Tsunade was eating breakfast when she saw the four words "Spiritualization Technique" and began to ponder.
Seeing Tsunade's expression, Shizune quickly interjected, "Lady Tsunade, now that we know so many methods of resurrection, maybe..."
"Shizune!"
Before Shizune could finish, Tsunade suddenly asked with a serious expression, "Do you think Dan's pursuit of me might have some ulterior motive?"
Shizune was stunned. "What? Lady Tsunade, you're..."
Hearing Tsunade's serious question, Shizune didn't know how to answer for a moment.
Genetically, Kato Dan was her biological uncle, but her father had long passed away, and the Kato Clan was just an inconspicuous small clan. She didn't even have the right to inherit the surname.
However, in her heart, she was always especially grateful to this uncle, whom she had rarely seen since childhood. It was precisely because of his connection that she was able to be taken as a disciple by Tsunade.
One must know that Tsunade, both then and now, was one of the most prominent figures in the Ninja World, an object of admiration for countless female Ninja, and she was naturally no exception.
Being chosen by Tsunade as a disciple made countless people envious, and some behind her were jealous that she benefited from her uncle's influence.
Now that Tsunade suddenly became suspicious of Kato Dan, whether from a blood relation or gratitude perspective, she couldn't speak ill of him.
If Kato Dan really had a problem, wouldn't she be... "Don't worry, I'm not doubting whether Kato Dan's feelings for me are genuine; I'm confident about that."
"I won't doubt you because of this either."
Seeing Shizune's nervous look, Tsunade smiled and continued, "It's just that after hearing about Kushina and Minato's situation last night, I started to wonder if the Old Man, or Konoha's Anbu, was behind this."
Kushina becoming the new Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was initially only known to a few people like Hiruzen Sarutobi, not even the Sannin.
After Kushina arrived at Konoha Village, she stayed at the Senju Clan Residence and was personally taught by Uzumaki Mito, so Tsunade already had a rough idea.
But she had no idea that Kushina had been captured, nor did she know about Minato Namikaze's 'hero saving the Hime' episode. She only knew that Kushina originally had no feelings for Minato Namikaze, but her attitude later did a complete 180-degree turn.
At that time, she didn't think much of it. After all, Minato Namikaze was indeed excellent, and he was her friend Jiraiya's disciple, pure-blooded, talented, and handsome—a good match.
But now, after hearing Lin Mo's diary description, she was certain that Hiruzen Sarutobi was definitely behind it.
Since even Kushina and Minato Namikaze were manipulated, she didn't think she, a political person, would be an exception.
"This, the Third Hokage wouldn't do such a thing, would he?" Shizune analyzed, following Tsunade's train of thought. "Lady Tsunade, you have never valued power. Even when you were in charge of the Ninja Hospital and Medical Corps, you always pushed trivial matters to others."
"If the Third Hokage truly loved power that much, he should be more willing to let you be the Fourth Hokage, manipulating everything from behind, and even claiming to help you deal with those troublesome matters."
It must be said, Shizune was truly a capable assistant. Ever since Tsunade became the Fifth Hokage, she could arrange everything perfectly, and her insights were always spot-on.
Tsunade already disliked handling miscellaneous tasks and also had to juggle her work at the Ninja Hospital, and occasionally had to send money to the gambling dens. Shizune's work was practically more tiring than the Hokage's.
Perhaps only Tobirama, when he was in charge of government affairs while Hashirama was Hokage, was comparable to her.
In essence, both Tsunade and Hashirama rose to power because their other abilities weren't outstanding, but Hashirama at least had raw power.
"Your analysis is quite accurate."
Shizune's words made Tsunade feel that she had found the right person to talk to about this.
This way, the Old Monkey's suspicion in this matter was cleared.
Otherwise, she was really afraid she would lose her temper as soon as she returned to Konoha.
"Actually, I'm also suspicious of Danzo," Tsunade whispered. "Lin Mo's diary mentioned that Danzo had been researching the Shodai(1st)-sama's power and even transplanted it onto his arm."
"Nawaki, as a direct descendant of the Shodai(1st)-sama and the most qualified to possess the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai, could conveniently serve as his test subject."
"Lin Mo also wrote in his diary about Nawaki's internal organs being hollowed out after his death, which is too bizarre."
"I was too grief-stricken at the time to think much of it, but now that I think about it, it's probably what happened."
