Tsunade asked again in surprise, "You want me to go with you?"
Yu nodded. "At this point, the village only needs to follow the reconstruction plan you've laid out. The Uchiha can handle the administration for now. You staying here won't change much."
Tsunade remembered what Yu said when he brought her back to the village and spoke in a deep voice. "So this time, besides looking for the war weapon, you're also planning to find the remaining clans of Konoha with me?"
Yu nodded. "Yeah. Get ready to become their Hokage." He added, "See you tomorrow."
"…"
Tsunade's face trembled slightly, a trace of anger flickering in her eyes. She could already imagine how Yu would manipulate the remaining clans of Konoha.
After leaving the Hokage Building, Uchiha Yu went to the underground laboratory that once belonged to Orochimaru. Now that Orochimaru had returned to the village, he chose to live there again.
The two talked for a long while. Yu mentioned his plans to leave the village soon, and Orochimaru told him he planned to visit the Uzumaki clan's Namian Hall to release Minato's soul and prepare for his reanimation.
Yu told Orochimaru to handle the preparations first and wait for his return before performing the Edo Tensei. Orochimaru agreed—after all, without Yu around, there was no need to risk it prematurely.
Before leaving, Yu also requested a specialized jutsu once used by the Root organization, then departed.
He returned to the Uchiha compound and visited the three elders' homes, instructing them to manage the village well while he was away. He didn't tell them the true purpose of his departure.
Finally, he had Minami summon Izumi, Tamao, and the other Uchiha who had once fled, instructing them to assist with the village's reconstruction while continuing their training.
After finishing all that, Yu returned to where he was supposed to go that night.
Back at the clan head's mansion, the courtyard had been replanted with flowers and grass after a day of rebuilding.
Walking along the gravel path, he arrived at the main house, where a faint candlelight flickered inside.
Mikoto's graceful silhouette was reflected against the paper window.
Hearing footsteps outside, the elegant clan matriarch slowly rose and walked to the door, opening it.
Click—
"Yu-kun, are you hungry? I'll prepare dinner for you," Mikoto said with a gentle smile. She stepped close, helping Yu take off his cloak and hang it by the entryway.
"Is there hot water?" Yu asked, glancing around the hall.
"There is. Sasuke's already asleep."
"Then I'll take a bath first."
"Alright~"
In the bath, Yu soaked in the wooden tub as Mikoto gently washed his skin, her touch light and delicate.
Yu closed his eyes, mentally reviewing everything he had prepared for the journey ahead.
He now possessed four bottles of green elixir—enough to roam freely through the shinobi world, capable of facing anyone.
This trip to unearth the "war weapon" could take an uncertain amount of time.
Yu only planned to bring Tsunade with him. If everything went smoothly, he'd let her become Hokage once the weapon was recovered.
If not… well, that was another matter.
The village under reconstruction would be left to the three elders and the Uchiha clan for management.
If time allowed, he could also retrieve Kurenai. The Uzumaki and Tsuchigumo clans were numerous—relocating them would indeed be troublesome.
Yu sighed inwardly. There was still much to be done. Once he unearthed the war weapon, the village would gain another powerful shinobi, and the burden on his shoulders would finally ease.
As Mikoto continued washing him, an unexpected accident occurred—her expression changed, her eyes filled with shyness and panic as she lost her balance and fell into the tub.
…
…
The next morning.
After giving his final instructions, Uchiha Yu took the travel pack Mikoto had prepared for camping and stored it in his spatial inventory.
"Remember to eat on time, and rest properly," Mikoto said softly, her eyes filled with worry. She stepped forward and hugged his waist before retreating back under the eaves.
"Father, have a safe trip," young Sasuke said, holding a scroll sealed with supplies. He walked up and handed it to Yu.
Yu accepted it, patting Sasuke's head. "Don't slack off on your training."
"Mm!" Sasuke's eyes grew determined. He nodded firmly and clenched his fists. "You can count on me!"
He still dreamed of avenging Itachi—there was no way he'd let his training slip.
Yu exchanged one last look with Mikoto, then turned and left the courtyard.
He had already said his farewells the night before and instructed everyone not to see him off, so the streets were empty of Uchiha figures.
Yet, as he left the clan grounds, the Uchiha members who had once followed him into exile stood silently atop high buildings under Izumi's organization, quietly watching him depart from the village.
Elsewhere, a separate squad of ten reanimated Uchiha had already set out. They would follow Yu from behind, maintaining distance instead of traveling directly with him and Tsunade.
At the village gates of Konoha—still in ruins, not yet repaired—Uchiha Yu spotted Tsunade waiting alone on the road ahead.
"You're not bringing Shizune or Tonton this time?" he asked curiously.
"I don't want them getting caught up in danger," Tsunade replied casually.
"What about camping supplies?"
"I'll use yours."
"Mine are only enough for one person."
"Then I'll head back to get mine."
"Too late," Yu said simply, forming hand seals before summoning Garaga.
Boom—
Smoke burst out, and the massive, one-eyed serpent's head emerged right beneath Yu and Tsunade's feet.
Tsunade steadied herself and frowned. "We'll buy what we need when we pass through a town. You're paying anyway…"
At that, Yu looked at her seriously. "Come here."
"What are you planning to do?"
Hearing his tone, Tsunade instantly grew alert, instinctively resisting—but her legs betrayed her, moving toward him on their own.
"Stick out your tongue," Yu said calmly.
"…"
Tsunade's face went pale in horror as she watched him approach.
When she didn't move, Yu reached out himself—his left hand gripping her jaw while his right hand formed a single-handed seal.
"Seal of Tongue-Curse Suppression!"
It was the sealing technique he had asked Orochimaru for the night before—a forbidden jutsu once used by the Root organization to prevent any information leaks.
"Mmph—!"
Tsunade's eyes widened as black markings spread across her tongue—the sign of a curse mark taking hold.
°°°
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