Inside the old study, time itself seemed to have stood still.
Dust drifted slowly through the last rays of sunlight filtering in through the window, like countless tiny particles dancing over the ancient scrolls.
Holding his breath, Chiya carefully brushed his fingertips across the faded, fragile ink that had weathered countless years.
The deeper he read, the sharper the light in his eyes became.
"...Its eye, 'Yachimata,' possesses power beyond ordinary understanding."
"Yet that power was extraordinary, gradually surpassing all control."
"The clan both relied upon it and deeply feared it, regarding it as a double-edged weapon."
"Bound by countless shackles and driven into battle, its name slowly faded..."
"In the end, it inspired fear among the other clans. The Senju and Sarutobi united to seal away both its power and its owner..."
The text was fragmented and incomplete.
Many crucial details had long since disappeared due to insects, age, and what appeared to be deliberate attempts to erase them.
Yet Chiya had still grasped the central truth.
There had once been a member of the Uchiha Clan who possessed a strategic-level Mangekyō ability known as Yachimata.
It was practically a divine power created for large-scale warfare.
Whether its limitless endurance or its ability to strengthen entire groups, it was powerful enough to change the outcome of any battlefield.
Precisely because it was too powerful and impossible to control, its owner had ultimately been turned into a weapon by his own clan before being sealed away through the combined efforts of rival clans.
"Yachimata..."
Chiya murmured softly as countless possibilities raced through his mind regarding the influence of such an ability and whether it could be controlled.
This was an extremely important clue.
It confirmed that his earlier suspicions had not been unfounded.
Hidden beneath the dust of history was an astonishing truth.
And every clue pointed directly toward the two clans that had participated in the sealing...
The Senju.
And the Sarutobi.
As the Fourth Hokage, investigating the deepest secrets of both clans was entirely justified, whether publicly or privately.
The Sarutobi Clan, in particular, had retained its foundation after the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was forced into retirement by Shimura Danzo and dissatisfied members within his own faction.
However, its political influence was no longer what it had once been.
Reviewing its ancient archives would now face far less resistance.
Chiya carefully returned the weathered scroll to the dust-covered wooden chest, moving with such care that it was almost as if he feared disturbing the souls sleeping within those records.
Straightening up, he swept one last glance across the room filled with forgotten relics before decisively turning and walking out.
The courtyard had been dyed a warm orange-red by the setting sun.
Uchiha Sosuke was still lying in his old rocking chair with his eyes half closed, seemingly asleep as his breathing remained calm and steady.
Yet when Chiya approached, the old man's wrinkled eyelids twitched slightly.
"So... did you find those old stories you were looking for?" he muttered drowsily. "Nothing but unlucky history."
"I found a few useful clues. Thank you for making it convenient for me, Elder."
Chiya's tone remained calm and respectful.
Sosuke let out an indistinct snort without opening his eyes.
"Hmph. No need to thank me."
"Just stay away from those bloodstained old stories."
"You're the Hokage now. Your eyes should be on the future. Lead the Uchiha Clan and Konoha forward. That's the right path."
"Those old records are only good for giving people nightmares."
His words were harsh, but the concern beneath them was unmistakable.
More than anything, he hoped both the clan and the grandson-in-law he had come to acknowledge could leave the darkness behind and walk toward a brighter future.
"The lessons of history can also illuminate the road ahead."
Chiya answered calmly.
"I'll take my leave."
Sosuke said nothing else.
He merely waved his aged hand, signaling for Chiya to go.
After leaving Sosuke's residence, Chiya did not head directly for the heavily guarded Hokage archives.
Instead, he changed direction and walked toward Konoha Hospital.
Partly because the operation at the Valley of the End had ended successfully, but the aftermath still required attention.
And partly because searching the ancient records of both the Senju and Sarutobi Clans would likely require someone's help.
Someone deeply connected to the Senju Clan.
Someone he trusted completely.
Konoha Hospital remained as orderly and busy as ever.
The scent of disinfectant mixed with medicinal herbs filled the air.
As soon as Chiya entered the brightly lit lobby, a familiar figure hurried past carrying a stack of patient files.
"Hokage-sama!"
Rin spotted him immediately.
She stopped at once and bowed respectfully, her face filled with sincere respect and gratitude.
Her complexion was healthy.
Her bright eyes showed no trace of the despair she had experienced not long ago.
"Rin."
Chiya nodded slightly as his gaze lingered on her for a moment.
A crimson glow flashed through his eyes before disappearing.
