Tsunade's expression grew more serious. "I'll keep a close watch on him. I won't give him the chance to act."
She paused for a moment, recalling something. "Recently, Root requested some medical equipment. I don't know what for-it was approved by the old man, and I didn't question it. Maybe I should've."
"It looks like we'll need to be more cautious from now on," Xin agreed. "Orochimaru and Danzo are getting way too close for comfort. Who knows what Orochimaru's really after?"
The answer was simple-he was after the secrets of immortality and Senju Hashirama's cells. Xin didn't voice that thought aloud, but if Tsunade knew what Danzo and Orochimaru were really up to, she'd definitely lose it.
Technically, Hashirama's cells were supposed to be sealed and off-limits. No one was allowed to access them without the Third Hokage's permission. But that was just theory.
In reality, whether those cells were sealed or not didn't matter to Danzo. He could get his hands on them regardless, and he probably had done so a long time ago.
Never underestimate the power of "Lord Scapegoat" Danzo. He had his ways.
Thud!
Right in the middle of their conversation, Tsunade's eyes rolled back, and she collapsed onto the ground like a sack of potatoes.
"..."
Xin glanced around at the empty streets. For a moment, he seriously considered leaving her in an alley and going home.
Meanwhile, back at the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage had not yet gone to bed after leaving the Uchiha estate. An Anbu member was delivering a report.
"Are you certain that Usagi Xin went upstairs to Uchiha Fugaku's home alone?" the Third Hokage asked.
"Yes, Hokage-sama. He was upstairs for around three minutes. There was no sign of Fugaku returning, and shortly after, Xin left with Tsunade-sama."
"I see. You're dismissed. Get some rest-you've done well," the Third Hokage said, waving the Anbu off.
What was Fugaku trying to do by talking to Xin? Was he still trying to sway him over to the Uchiha?
Even though Tsunade had been at the estate too, it seemed the Uchiha still hadn't given up on the idea.
The Third Hokage decided to wait and watch. If Xin had any intentions of siding with the Uchiha, he would undoubtedly meet with Fugaku again.
But based on past experience, that seemed unlikely.
Even if Xin had considered aligning with the Uchiha, he wouldn't do it so openly, especially not in front of Tsunade. That would mean she knew everything, and there was no way she would let Xin get involved with something that could harm the village.
The next morning, the squad set out on their mission.
"Xin, did you stay over at Kushina's place last night?" Nawaki asked.
"Yeah, why?" Xin responded casually.
After dumping the drunk Tsunade at Kushina's, Xin had ended up crashing there as well. Purely innocent, of course.
"You guys have a really... complicated relationship," Nawaki said, though the look in his eyes betrayed his jealousy.
He envied Xin. On one side, he had Kushina, and on the other, Uchiha Mikoto. The most baffling part? Neither of them had ever fought over him.
Nawaki wanted to ask, "How do you manage that?"
Hell, he'd even take a class from him. "Please, sensei, teach me your ways!"
But he was afraid that Xin might sell him out. The last thing he wanted was to end up on the wrong side of Kushina's fists.
Kushina wasn't the meek little girl she used to be. She'd turned into a red-haired powerhouse, a miniature version of Tsunade, with terrifying strength and, of course, the Nine-Tails inside her.
Over time, Kushina had started connecting with the Nine-Tails. Although the tailed beast hadn't fully accepted her yet, their relationship was getting better. She could now borrow its chakra more freely, which had once been a rare occurrence.
Even Tsunade was wary of Kushina now.
After all, when Kushina had first let the Nine-Tails out for a bit of fresh air, the beast had accidentally blown up a mountain with a Tailed Beast Bomb. The Third Hokage had immediately rescinded the Anbu detail that had been assigned to watch her.