Chapter 27: The Shattering of Tsunade’s Naivety

"Alas... I'm growing old. I won't live much longer. And Hiruzen—his hold over the Hokage seat grows stronger by the day. My influence... my ability to deter him... it's fading."

Uzumaki Mito's voice was low, heavy with resignation.

Tsunade looked up, startled by the sudden change in her grandmother's mood.

"Grandma, what's wrong? Why are you saying such things all of a sudden?"

Mito's expression softened as she reached out and gently stroked Tsunade's hair.

"Tsunade… when will you finally grow up and take responsibility for the Senju Clan? I won't be here much longer."

Tsunade clutched her grandmother's hand tightly.

"Don't say that! You'll live another hundred years! You're strong, Grandma!"

Mito gave a wistful smile, the weight of many years behind her words.

"A hundred years? Heh... Ninjas don't live that long. Ours is a violent, unnatural path. Even your great-grandfather—blessed with immense life force—died young. Had he lived a peaceful life, he might have seen a century. But no… The more a shinobi fights, the more life is burned away. Chakra prolongs survival in battle—but shortens the candle overall."

Tsunade fell silent. As a medical-nin, she understood the truth behind her grandmother's words all too well. Chakra use and battlefield stress did not come without cost.

Mito seemed to sense her granddaughter's unease and shifted her tone.

"Forget it. I didn't mean to burden you. But listen—you're not a child anymore. You must prepare yourself to lead. Until Nawaki grows up, the fate of the Senju Clan lies in your hands."

Mito's eyes grew hard.

"I don't have much faith that Nawaki will be able to lead. He's too naive... even more than young Hashirama was. But unlike Hashirama, he lacks the talent—and the unwavering support Hashirama had in Tobirama. He will need help. I'm counting on you."

Tsunade hesitated.

"But... isn't that something the Hokage should handle? Isn't that why we trust Sensei?"

Mito's smile turned bitter.

"Foolish girl. Sarutobi Hiruzen is not just your sensei—he's the Hokage and head of the Sarutobi Clan. He took you on as a student only to keep the Senju loyal and protect his political base."

She leaned closer, voice sharp now—like a blade hidden beneath silk.

"To him, the Sarutobi Clan comes first. Then the village. Then Danzo, Koharu, Homura... After all of them comes the Senju Clan—if at all. He's been quietly strangling our influence for years. And you… still think he cares about your talent?"

Tsunade froze. Mito's words struck with devastating precision.

"No… that can't be..."

"Why not?" Mito challenged. "Look at the clan's condition. Think about our history. Once, we were the mightiest clan in Konoha—maybe the entire shinobi world. Now? We're a shadow of ourselves. Don't you see it?"

Tsunade's breath caught. Her hands trembled slightly as fragmented memories flooded her—decisions made, missions lost, allies ignored. Clues she had dismissed… now glaring truths.

He used us... Sensei used us.

"I never wanted to tell you all this," Mito sighed. "Your illusions gave you some protection. I thought... maybe if you believed in him, you'd stay safe after I passed. But things have changed. The Uchiha are stirring. Hikari's return changes everything. If the Senju and Uzumaki don't act now, we may not get another chance."

She paused, eyes narrowing with quiet resolve.

"A secret alliance with the Uchiha… might be the only way forward."

Tsunade's face darkened, anger and betrayal twisting her features.

"I never expected this... Sensei… that old man... he had his own agenda all along."

"Now you understand," Mito said with cold satisfaction.

Tsunade took a deep breath, still reeling.

"What do we do now, Grandma?"

"First… I will meet with Uchiha Hikari," Mito replied. "You'll be there, too. Watch. Listen. And learn."

"Alright," Tsunade said quietly, still shaken, but now determined.

Mito's expression softened with a touch of sorrow.

"I'm not trying to scare you, child. But the situation is dire. The other great nations are eyeing the Jinchūriki, and they covet the sealing techniques of the Uzumaki. Whirlpool Country is filled with spies—many with dark intentions."

"What?" Tsunade gasped. "Does the Third know? Will the village help the Uzumaki Clan?"

But even as she asked, Tsunade remembered Mito's words—about Hiruzen's priorities.

Her confidence faltered. The thought that the Hokage might allow the Uzumaki to fall… just to weaken the Senju or gain control of their legacy… it chilled her to the bone.

How much have I ignored? How blind have I been?

She remembered what the Senju once were. Respected. Feared. United.

Now? Fractured. Forgotten. Dispersed into the civilian population. Their bloodline diluted. Their leadership lost.

Only a handful remained—and even fewer bore the name Senju with pride.

Mito gave a grave nod, reading the truth in Tsunade's silence.

"You understand now."

"Yes…" Tsunade whispered. "I see it."

"Don't expect help from Hiruzen," Mito said flatly. "At best, he'll exploit the crisis."

She exhaled deeply and continued.

"I wanted to convince the Uzumaki to relocate to Konoha, but Aminari refused. I cannot blame him. And so… we'll have to act."

"You mean—send our own forces?" Tsunade asked.

"Yes. I'll dispatch the Senju direct line—and even our remaining branch families—to serve as elite reinforcement for the Uzumaki. It will cost us dearly… but I won't stand by and watch them fall."