Yamamoto Kawa, Akido Jiro, and Sarutobi Muraki sat together, their faces flushed with embarrassment as they stole glances at Lady Tsunade. She was calmly drinking sake, seemingly unaware—or perhaps unbothered—by the curious eyes admiring the snowy white skin exposed by her loosely draped robe, revealing a generous cleavage.
Duanmu Quan, sitting nearby, rolled her eyes at the trio's obvious distraction. "Perverts," she muttered with a slight smirk.
The men awkwardly chuckled, embarrassed to be caught gawking.
Tsunade merely continued sipping her drink, unbothered by their reactions.
Yamamoto Kawa cleared his throat nervously and finally gathered enough courage to speak. "Lady Tsunade... would you... perhaps give some guidance to a civilian Ninja like me?"
Tsunade glanced at him briefly before replying with a cool, dismissive tone, "A civilian Ninja? You should just give up on being a Ninja."
The words struck Yamamoto like a slap. "What? Why would you say that? I work hard! I train every day!"
She shook her head slowly. "Effort alone isn't enough. Just by looking at you, I can tell you're far weaker than the others here—Duanmu Quan and Akido Jiro. Your agility, your reaction speed, everything is inferior. They must be clan Ninja. The gap between clan and civilian Ninja only widens with time, so it's better for you to accept that now."
"No! I don't believe that!" Yamamoto shouted defiantly. "I can do it! I can become a powerful Ninja like Jiraiya!"
Tsunade chuckled softly. "My younger brother and many relatives died in the last war. Even powerful clan Ninja weren't spared. Civilian Ninja suffer even greater casualties in wars like that. You need to think very carefully before chasing a dream that's so unlikely."
Yamamoto's stubbornness didn't waver. "I want to be like Jiraiya. I will become powerful."
She took a slow sip of sake, her expression unreadable. "Then, I wish you early success."
Yamamoto slumped a little, a mixture of hope and doubt flashing across his face. "Hey, Duanmu Quan, Akido Jiro... is there really such a big difference between us civilians and you clan Ninja?"
Akido Jiro said nothing, and the others remained silent.
Duanmu Quan shook her head, speaking with a smile, "Don't listen to such nonsense. Akido Jiro and I are different, yes. I'm from the Uchiha Clan, a prestigious clan with a Bloodline Limit. Akido Jiro's Akimichi Clan uses secret clan techniques, so we both have something special."
Tsunade's eyes flickered with interest when she heard the name "Uchiha."
Akido Jiro looked a bit uncomfortable—he hadn't expected Duanmu to say such a thing openly—but it was true.
Yamamoto's curiosity deepened. "What exactly is a Bloodline Limit?"
Sarutobi Muraki took the opportunity to explain patiently. "A Bloodline Limit is a special ability that can only be inherited genetically by blood relatives within a clan. It's a unique power that sets clan Ninja apart from civilians."
"Special ability?" Yamamoto asked, frowning. "I thought only clan Ninja had secret techniques. What kind of special ability does your Uchiha have?"
Duanmu Quan smiled proudly, revealing her crimson eyes with the distinct three-tomoe Sharingan. "See these? This is the Bloodline Limit of the Uchiha Clan. It's one of the strongest Bloodline Limits in the Ninja world. Very few powers can compare."
Yamamoto's eyes widened in shock. "I didn't notice before, but your eyes... they can turn red? Is it like the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan?"
Duanmu shook her head. "It's different, but fundamentally similar. Both are ocular Ninjutsu that activate through the eyes."
Tsunade's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Three-tomoe? You've already reached the third stage of the Sharingan?"
Sarutobi Muraki leaned forward with interest. "Really? When did you awaken the third tomoe?"
Duanmu Quan nodded proudly. "Just recently. My mother said my awakening speed is rare even among the Uchiha."
Tsunade studied Duanmu closely, her surprise evident. She hadn't often seen such raw talent. The speed at which Duanmu awakened her Sharingan suggested she might grow even stronger.
Yamamoto sighed deeply. "Ah, so that's how it is. Above the clans, there are Bloodline Limits... I still have a long way to go."
