Chapter 16 — You Regret, I Shadow!
Tsunade's heartbeat inexplicably quickened. This time, she didn't retreat, but her eyes flickered slightly, and her breathing became a little uneven.
The atmosphere around them turned intimate; the air seemed to thicken by a subtle degree.
Right now, Ryusuke stared at the lips so close before him, slowly lowering his head.
Tsunade instinctively closed her eyes, her long, curled lashes trembling lightly.
Just as their lips were about to meet—
The front gate of the ancestral estate was suddenly thrown open, and Nawaki rushed out in a blur.
"Sis! You're back!"
"Huh? Oh, Ryusuke's here too."
His loud voice instantly shattered the intimate and quiet mood.
Tsunade jumped back like a startled rabbit, her cheeks immediately turning as red as a ripe tomato.
She glared at her brother, who had ruined the moment, and then at Ryusuke, who also looked a little embarrassed.
Without a word, she spun on her heel and dashed inside like a gust of wind.
The door slammed shut with a bang, almost hitting Nawaki as he looked back.
Ryusuke stared at the closed door and at Nawaki, whose expression was still utterly clueless about what had just happened.
"This kid showed up at the perfect time," he sighed helplessly.
Scratching his head, Nawaki looked at Ryusuke and asked, puzzled: "Brother-in-law, what's wrong with sis? Her face is so red. Is she sick?"
Ryusuke reached out and rubbed his head. "Nothing major. But Nawaki, I'll give you a piece of advice."
"Tonight, don't sleep too deeply. Keep one eye open while you rest."
With that, he turned and walked away.
Only Nawaki remained at the gate, scratching his head, looking utterly baffled. "Why does the atmosphere feel so weird?"
---
In the dark, damp Root base, the atmosphere was heavier than usual.
'Ji' was taken by Tsunade this morning to the residence of Senju Momoka and didn't leave until evening, accompanying her the entire time."
"I couldn't get close, so I couldn't gather specific details, but it's confirmed that he stayed there for an entire day."
The ninja codenamed "Shadow" knelt on one knee, reporting to the seated Danzo Shimura.
"Senju Momoka," Danzo's single eye narrowed. His fingers tapped the armrest of his chair with a dull, heavy sound.
"It seems this brat truly has been taken under the protection of the Senju clan."
Danzo's voice was icy, revealing no emotion.
The influence of the Senju branch within Konoha was deeply intertwined—one of the greatest obstacles to his control over the village.
Successfully assassinating Tsunade would eliminate the next generation of Senju leadership.
Though he had absolute confidence in the Root's cursed seal, believing Ryusuke could not leak any information about Root or the mission, there was always a chance of the unexpected.
What if the old woman Momoka had some special measures? What if Lady Uzumaki Mito intervened?
If Ryusuke leaked the details of the "assassinate Tsunade" mission, the wrath of the Senju branch would be far beyond what he could endure.
"No more reckless moves."
"All personnel related to 'Self' are to withdraw from the base. Without my order, no one may have any contact with him."
Danzo made a swift decision in his mind.
"Yes, sir!" Shadow immediately obeyed.
Danzo's tone shifted, a trace of ruthlessness flashing in his single eye: "Replace the surveillance team. Let Terai and his squad be on standby, constantly monitoring 'Self.'"
"I want to know what he does every day, whom he meets.
"If he leaves Konoha or is isolated, find the perfect opportunity. One strike, kill without fail. He must have no chance to escape or call for help."
"Understood!" Shadow's figure gradually melted into the shadows, disappearing.
Leaning back in his chair, Danzo closed his eyes: Ryusuke must die!
---
Meanwhile, at the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, pipe in mouth, looked over the reports handed to him by the Anbu. The room was already thick with smoke.
The content was largely the same as what Danzo knew, emphasizing Tsunade's protection of Ryusuke and the fact that he spent an entire day inside Senju Momoka's residence.
"Finally, Momoka-senpai couldn't hold back either?" Hiruzen sighed inwardly.
As Hokage, he had access to information far more comprehensive than Danzo's.
He knew that after he became the Third Hokage, the Senju clan had split into two factions.
One, led by Lady Uzumaki Mito, was conservative, following the legacy of Teacher Hashirama, quietly protecting Konoha without engaging in power struggles.
The other, led by Senju Momoka, was radical, dissatisfied with Teacher Tobirama's policy of dissolving the clan, and eager to restore the Senju clan's former glory.
He feared this power but understood that as long as Mito remained, and as long as the Senju loyalists' intentions were unchanged, they would not truly destabilize the village.
This breadth of mind and vision, he believed, was his strength over Danzo.
Danzo only wanted control and elimination. Hiruzen, as Hokage, had to consider balance and stability.
This suddenly appearing Ryusuke was… interesting.
A Chunin-level ninja who had distinguished himself on the mission in the Land of Rain, gaining Tsunade's favor, and now accepted by Senju Momoka.
Judging by how much Tsunade cared for him, this kid's position in her heart was not light.
"Perhaps… this is an opportunity?" Hiruzen murmured, exhaling a ring of smoke.
Rather than letting Danzo's extreme measures escalate the conflict, he could try to win over Ryusuke himself.
Tsunade was not only the Hokage's granddaughter but also Hiruzen's disciple.
Where her heart leaned was crucial.
---
The next day, in the Hokage's office.
Danzo Shimura was summoned by Hiruzen. Sarutobi casually brought up the topic.
"Danzo, I hear you've taken quite an interest in a certain youngster recently," Hiruzen tapped his pipe against the ash, speaking in a neutral tone.
Danzo's heart skipped, but his expression remained unchanged. "You mean?"
"Ryusuke, the Chunin who returned from the Land of Rain with Tsunade."
"He performed well on this mission, providing key intelligence that prevented conflict with the Land of Iron. His contribution was considerable."
"Young people have potential. They are the future of the village. We should nurture them properly."
Hiruzen's gaze fixed on Danzo's single eye.
Danzo remained silent for a moment, then spoke: "The Root reports indicate some doubts about his identity. Further investigation is necessary."
"Investigation is necessary, but the method matters."
"I received reports that your people have been wandering near Senju Momoka's residence."
"Momoka-senpai is a village hero, a trusted partner of the First and Second Hokage. Disturbing her would be improper."
Hiruzen's tone hardened slightly.
Danzo's single eye narrowed as he looked at Hiruzen. Though the words were calm, the warning behind them was unmistakable.
Hiruzen exhaled a mouthful of smoke, the haze stinging Danzo's eyes.
"The village needs stability. Unnecessary friction and suspicion should be avoided whenever possible."
He looked sharply at Danzo. "I do not want to see extreme actions that disrupt internal harmony. Otherwise, even after decades of our acquaintance, I will not tolerate it."
"Do you understand my meaning, Danzo?"
Danzo listened with a blank expression, inwardly smirking: Hiruzen, still so hypocritical, trying to stabilize the Senju branch with appeasement?
"But some threats must be eliminated at the cradle," Danzo thought, his gaze cold.
"You'll regret this, Hiruzen," he muttered under his breath.
With that, he slammed the door and strode out. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
"BANG!" The Hokage's office door was violently pushed open again.
"Hiruzen, you'll regret this!"
He shouted, then turned and left, feeling much more satisfied.