"So the Uchiha Clan chose to let the matter rest?"
Inside Tsunade's house, in Seiryū's room.
Watching Tsunade sit by the bed, calmly peeling an apple, Seiryū raised an eyebrow.
Then he clicked his tongue. "Didn't expect the proud Uchiha Clan to bow their heads. I was already planning to drop by their compound and unleash the Dragon Vein when I got the chance."
Truthfully, the Uchiha Clan backing down was well within Seiryū's expectations.
Although tensions between the Uchiha and the Hokage faction already existed, things had not escalated to the level seen after the Nine-Tails incident in the original timeline.
Yes, the Uchiha were arrogant, but they were not fools.
With evidence this solid, if they did not want a complete rupture with the Hokage faction, stirring up trouble now was out of the question.
Tsunade sliced off a piece of the apple and fed it to him, then said, "In that situation, they did not really have a choice."
"If things escalated further, they would be in the wrong. It would not end well for them."
"After all, you are my disciple. And Jiraiya's too."
She glanced at Seiryū and continued, "And the Uchiha Clan has always placed immense value on their reputation. Setsuna, being both a high-ranking member and a Great Elder."
"For him to do something so disgraceful, if word got out, it would damage the clan's name."
"They would become the laughingstock of the village. To preserve their so-called noble image, they had no choice but to bow their heads. In fact, they even have to read our reactions now."
That's right. They had to read their reactions.
This whole situation ultimately stemmed from the Uchiha Clan.
Even if it was Setsuna acting alone, his status tied his actions directly to the clan.
Who told him to hold such a high position?
Everything he did represented the Uchiha.
At that point, the clan only had two options.
Either lower their heads and let the matter go. Or confront the Hokage faction head-on.
And the latter was highly unlikely.
When Madara left Konoha, the Uchiha Clan did not follow him. They stayed.
That alone proved one thing.
Despite everything, they still had ties to Konoha.
There was no way they would risk outright conflict over something like this and end up forced out of the village.
"Fair enough."
Seiryū chewed the apple and nodded. He looked completely at ease, like someone who had already seen through everything.
Then, as if something occurred to him, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. "Since they chose to let it go, what about my compensation?"
If the Uchiha Clan wanted to settle things quietly.
Even if it meant swallowing their pride.
After what happened, Seiryū's strength, talent, and potential would have been impossible to ignore.
And they certainly would not overlook the perspective of the person directly involved.
There was no way they would walk away without paying a price.
Tsunade blinked, feigning confusion. "Compensation? What compensation?"
Seiryū replied seriously, "The compensation from the Uchiha Clan."
Her expression shifted, suspicion flickering across her face. "Why would they compensate you?"
Seiryū: "…"
"Nothing?" he sneered. "Fine. Once I recover, do not bother stopping me. I will personally visit their compound and unleash the Dragon Vein. Anyone who gets in my way, I will fight them to the end."
Tsunade's face darkened. She flicked his forehead and said irritably, "They have already backed down. If you go and stir things up now, we will be the ones in the wrong."
"And stop obsessing over money all the time. That is all you ever talk about."
Even so, she looked oddly pleased.
"…"
Seiryū tilted his head slightly and studied her carefully.
He could tell.
She was in a good mood.
The kind of satisfaction you get from an unexpected windfall. Like hitting the jackpot.
And the moment she mentioned money.
Realization dawned instantly.
"You skimmed it, did you not?"
"?"
Tsunade feigned confusion again, then frowned. "What are you talking about?"
Inside, though, she cursed.
Why is this brat so sharp? He actually figured it out?
No. Stay calm. Keep acting.
At worst, I will still walk away with half of the ten million ryo.
"Do not play dumb," Seiryū said coolly. "If the Uchiha Clan chose to back down, there is no way they ignored my stance. Not after what I showed."
His gaze sharpened.
Locking eyes with her, his voice turned accusatory. "Impressive. If I had not brought it up, were you just going to pretend nothing happened and quietly pocket my compensation?"
Tsunade remained composed. Years of dodging debts had honed her acting skills.
"Do you really think I, Tsunade, Princess of Konoha, would do something like that? Do not be ridiculous."
"Heh. You have some nerve saying that."
Seiryū laughed, dripping with disdain. "I do not need to think about it. Anyone who knows you would expect exactly that."
Tsunade clicked her tongue, realizing she could not fool him. "Tch. I was just messing with you. They did compensate you. Two million ryo. Honestly, they are ridiculously rich."
"Wrong," Seiryū cut in calmly. "When people lie, their chakra fluctuates. Subtly, but noticeably. It is definitely not two million."
"All right. Five million."
"Still lying."
"Hey. You cannot even use chakra right now. How are you sensing fluctuations?"
