Chapter 213: The Millennium Ambition

"Tsunade-sama, please slow down, be careful of your leg," Shizune said, gently supporting the blonde woman as they carefully walked into the Senju clan's compound.

"Shizune, don't treat me like a child. I'm—ahh!" Tsunade winced in pain, one hand gripping her cane, while the other massaged her waist.

Yesterday, Konoha's elite forces had launched a full-scale attack on Obito. Although Tsunade managed to break his spine using Yuto's dōjutsu powers, she was also sent flying by the enraged Gedo Statue, sustaining severe injuries.

If it weren't for the heat of battle, Tsunade would rarely use her Creation Rebirth jutsu, as that life-consuming technique was too taxing. She had instead opted for conventional medical methods, allowing her body to heal naturally.

"Shizune, I am a descendant of both the Senju and Uzumaki clans. This injury is nothing," Tsunade said, catching her breath as she pushed open the door, a playful smile spreading across her face. "But, you know, whenever I get hurt, I crave something delicious. The sweet shop on East Iron Street, the one run by that lovely couple, their dorayaki is just..."

She trailed off mid-sentence, suddenly stopping in her tracks, frozen in place just inside the doorway, effectively blocking Shizune outside.

"Shizune, go buy some now. I'm starving."

"Huh? Oh, right..." Shizune nodded blankly, obediently turning to leave.

Once inside, Tsunade closed the door behind her, her expression darkening as she glared at the young man standing in the corner.

"Didn't I tell you not to come looking for me?"

Leaning lazily against the wall, Yuto grinned, "You told me not to come at night, but it's broad daylight now." He walked toward Tsunade, flicking the wooden cane. "Why are you using this?"

"I got hit by that monster. Surviving was lucky enough."

"When will you be fully recovered?"

"Heh." Tsunade seized the opportunity for sarcasm, tilting her head back with a cold laugh. "After teaching you medical ninjutsu for four years, did all that knowledge go to waste? Can't even diagnose a simple injury?"

"You are right, Tsunade-sama." Yuto blinked, then quickly squeezed the blonde woman's round hips. His chakra flowed in and out in an instant, thoroughly assessing her condition. "You'll be able to run and jump in three days, fully healed in seven."

"Yuto Hyuga, you...you..." Tsunade stared at him in disbelief before finally squeezing out, "Why didn't you use your Byakugan?"

"It might lead to a misdiagnosis."

Tsunade took a few deep breaths, too angry to respond. But despite her indignation, there was little she could do. She sighed and set down her cane, first sitting on the tatami mat, but then lying down when her back began to ache.

She turned her head to the side, feeling the weight of Yuto's gaze on her chest and waist. With resignation, she said, "Don't get any ideas, or I'll activate Creation Rebirth and call for help."

"Don't worry," Yuto said as he lay down beside her, speaking with mock seriousness. "It's broad daylight, we're in the Senju compound, and you're injured. My standards aren't that low."

"What high standards you have. If it weren't for that time you drugged me, I might actually believe you."

"Ah...it was just a simple sedative," Yuto chuckled bitterly. "Let's talk about something serious... I'll be leaving Konoha with the Rain shinobi in a few days."

"Oh? And then?"

"Before I go, there's something I need to clarify." The long-haired young man paused, frowning. "When will Konoha execute Obito?"

Tsunade hesitated for a moment before answering, "In the recent high-level meeting, the execution date for Obito wasn't set, but it won't be delayed for long."

"The sooner, the better. His life force is remarkably strong."

"Rest assured, the village is filled with civilians, so we're even more cautious about letting a tiger return to the wild. Now that Obito has been captured, he won't leave here alive. His life must be completely erased from this world to ensure our safety. Both the old man and Orochimaru understand that."

"Right." Yuto nodded. "I was overthinking it."

It made sense, after all. With the intelligence of Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru, there was no way they would let Obito live. He was probably already dead by now. Even if he wasn't, his nearly shattered body would have been tampered with beyond repair.

The public execution was likely a political move. As one of the top violent organizations in the shinobi world, Konoha needed to do this to intimidate potential threats and strengthen the village's unity.

Yuto speculated that the upper echelons of the village might be in some turmoil at the moment, with both the Hokage's office and the Uchiha clan fighting over those two Kamui Mangekyō Sharingan.

Space-time ninjutsu was something even Yuto coveted. If obtained, it could easily elevate someone to the level of a Kage, and both the Hokage's office and the Uchiha clan had legitimate claims to it.

"What are you thinking about?" Tsunade suddenly asked.

Yuto didn't hide anything, responding directly, "Those two Mangekyō Sharingan... Forget it, let's not talk about that. Do you want to go with me to see katsuyu-sama? While your name is still on the summoning contract."

"You haven't removed it yet?"

"You're the only one left."

Tsunade fell silent for a moment before letting out a soft sigh, "Alright."

"Then let's go."

Yuto skillfully sliced open his fingertip, performing a reverse summoning jutsu, and the two of them appeared simultaneously in the Shikkotsu Forest.

It was the same endless swamp and dense forest, vegetation so lush that it was overwhelming, yet there were no sounds or scents of any animals.

"Wait a moment." Tsunade frowned. "You reversed summoned us too quickly, and I forgot my cane. I'll go get a branch... Ah!"

Before she could finish her sentence, Yuto wrapped an arm around her waist, supporting her as they walked. "In the Shikkotsu Forest, we're just the Slug Sage's summoners, not the Princess of Konoha and a rogue shinobi."

"Right." Tsunade closed her eyes. "Once we're out of here, I'll kill you."

Yuto laughed heartily as they walked along the path together.

Before long, they arrived at a clean stone platform.

A massive rumbling erupted from deep underground, and the Slug Sage's gentle voice echoed, "Welcome, Yuto-kun, and... little Tsunade."

"Katsuyu-sama." Tsunade pressed her lips together, a hint of sadness in her voice. "I haven't seen you in four years."

There was a touch of grievance in her tone.

Since she was a child, Tsunade had signed a blood contract with the Shikkotsu Forest. After most of her clan perished, she would often come here to relax and chat. To her, the Slug Sage was like a precious figure.

However, after the Crimson Night, everyone in the shinobi world knew that the mighty Slug Sage had sided with Yuto.

"Little Tsunade, you haven't changed at all," the Slug Sage sighed. "I asked Yuto-kun to bring you here... Before I do what I must, I wanted to say goodbye... Ah, this is what they call bonds, isn't it? To think that even I, a being like me, would be moved by human emotions."

"Katsuyu-sama." Tsunade's voice grew anxious. "What are you and Yuto planning? Is it dangerous? If..."

"No need to persuade me, little Tsunade. In the end, all sentient beings are driven by their emotions. I've lived for over a thousand years, and only recently have I realized what I truly want."

Deep underground, far below the surface, the colossal entity spoke, its voice penetrating countless tons of earth and rock, reaching the ears of the young man and the blonde woman.

Despite the childish words, there was a resolute determination that could not be hidden. "I want... to bask in the sun."

(End of Chapter)