"Eh? Tsunade, what are you doing?"
Jiraiya and Sakumo Hatake arrived at Orochimaru's residence together, just in time to see Tsunade squatting in a corner, looking as dejected as a salted fish. Her small frame seemed swallowed by the shadows of the room.
"I was just telling Tsunade that once Jiraiya arrived, we'd find Sakumo and head to the Land of Water together," Orochimaru said smoothly, shifting the topic as if nothing unusual was happening.
Tsunade's head snapped up, indignation flashing in her golden eyes. "Orochimaru, even if you have that intention, Uchiha Su absolutely wouldn't allow it!"
"I didn't say I had that intention either," Orochimaru replied with a small, knowing smile.
Tsunade suddenly found herself irritated. That faint smile reminded her uncomfortably of a certain "red-eye disease" person far away in the Land of Water. She shook her head, muttering under her breath as she recalled the chaos surrounding Su's rise to power.
After packing her things, Tsunade rejoined the group, and together they arrived at the Uchiha Clan Compound.
"It's Orochimaru and the Young Lord's classmates…"
Uchiha Shū pulled back the carriage curtain and looked at them, smiling warmly. "The Young Lord must have sent you invitations as well. So, you want to go to the Land of Water with me?"
"Yes, Grandpa Shū, may we hitch a ride?" Orochimaru asked politely.
"Of course. Fortunately, my carriage is large enough; otherwise, I wouldn't be able to take you all," Shū replied with a chuckle. "Being with a group of vibrant morning suns like you makes me feel much younger!"
Uchiha Shū's age was evident in the frailty of his body. Internal injuries from battles long past had left him in a delicate state, and he could not have made such a journey on foot.
"Princess Tsunade, does Hokage-sama know you're leaving?" Shū asked as the carriage wheels rolled over the Konoha streets, guarded today by two Uchiha Clan members.
"Of course not! If he knew, Grand-uncle, he would have never allowed me to leave," Tsunade said with a triumphant grin.
"Then if Hokage-sama can't find you, he'll be worried to death!" Shū laughed heartily.
The group's journey toward the Land of Water was filled with conversation and laughter. The carriage rolled smoothly through the countryside, a rare moment of peace amid a world teeming with conflict.
Meanwhile, back in Konoha, Senju Tobirama returned home after a long day, only to find the house cold and empty. The absence of Tsunade, who usually greeted him with chatter, immediately triggered a sense of foreboding.
Where had she gone?
Remembering the invitation delivered that morning, Tobirama pieced together the truth but clung to a shred of hope.
"Go look for Tsunade and ask the Ninjas guarding the gate today if she actually left the Village," he instructed in a low voice.
The Anbu departed promptly. Tobirama, still uneasy, brewed himself a cup of tea, his gaze distant. To cover any suspicion, he also visited the home of the widowed Uzumaki Mito, taking a few Anbu along.
"Sister-in-law, I wanted to ask if Tsunade came by your place today…"
Mito smiled warmly, her spirits untroubled. "Little Tsunade? She came by this morning, packed some clothes, and took them with her. Did something happen today, Tobirama? Why are you in such a rush?"
"That naturally evil Uchiha brat sent me an invitation to attend his Succession Ceremony. And that old fellow Uchiha Shū actually left openly for the Land of Water right in front of me," Tobirama poured out his frustrations, his grip tightening on the tea cup.
He could handle ordinary Uchiha, but Shū was untouchable. The man's age, experience, and detachment made him impervious to threats or intimidation. Even if Shū were to strike him, Tobirama could only endure it.
"Truly impressive. I remember that child Su is the same age as Tsunade, right? Only seven years old this year, yet he's already become the clan head," Mito said with a gentle laugh. "It seems the Little Radish who used to eat at our house has grown into a man capable of carrying a whole clan."
Tobirama's face darkened. Did she just praise Uchiha Su in front of him so casually?
"It seems Tsunade must have gone to the Land of Water with Uncle Shū," Mito continued. "Don't worry too much, Tobirama. With Uncle Shū there, nothing will go wrong on the road."
"Sister-in-law…" Tobirama began helplessly, lips twitching as he tried to find words.
"Tobirama, this is a matter between children. As elders, let's not interfere. Didn't my husband and Madara also play together as kids during the Warring States Period?" Mito said gently.
Tobirama exhaled sharply. "My point is that Uchiha Su is naturally evil. You don't know how many rumors he's spread about me—that I sent people to assassinate the Daimyos of the Land of Fire and Water, and even contacted the eldest son of the Land of Water's Daimyo to commit regicide…"
"And now, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire is wary of me. I've heard that the Hidden Mist Uchiha have been contacting him, preparing to provide protection," Tobirama continued.
"Ara ara… I'm getting old and a bit sleepy. You should rest early, too, Tobirama," Mito said, yawning before gently closing the door, leaving him standing in his own house.
Tobirama could only sigh. Even after questioning the gate guards, he had confirmation: both were Chunin from the Uchiha Clan. They had seen Tsunade, her classmates, and the Hokage assistant leave this morning, heading toward the Land of Water.
"Let her go. Children will find their own way," the Anbu advised. Tobirama nodded silently. His frustration was not with Tsunade, but with the limits of his own authority.
…
Meanwhile, Tsunade's eyes widened as she looked out at the Land of Water. "Wow, it's completely different from what I imagined," she said, her voice tinged with awe.
The architecture, the clothing, the streets—all bore a distinct, exotic flair. Even the people's daily routines were unusual.
She spotted Ninjas engaged in fishing, their combined Ninjutsu techniques gathering schools of fish into nets. In the fields, Earth Release techniques tilled soil, while Wind Release sowed seeds with perfect precision. Farmers and Ninjas laughed together, exchanging wages for the assistance.
"Such efficiency," Tsunade whispered, marveling at the sight. "Ninjas who were once trained only to fight are now helping villages in everyday life. Incredible."
The farmers invited the Ninjas to lunch, which they accepted politely. The harmony between the villagers and the assisting Ninjas left Tsunade both surprised and impressed.
As the carriage continued its journey, Tsunade leaned back and thought to herself, If this is the Land of Water under Su's rule, then everything truly is changing…
The Land of Water, once distant and foreign, now revealed the careful hand of the new seii taishōgun, balancing power, prosperity, and subtle influence in ways few could fully comprehend.
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