A few days later.
Inside the Uchiha shrine, elders filed in one after another.
Uchiha Fugaku had officially become young clan head, so he was allowed to attend this high council.
The Great Elder sat at the head, silent, the air heavy.
When all were present, the great doors closed with a slow rumble.
The Great Elder finally coughed and spoke.
"From our preliminary inquiry, those bodies belonged to the Yamanaka and Aburame clans. Years ago they entered Root."
"Because they were found too late, our scouts could not retrieve memories from their brains."
A murmur spread among the elders.
"Root is outrageous, as if the Uchiha do not exist."
"We must investigate thoroughly. How did Root infiltrate the shrine's heart without a sound. There must be an insider."
"What did they want in the shrine. Is that not obvious. We all know what is stored there."
"This smells like the Third's tacit approval, a bid to study our Sharingan and turn it against us."
"Danzo is a wolf at heart. He targeted our shinobi on the front in secret. This was long plotted."
"If not for that mysterious savior, the cur might have succeeded."
"..."
Clearly they had guessed the intruders' aim.
The Sharingan kept within the shrine.
Even Obito had known eyes could be transplanted. The technique was not rare.
Fallen Uchiha eyes were kept for future use.
When Madara strode through the world, no one dared covet those eyes.
Now the clan remained a noble house in Konoha, but its top fighters were few.
The Hokage faction's power had begun to overshadow them.
"Ahem. We may suspect Danzo's intent, but we lack direct proof."
The Great Elder's tone was cool.
Coveting the Sharingan could not be avoided.
In war, enemy shinobi hunted the Hyuga and Uchiha for their eyes.
"Without evidence we simply let it go."
One elder's voice shook with anger.
From his seat he had felt the clan's awkward place in the village for a long time.
That stifling sense of exclusion had gnawed at him for years.
"We lost people in this war. We cannot act rashly."
The Great Elder chose not to escalate.
First, there was no proof.
Second, the war had just ended and the village needed peace, not turmoil.
Besides, they had lost nothing tangible this time.
Danzo had buried an elite squad instead.
No doubt the old man was stamping his feet.
"Enough. We will plan carefully, but patrols must be strengthened."
"Now, let our new young clan head speak."
He was building momentum for Fugaku, to help him gather support and secure the seat.
At his words, eyes turned to Fugaku.
Hardened by war, he kept his composure and laid out his view of the incident and his plan for the clan's future.
...
Elsewhere, after leaving a shadow clone at the Guard Tower, Senya slipped into night gear and vanished.
His inquiries over the last few days had pinned down Tsunade's movements.
Since returning to the village, hollowed by the deaths of Nawaki and Dan, she had withdrawn from people.
She spent most of her time in gambling halls and bars, trying to numb herself.
At first Jiraiya kept her company, then left for Mount Myoboku to train.
Before long, Senya's figure shimmered into the corner of a casino.
Through the window he saw his target.
A refined face, a single golden ponytail, and a figure that drew the eye.
Tsunade, beyond a doubt.
She had not yet reached the middle-aged years. This was her most dazzling age.
Uchiha Senya was only about four years younger.
Beside her, little Shizune hugged Tonton and pleaded for Tsunade to stop, waving a flat wallet as proof they were out of money.
Tsunade knew she had been on a losing streak. Her savings were gone.
Her eyes slid to the round, glossy piglet, and a glint lit her gaze.
Sensing danger, Shizune flapped both hands. "No. Absolutely not. Do not even think about selling this child."
Tsunade stared at the empty chip tray and sighed in disappointment.
Watching it all, Senya could not help a quiet laugh.
"So the famed big spender really is tapped out."
He pushed the door and walked in.
He had not come to gamble.
He wanted to make a deal.
Before seeking her out, he had withdrawn all the bounties he had earned by hunting criminals outside the village over the years.
He meant to use money to persuade Tsunade to take him to Shikkotsu Forest.
They were not close. Asking for a favor for nothing was unrealistic.
After trading at the counter, he took a seat at her side.
Shizune and Tonton stared at him in shock, full of question marks. Who was this, and why so close.
He ignored the looks.
He slid a small mountain of chips onto the table and smiled. "Out of stake, right. I have more."
...