Tsunade's eyes narrowed in disbelief as she scanned the battle report detailed on the scroll.
Her fingers trembled ever so slightly.
"Wood Release...?"
That name alone sent a ripple through her mind. The report chronicled, in explicit detail, how Byakuya had used Mokuton—Wood Release, the most iconic Kekkei Genkai of the Senju clan—to crush the joint invasion by Kumogakure and Iwagakure forces.
"Impossible..." she muttered.
Wood Release had vanished with her grandfather, Senju Hashirama, the First Hokage. Not even Tsunade herself, nor her younger brother Nawaki, had inherited the ability. And yet, the current Uchiha clan leader—a direct descendant of their ancient rival clan—had now awakened this extinct power?
"Could it be... he transplanted Grandfather's cells?"
The thought flashed through her mind, but Tsunade quickly dismissed it.
Despite its technical plausibility—after all, Orochimaru and Danzo had tried similar experiments—Byakuya had always carried himself with unwavering pride and transparency. He had never hidden his abilities from the village and had no reason to now.
"No... that doesn't sound like him."
Besides, her recent observations and interactions with Byakuya painted a different picture: a decisive yet principled leader who had no interest in hiding behind lies or genetic theft.
"Lady Tsunade? Is something wrong?"
A masked Konoha ANBU from the Uchiha detail had noticed her uncharacteristic silence.
Tsunade composed herself, rolling the scroll closed. "It's nothing. Lord Byakuya has defeated the invaders. He and the rest of the Konoha forces will be returning soon."
She turned to the ANBU with a commanding expression. "Prepare a welcome ceremony. This victory belongs to the entire village—and it must be honored."
"Yes, milady!"
The ANBU disappeared with a flicker, eager to execute her orders.
Meanwhile, on the return route to Konoha…
Byakuya's forces moved swiftly. After repelling the invading armies of the Cloud and Stone villages, they made their way home.
When the familiar walls of Konohagakure came into view, the group was filled with relief and pride.
"There it is—Konoha!"
"We're finally home!"
The Konoha shinobi, battle-worn but victorious, couldn't suppress their joy. For them, this wasn't just a victory—it was a statement. Konoha had stood tall, and the Uchiha, once mistrusted, had led the defense.
But not all shared in the celebration.
Nara Shikaku stood with a deep furrow between his brows, arms crossed in contemplation.
"Shikaku, what's with the long face?" asked Choza, raising an eyebrow.
"We won, didn't we? This calls for celebration."
Shikaku glanced at his friends. "Yes, we won. But you saw the battle too, didn't you?"
The other two nodded.
"Byakuya used Wood Release," Shikaku said, his tone low.
"…Yeah. I thought I was seeing things," murmured Inoichi, eyes narrowing. "An Uchiha, using Mokuton?"
"It's not just strange—it's unprecedented," Shikaku continued. "It raises more questions than answers."
"But it's not entirely impossible," Choza added. "Some theories suggest the Senju and Uchiha clans originated from the same ancestor. Perhaps there's something deeper in their bloodlines…"
Inoichi shook his head. "That may be true in myth, but in reality, the Uchiha and Senju were enemies for generations. Sharingan and Mokuton shouldn't coexist in one bloodline."
Shikaku exhaled. "Exactly. That's what makes this dangerous. If word spreads that Byakuya has somehow awakened Wood Release… it could cause unrest in the village. Even worse, people might suspect him of forbidden experimentation—especially after what Danzo did with Hashirama cells."
Choza's face grew grim. "You think there'll be political backlash?"
"I'm certain of it," Shikaku said quietly. "Unless Byakuya handles this delicately, the village elders—or what's left of them—might try to interfere."
At Konoha's Gates
Tsunade stood at the village gate, dressed in full Hokage regalia, flanked by Shinobi and civilians alike.
As Byakuya and his forces entered the gates, Tsunade stepped forward to meet him.
"Welcome back, heroes of the Leaf!"
Her voice rang with clarity and warmth. "Thanks to you, the village is safe. On behalf of all of Konohagakure—and in the name of the Will of Fire—I thank you."
Cheers erupted from the crowd. No manipulations, no politics—this was pure, heartfelt gratitude.
There was no Sarutobi Hiruzen to temper the moment with suspicion or secret agendas. The celebration was genuine.
But after the ceremonies ended, Tsunade wasted no time.
She called for Byakuya in private.
There were questions that demanded answers—and only he could give them.
"Byakuya, do you want to explain to me...?"
Tsunade narrowed her eyes, her tone sharp as she faced the Uchiha patriarch.
"Explain? Explain what?"
Byakuya replied calmly, his voice carrying no hint of guilt or urgency.
"Wood Release! Why do you know how to use Wood Release?!"
Tsunade's voice rose slightly, a mixture of disbelief and frustration tightening her features.
"And you're not even trying to deny it..."
Seeing his indifferent expression, Tsunade's anger flared further.
"What's there to explain?"
Byakuya shrugged.
"Just because I'm from the Uchiha clan, I can't use Wood Release?"
"Don't mess with me!"
Tsunade snapped.
"The Wood Release is unique to the Senju bloodline! Not even Nawaki or I could awaken it. You—did you transplant my grandfather's cells?!"
Byakuya smirked coldly.
"Transplant? Tch... I have no interest in resorting to something so crude."
He stepped closer, meeting her gaze.
"Do you sense the presence of Hashirama Senju's chakra in me?"
Tsunade's expression shifted. She paused, searching him with her medical-nin instincts.
"No… you're right..." she murmured, stunned.
"Your body radiates incredible vitality—just like Grandfather's—but... there's none of his chakra signature in you."
That realization only deepened her confusion.
If Byakuya hadn't transplanted Hashirama's cells, then—how?
"This makes no sense..." she muttered.
"You're a pure-blooded Uchiha. You shouldn't be able to awaken the Senju's Kekkei Genkai."
Byakuya turned his gaze to the window, his expression unreadable.
"Perhaps the Senju and Uchiha weren't always so different..." he said slowly.
"Maybe... we were one and the same, long ago."
Tsunade stared at him, stunned by the implication.
"You're joking..." she said cautiously.
But deep inside, a seed of doubt had already been planted.
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