"Then will you gamble again in the future?"
Aoba issued a soul-piercing question.
Tsunade's expression immediately froze, then she glared at Aoba, "You talk too much."
"I'll just treat it as taking a few years off, when you, this brat, grow up, I'll hand the position of Hokage over to you."
"Ah, this…", Aoba broke out in a cold sweat.
For some people, the Hokage position is something they chase their whole lives and never attain. But in front of Tsunade, it's like a dandelion on a hill. Not only is it within easy reach, there's even a hint of disdain.
———
After breakfast, Tsunade and Aoba arrived at the Uchiha clan grounds.
Because last night's festival lasted very late, many people had not yet gotten up, so the Uchiha clan grounds were somewhat quiet.
Although there were few people on the streets, those who saw Tsunade greeted her enthusiastically.
Most members of the Uchiha clan were not ninjas, but ordinary villagers.
They all held great respect for Tsunade, one of the legendary Sannin.
Tsunade also responded politely.
Until they arrived at the door of Uchiha Mikoto's home.
Only then did Tsunade stop her steps, without knocking right away.
Instead, she took some time to organize her wording in her mind.
After a long while, Tsunade took a deep breath, then raised her hand to knock on the door.
"Please wait a moment," From inside came Uchiha Mikoto's still slightly tired voice.
"Who is it?"
Not long after, the door opened.
Uchiha Mikoto appeared before the two, wearing a long black house dress.
Her eyes were still sleepy, and even her hair was a bit messy, a few strands stuck to her pretty face.
It looked like she had just gotten out of bed.
Unlike her usual gentle and graceful housewife image, she now had a bit more of a lazy big sister vibe.
"Tsunade-sama?", Upon seeing the person in front of her, Uchiha Mikoto immediately became more awake.
At the same time, she quickly noticed her current appearance was a bit improper and hurried to tidy herself with her hands.
Her cheeks couldn't help but flush a bit.
"Really sorry, Tsunade-sama. I went to bed a bit late last night and accidentally overslept."
"May I ask if there is something you need?"
Looking at the other person in this state, Tsunade couldn't help but sigh in her heart, "Yes, there is something."
"Then please come in and talk."
Uchiha Mikoto stepped aside.
After the two entered, she noticed Aoba beside Tsunade.
Her eyes couldn't help but light up a little, and a gentle smile appeared on her face.
"Aoba, you came too? Are you here to play with Sasuke?"
A smile also appeared on Aoba's face, "Is Sasuke still sleeping?"
"Yes."
Uchiha Mikoto showed another apologetic look, "After we got back late last night, he waited for his brother for a long time, so he hasn't gotten up yet."
Aoba suddenly became silent, not knowing what to say.
"Aoba, sit for a while first. Auntie will go get you something tasty," Uchiha Mikoto said with a smile.
"Mikoto! Sit down and talk first!", Tsunade spoke up to stop her.
Only after they sat down—
The atmosphere became a little heavy again.
"Did… something happen?", Uchiha Mikoto finally noticed the strange atmosphere, and thinking about Fugaku and Itachi not returning all night, a bad premonition arose in her heart.
Tsunade took a deep breath and slowly spoke.
"Last night, Konoha was attacked. The Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, Uchiha Fugaku, and dozens of Uchiha clan members were killed in the attack. The attackers were Uchiha Itachi and a masked man."
"What?", Uchiha Mikoto blinked blankly, her mind went blank. She didn't quite understand what Tsunade said.
Even though she heard every word clearly, why is it that when they're put together, she suddenly couldn't comprehend?
'Itachi… attacked the village?'
'Fugaku… died?'
'Clearly, everything was fine yesterday, they even said goodbye… why…'
Tsunade's eyes showed a look of sympathy and repeated once more.
"Uchiha Itachi betrayed the village, joined forces with an external enemy to attack Konoha. Uchiha Fugaku led members of the Uchiha clan and the Third Hokage to resist the attack and died in the process."
"The Uchiha clan are heroes who protected Konoha! They—"
"Stop!"
Uchiha Mikoto suddenly reached out and grabbed Tsunade's wrist, not letting her continue speaking. Her eyes had already turned into the three-tomoe Sharingan.
"Is this true?"
Tsunade saw the struggle and tears in her eyes.
She looked away, "I'm sorry."
Tsunade could feel the grip on her wrist tighten a little more.
She didn't say anything more. At this moment, Uchiha Mikoto needed to calm down on her own. Anything an outsider said now would only be pouring oil on the fire.
After a long time.
Uchiha Mikoto slowly released her hand, and Tsunade's wrist was left with a red mark.
"I'm sorry…", Her voice was slightly hoarse.
"It's fine," Tsunade could understand the feeling of losing someone important.
That's why she had been hesitant before.
"Tsunade-sama… is there anything else?", Uchiha Mikoto just wanted to be alone for a while.
Seeing Uchiha Mikoto's eyes that had already lost their luster, Tsunade couldn't help but feel a trace of worry.
'Mikoto shouldn't be thinking of…'
"Aunt Mikoto!", Aoba suddenly stood up.
Tsunade and Uchiha Mikoto were both startled.
"Aoba…"
Aoba didn't speak. He just stepped forward, reached out and held Uchiha Mikoto's already slightly cold hands.
He stared directly into her lifeless eyes, "Aunt Mikoto, you still have Sasuke!"
Hearing Sasuke's name, Uchiha Mikoto's body trembled, and her eyes regained a bit of light.
Feeling the warmth transmitted through Aoba's hands, Uchiha Mikoto also felt a trace of warmth in her heart.
She gently patted his head, like she was patting her own child, "Thank you, Aoba. Auntie understands now."
Seeing this, Tsunade felt a little weird in her heart, but also quite relieved.
At least Uchiha Mikoto probably wouldn't have any dangerous thoughts.
Tsunade mentioned the matter of the police force with her again.
Then they left the Uchiha clan's territory.
Tsunade also felt a bit heavy in her heart.
Back when Nawaki and the others died, her reaction wasn't much better than Uchiha Mikoto's.
All the way home.
"Brat, I'm going to the Hokage Building. Don't go out today."
"Sensei, actually I…"
"Nothing to say. If I come back and find you not at home, I'll break your legs."
"…"
Looking at Tsunade's departing back, Aoba originally wanted to tell her about the "new power" he just awakened.
Let her know that he's absolutely capable of protecting himself.
But since Tsunade didn't give him a chance to speak, he had no choice.
———
Tsunade arrived at the Hokage Building.
Just as she entered, she saw an old man flipping through documents.
Tsunade frowned, "Danzo, I am the Hokage!"
Hearing this, Danzo looked at Tsunade with a complex gaze. He originally thought he would never hear that sentence again.
"I came here this time… for the Uchiha clan!"
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