Credits: DammS

  The Senju Cn.

  Under the moonlight, the once-empty mansion now glimmered with light.

  With a creak, the grand door swung open. Inside, Uzumaki Kushina, her eyes red and brimming with grievance, gred fiercely at the entrance, ready to sh out.

  "Kushina!"

  As the door opened, Tsunade stepped in, supporting an exhausted Uzumaki Mito. At that moment, they were met with Kushina's angry gaze.

  Tsunade paused, her voice hoarse as she began, "Kushina, Grandma Mito…"

  But before she could finish, Mito raised a hand to stop her. Turning her tired face towards Kushina, she showed a trace of guilt.

  "Kushina, I failed to take good care of you."

  "It seems that even Lady Mito, the First Hokage's wife, faced difficulty intervening," a deep sigh echoed in the room.

  From the side of the living room, Shirou ose from the couch and respectfully bowed towards Mito.

  "Lady Mito."

  His sigh startled Kushina. Only then did she notice her grandmother's worn-out expression—something she had never seen before. Instantly, tears welled up in her eyes.

  "Gr-Grandma…"

  Like a bird returning to its nest, Kushina threw herself into Mito's arms, crying out her fears and grievances.

  "Grandma, I was so scared… I was afraid you'd all leave me behind, that no one wanted me anymore… Someone kidnapped me, Grandma… And you weren't there, Sister Tsunade wasn't there either… Waaa…"

  At that moment, all of Kushina's anger and pnned accusations dissolved into sobs.

  Witnessing this, Tsunade let out a heavy sigh. If Grandpa were still here, none of this would have happened.

  But the thought startled her. When did she begin to doubt the vilge that her grandfather helped build?

  Was it after Nawaki's death? Or the danger in the Land of Grass?

  "The Konoha founded by Senju and Uchiha was meant to be a peaceful pce, free of war—a pce where children wouldn't have to go to the battlefield. We're all striving for that. Though peace hasn't been achieved yet, at least Kushina is safe."

  Shirou's voice broke her thoughts, making Tsunade look at him in surprise. His gaze lingered on Kushina, filled with envy.

  "Shirou, isn't Kushina about the same age as you?"

  Tsunade quipped, feigning annoyance. Yet her eyes softened with a mix of affection and guilt.

  Indeed, her grandfather built the vilge to protect children from the battlefield. But Shirou in front of her, as young as Kushina, had long been fighting in wars.

  "Me?"

  Shirou smiled brightly, a proud gleam in his eyes.

  "I'm a Uchiha. The vilge wasn't built solely by the Senju; the Uchiha also share the responsibility to protect it."

  "You little…"

  Tsunade's attempt at scolding faltered when she met his determined gaze.

  Shirou carried the same burden as she did: the responsibility of protecting the vilge.

  But! Scenes from the Hokage's office fshed in her mind—Senju and Uchiha, giving their all to protect the vilge and shield children from war.

  Yet those faces in positions of power, like Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, and her teacher, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, merely sat in comfort. They enjoyed the benefits of countless ninjas and even children bleeding on the battlefield, all justified by the so-called Will of Fire.

  At that moment, Tsunade realized just how hollow that phrase truly was.

  During the First War, the Senju Cn was nearly destroyed protecting the vilge. Her uncle even sacrificed himself to ensure the safety of the younger generation.

  The Uchiha, despite being isoted and distrusted, always took on the most dangerous missions. Whether it was in the Land of Rain or guarding against the Hidden Mist Vilge, they fought relentlessly to prove their loyalty and protect the vilge—just like Shirou did in the Land of Grass.

  "Sister Tsunade?"

  Shirou's puzzled voice brought her back to reality. He waved his hand and reassured her, "Don't worry, Kushina is just emotionally fragile because of the effects of a hallucinogenic powder. She'll understand your and Lady Mito's efforts for her."

  But his words made Kushina sob even harder in Mito's arms.

  Hearing his voice, Kushina remembered the immense pressure her grandmother and Tsunade had been under—not just for themselves, but for her as well.

  Everyone was protecting her!

  "Hmm!"

  Tsunade let out a pyful huff, her lips curling into a faint smile.

  "Sister Tsunade, now that Kushina is safe, I'll take my leave. My cn still needs me to return."

  Seeing the family reunited, Shirou knew better than to linger.

  "Shirou! I asked someone to guide you, and you went ahead and mobilized the entire police force!"

  Tsunade scolded, but there was a smile in her tone.

  She hadn't anticipated Shirou's decisive actions.

  As he stepped into the rain outside, Shirou turned back with a cheeky grin and said, "Sister Tsunade, Uchiha pride doesn't allow deception, especially in matters of the heart."

  With that, he vanished into the rainy night.

  Standing at the doorway, Tsunade's mind repyed Shirou's changing expressions—envy when he saw Kushina crying in her grandmother's arms, and sadness as he left.

  At that moment, Tsunade remembered that Shirou had always been alone. While Kushina could cry out her grievances to her family, Shirou bore his burdens silently. His envy was for the warmth of family, and his sorrow was for returning to solitude in the rain.

  "You're not alone, Shirou…"

  Tsunade smiled genuinely. But as she gnced at the Hokage Rock, the admiration she once held for it faded.

  Not everyone possessed the strength and resolve of the First and Second Hokage. Over time, Tsunade realized the truth: the Five Great Shinobi Vilges were weakening the influence of powerful cns. Though she could understand the need for bance, the vilge was built by the Senju and Uchiha together.

  Understanding didn't mean acceptance, for everyone's perspective differed. That was human nature.