Ch 59. Tsunade x Mito

A year had passed since Kumogakure's economic trade plan took effect, and its influence was becoming evident even beyond the Land of Lightning. In the Land of Fire, casinos had adopted new methods to draw in gamblers, including public speakers announcing joint betting results and music playing throughout the establishments. In the heart of the Land of Fire, within the Daimyo Prefecture, the renowned "Slug Princess" Tsunade, honored by the Daimyo himself, was indulging in her usual pastime gambling. Beside her stood a young girl, Shizune, her loyal apprentice.

Although Tsunade had long since left Konoha, she had never truly left the Land of Fire. Over the years, she had remained in the capital, occasionally treating the wealthy, nobles, merchants, and even high-ranking shinobi from Konoha who sought her out for her unparalleled medical skills. As the greatest medical ninja in the world, she could easily amass a fortune.

Yet, her grandmother's parting words had been clear, leaving Konoha meant leaving the Land of Fire altogether. But Tsunade, despite abandoning the village, had stayed within its jurisdiction, making her whereabouts known to all. Not that anyone dared to challenge her. With the Strength of a Hundred Seal, she could heal fatal injuries in an instant, and if truly threatened, she could reverse summon herself to Shikkotsu Forest also known as Damp Bone Forest, where Sage Katsuya resided, ensuring her escape from any danger.

Of course, making money in the capital was easy for someone like her. As the honorary princess of the Land of Fire, she could always request financial support from the Daimyo if she desired, but her pride as a shinobi compelled her to earn her wealth, only to sustain her insatiable gambling habits.

The once-mighty Senju Clan, however, no longer had resources to fall back on. Their vast wealth and assets, accumulated over a thousand years, had been fully absorbed into the Konoha administration after the clan's disbandment. Under the Third Hokage's leadership, everything that had once belonged to the Senju had effectively become property of the village, distributed among various factions. The only remnants of the clan that Tsunade could still claim as her own were her family residence and the ninjutsu scrolls stored in Shikkotsu Forest, an inheritance of knowledge that remained beyond Konoha's reach, aside from the forbidden scroll of 2nd Generation.

Even now, standing at the apex of Konoha's hierarchy, the ANBU maintained constant surveillance over the last of the Senju residence, not out of respect, but as a measure of control.

Then, she received a message.

Uzumaki Mito, her grandmother, the first jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, had reached out to her. Through their shared contract with Katsuya, Mito had sent word, requesting Tsunade's presence. The reason was clear, Mito intended to transfer the tailed beast to its next host. But she would not do so until she had seen Tsunade one last time.

The weight of the message lingered in Tsunade's mind, even as she sat at the gambling table. She had no desire to return to Konoha, no wish to entangle herself in the village's affairs. Yet, the thought of refusing Mito's request felt impossible, and she wanted to see her only family once more.

And so, days later, Tsunade stood at Konoha's gates, Shizune by her side.

The guards did not stop her. No one dared.

She made her way to what remained of the Senju Clan's once-proud district. It was abandoned, silent. There were no signs of life except for two presences, Kushina Uzumaki and Mito herself. The only other presence was the ANBU stationed at the four corners of the land, guarding Senju land ready to cast a barrier, ensuring the Nine-Tails did not go berserk and cause damage.

Mito was waiting at the entrance.

She had not aged a day since Tsunade had last seen her. With the Strength of a Hundred Seal, she had retained the same youthful appearance for decades. A living relic of a past era.

"Welcome back, Tsunade," Mito greeted, her voice gentle yet firm.

Tsunade felt a swell of emotion. Here, before her, stood the last of her family, the only person left in this world who truly mattered to her. Yet, that did not soften her bitterness.

"Now, they have ANBU watching you?" Tsunade scoffed. "It seems like no one respects the name Senju anymore."

Mito's expression remained serene.

"They are here because you're going to transfer the tailed beast?" Tsunade scoffed and continued, folding her arms. "Are you worried about Kushina? That after she becomes the jinchūriki, the village will mistreat her? Is that why you called me back?"

Mito chuckled softly as they walked inside.

"Silly girl, my concern is not for Kushina," she said. "She already has someone who cares for her. I have no doubt she will be fine. But you, you're alone. No family, no real friends. Wandering without a home. That is what worries me and I wanted to see you!"

Tsunade turned her face not agreeing.

"I have Shizune. I don't need anyone else. And I sure as hell don't want to come back to this village." Her tone turned sharp. "My so-called 'friends' are all puppets of the Will of Fire. I have no interest in that nonsense. One is a loyal fool, and the other is an ambitious snake. I want nothing to do with either of them."

Jiraiya, ever loyal to Konoha, would never understand her resentment. Orochimaru, despite his ambitions, still sought power within the village. Neither of them could grasp the darkness that had driven her away.

Mito regarded her granddaughter with knowing eyes.

"You have lingered in the Land of Fire for too long," she said. "When war breaks out, and it will, then you will be drawn into it. You may have abandoned Konoha, but this village was built by your grandfather. It is your past, whether you like it or not, unless you leave the land of fire you will be involved. But none of the people important to you will be here after I am gone, so after I die Konoha will just be a strange village to you, so leave Tsunade and don't come back"

She sighed, then continued, "That is why, after today, you must leave, not just Konoha, but the Land of Fire itself. Go somewhere far away. The Land of Iron, perhaps. Or the Land of Lightning. I hear it has been making remarkable advancements lately. Wherever you go, find a place where no one will seek you out. Live for yourself. Be free."

Tsunade remained silent.

Mito's voice softened. "While I am still alive, no one will stop you from leaving. But once I am gone, you will find that the world has a way of pulling people back into the places they tried to escape from."

Tsunade clenched her fists.

Mito's gaze drifted towards the sky.

"Your grandfather once told me that Uchiha Madara warned him, said that he was putting the cart before the horse. At the time, your grandfather dismissed his words." A small, bitter smile appeared on her lips. "But now… looking at the village as it is today, I wonder if he was right all along."

Tsunade said nothing.

But deep inside, she had the answer.