"Do you really think I can succeed?"
No one at the table answered because everyone knew the truth was harsh: a civilian without a Bloodline Limit succeeding was almost impossible.
Duanmu Quan smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry too much. Talent matters a lot. Jiraiya is proof that a civilian can become powerful. My father wasn't a Bloodline Ninja; he was a civilian too."
The room fell silent.
Shizune gasped in disbelief. "No way. Bloodline clans don't usually marry outside unless they're desperate. The Uchiha are very strict."
Duanmu Quan's expression darkened. "My father was from the Duanmu Clan, a civilian clan. When my mother married him, she faced many obstacles. But she succeeded and left to live with my father."
Duanmu's voice cracked slightly. "When the Nine-Tailed Fox caused chaos, my father died, and life at home became hard. We had to return to the Uchiha Clan."
"So, Yamamoto, even a half-blood like me awakened faster than many pure-blood Uchiha. Don't give up."
Yamamoto's eyes welled with tears, touched by Duanmu's encouragement.
Sarutobi Muraki sat quietly, his thoughts troubled by Duanmu's rare three-tomoe Sharingan.
Tsunade's heart also felt unsettled.
"Duanmu... is she really from my clan?" she wondered.
As the heir of the Senju Clan, she knew the histories and branches well.
"Haruno, Duanmu, and others... these families all descend from my clan," Tsunade thought.
The mingling of Senju and Uchiha blood in one person explained Duanmu's exceptional talent.
Tsunade's gaze softened.
After their meal, the group returned to the inn for the night.
Later, Duanmu found Tsunade alone.
Tsunade nodded as she greeted her. "So you do know the origins of the Duanmu name."
Duanmu nodded. "Yes, Lady Tsunade. Mother told me. But I'm the last of the Duanmu Clan."
Tsunade's expression darkened with sorrow. "Even the hidden branches..." She nearly shed tears.
Duanmu looked at Tsunade sincerely. "Lady Tsunade, please return to Konoha and become Hokage."
"Hokage?" Tsunade blinked. "Why?"
Duanmu explained the growing conflict between the Uchiha Clan and the village.
"Is it really that serious?" Tsunade's hand instinctively reached up to stroke Duanmu's head. She felt a deep sadness for the girl's burden.
Duanmu's youthful face was filled with determination beyond her years, trying to bridge clan and village alike.
If Tsunade became Hokage, perhaps she could help resolve the conflicts. But... Tsunade wasn't a Ninja anymore. Could a Ninja who feared blood truly be a Ninja?
She shook her head slowly. "No, I can't. I have hemophobia—I can't stand the sight of blood. I can't be Hokage."
"Really? That explains it..." Duanmu smiled sadly. "But running away won't solve anything, Lady Tsunade. I believe one day you will return to the village."
"If that day ever comes..." Tsunade sighed. "That would be wonderful."
"Do you want to learn Medical Ninjutsu?"
"Me? Can I?"
"Of course. As a member of the Senju Clan, it would be strange if you couldn't."
Tsunade drew a small cut on Duanmu's skin with her finger. The wound was shallow, and Tsunade controlled it expertly—no blood appeared, and it healed quickly.
"This is the vitality of the Senju's healing power."
"I want to learn, Lady Tsunade!" Duanmu said eagerly.
Tsunade smiled. "Good. I'll teach you."
Moments later, Tsunade watched in shock as Duanmu skillfully repaired damaged fish tissue with remarkable control. What took others months to master, Duanmu learned with ease.
Tsunade chuckled with approval. "Very good. After you learn the strength-enhancing technique, I have some secret techniques to teach you. But you have to wait until you're a bit older. Your body hasn't fully developed yet, and learning them now could harm you."
"Okay! Thank you, Lady Tsunade!"
"Don't refuse me when I come back to learn more," Duanmu teased...
"Hmph! Keep working hard. When you find me, I'll teach you—those are techniques every woman dreams of," Tsunade waved her hand as she left.
Duanmu returned happily to the inn, her heart brimming with hope.
Before dawn, Tsunade and Shizune were gone, forcing the group to hurry back.
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