Chapter 91: I Am Hokage
Lightning split the dark sky, thunder shaking the heavens as violent storms swallowed the world whole. Amid the chaos, flashes of light tore through the rain discordant and defiant.
"Don't belittle Konoha's research division, Uchiha."
"Then don't dismiss the years of suffering we've endured, Princess of Konoha."
Another explosion erupted between them. The blast vaporized every raindrop within several meters into pure mist, and the sound of thunder was drowned beneath the roar of released chakra.
Countless streams of materialized chakra spiraled around Tsunade's body, her brow furrowed beneath a burning mark of energy. Her chakra had surged past its usual limits, taking on a near conceptual form one of raw, embodied power. Every punch and kick she unleashed carried enough force to shatter steel.
Even a missed strike leveled a high wall into dust. None dared approach her. The flaming chakra that rippled from her body illuminated the storm like a living inferno, its intensity unsettling even to veteran shinobi.
Every researcher in Konoha's Science Division was trained not only in theory but in mastery of their own abilities. These were not mere scholars they were elite ninjas whose understanding of ninjutsu surpassed most front line combatants. And among them, Tsunade stood at the pinnacle.
Even the massive, ethereal chakra constructs unleashed by the Uchiha's evolved eyes shattered beneath her fists, their energy scattering into the storm.
The Uchiha leader himself a chief researcher watched her warily. He recognized the nature of her technique immediately. He had seen the project files himself, back when Tsunade had requested access to their Yin Yang Release data during development.
At the time, the exchange between research teams had been friendly collaborative, even. But now, the result of that collaboration stood before him like a nightmare.
"Chakra points, vortexes, and flow channels… a combination of life gates and the Eight Gates Formation? You can open them instantly?"
"Ah," Tsunade replied coldly, "it's a burst technique meant for Konoha's future forces. But for me," she raised her glowing fist, "it's already perfected."
The Uchiha's lips twitched. "Tch. The gods really do favor you, Princess of Konoha."
He squinted as the chakra surrounding her condensed into visible shockwaves, distorting the air. The sheer intensity made his eyes ache. He could already tell the battle was turning against him.
After extensive studies of the Eight Gates Formation, the Blut Arterie and Blut Vene systems, and the Tenketsu network observed through the Byakugan, Tsunade had succeeded in merging these findings into a unified technique.
By momentarily opening her Tenketsu in a precise sequence similar to the Eight Gates Formation she could circulate and materialize a torrent of chakra around her body. When combined with her modified blood activation armor, it formed a living energy shell a "chakra armor" that enhanced every physical and defensive attribute.
In theory, this technique dramatically increased strength, resilience, and the destructive power of taijutsu based combat. It was a balanced fusion of the Blut Arterie and Blut Vene systems.
However, the strain on the human body was immense. Misuse could burn out the user's chakra network entirely. Tsunade had been striving for years to overcome that flaw And judging by her current state, she had finally succeeded.
The Uchiha leader realized what this meant. The technique codenamed Instant Opening would soon become standard among Konoha's elite units.
That alone was enough to terrify the Uchiha.
"Truly terrifying," he muttered. "In just a few months, you've reached a level where you can face the Uchiha clan's legends head on."
Tsunade said nothing. Her golden eyes burned like twin suns through the storm, her rage palpable.
"You never dared confront us before because you feared our power," he continued bitterly. "But now that you've mastered something like this, you've decided it's time to purge us. Typical. I suppose your teams have already distributed this technique to the border divisions, haven't they? When will the data return for reverse calibration?"
"Konoha has always been the home of the Uchiha clan," Tsunade replied firmly. Her voice cut through the storm like lightning. "My grandfather said so and I will honor that. The Senju clan has not forgotten its duty. Your paranoia blinds you, but it isn't too late to stop this madness."
"Paranoia?" The Uchiha leader laughed bitterly. "Spare me your pity. You speak of the Senju clan as if it's sacred. Tell me, Princess of Konoha who holds the title of Hokage now?"
He took a step forward, the Sharingan spinning crimson beneath the rain.
"Is it still the great Senju Hiruzen?"
