Uchiha Ryun and Uzumaki Mito followed and saw Tsunade scolding Nawaki nearby.
"What's wrong with you? How do you always manage to ambush me? Even if you do, why do you have to announce it loudly every time? As if you want everyone to know!" Tsunade glared at Nawaki.
"Grandfather said one should be upright and honorable!" Nawaki muttered. Tsunade froze. "What did you say? You're using Grandfather against me now? Brat!"
Under the pressure of bloodline and physical dominance, Nawaki immediately chose to crouch down and cover his head. Just as Tsunade's fist was about to land, Uchiha Ryun suddenly spoke. "Tsunade."
Tsunade quickly turned and pretended to stretch. "Hahaha, Ryun, you and Grandma finished talking?" She laughed awkwardly.
Uchiha Ryun nodded, then, in front of Uzumaki Mito and Nawaki, took Tsunade's small hand in his.
Tsunade's face turned red. 'Is Ryun being so bold now?' She avoided his gaze, her heart pounding as she looked at his handsome face.
"Tsunade, be good. Let's not bother with him." With that, Uchiha Ryun gently stroked Tsunade's pale blonde hair and pulled her into his embrace.
Who? Who is she not supposed to bother with? Nawaki was stunned. 'Me?' Then, seeing Tsunade acting as docile as a kitten, his mouth twitched. 'Is this really my sister?'
"Mmm~ Okay~ Ryun, can you stay at my place tonight~?" Tsunade pleaded pitifully.
"Ahem, Tsuna, Grandma doesn't oppose young people dating freely, but isn't this a bit…" Uzumaki Mito trailed off.
Tsunade pouted. Seeing this, Uchiha Ryun knew he had to speak up. "Tsunade, there's plenty of time. Once we get married, we can live together."
"Then, when are we getting married?" Tsunade grumbled, instantly shifting the situation.
The three present—Tsunade, Nawaki, and Mito—all turned to look at Uchiha Ryun. Uchiha Ryun was taken aback. 'So soon? Isn't this progressing a bit fast?'
"That's right, Ryun, let Grandma say this. Other people's children marry at fifteen. You two are already eighteen, almost nineteen. It's about time." Uzumaki Mito smiled faintly.
Nawaki was dumbfounded. 'Marriage? My sister?' He glanced at Uchiha Ryun with slight hostility, but then reconsidered. 'Ryun has power, money, looks, and strength. He's pretty much worthy of my sister.'
After all, he had heard countless village girls gushing about how handsome and powerful Uchiha Ryun was.
Thinking about it, this marriage might not be so bad after all!
Uchiha Ryun paused. "My parents have passed away, and as for elders… let's not mention them (mentally retracting Madara). The wedding arrangements are entirely up to you, Grandma."
Since Tsunade had brought it up, refusing or delaying further would seem ungrateful.
Tsunade tugged at her grandmother's sleeve, her face slightly red. Mito saw this and sighed inwardly. 'My little cabbage is eager to be plucked.' Still, she smiled. "Ryun, how about setting the date for next February?"
Uchiha Ryun nodded. It was already November, leaving just over three months until the wedding—enough time for preparations.
Tsunade immediately looked at Uchiha Ryun for his opinion. Seeing him nod, she grinned and buried her face in his chest.
Uchiha Ryun smiled. "As you wish, Grandma."
"Good, good." Uzumaki Mito beamed with joy. She was genuinely happy—her granddaughter's future was settled, and family matters were in order. Even if she were to pass away now, she would have no regrets. (Though she wouldn't actually be happy about dying.)
Tsunade was ecstatic! She hugged Uchiha Ryun a little longer until Uzumaki Mito, noticing the love-struck look in her eyes, quickly said, "It's getting late, Ryun. You should head back now."
"Understood, Grandma!" Uchiha Ryun replied. He patted Tsunade's hair. "Be good. We'll see each other tomorrow!"
"Oh." Tsunade pouted but released him, standing beside Uzumaki Mito as they escorted Uchiha Ryun to the door.
After a brief farewell, Uchiha Ryun left the Senju compound.
However, just a few streets away, an Anbu descended from above and knelt before him. "The Hokage requests your presence, Elder Ryun. Please proceed to the Hokage Building!"
The Anbu remained kneeling, unmoving. If Uchiha Ryun refused, he would have to force him—even at the cost of his life. That was the Anbu's duty.
To execute the Hokage's will absolutely, even if it meant death.
Uchiha Ryun pondered briefly, then smiled. "Lead the way."
The Anbu's voice brightened. "Yes, Elder Ryun!" He then guided Uchiha Ryun toward the Hokage Building.
On the way, Uchiha Ryun suddenly asked, "Do you know what this is about?"
"Replying to the Elder, I only know a little. It likely concerns the Cloud Village. When the Hokage summoned me earlier, there were several burly shinobi inside—probably from Kumogakure." Normally, Anbu wouldn't disclose so much.
But Uchiha Ryun was different. He was powerful yet humble, never bullying subordinates. The Anbu had heard of his reputation.
Uchiha Ryun nodded and handed him three 1,000-ryō bills. "Thanks, brother. Consider this for tea."
"This… this is too much!" The Anbu hastily declined.
"Don't worry. Only we know. I won't tell." Uchiha Ryun insisted.
The Anbu exchanged glances and finally accepted. Uchiha Ryun smiled, and the atmosphere between them grew friendlier. They chatted more openly—until they reached an alley near the Hokage Building, where everyone fell silent.
Uchiha Ryun understood. Other Anbu were likely watching here, so certain topics were off-limits.
He had been thinking the whole way. The Cloud envoys' arrival could mean one of three things:
1. Accountability: demanding an explanation for Uchiha Ryun's attack on their Jinchūriki.
2. Denial: claiming the two shinobi were rogue ninjas acting independently, with no orders to steal Konoha's bloodline.
3. Testing Konoha's stance: if Konoha seemed weak, they'd press for accountability. If Konoha stood firm, they'd deny responsibility. If that wasn't enough, they might even offer compensation. After all, Konoha wouldn't start a war over this, right?
If Konoha overreacted, the Cloud could rally the ninja world against them, painting Konoha as the aggressors.
Uchiha Ryun wasn't overthinking. If he were in the Cloud's position, he'd do the same. The question was—which approach had they chosen?
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