Chapter 121: Blackmailing Uchiha Madara, Return to Konoha, Mikoto's Grief
"Haa… looks like I really disappointed you."
Uchiha Madara took a deep breath, suppressing his rage and returning to his usual calm demeanor as he spoke to Ling Yu.
Although he had been furious for a moment, the current situation didn't allow him to clash with Ling Yu. He still valued his life.
Moreover, Senju Ling Yu's current strength far surpassed his own in his twilight years. He didn't want to die before making proper arrangements, nor did he want the plan he had meticulously prepared for decades to go to waste.
"Alright. Since you made me come all this way for nothing, shouldn't you compensate me somehow? I don't really care what you're scheming here or what plans you have. Just give me something good, and we're even. How about it? Trading your life for something of equal value—it doesn't seem like a loss for you, does it?"
Since he hadn't achieved his original goal and Black Zetsu was nowhere to be seen, Ling Yu had no interest in getting involved in Madara's "Eye of the Moon" plan.
That plan would take more than a decade to complete anyway—he wasn't willing to wait that long. He was already collecting tailed beasts himself and didn't need Madara's help. So the only option left was to blackmail Uchiha Madara.
Madara had lived for so long—he must possess many valuable things: his personal ninjutsu, the Sage of the Six Paths' weapons, decades of accumulated knowledge about the Sharingan, and more.
"Hm? You really only want compensation? I thought you'd be like everyone else in the ninja world—seeing that I'm still alive, you'd try desperately to kill me. This doesn't quite fit the identity of a Senju. After all, I'm the one who killed your clan's former leader, Senju Hashirama."
Uchiha Madara was momentarily stunned. He had already prepared himself for a desperate fight, but Ling Yu unexpectedly didn't want to kill him—just compensation? Was he really this easy to deal with?
For how many years had no one dared threaten him like this—especially not a junior from the Senju clan?
"Heh. I just want all your ninjutsu, Sage techniques, and every piece of experience you have regarding the Sharingan. After all, we're trading them for your life. Your life should be worth more than that, right?"
Ling Yu gave a faint smile and spoke calmly.
"Fine! I'll give you what you want. But from now on, do not interfere with my plans."
Uchiha Madara let out a loud laugh. For a brief moment, he seemed to regain the domineering aura of his prime as he stared straight into Ling Yu's eyes.
......…
A few days after leaving Uchiha Madara, Ling Yu and the others returned to Konoha together with the main Konoha forces.
Before they even reached the village gate, the entire place was already decorated with lanterns and streamers. A huge crowd of villagers had gathered on both sides of the road to welcome the Konoha ninja who had won the war and come home.
This welcome was far grander and more enthusiastic than when they returned after transferring the Nine-Tails. Many villagers couldn't hold back and rushed forward, searching for their family members who had fought on the front lines.
In an instant, the whole village was filled with joy. Ninja who hadn't returned in a long time embraced their families and friends, excitedly recounting their experiences on the battlefield. Everyone's faces were full of happy smiles.
"Alright, let's head home too."
Seeing this lively scene, tears welled up in Tsunade's eyes as she turned to look at Ling Yu and the others behind her.
Although none of them had relatives coming to greet them, it no longer mattered. After living together with Mikoto, Kushina, and Konan for so long, they had long since recognized each other as family.
Moreover, Konoha had won this war and avoided destruction. Ling Yu—as the heir of the Senju clan—had performed outstandingly. When she eventually left Konoha to travel, she would feel at ease.
"Mm. Mikoto, go home first and tidy up. I'll come pick you up when it's time. Tonight we'll go out for a big meal."
Ling Yu nodded. Holding Konan's hand, he followed Tsunade and the others toward their residence—the Senju compound. Meanwhile, Mikoto headed toward the Uchiha district. It had been so long—she wondered how her grandmother was doing.
Evening came. The sun had set, and the sky gradually turned to dusk.
It had already been half an hour since Ling Yu and the others returned to Konoha. Tsunade, Kushina, and Konan had finished tidying their rooms. Seeing the time was about right, Ling Yu was just preparing to go pick up Mikoto when—
Knock knock knock!
Urgent knocking suddenly came from outside the door.
"I'll get it."
Seeing that Tsunade and the others were all sitting on the sofa, and since he was about to head out anyway, Ling Yu walked to the door.
"Huh? Mikoto? I was just about to go pick… you up."
The moment he opened the door and saw that familiar figure, joy lit up Ling Yu's face. But before he could finish speaking, Mikoto suddenly threw herself into his arms.
"Wuwu… Ling Yu…"
Clinging tightly to Ling Yu, Mikoto buried her face deep in his chest. The next second, sobs began pouring out of her.
"What's wrong? What happened? Ling Yu, what did you do? Why is Mikoto crying?"
Hearing the commotion, Tsunade and Kushina thought something had happened. They immediately abandoned the TV and rushed out.
Seeing Mikoto crying and Ling Yu holding her, with both witness and evidence present, Kushina assumed he had bullied Mikoto. She rushed over, pulled Mikoto into her own arms, frowned, and questioned him.
"How could I possibly bully Mikoto? The moment I opened the door, she was already crying. Everything after that is exactly what you're seeing."
Ling Yu looked utterly confused and wronged—he really hadn't done anything to Mikoto.
"Mikoto, what's wrong? Did something happen over there?"
Tsunade walked over and took Mikoto into her arms, gently patting her back to comfort her while softly asking.
Tsunade believed Ling Yu's words. The two of them had been close since childhood, and Ling Yu clearly liked Mikoto very much—he would never bully her. So the reason Mikoto was crying must be related to the Uchiha district she had just visited.
After all, Ling Yu and the rest of them had been together the whole time since returning to Konoha. Only Mikoto had gone to the Uchiha compound—and then this happened.
"Wuwu… my grandma… she… she passed away… I don't have a home anymore."
After crying for a while, Mikoto regained a bit of composure. Tears still brimming in her eyes, she stayed in Tsunade's arms and slowly explained everything that happened after she returned home.
Mikoto's grandmother had been her last remaining relative in Konoha. From childhood, she had been raised by her grandmother. The two had depended on each other for many years and shared a very close bond.
Mikoto's grandmother had also been the first person in the Uchiha clan to support her relationship with Ling Yu. It was largely thanks to her grandmother's approval that Mikoto had confirmed her feelings for Ling Yu so early on. Her grandmother had even said she would attend Mikoto's wedding when the time came.
But now, her grandmother had passed away several days earlier due to old age. The body had already been buried. This was an enormous blow to Mikoto. Unable to accept the reality, she could only run to Ling Yu's house seeking comfort.
"Mikoto… it's okay. From now on, this is your home. We are all your family."
After quietly listening to everything Mikoto said, Tsunade—who had recently gone through a similar loss—understood her pain deeply.
"Mikoto, don't be afraid. You still have me, your best friend."
Kushina had also experienced this kind of pain, so she could feel Mikoto's sorrow. She held Mikoto's hand and comforted her softly.
"That's right. We're all your family now—no matter what happens, we won't leave you."
A trace of heartache flashed in Ling Yu's eyes. Holding Konan's hand, he walked over to Mikoto's side and smiled gently as he comforted her.
"Everyone…"
Looking at the familiar faces around her, tears welled up in Mikoto's eyes again. Crystal-clear drops slid down her cheeks—but this time, they were tears of gratitude.
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