"…"
"Look at you," the Uchiha ninja said bitterly, his voice trembling beneath the downpour. "You're bringing up ideals you can't even guarantee yourself. You pretend everyone cares about Konoha's future, but deep down you all don't care. No one does."
The rain fell harder, drenching the ruins around them. As the black storm thickened, the illusory bones surrounding him dissolved into mist. Staggering forward, the Uchiha ninja looked up at Tsunade, who stood unwavering amidst the tempest, her golden chakra still burning like a beacon.
"You're all just looking for an excuse," he said, laughing hoarsely. "A convenient villain to carry the blame. You direct every ounce of your hatred your failures in war, in friendship, in life onto us. Because our children excel in school, we're branded as cursed. Because we enforce the law with fairness, we're called cold hearted dogs. Because we die on the battlefield for Konoha, you say it's an act a performance meant to win sympathy!"
His eyes burned crimson in the dark, the Sharingan reflecting his fury.
"Why are we hated for being excellent? Why is strength treated as a curse? Why are we condemned just because we're different? Tell me, what haven't we done for Konoha? What duty have we ever failed to fulfill?"
His voice broke.
"When I was a child, I was shunned for having no friends. When I grew up, I was labeled as bitter and loveless. When I enforced the law, I was called heartless. And even when I tried to fit in, I was mocked for my red eyes."
He looked straight at Tsunade.
"So tell me, is that our fault or is something wrong with Konoha itself?"
"…"
Tsunade stared at him silently, the rain streaming down her face. Behind the defiant Uchiha stood a dozen others, their Sharingan glowing faintly through the storm.
Her lips parted, but no words came.
That was Tsunade's nature quick to anger, quick to speak. Yet when truly confronted, when emotion gave way to reason, she reflected and realized that perhaps, she was wrong.
Because nothing the Uchiha had said was false.
They had sacrificed for the village. They had upheld order as members of the Konoha Guard. They had given their loyalty, their lives, their blood. And all they had ever wanted… was recognition. To be Hokage not for power, but for acceptance.
From Uchiha Madara to Senju Tobirama, and now to the Third Hokage, the cycle of mistrust had become a tradition. Discrimination against the Uchiha had become normalized, accepted as political logic. It was as if one had to target the Uchiha to prove their loyalty to Konoha.
And if that hatred extended only to adults, it might be bearable. But even their children bright, gifted, innocent had to endure it.
Children branded as cursed because they excelled in their studies. Children isolated because of the blood in their veins.
How could they not look toward the one man who treated them as equals?
Aizen.
How many young Uchiha had followed him admired him because he alone saw them not as cursed, but as human? How many of them found strength in his words, comfort in his fairness?
He was the only one who didn't look away. The only one who didn't discriminate. The only one who listened.
The Uchiha leader clenched his fists, his eyes dimming with sorrow.
"We waited so long," he whispered. "After all these years, we finally found someone who treated us equally. He wasn't even kind just fair. That's all we ever wanted. Now he's gone. What are we supposed to do? Go back to living in that same darkness?"
If they had never seen the light, perhaps they could have endured the darkness forever. But once they had how could they ever return?
They had seen a Konoha where equality was possible. Where their merit was rewarded, not resented. Where mistakes were punished fairly, not collectively.
And though Aizen's policies hadn't made the Uchiha privileged, they had made them something far greater accepted.
Facing the burning conviction in their eyes, Tsunade could find no words.
"…It really was fun working with all of you," one of the researchers said softly, a nostalgic smile breaking through the tension.
"There were no clans, no factions only debate and discovery. For a while, we were just scientists searching for truth. That atmosphere… it was something precious. I knew it wouldn't last, but I didn't expect it to end this soon."
He straightened, his Sharingan glowing.
"We Uchiha must pursue the truth. And only Lord Aizen has ever shown us what true equality looks like. So please, Tsunade senpai… don't stand in our way. What comes next won't be a game."
Tsunade's fists trembled. Her lips moved, but no sound came out.
She wanted to reason with them to shout, to fight, to protect the village from tearing itself apart.
But before she could speak, a voice majestic and resonant echoed from above, cutting through the storm.
"All shinobi still within Konoha, cease your actions immediately and gather at the base of Hokage Rock. I have something to say to you."
It was the voice of the Third Hokage.
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