"Genya, that necklace should be very important to Lady Tsunade. Why did you still take it?"
After leaving, Kurenai looked at Genya with eyes full of confusion and disbelief.
Tsunade had done so much for Konoha. Why would Genya act like this? That necklace clearly had no practical use for him. So why did he take it?
Kurenai was certain that from the very moment Genya had made a bet with Tsunade, he had been scheming in his mind. But she really couldn't understand the reason behind it.
"Hehe… this necklace is indeed of no use to me, but to Hikari and Hayashi, it should be extremely useful. And…"
Genya paused slightly, as if carefully choosing his words, then continued, "Tsunade has completely forgotten the Senju clan of Konoha. She no longer deserves to have this necklace!"
Although the necklace was a precious item left to Tsunade by the First Hokage, it was also a symbol and legacy of the Senju clan.
Thinking back to the past, the First Hokage, with his great vision of equality for all, had integrated the Senju clan into the common people, so they no longer enjoyed special privileges.
He did not want the Senju clan to use his prestige to oppress others or act recklessly.
However, he had ultimately underestimated the complexity and greed of human nature.
During the glorious years when he and the Second Hokage led Konoha, the Senju clan was highly respected, and no one dared to offend them lightly.
But after their passing, evil thoughts coveting the power of the Senju clan grew wildly, like untamed weeds.
If Tsunade had stayed in the village, perhaps the Senju clan would have had someone to rely on, and they wouldn't have suffered so much.
But the reality was harsh. Without strong Senju protecting them, the ordinary descendants of the clan were powerless against the cruel world. They could only keep falling, being bullied without mercy.
Hikari and Hayashi were lucky—they had been saved by Genya. But what about those Senju whose fate was cruel?
Perhaps at this very moment, they were imprisoned in dark, hopeless laboratories, enduring inhuman torture.
Or maybe they had long since become nothing more than a pile of bones, lost to the dust of history.
The First Hokage had still underestimated people's greedy desire for the Wood Release.
It was much like the Uchiha and Hyuga clans, left vulnerable when alone. Their unique kekkei genkai—the Sharingan and Byakugan—also became targets of endless covetous eyes.
"But now, she truly doesn't have the strength to protect her clan anymore," Yuhi Kurenai said. She had learned a lot about the tragic lives of the Senju lately and felt nothing but sympathy.
"Perhaps she thought the Third Hokage would manage the village well and be able to shelter the Senju clan."
Kurenai was still trying to find excuses for Tsunade. She guessed maybe Tsunade trusted Hiruzen Sarutobi too much.
"Heh… A Hokage who couldn't even take care of the Fourth Hokage's son, leaving him to suffer like that—how could anyone expect him to care for a clan that has no direct connection to him?" Genya said, a cold, mocking smile curling on his lips. Believe in Hiruzen Sarutobi? He didn't think so.
To him, there was no way Tsunade hadn't seen through Sarutobi's false facade, despite following him for so long.
Perhaps she had never even thought about the Senju clan's situation, never held that responsibility in her heart.
If that was the case, it was better to entrust the duty of protecting the clan to those truly willing to devote themselves to the Senju. Tsunade didn't deserve to hold this necklace.
With that, Genya led Hinata and the others into another restaurant, leaving the earlier entanglement with Tsunade behind for the moment.
The group enjoyed their meal, and the atmosphere gradually relaxed and became cheerful.
But just as they finished eating and were about to leave, heavy, dragging footsteps echoed from outside.
Shizune appeared, dragging her exhausted body as she slowly walked into the restaurant and came directly in front of them.
She still smelled faintly of alcohol, clearly just coming out of a tavern.
Shizune looked solemnly at Genya, who was sitting at the front, her eyes full of earnest pleading.
"What are you here for again?" Genya asked, looking at Shizune as she approached. His tone was calm, but there was a hint of curiosity.
"Uchiha Genya, please… return the necklace to Lady Tsunade," Shizune said, her voice filled with desperation.
"Oh? Was it that old lady who sent you to me?" Genya asked with a smile. As he spoke, his gaze drifted past the wall toward a corner of the street outside.
Hinata followed his line of sight and was slightly taken aback.
There, standing quietly in the corner, was Tsunade. She didn't move forward; she just stood there silently.
Genya sneered quietly to himself. As expected, a cowardly woman.
The Uchiha clan often awakened their Sharingan in response to the loss of a loved one, turning grief into power to fight formidable enemies, which led the world to call them a cursed clan.
Yet Tsunade, facing her own family's troubles, appeared so timid.
"No, that's not it. I want to talk to you alone," Shizune hurriedly shook her head, explaining frantically.
"This necklace… it means more to Lady Tsunade than you can imagine. It's not only a precious relic left by the First Hokage, but it also carries the blood of her two closest relatives."
Tears welled in Shizune's eyes as she looked at Genya, hope shining in her gaze. "Please, I beg you… return the necklace to Lady Tsunade!"
With that, Shizune told Genya everything about Tsunade related to the necklace, every detail, one by one.
"I plan to give this necklace to a descendant of the Senju clan in Konoha," Genya said to Shizune, each word deliberate and firm.
"If you or Tsunade want it, go back to Konoha and take it. Of course, if you think you have enough strength, you can try to take it by force. Just make sure you can actually do it."
As he spoke, Genya was brimming with confidence. He even glanced deliberately toward the door where Tsunade was standing.
He wanted Tsunade to hear him. Later, he would hand the necklace to Hana, and if Tsunade had the skill, she could come and take it herself.
"But…" Shizune still wanted to argue one more time for Tsunade.
"Shizune, we should leave now!" Just as Shizune tried to continue explaining, a slightly drunk Tsunade slowly walked over and called out to her.
"Tsunade-sama, what are you doing here?" Shizune's face was full of shock. She had come to see Genya in secret, trying to hide it from Tsunade, but didn't expect Tsunade to find her and follow.
"We should leave." Tsunade looked at Shizune calmly, then turned her gaze to Genya.
"I will return to Konoha and meet the future owner of this necklace. If that person isn't suitable, this necklace—I will take it back myself!"
After saying that, Tsunade turned and left first. Seeing this, Shizune hurried to catch up.
Meanwhile, outside the small town, two people wearing the Akatsuki's signature black cloaks with red cloud patterns were slowly approaching.
These two were Uchiha Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki.
****
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