The lingering ocular power left behind by Uchiha Madara had already been quietly erased by Chiya's own eye technique.
His tone softened slightly.
"How are you feeling? Is there any discomfort left?"
"Reporting, Hokage-sama! I've completely recovered!"
Rin stood perfectly straight, her voice bright and energetic.
She even lightly pounded her chest before flashing him a cheerful, slightly bashful smile.
"Everyone in the Medical Corps, especially Lady Tsunade, gave me the most thorough examinations possible. Every result came back completely normal!"
"Kakashi is the same. He's already resumed intensive rehabilitation training. He said he absolutely can't fall too far behind..."
When she mentioned Kakashi, her eyes flickered slightly.
The scars left behind by that tragedy had not completely disappeared.
But they had already been overshadowed by renewed hope and vitality.
"Very good."
Chiya nodded approvingly.
"That experience was a disaster, but it also proved how resilient your team is."
"Don't dwell on the past. You still have a long road ahead."
"Yes! Thank you, Hokage-sama! We'll work even harder!"
Rin bowed deeply once more, her eyes filled with determination.
After asking a few more questions about the hospital's recent patients and medical supplies, Chiya let her return to work.
He then headed deeper into the hospital toward Tsunade's office.
The door was slightly ajar.
He gently pushed it open.
Inside, Tsunade sat at her desk with a slight frown, completely absorbed in reviewing a thick stack of medical reports and experimental data.
Her flawless skin seemed delicate enough to glisten with moisture, while her graceful figure was as captivating as ever.
Several golden strands of hair had fallen across her cheeks, but she was too focused to brush them aside.
Hearing the door open, she did not even look up.
"If it's today's ward reports, leave them over there."
"If it's another budget request, tell the administrators outside to wait until I've finished reviewing these."
"Honestly... none of you ever let me have a moment's peace..."
Before she could finish, she sensed that familiar chakra.
The hand holding her pen froze.
She immediately looked up.
The instant she saw Chiya, her emerald eyes lit up.
But that sparkle was quickly replaced by a layer of irritation and even deeper concern.
She tossed her pen onto the desk, leaned back in her chair, folded her arms, and deliberately dragged out her words.
"Oh? Isn't this our elusive Fourth Hokage?"
"What brings you to my tiny medical department today?"
"Inspecting my work?"
Closing the door behind him, Chiya shut out the noise from outside.
Walking to her desk, he leaned forward slightly.
Placing both hands on the desktop, he stood close enough that his shadow enveloped her, a teasing smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
"Of course I came to visit Konoha's hardest-working and most beautiful hospital director."
"And while I'm here, I thought I'd see whether anyone's slacking off."
His presence carried an inexplicably reassuring warmth.
The stern expression Tsunade had been forcing herself to maintain nearly crumbled.
Suppressing the smile tugging at her lips, she rolled her eyes.
"Cut it out with your sweet talk. You're impossible."
The very next moment, however...
She suddenly rose to her feet, circled around the desk, and strode directly toward him.
Before Chiya could react, her warm hands were already pressing against his chest and arms, carefully examining him.
"You even told everyone not to inform me!"
"You're unbelievable!"
Her movements looked rough, yet every touch reflected the precision of an experienced doctor and an urgency she could not hide.
"Don't try changing the subject!"
"Do you think I don't know what happened?"
"I've already read the reports from the Valley of the End!"
"How could Madara possibly have left behind something simple?"
"You charged in by yourself again. Were you hurt?"
"Where were you injured?"
"Don't even think about hiding it from me!"
Question after question poured out of her as she frowned deeply.
Her eyes remained fixed on his, searching for any sign that he was enduring pain in silence.
Her concern was completely open and utterly undisguised.
Warmth spread through Chiya's heart.
He simply let those busy hands continue examining him.
He even cooperatively raised an arm, speaking with helpless indulgence.
"I'm really fine."
"They were nothing more than insignificant opponents."
"They couldn't hurt me."
Tsunade refused to let the matter drop.
She carefully sensed the flow of his chakra, confirming that it remained as vast and stable as ever.
After examining several places where injuries were most likely to occur, she finally relaxed slightly.
Yet her fingers still rested on his firm arm as she scolded him.
"You say that every single time!"
"You're the Hokage now, not some lone wolf!"
"If you're going to do something this dangerous again, at least... at least bring a few ANBU with you!"
Her tone remained forceful.
Yet the slight tremble hidden at the end of her words revealed just how frightened she had been.
