"Shizune, I can't stay here any longer!"
Wrapped in an oversized robe, Shizune sat curled on the tatami mat with her legs hugged tightly to her chest.
Across from her, Tsunade was slowly sipping sake while idly nudging side dishes with her chopsticks.
"Naa, where exactly do you plan to go if you leave the village now? Just relying on pure luck?" Tsunade paused mid-sip and narrowed her eyes at Shizune.
"At least out there we still have a chance. If I keep searching, sooner or later our paths might cross. But staying here? Zero—absolutely no chance at all."
Her head resting against her knees, Shizune stared silently at the floor beside her feet as she spoke.
She and Tsunade had already been back in the village for several days. On their first day returning, they went straight to meet with Minato to ask about certain matters.
But from The Fourth-sama, Shizune gained no useful information.
In fact, she began suspecting that both The Fourth-sama and Tsunade were hiding something from her.
The reason being—during their conversation that day, Tsunade gave her a look and sent her out of the room. Afterward, nothing meaningful ever came from Tsunade regarding what had transpired.
Thinking about it, Shizune slowly lifted her head. Since returning that day, Tsunade had kept her confined indoors, constantly drinking.
This kind of thing only happened when Tsunade was really torn about something and didn't know what to do next.
"Tsunade-sama, is there anything else you need to tell me?"
Shizune raised her head, locking eyes with Tsunade and carefully watching every shift in her expression.
"Hmm? Why would you think like that, Shizune?" Tsunade brought the cup to her lips, taking a hesitant sip. Her gaze drifted aimlessly over the table before her, and her left hand fidgeted nervously along the table's edge.
"After speaking with The Fourth-sama that day, you're definitely hiding something! Every time I asked about Saitama, you never gave me straightforward answers—you kept evading and couldn't explain clearly!"
Shizune's eyes widened as she watched Tsunade growing more flustered, her words coming faster and faster.
"Aha, I really don't know much either, seriously!" Tsunade brushed off the concern with a laugh, her face gradually turning slightly pink—whether from drinking or from lying wasn't clear.
"Tsunade-sama, if you still refuse to speak honestly, then I'll find my own answers! You yourself mentioned the first person who encountered Saitama was a ninja of his own clan named Shisui Uchiha. I think asking him might give me at least some clues."
As she spoke, Shizune slowly stood up, clearly signaling that if Tsunade wouldn't talk soon, she'd immediately set out looking for Shisui Uchiha—or anyone else who might know something.
"Ahhh, fine, fine. Sit down. Let me gather my thoughts and explain properly," Tsunade sighed, setting aside her cup and rubbing her temples in resignation.
Adjusting the cushion beneath her by shifting her hips slightly, she folded her legs and settled more firmly onto the mat.
Her facial expression grew steadily more serious. She casually rested her hands on her thighs, giving her presence a deeper, steadier aura.
"Shizune, before I tell you, I need you to stay calm and not act rashly. The matter regarding Saitama… is complicated."
After adjusting her posture and demeanor, Tsunade turned her gaze toward Shizune.
"Yes, Tsunade-sama, I'm listening!" Shizune nodded, sitting cross-legged and leaning forward attentively.
Her face remained calm, clearly fully prepared for what was coming.
"It all starts with Saitama's death..." Tsunade began slowly recounting everything she had heard from Minato that day — the detailed analysis deduced by Shikaku based on all available intelligence.
There were still gaps and inconsistencies, but at least the key details about Danzo and Saitama checked out.
"That's how things stand," she said, ending her account. She picked up the cup on the table and took a small sip to moisten her dry lips.
It was just regular sake, not strong enough to faze someone like Tsunade — unless she really went overboard.
Shizune frowned, her eyes filled with complex emotions. For a moment, she couldn't find the right words to express what she was feeling inside.
"This decision came after various factions in the village weighed their interests. I know you're worried whether Saitama has become a rogue ninja, but understand this — Saitama Uchiha passed the point of no return long ago."
"His organization has already collected tailed beasts from three of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. And the day we encountered him, his attack was aimed directly at the jinchuriki from Mist — the Six-Tails."
"Remember that boy we met at dinner who shared our table? He was the Six-Tails jinchuriki from Mist — that's exactly what Saitama told me back then!"
Tsunade poked at some vegetables on the table, watching Shizune's increasingly troubled expression.
"I'm telling you all this so you understand: Saitama's actions are tantamount to declaring war on the entire shinobi world. There's absolutely no turning back."
"That's why Minato took the opportunity to do the Third and other higher-ups a favor, covering up the link between Danzo and Saitama."
"But I feel like this is really unfair to Saitama!"
Shizune stared at Tsunade, her face clearly showing dissatisfaction.
"So what do you plan to do now? There's nothing you can do — it's beyond your involvement!"
Tsunade locked eyes with Shizune, trying to see into her thoughts, but after a long time, found nothing useful reflected there.
"I still want to find him! If the village won't accept him, I'll run away with him and build a new life somewhere else!"
Shizune blurted out angrily, without thinking through her words.
Tsunade didn't respond immediately, only staring straight at Shizune.
Deep down, Shizune didn't even believe her own words. Saitama's attitude that day had made everything perfectly clear.
He no longer cared whether the village accepted him or not. The path he chose defied the authority of the Five Great Shinobi Villages — conflict was inevitable, whether now or later.
Under Tsunade's piercing gaze, Shizune gradually felt uneasy and lowered her head, silently staring at her hands.
"So there really isn't anything we can do at all?"
"Maybe there's a way... I just haven't figured it out yet..."
Tsunade gave a wry smile, looking slightly embarrassed.
Shizune drooped her head in disappointment too, just as clueless about what to do next.
"Perhaps we'll just have to wait until he succeeds or fails..."
In the end, Shizune thought resignedly. Before meeting Saitama, she'd been determined to find out what happened and track him down at all costs. But now that the truth was clear, she felt powerless.
There was little she could do—nothing seemed able to change the current situation.
...
Jiraiya stood at Konoha's main gate, staring at the familiar entrance. Although it looked worn and dilapidated, it still gave off a sense of weight and unshakable strength.
"Jiraiya-sama, it must have been several years since you last returned to the village?"
Kurenai Yuhi stood by Jiraiya's side, having to tilt her head up just to meet his gaze.
Jiraiya was quite tall, over six foot three, so Kurenai had to crane her neck to speak with him.
"Yeah, it sure has been a long time! But everything still feels exactly the same!"
Stepping forward a few paces, Jiraiya caught sight of members from the Uchiha Security Force standing guard at the gate.
"Isn't that Jiraiya-sama? The person behind him is Kakashi—I recognize him."
One of the guards nudged his companion with his elbow, asking. However, after waiting for a long time, he didn't receive any reply, so he turned his head to take a look.
"Jiraiya-sama, welcome back to the village!"
Looking closer, he saw his teammate had already approached Jiraiya and bowed deeply.
"God damn it... What an embarrassment to the Uchiha name..."
Muttering under his breath, he hurried over and stood alongside his teammate.
"Jiraiya-sama, it's been a long time. We met before during the Mist frontline battle."
Smiling, he bowed even lower than his companion.
"Haha, nice to see you! You're on duty this early already!"
Jiraiya hadn't expected that the proud Uchiha clan had become so "cute" these days.
But this was actually a good thing. Now the Uchiha were no longer isolated from the rest of the village. This change was thanks to Minato—his disciple—and also indirectly due to Jiraiya himself, considering he had raised the boy!
Thinking about this, Jiraiya burst into laughter again and clapped both hands firmly onto the shoulders of the two Uchi ninja.
"Well then, we'll be on our way. You two keep working hard!"
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