As she spoke, Tsunade clenched her fists tightly.
Before, she just couldn't stand Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo's political maneuvers, which was why she left Konoha and used gambling to numb herself.
But now, thinking that Nawaki also died by such despicable means, she couldn't bear it!
If Danzo hadn't already been dealt with by Kushina, she would never have let it go.
"I remember that information very clearly too." Shizune, seeing that Tsunade still trusted her so much, felt a huge weight lift from her heart and said, "Lin Mo just casually mentioned it in his diary, but I remember it especially well."
"Researching the Shodai(1st)-sama's power was only part of the consideration."
"The most crucial thing was to strike at you and make you give up the idea of becoming Hokage."
Tsunade at that time was truly too dazzling.
Although her strength and achievements were only slightly inferior to Konoha's White Fang, she was already one of the Sannin in the early stages of the Second Great Ninja War. Later, she saved many people with her superb Medical Ninjutsu, and her prestige grew daily.
Furthermore, she was the granddaughter of the First and Second Hokage, the daughter-in-law of the Third Hokage, and her grandmother Uzumaki Mito was still alive, making her practically the undisputed choice for Hokage.
If Danzo had designs on the Hokage position, then Tsunade would be the first person he would have to deal with.
"But if Danzo was secretly plotting against you, why would you suspect something fishy about your uncle pursuing you?" Shizune asked with a puzzled expression.
This question had to be clarified today, otherwise, it would continue to bother her.
"There's something you don't know yet," Tsunade said, picking up her teacup. "After Dan passed away, it was the Third Hokage who gave me your information and let me decide to take you as my disciple."
"He also told me something: that the Kato Clan, from the time they joined Konoha, had always been subservient to the Shimura Clan, and had always been in cahoots with them after joining."
"At the time, I didn't understand what that meant, but now..."
Boom!
Shizune felt as if a thunderclap had exploded in her mind.
She had never imagined such a connection between the Kato Clan and the Shimura Clan.
The entanglement here was much more complex; no wonder Tsunade had started to suspect Kato Dan.
And it really wasn't because she had read too much of Lin Mo's diary that she had this thought.
"Lady Tsunade, I truly didn't know about this," Shizune quickly pledged her loyalty.
"Why are you so nervous?" Tsunade chuckled. "I took you as my disciple after the Second Great Ninja War, and it's been almost twenty years now. We've traveled together for over ten years; don't I know you?"
As she spoke, Tsunade reached out and hugged Shizune, ruffling her hair and saying, "If I can't even trust you, then who else can I trust in the Ninja World?"
Wuwuwu~
Shizune wanted to say something, but couldn't utter a single word, feeling as if she was about to suffocate.
She secretly mused that their relationship was indeed good, good enough to personally measure each other's body sizes. (Referring to measuring bust, waist, and hips for buying clothes, don't get the wrong idea!)
"Lady Tsunade, you can also trust Lin Mo-kun." Shizune, who had finally managed to break free from Tsunade's embrace, took a deep breath and said with a flushed face.
"Him?"
Thinking of the diary, Tsunade felt that Lin Mo was indeed an extraordinary person.
But then she thought of her own age, and she pouted, "He's just a little kid; is he worthy of Princess Tsunade's trust?"
Hearing this, Shizune thought to herself.
She did understand Tsunade, so she was well aware of many of her habits.
Calling herself Princess Tsunade was actually a sign of lack of confidence, tsk tsk tsk.
However, she dared not say these words aloud, otherwise, the summoned bear would definitely not let her off!
"Ahem, Lady Tsunade, could you tell me some things about your romance with my uncle back then?" Shizune gathered her courage and asked.
When Kato Dan passed away, Shizune was only five years old, just entering the Ninja Academy, and had almost no impression of this uncle, let alone knowing the story between him and Tsunade.
Later, as she grew older, although she knew the reason why Tsunade took her as a disciple, she never had the courage to inquire about the details of the past.
But now, Kato Dan's pursuit of Tsunade was caught in a conspiracy, and she had to get to the bottom of it.
"Details?" A hint of recollection flashed in Tsunade's eyes. She rubbed her temples and slowly said, "Actually, there's nothing special."
Shizune looked puzzled upon hearing this.
"Dan pursued me during the Second Great Ninja War," Tsunade continued.
