Led by an Anbu ninja, Tsunade and Shizune hurried through the corridors of the Hokage Building, their brisk pace causing Tsunade's light golden hair to sway slightly.
She frowned, a hint of barely concealed anxiety hidden on her face.
"Uchiha Shinji is in trouble."
That was the message delivered by the Anbu before her, but when she pressed for details, the other party knew nothing and couldn't provide a single piece of specific information.
Being unable to grasp the exact situation weighed on her heart like a stone, filling her with unease.
"I hope Shinji is alright," she could only silently pray in her heart.
The moment she pushed open the door to the Hokage's Office, she immediately sensed the heavy atmosphere inside.
Tsunade glanced around and quickly spotted several high-ranking Konohagakure officials seated at the head of the room. Aside from Sarutobi Hiruzen, everyone else's faces were so dark they seemed capable of dripping water.
Before she could speak, Danzo slammed the table first, launching an abrupt attack: "Tsunade, look at the fine disciple you've taught!"
Tsunade couldn't be bothered to deal with him, merely giving him a sidelong glance. But when her gaze inadvertently swept over his empty right sleeve, her pupils contracted slightly.
"What happened? Could it be related to Shinji?"
She had never liked this sinister old man, but with Danzo's severed hand and the Anbu's message about Shinji being in trouble, the two incidents linked together inevitably made her think of Shinji.
After a few seconds of silence, she still ignored Danzo's provocation and walked directly up to Sarutobi Hiruzen. This complete disregard for him instantly fueled Danzo's rage even further.
He raised his left hand, his lips trembling: "You... you!"
In the end, he couldn't even utter a complete sentence.
Tsunade snorted lightly, raised her hand, and slammed it heavily on Sarutobi Hiruzen's desk, her voice suddenly rising:
"What exactly happened?"
She was truly anxious. Just moments ago, she had been gambling enthusiastically in the casino. Upon hearing that Shinji was in trouble, she didn't even have time to collect her chips before rushing all the way here.
That guy Shinji really gave her no peace. When he returned, she would definitely teach him a lesson!
She subconsciously touched the few dice in her pocket.
When Shinji left the village, she had casually used these dice to perform a gambling divination for him, but the result had left her somewhat uneasy. Had that divination really come true?
Tsunade's heart tightened. The image of her younger brother Nawaki suddenly surfaced in her mind, sending a chill crawling up her spine.
Shinji had once told her he was going to the Land of Rain to carry out a secret mission. And in the Land of Rain, there were powerful individuals like Hanzō of the Salamander—one of the few formidable figures capable of making her feel wary.
Had Shinji encountered Hanzō in Amegakure Village?
Nawaki had also died unexpectedly during a mission. The mere thought of this made it impossible for her to suppress the worry in her heart. Countless chaotic thoughts churned in her mind, and her face gradually paled.
Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly looked up from his chair, observing Tsunade's current state of agitation—so unlike her usual composed and capable self.
He sighed helplessly and reassured her: "Calm down. Shinji is not in trouble."
"Not in trouble?" Tsunade was taken aback. Her suspended heart instantly settled, but immediately afterward, annoyance replaced her worry. "If nothing's wrong, then don't send messages in that tone! It's completely misleading!"
Beside them, Mitokado Homura snorted coldly, her tone filled with dissatisfaction. "This matter is no small affair."
She paused, organizing her words before continuing, "Based on our speculation, Uchiha Shinji may have betrayed Konohagakure. Tsunade, he is your student. Don't you have anything to say?"
"Betray Konohagakure?"
Tsunade's eyes widened, the anger on her face freezing instantly, replaced by an expression of utter disbelief.
Beside her, Shizune was also stunned and instinctively retorted, "Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
She and Shinji were from the same generation, and she knew his character all too well. Although he came from the Uchiha clan, he lacked the arrogance typical of the clan. He was usually easygoing and low-key. There must be some misunderstanding—Shinji would never betray Konohagakure!
On the other side, Utatane Koharu frowned and glanced at Shizune, who had suddenly interrupted, but said nothing. He then turned his gaze to Tsunade and said gravely, "How is it impossible? This was witnessed firsthand by Danzo. His arm was severed by that Uchiha Shinji!"
"How could that be?"
Tsunade looked at Danzo in shock.
Although she hadn't lived under the same roof as Shinji for very long, she knew her student all too well.
Shinji was clearly someone who avoided trouble whenever possible. She knew Danzo and the Uchiha had always been at odds, but why would Shinji engage in such a direct conflict with him, even going so far as to sever his arm?
Danzo snorted lightly, a trace of resentment flashing in his eyes.
Tsunade pursed her lips and turned her gaze back to Sarutobi Hiruzen. She wanted to hear what the old man had to say.
After all, Sarutobi Hiruzen was her teacher.
"Both of them possess the Mangekyo Sharingan. Unable to match him, Danzo had no choice but to retreat in disarray."
A barrage of information overwhelmed Tsunade, leaving her utterly bewildered. She stood frozen in place until Sarutobi Hiruzen called her name twice, at which point she barely managed to snap out of it.
Once she regained her composure, a strange expression appeared on Tsunade's face.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed helplessly, picking up the pipe on the table and wiping it a few times.
Was Danzo really so weak that he was defeated by Shinji? Her student truly lived up to her expectations. But the next moment, she forcibly suppressed these thoughts, her expression darkening.
If what the old man said was true, then Shinji's actions could indeed be considered a betrayal of Konohagakure.
Konohagakure was the legacy her grandfather, Senju Hashirama, and her great-uncle, Tobirama Senju, had devoted their lives to protecting. If Shinji truly betrayed it, it was something she could never accept.
Gritting her teeth, the mere thought of this possibility made her heart ache.
No! Shinji would absolutely never betray Konohagakure! I believe in him!
Then there must be something wrong somewhere.
She began to recall Shinji's departure and suddenly her eyes lit up.
Shinji had said he was going to the Land of Rain to carry out a secret mission. But if Danzo was fine, why was he also in Amegakure Village?
As far as she knew, Shinji had only gone on a mission with their clan head Fugaku. How could he have just happened to run into Danzo?
The office fell silent. Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff of his cigarette, and everyone waited quietly for Tsunade's response.
But at that moment, Tsunade suddenly turned and stared directly at Danzo, her voice low and demanding. "Danzo, I ask you, what were you doing in the Land of Rain? Did you really just happen to run into Shinji?"
Danzo went to the Land of Rain?
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the office except Danzo was stunned.
What?
Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly snapped back to reality, frowning as he looked at his old friend. He also realized that this matter was probably not as simple as it seemed. Amegakure Village was located in a highly sensitive military zone, surrounded by the three great nations of Fire, Wind, and Earth.
He thought to himself, the Uchiha Clan had no need or reason to casually go to the Land of Rain.
"Danzo, what exactly is going on here?" Sarutobi Hiruzen's tone gradually grew heavier.
What?
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