This scene made Uzumaki Mito, who had just entered, burst into laughter.
"Alright, stop thinking about it. That mouth of yours is just as clumsy as your grandfather's!"
Tsunade could only scratch her head and smile awkwardly.
There was no helping it—Grandma was the head of the household.
Besides, what she said wasn't wrong. Tsunade couldn't refute it.
"Grandma, please sit!"
She pointed to the tatami, quickly put on a thin silk robe, and obediently moved to the side, kneeling properly as she waited for her grandmother's lecture.
As she knelt down, her posture was full of charm, her chest subtly shifting—making Mito shake her head.
Mito didn't dwell on it. She sat gracefully opposite Tsunade, her posture elegant and composed.
The contrast between the two was immediately obvious.
"What did that monkey call you in for at the meeting?"
Mito spoke first.
Her gaze fixed steadily on Tsunade, who raised her head, her expression calm.
"Grandma, sensei said that Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and I will each lead a thousand troops to the Land of Rain to eliminate enemy forces."
"When necessary…"
Tsunade hesitated.
"Say it."
Mito's voice was calm.
Tsunade sighed.
"When necessary, we are to intercept Hanzō of the Salamander and buy time for the main forces to engage in direct combat."
Mito narrowed her eyes, falling silent for a long moment.
Her expression made Tsunade nervous, her hands unconsciously clenching.
"Hanzō of the Salamander is known as a 'demigod.' His strength is not something you three youngsters can handle. Reputation is not without reason."
Mito spoke calmly.
Tsunade gritted her teeth.
"Grandma, this is the first mission sensei has entrusted to us. I don't want to give up!"
"I know Hanzō is Kage-level, but if we don't try, how will we know?"
Her eyes shone with determination.
But seeing this, Mito did not feel pleased. Instead, she sighed.
"If that's your decision, I won't try to persuade you."
"Just come back alive."
Mito closed her eyes.
"I don't want to lose you too."
Her voice was soft, yet heavy.
Tsunade was momentarily dazed.
She couldn't help but recall her grandmother's life—
Married far from her homeland into Konoha, separated from her clan.
Widowed in middle age, losing her son in her later years.
Now, only she and Nawaki remained as her blood relatives.
And now, both of them were heading to the battlefield.
How could that not be unbearable for an old woman?
Tsunade had been so focused on proving herself—
Proving that the granddaughter of Senju Hashirama was strong—
That she had forgotten…
Her grandmother only wished for their safety and happiness.
"I will, Grandma… I'll come back safely."
Her eyes reddened, her voice trembling.
Mito suddenly thought of something.
"Tsunade, I recall that a team leader can bring one trusted subordinate along, correct?"
"Have you chosen anyone?"
"Huh?"
Tsunade wiped her tears.
"Not yet… but someone recommended a boy from the Katō clan. I heard his Spirit Transformation Technique is quite unique."
"Spirit Transformation Technique?"
Mito shook her head.
"In the end, it's merely a side path."
"I think that Uchiha boy is quite good."
"Uchiha Shin-kun?"
"But his strength is only at Genin level!"
Tsunade said in surprise.
Mito stood up and walked toward the door. Before leaving, she turned slightly.
"That boy's Sharingan may only be one-tomoe, but the aura within it surpasses most two-tomoe Sharingan—perhaps even approaching three-tomoe."
Tsunade was stunned.
Three-tomoe?
Wouldn't that mean Uchiha Shin had Jonin-level combat potential?
Even so, the one from the Katō clan also seemed to be Jonin-level, and possessed the unique Spirit Transformation Technique.
In comparison, Uchiha Shin still seemed inferior.
Just as Tsunade was puzzled, Mito spoke again:
"That boy also possesses Magnet Release."
Tsunade's pupils shrank.
Magnet Release!
A Kekkei Genkai formed from the fusion of Wind and Earth chakra—
A bloodline unique to their long-standing rival, Sunagakure.
How could someone from the Uchiha clan possess it?
"If Uchiha Shin has Magnet Release, why didn't he use it before?"
Tsunade was confused.
Why would someone hide such talent?
"That is precisely where he surpasses you."
"A tall tree attracts the wind. In his clan, he is neither valued nor protected—in fact, he suffers discrimination."
"And in the village, he is an Uchiha."
"Who does he have that he can truly trust?"
Mito smiled faintly.
"Even I only noticed that anomaly through my Kagura Mind's Eye…"
"So, Tsunade—find a way to bring Uchiha Shin along tomorrow."
"I have a feeling that boy is far from simple."
Her tone was earnest.
With that, she left Tsunade's room and returned to her own.
Tsunade, meanwhile, removed her robe and fell into deep thought.
The Spirit Transformation Technique was indeed unique—
But it had a fatal flaw.
The body must be protected at all times.
If it were struck, and the soul failed to return, death was inevitable.
Moreover, against Kage-level opponents, it was almost a joke—
Its lower limit was high, but its upper limit was low.
Magnet Release, on the other hand, was different.
Even before the establishment of Sunagakure, there had already been powerful Magnet Release users.
And without exception—
They all became Kage-level.
The current Third Kazekage was one such user, wielding the unique Iron Sand Magnet Release.
On top of that—
The Uchiha clan's Sharingan could also elevate Uchiha Shin to Kage-level.
Comparing the two…
Uchiha Shin was clearly the better choice.
With that thought, Tsunade made her decision.
But tomorrow, she would still personally ask Uchiha Shin for his opinion.
After all, forced choices never lead to good results.
As she thought, she gradually fell asleep.
The night passed quickly.
Stars shifted, and a new day arrived.
Around five in the morning, Uchiha Shin woke up.
This was the biological clock of his body.
The first thing he did after getting up was neatly fold his bedding and place it properly.
Then he went to wash up.
Clear water flowed from the tap.
Scooping it with both hands, a chill spread across his palms.
Uchiha Shin shivered slightly.
Then he splashed it onto his face.
Hiss… a piercing cold!
But after the initial shock, he quickly adapted—
And it even felt refreshing.