"At that time, I was always thinking about how to systematically train Medical Ninja, and even wanted to form Medical Ninja into squads as a standard configuration, which meant establishing a system for Medical Ninja."
"But at that time, the war was intense, and funding was short, so the Third Hokage rejected my proposal."
"Later, after Nawaki passed away, and I saw his corpse, I started to be somewhat afraid of blood, but because the war was busy, I kept forcing myself."
"I proposed again to the Third Hokage, hoping to form Medical Squads to prevent a tragedy like Nawaki's from happening again, but it was still rejected, and I was quite disappointed."
"During that time, Dan was always by my side, caring for me meticulously, and even joined the Medical Ninja team to support me. I did develop feelings for him."
"We even made a pact that he would become Hokage in the future and fully support me in establishing the Medical Ninja system, and I would be with him once my wish was fulfilled."
Hearing this, Shizune's eyes widened, and she hurriedly interrupted, "Wait a minute, Lady Tsunade!"
"What's wrong?" Tsunade looked bewildered.
"I have two questions I want to ask," Shizune said. "Did you really not end up with my uncle?"
"What kind of person do you take me for?" Tsunade said, somewhat displeased. "I am Tsunade, one of the Sannin. How could I be pursued so easily by a man? Moreover, Nawaki had just passed away, the Second Great Ninja War was raging, and I was swamped with work. Do you think I would be dating at such a time?"
No one with a bit of common sense would believe such a thing!
Tsunade had countless suitors since childhood; how could she be so foolish?
"Then why do so many people say it, and so many people believe it?" Shizune asked, puzzled.
She didn't doubt Tsunade's words in the slightest, especially since she had referred to herself as one of the Sannin this time.
Although the title of Sannin was given by Hanzō, it sounded a bit stifling.
But she had made outstanding contributions in the Second Great Ninja War, and the Sannin had become a symbol of honor.
For Tsunade, this was the only thing she had fought for and was proud of, so she cared about it especially.
"It's just that arrogant guy spreading rumors," Tsunade said, angrily putting down her cup.
As soon as the word "guy" was uttered, Shizune immediately understood.
"Lord Jiraiya, indeed..."
Speaking ill of the Sannin, Shizune also felt it was inappropriate.
Tsunade sneered and continued, "Later, Dan and I were both sacrificed during a mission. I felt very guilty, so I took you as my disciple. Unexpectedly, this only made more people believe that absurd rumor."
"But Dan is no longer here, so I'm too lazy to argue anymore."
Shizune nodded and then asked, "Second question, my uncle often told you that he wanted to be Hokage. Would he have supported you after becoming Hokage?"
"Yes," Tsunade nodded. "That was already decided. I even mentioned it to Orochimaru."
Shizune was speechless.
Kato Dan's death was not unjustified.
"Lady Tsunade, after hearing all this, I feel that my uncle... Kato Dan approached you with ulterior motives, and he himself is not clean," Shizune said seriously.
Compared to an uncle she had only met a few times and had a distant blood relation with, she was more willing to believe her master Tsunade, with whom she had lived and eaten for twenty years. Tsunade was like a half-mother to her.
Tsunade's eyes suddenly became sharp. "What do you mean by that!?"
Meanwhile, on the other side.
A casual remark by Lin Mo caused Tsunade and Shizune to begin doubting Kato Dan's motives, yet he himself was completely unaware.
He continued writing in his diary.
The women of the Uzumaki Clan are truly something else.
Kushina is truly flavorful, making me unable to stop and leaving me with an endless aftertaste.
"Hmph, men, they say no, no, but their hearts are quite honest."
Kushina, who had just returned to the Sealing Space, saw this sentence and smiled triumphantly.
Little guy, still trying to escape my grasp?
But the next second, her smile froze.
Because she received two private messages.
Yūgao Uzuki: Senpai, what are you doing!?
Uchiha Mikoto: Do you have someone else outside?
In the Pure Land World, Uchiha Mikoto saw the latest content in Lin Mo's diary and fell into contemplation.
"I didn't expect Kushina to actually do such a thing."
A young Hime might not understand it at first, but Mikoto was experienced; she understood perfectly what Lin Mo wrote.
Kushina actually... had that kind of relationship with Lin Mo!
"But how is that possible?"
Uchiha Mikoto found it hard to believe.
As Kushina's best friend, she had long known how bold Kushina was, daring to do anything, such as killing Danzo Shimura after her resurrection.