The Senju Clan's territory, under the drastic reforms of Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, had long lost its former glory.
Most of the clan members had already integrated into the Village, moving into ordinary residential areas.
Now, only a desolate mansion remained, along with a few elders guarding the young mistress, and Nawaki and Mito-sama.
When Hiruzen Sarutobi's figure appeared at the entrance, an old man with white hair and beard immediately stepped forward respectfully.
"Hokage-sama, why have you come personally?"
"I came to see Tsunade."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was gentle.
At the mention of the name "Tsunade," the elder's face showed a troubled expression, and he sighed.
"Alas, ever since the news of Nidaime(2nd)-sama's death in battle arrived, the young mistress has locked herself in her room, not eating, not drinking, and refusing to see anyone..."
"We old folks have talked ourselves hoarse, but it's no use."
Ever since Tobirama died in battle, this granddaughter left behind by the First Hokage, and the Second Hokage's most beloved grandniece, had completely shut herself off.
The immense grief made her feel an inexplicable aversion to the position of "Hokage," and even to the entire Village.
"Let me try."
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved away the elder and servants, and walked alone to the door of Tsunade's room.
It was a heavy wooden door, tightly shut at the moment, isolating everything inside from outside.
He did not knock, but simply stood quietly outside the door, the air filled with suppressed sorrow.
"Tsunade, it's me, Hiruzen Sarutobi."
His voice was calm and steady, penetrating the door.
"My teacher... left some things behind before he sacrificed himself."
Inside the room, there was no response.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was not in a hurry and continued to speak.
"He didn't leave them as the Hokage, but as your great-uncle, and as my teacher."
"He said that the power of the Senju should not only be used for destruction, but even more so for protecting life."
As he spoke, he took out a scroll from his 懷中.
It was the very copy he had personally made and given to Orochimaru, the "Medical Ninjutsu Elementary Theory Manuscript."
He gently slid the scroll through the gap under the door.
After doing all this, he did not leave, but leaned against the door and slowly sat down.
The afternoon sun streamed through the corridor window, casting dappled light and shadow on him.
"I remember once when I was little, practicing Water Release."
He began to speak to himself in a nostalgic tone.
"My teacher taught me Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Jutsu, but I just couldn't learn it. My hand seals were always wrong. My teacher punished me by making me run fifty laps around the Village, shouting 'I'm an idiot' as I ran."
"At that time, I hated him to death, thinking he was an unfeeling devil."
Inside the room, Tsunade had originally covered her head with a blanket, ignoring everything outside the door.
But upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's embarrassing story, her ears still twitched.
"Later, after I finished running fifty laps, I was as tired as a dead dog. My teacher stood at the finish line, didn't say a word, handed me a bottle of water, and then re-demonstrated the key points of the Water Dragon Bullet Jutsu hand seals to me."
"His movements were very slow, very clear, ensuring that I saw every detail clearly."
"That night, I finally learned that Jutsu."
"It was also that night that I understood that his strictness was only because he hoped we could grow faster and gain the strength to protect ourselves and our comrades."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice contained a smile and a hint of an almost imperceptible choke.
He portrayed the Second Hokage, who in everyone's impression was always stern and ruthless, as a strict but inwardly gentle teacher, an elder who was not good at expressing himself.
Inside the room, Tsunade had unconsciously thrown off her blanket.
She silently sat up, looking at the scroll that had been slipped through the door crack, listening to Hiruzen tell stories about her great-uncle that she had never heard before.
From initial resistance, to silently picking up the scroll on the floor.
Listening to Hiruzen's story, her tears could no longer be held back, and she covered her mouth as they silently fell.
Her great-uncle in her heart was no longer just a high and mighty, cold "Hokage" symbol representing authority and system.
Instead, he was a living person who would get angry because his disciples were foolish, and then silently care for them afterwards.
"Shodai(1st)-sama created the Village with Wood Release, giving people a home."
"Nidaime(2nd)-sama protected the Village with institutions, allowing the home to continue."
"Now, it's our turn."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice became solemn.
"Tsunade, your hands have inherited Shodai(1st)-sama's vitality and are naturally suited to saving lives."
"Don't let this talent, and your teacher's expectations, gather dust."
After speaking, he slowly stood up, brushed the dust off his clothes, and turned to leave.
He knew that talking more would be useless.
The seed had been planted; she needed to break through her inner walls herself and let it sprout.
At the end of the corridor, the elders looked at him worriedly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi merely nodded slightly to them, signaling them not to disturb her.
The next morning.
The door, which had been tightly shut for several days, finally opened with a creak.
Tsunade walked out.
Her eyes were red and swollen, but her gaze was no longer empty and sad, but filled with an unprecedented determination.
In her hand, she tightly clutched the slightly wrinkled scroll.
She walked up to the elders and bowed deeply.
"Please bring me all the clan's medical and human anatomy texts."
The elders were stunned, then their faces showed expressions of wild joy.
"Yes, Young Mistress!"
At the same time, in the Hokage's Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the report presented by the Anbu, a relieved smile on his face.
["Detected a deviation in the fate trajectory of a key character..."]
["'Tsunade's Hemophobia' trigger probability reduced by 20%."]
["'Tsunade Leaving the Village' trigger probability reduced by 10%."]
["Mission rating: Excellent."]
["Issuing reward..."]
["Congratulations, Host, you have received 'Physique Enhancement (Elementary)', greatly increasing your physical energy!"]
A warm current instantly spread throughout his body, and Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a significant increase in his body's strength, stamina, and Chakra recovery speed.
He clenched his fist, feeling the abundant sense of power.
"Very good."
He put the report aside and picked up another document.
Those were three Ninja Academy graduation files.
Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Tsunade.
"Since you have all found your own paths, it is also time..."
"To let you experience your teacher's 'Iron Fist of Love'."
He picked up his brush, signed his name on the document, and in the Jonin instructor column, wrote the four large characters "Hiruzen Sarutobi."
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