The rain hadn't let up all night.
Soft, steady sheets drummed quietly against the windows of the Hokage's office. Outside, Konoha slept under the cover of stormclouds and silence. Inside, Tsunade sat alone at her desk, a low lamp casting a pool of amber light over scattered reports.
She hadn't touched the sake bottle on the corner of her desk.
Her gaze was on the page in front of her.
With a quiet pop, a familiar chakra filled the room. A small form materialized on the desk—Katsuyu, no larger than her hand.
The summoning was quiet, urgent and she knew something was wrong.
"Tsunade-sama," the slug greeted, her form settling across the desk. "Report from Team 11."
Tsunade leaned forward, steeling herself. "Tell me everything."
The slug inclined her head. "A critical incident. Team 11 was attacked during their mission in the Land of Hot Springs. Confirmed Kumo shinobi—three individuals attempted the abduction of Hyūga Nejire."
Tsunade didn't speak. She waited.
"Naruto-kun engaged the attackers. One was killed, another is in custody and currently bound under a paralysis seal. The third escaped. The team is secure for now—Nejire is recovering. Her injuries were serious but non-lethal."
Tsunade closed her eyes for a moment, composing her emotions—pride, worry, and a deep protectiveness.
"They acted decisively," Katsuyu added. "Preliminary information confirms they were after Nejire specifically. They brought chakra suppression cuffs and also appeared to know about her clan seal."
Now, Tsunade's expression changed—barely.
Not anger. Not surprise.
Just something tightening behind her eyes.
"Did Naruto confirm they were Kumo shinobi?"
"They wore Kumo standard issue gear. Conduct was disciplined, not freelance. It's not official yet—"
"It's them." Tsunade stood, turning to face the tall windows behind her desk. "They never stopped."
"Have they secured the area?"
Katsuyu nodded. "The inn is locked down. They've done a sweep. Naruto requested orders. He and Shikako are prepared to hold position if necessary."
Tsunade paused, then gave a short nod. She breathed in slowly. The fury within her had a rhythm now—controlled, refined—but no less fierce.
"Tell him and the others to return first thing tomorrow morning. No detours. Also I want the captured shinobi brought back to Konoha under their escort. No contact with anyone until they arrive back home, the Yamanaka and T&I will handle interrogation after that."
"Understood."
Katsuyu began to withdraw, but Tsunade added, quieter now, "And… let them know they did well. Especially Naruto."
Katsuyu inclined her head. "I will."
With a puff of smoke, she was gone.
Tsunade remained still for a moment, the sound of the storm a steady drumbeat beyond the windowpanes.
Then, she walked to the file cabinet where classified mission logs were kept and pulled the scroll marked "Cloud Relations – Closed Cases." She rolled it open on her desk and stared at the old ink stamps and smudged names—ones that hadn't been spoken in years.
Kumo.
How many times would they try to take what didn't belong to them?
They had come once for Kushina.
Then they came for Hinata.
Now, Nejire.
Still trying. Still testing the line.
They failed. Always. But for how long?
This wasn't about a stolen eye. It wasn't just about genetics.
This wasn't history repeating.
This was unfinished business.
She folded her arms.
She stood there a while longer, listening to the rain.
Then, quietly, she murmured, "They don't get to take what's ours."
She walked back to her desk and sat. Then, pulling open a fresh scroll, she dipped her brush in ink and began to write—not with her usual diplomatic finesse, but with the fire of someone who had already lost too much.
To the Raikage of Kumogakure,
This letter is not a request.
You will send your highest-ranking jōnin representative to Konoha immediately to account for the actions of your men within a neutral province. We will conduct questioning under Leaf jurisdiction.
If you refuse, the incident will be made public—every detail. From the suppression cuffs to the Caged Bird reconnaissance. There will be no more shadows for you to hide behind.
I will not let my shinobi bleed for your ambition.
Test Konoha's will again, and you will learn the cost.
—Tsunade Senju, Godaime Hokage
She let the ink dry, then folded the scroll, sealing it in crimson wax marked with the Hokage's sigil. She walked to the door and handed it directly to Shizune, who stood just outside.
"Send this to the Raikage's office. Through high-priority diplomatic channel. No delays."
Shizune took the scroll with a solemn nod and left without a word.
Tsunade stepped back inside and shut the door behind her.
She walked to the window once more and looked out at her village. Beneath the shadows of stone and leaf, the streets were quiet. Lights still glowed in some windows. Life carried on.
But beneath it all, Tsunade could feel the pressure building again.
War didn't always arrive in waves.
Sometimes, it crept in like this—in attempts, in silence, in denial.
And when it comes knocking, it always asked the same question:
Will you let it in?
Tsunade narrowed her eyes.
Not again.
Not while she was Hokage.