At the Uchiha Clan Headquarters...
"Lord Byakuya, there's a messenger from the Senju clan," an Uchiha shinobi reported respectfully.
"They request your presence at their compound. They say it concerns urgent clan matters."
Byakuya, seated calmly with his arms folded, didn't seem surprised. "The Senju clan, huh? I figured this was coming…"
Ever since he publicly displayed his ability to use Mokuton — Wood Release — tensions and curiosity surrounding his heritage had only intensified. Despite revealing the contents of the Uchiha Stone Tablet and the truth that the Senju and Uchiha were originally one clan, the Senju elders weren't going to let the matter rest.
Wood Release, after all, was the Senju clan's sacred inheritance.
Since the political conflict had cooled and Konoha began stabilizing under Byakuya's leadership, the Senju had moved their compound closer to the Uchiha's territory. The walk was short.
When Byakuya arrived at the Senju compound, several elders, including Senju Tsuyoshi and Senju Tsunami, were already waiting for him at the entrance.
"Lord Byakuya, thank you for coming," Tsunami greeted with a calm but unreadable expression.
"I was told you had something important to discuss," Byakuya said, his voice direct.
"Please, sit. Let's share some tea first," said an elderly woman as she offered a small lacquered cup.
Byakuya narrowed his eyes slightly, then took the cup. "This is one of your customs?"
"It dates back to the Warring States Era. When two clans met to discuss peace or alliance, they first drank tea," Tsuyoshi added with a nostalgic smile.
Byakuya accepted the cup without hesitation. His Sage Body ensured he was immune to nearly all poisons — and he doubted they would try something so crude.
He downed the tea in one gulp.
"Where's Tsunade? Shouldn't she be here if this concerns clan matters?"
"She's waiting in the east room. You can go to her directly," Tsunami said.
As Byakuya left, he noticed the slight exchange of looks and faint smiles between the elders. His instincts buzzed faintly — something was off.
But he walked on.
As he entered the inner courtyard of Tsunade's quarters, the air felt strangely quiet. He knocked.
"Tsunade? It's me."
No answer.
He activated his sensory ability — she was definitely inside. Her chakra was calm, not hostile. But still… silent?
"Since you won't respond, I'll come in."
Byakuya pushed open the door.
Inside, Tsunade was seated at her table, her back straight, eyes downcast. Her attire was oddly... relaxed — far more revealing than usual, clearly chosen with intention. The silk robe slipped slightly off one shoulder, revealing bare skin underneath.
Byakuya paused.
"Tsunade… this isn't like you. What are you trying to do? Seduce me?" His tone was half-joking — but his eyes were sharp with suspicion.
Still, Tsunade said nothing.
Byakuya stepped closer and placed a hand gently on her shoulder, giving a slight shake.
"Say something."
However, Byakuya did not expect that with just a gentle touch, Tsunade suddenly collapsed to the floor.
"Hm? This isn't right…"
"Tsunade's chakra flow… it's disrupted. She's been sealed!"
Byakuya's eyes sharpened instantly. Activating his Sharingan, he noticed a subtle chakra pattern snaring Tsunade's tenketsu. It was a delicate, advanced binding seal—likely designed by someone familiar with both Senju and Uzumaki sealing arts.
"Who would dare—?!"
Without hesitation, Byakuya formed several hand seals. "Kai." A pulse of chakra surged from his hands, and the binding technique dissolved with a faint flicker.
Tsunade's eyes snapped open, fury blazing in her golden irises as she leapt to her feet.
"Senju Tsuyoshi, you senile old bastard! You actually ambushed your own clan member?! I'll beat you to a pulp!"
Tsunade stomped toward the door, clearly ready to exact vengeance, but as she reached out—her palm bounced off an invisible barrier.
"…A sealing barrier? Inside my own home?!"
She pressed both hands to the frame, pushing chakra into the seal matrix. Nothing budged.
"Tch… they locked down the entire building."
She turned, fuming. "Byakuya, don't just stand there! Break this damn seal already!"
Byakuya remained calm, observing the symbols glowing faintly around the room.
"You Senju sure are full of surprises. Are they trying to trap us here for something?"
"…This isn't a rebellion. It's too targeted, too calculated."
Outside, hidden among the trees near the compound, Senju Tsunami and the clan elders watched the sealed building with smug satisfaction.
"We've done all we can. Tsunade and Byakuya… alone in a room under lock and seal."
"There's no way nothing will happen between them," one elder chuckled darkly. "Especially after slipping her that stimulant blend. Even Hashirama couldn't resist that…"
"Come. Let fate take its course. For the good of the clan."
They left silently, their expressions grim but hopeful.
Back inside, Tsunade's fists were clenched.
"This seal isn't just meant to trap chakra. It's layered to dampen strength bursts too… This isn't ordinary clan business. This is manipulation!"
Byakuya stepped beside her, inspecting the matrix.
"I can break it. Easily."
He narrowed his eyes. "But I want to know exactly what those old fossils are planning."
Tsunade growled. "They're trying to force a union. You and me. That's what this is."
Byakuya paused.
"…A union? Through coercion?"
Tsunade's voice was low, bitter. "They want a child. A new wielder of Wood Release—someone who carries both Senju and Uchiha blood."
There was silence. Then Byakuya's eyes turned cold.
"They think they can use us like breeding stock."
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