"What is this!?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow as Uchiha Ye handed her an intelligence scroll. The scroll looked eerily familiar—it was the same one that had nearly cost Naoki his life previously. At that moment, her expression darkened further. Uchiha Ye, presenting the scroll, also appeared solemn, as if the weight of its contents pressed heavily upon him.
"Captain Tsunade," he began, his voice calm but firm, "after returning from Nanga Shrine, Elder Setsuna secretly entrusted me with this intelligence scroll."
Tsunade opened the scroll and began to read while slowly stepping back. As her eyes scanned the contents, her expression hardened. Suddenly, she slammed her fist onto the table.
"Crack!"
The wood splintered under her force.
"Damn it!" she exclaimed, fury blazing in her bright brown eyes. Someone had actually plotted against her.
The scroll's contents were straightforward: it contained future intelligence carefully documented by Uchiha Ye. The essence of it suggested that Nawaki's death had left Tsunade emotionally vulnerable—a weakness she had unwittingly displayed. Previously, she had prepared a medical report, intended for the Jounin Council. Nawaki's untimely death, given her protective personality, only reinforced the point the intelligence highlighted. Whoever had created this report had clearly studied her closely and knew her well. Most importantly, the person responsible had access to information that wasn't widely known, making it all the more infuriating.
Uchiha Ye studied Tsunade's reaction with a serious expression. Lowering his head, he spoke gravely.
"Captain Tsunade, Elder Setsuna is not in good health. From my observations, he has perhaps only two to three years left."
Tsunade's anger could have been triggered by a false report intended to mislead, yet Nawaki's death had proven the previous intelligence to be true. Therefore, Uchiha Ye feigned a heavy demeanor, implying that the old elder's time was limited, before carefully attempting to persuade Tsunade.
"Captain Tsunade," he said, "even though this intelligence came from Elder Setsuna, we cannot rule out the possibility of enemy interference. It might be the work of a spy attempting to sow discord between the Senju Clan and the village."
Uchiha Ye's expression grew firm, as if he were beginning to believe his own words.
"I believe," he continued, "that it must be a spy from an enemy village, working secretly to destabilize the relationship between the Senju and the Uchiha."
Seeing the supposed plot laid out so clearly, Tsunade could not suppress a sneer.
"Kid, no wonder the Uchiha allowed you to contact Kushina. I suppose this information is influencing you as well," she said, tossing the scroll with a disdainful flick.
Uchiha Ye hurriedly retrieved the scroll, feigning shock.
"This! This…" he stammered.
The intelligence, in fact, mirrored a prior mission he had been assigned—approaching a target—but the targets differed. Following the clan's directive, Uchiha Ye was attempting to contact Uzumaki Kushina, the future Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. The intelligence on the scroll, however, suggested that someone planned to approach Tsunade herself, the princess of the Senju Clan. The strategy was identical in concept, though the objective differed.
"Why aren't you continuing, kid?" Tsunade prodded, her voice laced with both challenge and curiosity.
Uchiha Ye bowed his head in embarrassment. His earlier confidence seemed to have vanished, leaving only a hint of self-consciousness. Internally, Tsunade smiled. Where had his earlier bravado gone? His impassioned words had faded into timid hesitation.
But then, a new thought occurred to her. Status and perspective could change how one viewed loyalty and intelligence. Perhaps this young Uchiha had access to an intelligence network that was both subtle and deeply entrenched.
After all, this was the same daring rebel who had once defied norms. And Elder Setsuna had only a few years left. Wasn't this boy exactly what the clan needed? He possessed a bold mind, a radical temperament, and a readiness to sacrifice for Konoha at the slightest call. He would fight for both the village and the Uchiha clan with unwavering dedication, prepared to endure hardships that would challenge even older ninjas.
Tsunade knew the young Uchiha's character intimately: loyal, responsible, and unwavering. He had even awakened his Sharingan out of guilt—a self-imposed accountability that demonstrated both maturity and dedication. When Elder Setsuna eventually passed, this boy would be ready to take up the mantle. How different was he, really, from her own intelligence assets?
A small smile crept onto her lips.
"You're too naive, kid!" she muttered. Tsunade snorted coldly. While the Uchiha had learned caution when dealing with the Third Hokage, the Senju had been far less wary. This boy, thinking it a spy's plot, could not yet see the bigger picture. If such intelligence truly originated from an enemy, it would be catastrophic. Konoha would have been penetrated long ago.
Yet this intelligence had come from an elder of the Uchiha clan, meant to extend goodwill and build trust with the village. Tsunade recognized it as a subtle gesture of loyalty. The Uchiha often reminded themselves—and others—that the village had been founded through cooperation between the Senju and Uchiha, and their loyalty reflected that history. Under this nuanced influence, Tsunade unconsciously equated the interests of the Senju with the village itself. And, indeed, she was not wrong. The village had been shaped by the Senju's lineage; the first and second generations were her grandfathers, and the third generation held their positions only in times of crisis. Who could deny the intertwining of the Senju's fate with the village?
Uchiha Ye's face flushed as he attempted to speak. The mission assigned to him by the clan was delicate, and discussing it openly would be a breach of pride and tradition. No one in his clan would willingly undertake such a perilous assignment; most would prefer to fight openly in Rain Country rather than approach the complexities of this task.
Tsunade watched his embarrassment and let out a sharp, teasing snort.
"Kid, your clan's goodwill toward the Senju is acknowledged," she said, her voice tinged with both warmth and caution. "I don't concern myself with Kushina's affairs, but remember this: don't attempt any tricks on me."
Her eyes, sharp and unwavering, sent a clear warning. Uchiha Ye, understanding the gravity, nodded solemnly.
"Don't worry, Captain Tsunade. I pledge the honor of the Uchiha clan!" he said, his voice resolute.
He was no fool. Should he make contact with Uzumaki Kushina, he would become a thorn in the side of the Third Hokage's clan and might even face severe consequences. Yet he was prepared, accepting the mission as a solemn duty, just as Mikoto had instructed him. He understood that what he could not obtain, he must ensure remained out of others' hands. He did not believe someone like Uzumaki Kushina—whose family and country had been devastated, leaving her wary and guarded—could be easily deceived.
"Kid, this matter ends here," Tsunade said firmly.
Uchiha Ye bowed his head, eyes resolute.
"Don't worry, Captain Tsunade. I understand ninja secrecy codes, and I abide by the Uchiha Clan's mental restrictions. No information will be revealed under any circumstances."
The great clans maintained strict methods to prevent intelligence leaks, including mind restrictions to prevent enemies from extracting secrets through illusions or coercion, even in cases of capture. This explained why Tsunade had refrained from using illusions during the Uchiha bloodline awakening, even when unconscious.
The elder Uchiha's disclosure of this intelligence was a gesture of goodwill, not hostility. Tsunade recognized it instantly. If the Uchiha had intended harm, their actions would have been far more insidious.
Secretly, Uchiha Ye felt relief as Tsunade's expression softened. He understood the delicate balance of loyalty, duty, and family honor. His efforts were, in every sense, for the clan. If Elder Setsuna were aware, he would have surely approved.
The chapter closed on this understanding: loyalty, duty, and the weight of legacy bound the Uchiha and the Senju in ways both subtle and profound. And in this delicate balance, Uchiha Ye remained steadfast, ready to act, ready to serve, and ready to protect both his clan and the village he cherished.
End of Chapter 15