Hiruzen Sarutobi was somewhat surprised. Since when had his good friend ever vouched for someone?
Today, Danzō Shimura was actually willing to speak up for Uchiha Ryun. This scene genuinely shocked Hiruzen Sarutobi. In his impression, Danzō was the type who avoided getting involved in matters that didn't concern him.
Apart from helping Hiruzen Sarutobi himself, Danzō had never shown such concern for anyone else.
"Danzō, what are you talking about? Don't I know this is Chiyo's scheme to sow discord? Besides, in your eyes, am I really that kind of person?" Hiruzen Sarutobi snorted coldly.
Danzō Shimura: "..." He knew Hiruzen Sarutobi's character all too well. However, since Hiruzen had said this, it meant he had already figured things out.
So, there would be no further issues regarding Uchiha Ryun. Danzō Shimura nodded, then turned to organize his own team.
Due to Uchiha Ryun's outstanding military achievements, and to allow him to recuperate, Hiruzen Sarutobi specifically ordered the troops to set up camp where they were.
Uchiha Ryun was carried back to his tent by Tsunade. She gently laid him on his bed, then fetched a basin of water and personally wiped his body clean.
Who would have thought that the usually pampered Princess of the Senju Clan would be tenderly cleaning Uchiha Ryun's body with such care? If this got out, wouldn't it shock everyone?
Uchiha clan shinobi took turns guarding outside Uchiha Ryun's tent. No one except Tsunade, the Hokage, and Danzō was allowed inside.
Currently, Uchiha Ryun was in a weakened state. In everyone's eyes, he was now the only Uchiha clan member who possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan.
He bore the heavy responsibility of his clan's revival. Some Uchiha shinobi even privately suggested that upon their return, they would propose Uchiha Ryun as the next clan head.
With such a strong leader, how could the Uchiha clan not prosper? Thinking back to the past...
But it was better not to dwell on it, as it was a pain no clan member wanted to revisit.
Tsunade placed a stool beside Uchiha Ryun's bed and sat down, holding his hand with worry in her eyes.
Gradually, an overwhelming sense of guilt arose within her. Tsunade's eyes reddened, and tears began to fall one by one. She felt terrible. Because she was too weak, she had been counterattacked by the Third Kazekage and nearly lost her life. If not for Uchiha Ryun...
She would probably have already departed for the Pure Land. And Uchiha Ryun had forcibly activated his Mangekyō to save her. She had once heard her grandfather (Tobirama Senju) say that the evolution of the Uchiha clan's Sharingan required immense pain to succeed.
Beyond the Three Tomoe was the Mangekyō, which could only be awakened after experiencing heart-wrenching sorrow.
The Uchiha clan was not an evil clan, but a clan of love. It was only after losing that love that they developed a power of hatred.
This was what made the Uchiha clan so unstable, leading Tobirama Senju to be wary of them. Fortunately, over the years, under Tobirama's leadership, almost no Uchiha had awakened the Mangekyō.
The only Mangekyō user was the hidden Uchiha Hirotomo. No one knew what his abilities were, and no one even knew he had awakened the Sharingan.
When Tsunade's tears fell onto Uchiha Ryun's cheek, his eyeballs twitched. He slowly opened his eyes and saw Tsunade crying.
His heart stirred, and he weakly raised his right hand to touch Tsunade's face, which was tightly shut as she wept. His throat produced a hoarse voice: "Tsunade, don't, don't cry. If you cry too much, you won't look pretty anymore."
Uchiha Ryun's voice carried weakness, but the sincerity in his words reached Tsunade's heart.
Tsunade opened her eyes, let out a sob, and buried her face in Uchiha Ryun's chest. Her small hands lightly patted his shoulders. "Why are you so foolish! So foolish! Do you have any idea how much it hurt me to see you lying there, unmoving?"
"I know, I know. Tsunade, I'm a little thirsty." Uchiha Ryun comforted her, using his left hand to gently stroke her head.
Hearing this, Tsunade sniffled, then went to pour a glass of water. She returned to Uchiha Ryun's side, carefully supporting him with her left hand while slowly feeding him water with her right.
After he finished drinking, Tsunade gently laid him back down on the bed. She then sat beside him again, gazing at his weakened state.
"Thank you, Ryun. It's all thanks to you..." Tsunade's voice trembled as she spoke, her eyes reddening again with tears.
Truly, women were made of water, and Tsunade was no exception.
Before she could finish, Uchiha Ryun smiled and said, "No need to thank me. It's my duty. After all, as Tsunade's boyfriend, I'm responsible for your safety."
Warmth filled Tsunade's heart, though she feigned annoyance with a cold humph. "Smooth talker! But this time, you did well, Ryun."
Tsunade leaned down and kissed Uchiha Ryun on the cheek. Her face immediately flushed red, and she sat back stiffly, pretending nothing had happened.
Uchiha Ryun's lips parted slightly in surprise, then his eyes flickered before curling into a smile. "Tsunade, my face isn't dry, but my lips are a little dry. How about..."
Tsunade's face turned even redder. She lightly punched Uchiha Ryun's shoulder, causing him to hiss in pain before coughing twice. "Are you trying to kill your boyfriend?"
Tsunade first regretted using a bit too much force, but seeing that Uchiha Ryun was fine, she snorted again. "Hmph! Who told you to be so shameless? Even in this state, you still think about..."
She turned her head away, pouting.
Uchiha Ryun chuckled. He was just trying to lighten the mood—hadn't Tsunade stopped crying now?
Uchiha Ryun stared blankly at the ceiling of the tent. He had originally thought he could exchange points for the Mangekyō Sharingan, but by sheer coincidence, he had awakened it naturally. Truly, sometimes things happen unexpectedly.
This also made him realize just how important Tsunade was to him. When he saw what looked like her heart being pierced,
Uchiha Ryun had felt as if he had lost his beloved, leaving him with nothing but ruin. Nothing mattered anymore. Tsunade was dead, and he no longer cared about right or wrong. All of you, die!
Tsunade noticed Uchiha Ryun had fallen silent and turned her head back to see him staring blankly at the ceiling.
Sensing the turmoil in his heart, she cleared her throat and coughed twice.
Uchiha Ryun snapped out of his thoughts and looked up at Tsunade, meeting her eyes.
Suddenly, he said, "Tsunade, meeting you is wonderful."
Tsunade was taken aback, then smiled. "Me too, Ryun. Meeting you is the best thing that's ever happened to me!"