Tsunade narrowed her eyes.
That did not make sense.
Even sensory ninjutsu required chakra control. And his pathways were damaged.
"Heh. Do not worry about that," Seiryū replied lazily. "Based on your reactions alone, it is at least twenty million. Not bad. You have guts skimming that much."
"You brat, it is only ten million. Where did twenty come…"
She froze.
Damn it.
She had been led right into it.
"Ah, so it is ten million," Seiryū said with a satisfied nod. "The Uchiha really are generous."
Then he fixed her with a sharp look. "And you planned to take it all? You have no shame at all, do you?"
Honestly.
This woman had intended to swallow the entire sum.
Even after being exposed, she tried feeding him fake numbers.
His opinion of her kept hitting new lows.
"I am taking eight million," Tsunade declared bluntly. "If I had not stepped in, you would not have gotten that much."
"Eighty percent? Keep dreaming. All ten million is mine."
"Fine. You take three. I take seven."
"I will give you one million, considering you took care of me."
"Do I look like a beggar to you? Four and six. Final offer."
"No."
"Then five each. That is fair, right?"
Seiryū shook his head. "Your 'bottom line' sure moves a lot. Two million, at most."
"That is too little."
Tsunade took a bite of the apple and chewed slowly.
Then she straightened up, slipping into her teacher persona. "I am your Sensei. You should listen to me. What does a kid like you need that much money for? I will keep it safe for you."
Seiryū scoffed. "Cannot win, so now you are pulling rank? And I have never actually acknowledged you as my teacher."
"You little brat. Looking for trouble?" she snapped. "Who has been taking care of you these past few days? Feeding you, bathing you."
"That is exactly the problem!" Seiryū shot back, grinding his teeth. "You have seen everything. Do you know what kind of damage that does to me? My innocence is gone. Completely gone!"
Not only had she forcibly kissed him.
She had also seen him naked three times.
Three.
How was he supposed to face his future partner?
Tsunade just laughed. "You are just a scrawny little kid. Who would even want to look? And it is not like it is the first time."
Seiryū stared at her blankly. "You know it is not the first time. And you still say that? How am I supposed to explain this to my future partner?"
"Who said you are allowed to have one?"
She snorted coldly. "If you want a partner, you need my approval first."
Seiryū: "…"
This woman's possessiveness made no sense.
"Are you my nanny now? Managing my love life?"
"I am your Sensei."
"Not a Sensei."
"You are getting bold. Eat your apple and shut up."
She shoved the half-eaten apple into his mouth.
"…"
Seiryū had no choice but to eat it. Otherwise, it would have gone straight up his nose.
After swallowing, he muttered darkly, "Just wait. Once I recover, I will show you what Hollowfication can really do. I do not even need years. One Cero is enough to teach you what real power looks like."
Tsunade scoffed. "Sure."
But inwardly, she was on guard.
This brat had already made defeating her his goal.
And with his partial control over the Dragon Vein, and that Hollowfication state.
His strength was no joke.
Especially that attack he called Cero. Its power left even her uncertain how she would counter it.
His growth rate was absurd.
Too fast.
It gave her an uncomfortable sense of urgency.
She did not doubt his talent. Surpassing her was only a matter of time.
But this fast?
That stung her pride.
More importantly.
If he became stronger than her, she would lose control over him.
That was unacceptable.
I need to master Sage Mode faster, she thought. Not just for strength, but to teach him too.
And I definitely cannot let him spend too much time with Jiraiya.
Seeing her suddenly serious expression, Seiryū laughed. "What, scared? I told you. My talent is terrifying. Give me two years. Not just you. Even Madara, I would be confident pulling out his oxygen tube."
Tsunade: "…"
Now he had skipped past her and set his sights on Madara.
The man was dead. And yet this brat was still talking big.
She flicked his head again. "That is power you cannot even fully control yet. Talk like that after you have mastered the Dragon Vein."
"And Madara? Whether I like him or not, he and the First Hokage could subdue the Nine-Tails with ease."
"The Dragon Vein is, at best, comparable to a single Tailed Beast. Setsuna's genjutsu barely affected you because he is weak. Madara is a completely different story."
This kid was getting carried away.
Confidence was fine. Too much turned into arrogance.
And arrogance led to misjudgment. That could get him killed.
As his teacher, she had to correct that.
"At best?" Seiryū shook his head. "You underestimate the Dragon Vein. And you underestimate me."
"I, Seiryū, am Konoha's greatest genius. The future Sage Seiryū, shining as bright as the sun."
"Anyway, just remember this. One day, I will rule the Three Realms. I will stand above all as the Soul King. I will end the chaos of the world with my own hands."
Tsunade: "…"
There he goes again.
His condition was definitely getting worse.
(To be continued.)