Chapter 13 — The Backing Brought by Tsunade
The next morning, the sunlight was harsh enough to make Ryusuke squint in discomfort.
He rubbed his slightly throbbing temples; last night, he had stayed up almost the entire night studying the notes on the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Although he possessed the experience of Senju Tobirama, Ryusuke's comprehension was nothing short of extraordinary.
Still, anchoring the space-time markings proved far more complex than he had imagined. Fully mastering it would take some time.
After a quick wash and a light breakfast, a knock sounded at the door.
Tsunade was standing outside, dressed differently today.
She wore a pale yellow kimono adorned with white butterfly patterns.
Her hair was pinned up halfway with a goldfish hairpin, a few strands left loose.
The outfit made her look… well, cute. Yes, undeniably cute.
Tsunade noticed Ryusuke staring at her, and her cheeks flushed slightly.
"What are you staring at? It's all for you, you know."
With that, she briskly turned and walked away. Ryusuke's odd gaze had indeed embarrassed her a little.
"If it weren't for pleasing Grandma Momoka so he could smoothly become my disciple, I'd never wear this outfit, not in a million years," Tsunade thought with some frustration.
Ryusuke, however, had no clue what she meant.
"Is this… her period?" he guessed, casually grabbing a jacket and following her.
Not far from the house, his heightened perception caught a faint, lingering gaze—like a bone-deep parasite—hovering behind them.
The stalker's tracking skills were excellent, their presence hidden almost entirely among the passersby.
Yet the deliberately maintained distance and subtle chakra traces still gave them away to Ryusuke.
'Persistent as ever…' he thought coldly. Shisumaru Danzo was clearly determined to deal with him, the "traitor."
A strong sense of danger coiled in his chest. Being targeted by that viper meant his days in Konoha would be anything but peaceful.
He slightly turned his head and whispered in a voice only Tsunade could hear, "We've got a tail—he's been following us since we left."
Tsunade didn't break her stride, her expression unchanged, though her eyes hardened slightly.
"Hm, I know."
"Don't worry about him. After today, they'll back off," she said confidently.
Ryusuke didn't speak further, keeping his vigilance suppressed in his heart as he followed Tsunade through several blocks, eventually arriving at a relatively secluded courtyard.
The outer fence was made of traditional wood, enclosing a lush garden. The scene felt rustic and serene, completely out of place compared to the surrounding bustling houses.
Tsunade smiled and stepped forward, knocking on the door.
After a moment, the door opened slightly, revealing a woman.
She appeared to be in her forties. Though her features were delicate, an icy aloofness radiated from her.
She wore functional attire, and simply standing there exuded immense presence and an untouchable pride.
"Tsunade? You haven't visited Grandma in a long time."
Seeing Tsunade, her frosty expression softened slightly. She reached out to gently stroke Tsunade's golden hair, as if fondling her own granddaughter.
"Grandma Momoka, I'm sorry to bother you," Tsunade said respectfully, with a hint of playful deference typical of a junior.
"Grandma? She looks barely forty… but she must actually be in her fifties or sixties?"
Ryusuke gained a new appreciation for the Senju clan's physiology.
Momoka's gaze passed over Tsunade and landed on Ryusuke, inspecting him as if weighing a wild beast. The pressure made a fine sweat break out along his spine.
Mentally, the oppressive weight was even greater than when he faced Salamander Hanzo.
"So, this is the Ryusuke you mentioned?" her voice was cool and unreadable.
"Yes, Grandma Momoka. Ryusuke, this is my grandfather's right-hand, a senior I deeply respect," Tsunade introduced with a smile.
Suppressing the tension in his chest, Ryusuke stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "It's an honor to meet you, Grandma Momoka."
Senju Momoka, a prominent figure during the era of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, was a master of genjutsu and one of the pillars of the Senju clan.
It was surprising to find her residing in such a simple courtyard.
Momoka nodded slightly and stepped aside. "Come in."
The three entered the house. Inside, the decor was even simpler than the exterior suggested, almost barren.
On the wall of the main hall hung a small shrine, with a wooden tablet placed upon it. The grain was simple, exuding a faint aura of life.
Beneath the shrine was a small spirit altar holding two memorial tablets.
"Sit," Momoka indicated, gesturing to the tatami in the living room.
The atmosphere was heavy and oppressive, only the ticking of a clock breaking the silence.
Momoka poured herself a cup of tea and sipped lightly, placing the cup gently on the table.
Ryusuke sat obediently, waiting for her questioning to begin.
Minutes ticked by. His vision blurred, and the surroundings faded into a haze.
Only Momoka's fingers tapping the table and the clock's ticking remained distinct.
Tsunade tensed, her hands tightening involuntarily.
"Grandma Momoka, there's no need—"
Tsunade was interrupted. "Tsunade, you mustn't trust others so easily."
"Don't worry. This is just genjutsu. It won't harm him," Momoka's voice carried undeniable authority.
Tsunade's heart leapt into her throat. She knew Momoka's genjutsu mastery surpassed even many of the Uchiha.
And yet, Ryusuke had already fallen for it so effortlessly.
"What is your name?" Momoka asked.
"Ryusuke," he replied, his voice slightly mechanical, but smooth.
"Age?"
"Eighteen."
"Are you a member of Shisumaru Danzo's Root?" Momoka's questioning cut straight to the core.
A flicker of struggle crossed Ryusuke's face, but under the oppressive genjutsu, he answered honestly.
"I used to be. But now, my memory of Root is fuzzy… I can hardly remember anything.
"Maybe… there was a problem with the seal."
His answer aligned with the explanation he had given Tsunade, clearly relieving her.
Momoka pressed further, her voice sharp and penetrating. "Why did you approach Tsunade?"
Tsunade instinctively held her breath. Though she trusted Ryusuke, who could know someone else's true intentions?
This time, Ryusuke hesitated almost not at all. Under the genjutsu's influence, he answered with the truest thought in his heart.
"No special purpose. Being with her on missions, facing life and death… I feel safe, and I genuinely like her. That's all."
The candid confession made Tsunade's cheeks flush crimson outside the illusion.
Finally assured, her gaze softened as she looked at Ryusuke.
Momoka studied his mental waves carefully, confirming the truth of his words.
After a brief pause, she asked the last—and most crucial—question.