Chiya gently took hold of the hand resting on his arm and gave it a light squeeze, pulling her closer.
The office instantly became warm and intimate.
He could clearly smell the faint fragrance unique to her, mixed with the subtle scent of disinfectant.
"Alright."
"I'll listen to you."
His deep voice sounded beside her ear, carrying quiet reassurance.
Looking down, he could see her trembling eyelashes and ears slowly turning red.
Tsunade made a token attempt to pull away before allowing him to continue holding her hand.
Without realizing it, she leaned even closer.
Her other hand gently rested against his waist, as though reassuring herself that he was truly standing before her.
For a brief moment, the two simply embraced in silence, enjoying a rare moment of peace amid their busy lives.
"But..."
Chiya finally spoke again, his voice softening.
"I did actually come here because I need your help with something."
"Hm?"
Tsunade looked up, her expression once again becoming serious.
"What is it?"
She knew Chiya would never interrupt her work unless it was something important.
"I want to examine some ancient records concerning a joint operation carried out by the Senju and Sarutobi Clans during the Warring States Era."
He absentmindedly traced his thumb across the back of her hand.
"In particular... records concerning the sealing of a certain special individual."
"It may involve secrets that were deliberately hidden by both clans."
"The Warring States Era? A joint operation between the Senju and Sarutobi?"
Tsunade frowned thoughtfully.
As Hashirama Senju's granddaughter, she naturally knew far more about her clan's history than most members of the Senju Clan.
"Most records from that era are incomplete."
"And many of the core documents are stored away in the clan's oldest library, where almost nobody ever goes anymore."
"Why are you suddenly interested in this?"
"And why does it involve the Sarutobi Clan too?"
"I discovered some interesting clues while investigating old events."
Chiya answered vaguely, though his gaze remained sincere.
"It may concern an Uchiha who was completely erased from history, along with a unique power he once possessed."
"It could be very important for understanding the Uchiha Clan's past... and perhaps even dealing with future dangers."
Tsunade gazed into his deep eyes without asking for further details.
She trusted both his judgment and his purpose.
After several seconds of silence, she decisively released his hand, grabbed the green coat embroidered with the character for "Gamble" from the back of her chair, and put it on.
"The hospital archives only contain a few medical records."
"They won't have secrets like that."
"There are several old libraries in the Senju compound that even I've nearly forgotten about."
"They're full of dusty antiques."
"I'll go with you."
"Maybe we'll find a few useful clues."
She spoke so naturally, as though helping him investigate secrets that might tarnish her own clan's history was the most ordinary thing in the world.
Her complete trust and unwavering support filled Chiya's eyes with warmth.
"Alright."
He simply nodded.
There was no need for words of thanks.
They understood each other perfectly.
After giving Shizune a few brief instructions outside the office, Tsunade left Konoha Hospital together with Chiya.
The sun had already disappeared beyond the horizon, leaving only brilliant evening clouds behind.
Walking side by side beneath the gradually lighting streets, one dressed in black and the other in pale green, they made their way toward the ancient Senju residence, now quiet and lonely, yet still steeped in history.
Several hours later...
Deep within the dusty, cobweb-covered library hidden inside the Senju compound...
After a meticulous search, they did indeed discover several scattered records mentioning that joint operation.
The writing on the scrolls was even more faded than those Chiya had found in Sosuke's collection.
The contents were also far more vague and official in tone.
Most emphasized the "justice" and "necessity" of the operation.
As for the exact location of the seal, the sealing method, and especially the identity of the one who had been sealed...
Those details had all been deliberately erased.
Closing one of the scrolls, Chiya gently blew away the dust covering its surface.
His brows furrowed slightly.
The trail seemed to have become unclear once again.
Tsunade ran a finger across a few surviving lines within a damaged diary left behind by a former clan head before shaking her head.
"It seems our ancestors were extremely cautious about this matter."
"They left behind very little useful information."
"All we know is that it required a sealing technique performed jointly by several of the clan's strongest members, working together with the Sarutobi Clan."
"Beyond that... there's nothing."
Chiya turned his gaze toward the deep night beyond the window, lightly tapping his fingers against the ancient wooden shelf.
If the Senju records revealed so little...
Then the remaining answer could only lie with the other side.
The Sarutobi Clan.
"It seems I'll have to pay our Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, a visit tomorrow."
"You're going to visit... the old man?"
Tsunade looked at him with a rather strange expression.
Taking a deep breath, she spoke firmly.
"I'm coming with you."