution within his Sharingan. Even if it didn't reach the mythical level of Hashirama's cells, he would gladly accept Second Hokage–grade compatibility.
He forced himself to remain calm and waited.
Shizune noticed his sudden good mood but didn't know the reason. Seeing him smile so brightly, she laughed even harder, her eyes curving into crescents.
Another system prompt appeared.
[New Quest: She looks like she could give birth to four children in three years.
Objective: Bring Shizune into the Uchiha Clan.]
[Unlocked Intimacy Reward: Chakra Scalpel.]
[Unlocked Defeat-CG Reward: Spirit Transformation Technique.]
Heavenly Dao nearly choked.
"A Forbidden Jutsu?" he thought incredulously. "Seriously? Am I actually the protagonist?"
The Spirit Transformation Technique was no ordinary skill. Originally created by the master of Forbidden Jutsu, Senju Tobirama, it was later refined and popularized by Tsunade's former lover, Kato Dan.
The technique separated the user's spiritual energy from their physical body, allowing the spirit to roam freely. In this form, the caster could strike enemies from afar, possess targets, disrupt chakra networks, or even directly damage a foe's soul.
It also granted unparalleled battlefield awareness, enabling the user to sense chakra fluctuations across a radius of nearly ten kilometers.
However, the technique came with a deadly flaw.
Once the spirit left the body, the physical shell became completely defenseless. Without reliable allies guarding it, the user's body could be destroyed with ease.
That weakness had likely been a major factor in Kato Dan's tragic death.
"Still," Heavenly Dao mused, "a reward is a reward."
Forbidden Jutsu, even with limitations, were never useless.
————————————
While Heavenly Dao navigated his growing web of relationships aboveground, deep beneath the village, Danzo Shimura sat in a dimly lit Root chamber.
A single oil lamp cast flickering shadows across the stone walls.
Kneeling before him, a Root ninja delivered a calm, precise report.
"I witnessed it personally," the operative said. "Lady Tsunade and Heavenly Dao clashed in the forest. The fight was brief. Lady Tsunade initially held the advantage, but then she suddenly stopped and did not press her attack. After a short exchange, her expression softened."
Danzo sat silently in the darkness. His right arm was wrapped in thick bandages, while his left eye was hidden beneath white cloth. Only one eye remained visible, glinting coldly.
He had already received a warning from the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, instructing him to stay away from Heavenly Dao.
Outwardly, Danzo had nodded in agreement, presenting himself as a loyal subordinate concerned for the village's stability. Inwardly, he believed only one thing.
I am Konoha's true guardian.
He had never truly retreated—only adjusted his approach. Surveillance continued through the most inconspicuous channels, carefully designed to avoid drawing the Hokage's attention.
As he processed the report, Danzo reassessed Heavenly Dao's strength.
"He managed to contend with Tsunade… and even displayed a Fire Release technique he hadn't shown before," Danzo murmured. "Likely something learned from Uchiha Sasuke."
His conclusion was swift and cold.
"So his motive for guiding the boy is self-interest."
Just another opportunist.
"Did Tsunade stop because she saw blood?" Danzo asked.
As a village elder, he was well aware of her hemophobia.
Part of the reason he had left her untouched over the years stemmed from lingering respect for the First and Second Hokage. Despite the world viewing him as a shadow-dweller, Danzo believed himself noble—loyal, self-sacrificing, and mindful of old debts.
The other reason was simpler.
Her phobia limited her usefulness.
"Now even a mere Chunin can make her hesitate," he scoffed inwardly.
Yet Tsunade's sudden interest in Heavenly Dao unsettled him.
Their paths should never have crossed. When she was already a legend, the boy should have still been in diapers.
Why seek him out now?
Danzo tapped the table slowly, his gaze sharpening as the puzzle pieces multiplied.
Then, just as quickly, his doubts crystallized into opportunity.
"Perfect."
"I'll propose to Hiruzen that the boy be transferred to Root for 'tempering,'" Danzo decided. "Secrets or not, once inside Root, there is only one creed—absolute devotion to Konoha."
He had unwavering confidence in Root's methods.
Choice was a luxury. Root offered only obedience.
"Transmit the order," Danzo said calmly. "Cease direct surveillance of Heavenly Dao. Switch to peripheral intelligence gathering."
With Tsunade now involved, caution was necessary.
"Yes, sir."
The Root ninja vanished into the darkness.
Alone once more, Danzo rose from his seat and turned toward the exit.
"Hiruzen," he thought coldly, "may you make the correct decision this time."