Tsunade's sudden appearance made Ruofeng instinctively raise his guard.
He staggered back several steps, his arms tingling, and said with a twitch at the corner of his mouth, "Sister Tsunade… you show up and throw a punch right away. Who could possibly handle that?"
Tsunade paid him no mind and instead glanced at Nawaki. "Even Ruofeng managed to block it. And you still can't? I teach you both the same way—why are you so useless?"
Nawaki clutched his head, where a swollen lump was already forming, and protested miserably, "I don't like taijutsu! I like ninjutsu! Why do you have to force me to train taijutsu?"
Ruofeng gave a helpless smile.
Over the past year, although Tsunade rarely returned, every time she did, she personally trained both him and Nawaki. And everything she taught was taijutsu.
According to Tsunade, taijutsu was her strongest field, while ninjutsu was not her specialty.
Ruofeng had no complaints. He already wanted to train taijutsu to strengthen his body, and even learned medical ninjutsu from Tsunade. After all, if he wanted to enhance his physique, he first had to understand the human body. Medical ninjutsu focused precisely on that.
Tsunade was delighted by this.
Few people were willing to study medical ninjutsu. Most students preferred flashy combat techniques. She had long hoped to develop medical ninjutsu further, but lacked disciples.
Now, Ruofeng not only wanted to learn—it turned out he was a genius. Naturally, she was thrilled.
Compared to Ruofeng's diligence, Nawaki was the complete opposite. He stubbornly refused to train taijutsu or learn medical ninjutsu, instead becoming fascinated with Orochimaru's various ninjutsu.
Ruofeng could only sigh at fate.
After all, in the future, Nawaki would indeed become Orochimaru's disciple.
At this moment, green chakra shimmered across Ruofeng's hands, and the numbness in his arms quickly faded.
Tsunade raised a brow. "Not bad. Your medical ninjutsu has improved."
As she spoke, she casually punched Nawaki again.
"Ow! That's unfair, sis!" Nawaki howled, clutching his head, which now sported two swollen bumps.
Ruofeng shook his head, holding Kushina's hand. "Sister Tsunade… let's go see Grandma Mito first."
Tsunade's expression finally turned serious, and she led the way toward the Senju compound.
Nawaki shot Ruofeng a grateful look—otherwise, he would definitely have been beaten even worse.
Not long after, Ruofeng entered the Senju clan's residence.
The estate was vast, rivaling even the Uchiha compound in scale.
Tsunade had changed out of her shinobi attire into simple home clothing and walked toward a secluded courtyard.
Ruofeng followed her inside.
Many people had already gathered there, yet no one spoke a word.
Tsunade narrowed her eyes and said to Ruofeng, "Come in with me."
He hesitated slightly. Though Nawaki had brought him here, he knew his relationship with the Senju clan was still distant. He had only come for Kushina's sake.
Before he could refuse, Tsunade grabbed his arm and pulled him inside.
The bedroom was spacious, filled with people of extraordinary status—Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzō Shimura, Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane—nearly all of Konoha's top leadership.
Everyone stood silently, their gazes fixed on the figure lying at the center.
Mito Uzumaki.
Her face was lined with deep wrinkles, and the once-vibrant red hair of the Uzumaki clan had faded to white.
That red hair was the clan's hallmark. When it turned pale, it meant that life itself was nearing its end.
Tsunade stepped forward. "Grandma."
Mito looked at her kindly. "Tsunade, you're back. Good… now I can settle my final affairs."
Her words plunged the room into silence.
Even Hiruzen chose to kneel respectfully, unable to speak.
Mito coughed lightly and said, "During the Warring States Period, the Uchiha and Senju joined hands to create Konoha. It passed from Hashirama to Tobirama, and now to Hiruzen. I hope all of you will support him and ensure that Konoha continues to stand strong. This was Hashirama's wish—and it is my final request."
Hiruzen knelt on one knee. "Please rest assured, Sensei's wife. I will protect Konoha with my life."
Mito smiled faintly, then turned to Tsunade. "Tsunade… the Senju clan will be entrusted to you. Nawaki is still too young. He isn't ready to shoulder this burden."
Tsunade nodded silently, sorrow clouding her eyes.
Mito gently patted her hand, then slowly scanned the room. Her gaze paused briefly on Ruofeng before sharpening once more.
A powerful pressure spread outward.
It was hard to believe such an imposing presence could come from a woman at death's door.
Mito spoke solemnly, "After I die, the Senju clan will withdraw to our ancestral lands. Unless Konoha itself faces destruction, no one is permitted to leave. This is my command—and Hashirama's final will. Konoha will still have Senju blood. Tsunade and Nawaki will remain here."
Shock rippled through the Senju members present.
Hiruzen lowered his head deeply.
He understood—this was Mito protecting the Senju clan, restraining them, and at the same time, helping him stabilize the village.
Konoha was founded by the Senju, and its first two Hokage were Senju. By all logic, the Third Hokage should also have come from the clan. Yet the Senju had declined, lacking a suitable successor, forcing Tobirama to choose Hiruzen instead.
That decision had bred resentment.
Without Mito's authority, internal power struggles might erupt. Worse still, during wartime, any instability could spell disaster for the village.
Thus, Mito chose to withdraw the Senju entirely rather than risk Konoha's safety.
Hiruzen felt nothing but gratitude.
After a moment, Mito waved her hand. "Tsunade, Hiruzen, Reiko, Kushina, and Ruofeng—stay. Everyone else, leave."
As her hand fell, the heavy pressure faded.
Soon, only a few remained.
Mito looked at Reiko and Kushina. "This suffering is unavoidable. I will not show favoritism, nor allow the Nine-Tails to run rampant. After my death, the Nine-Tails will be split in two—half sealed into each of you. Support one another, and walk this path together."
Both girls nodded solemnly.
Then Mito turned to Ruofeng, studying him intently. "So similar… truly so similar. When I was young, I saw him once—just as calm, just as outstanding. But his heart was gentle. I hope yours is the same. From now on, Kushina's smile will be entrusted to you."
Ruofeng blinked in surprise. "Who is 'he'?"
Mito chuckled softly. "You'll figure it out someday."
With a final wave, she closed her eyes.
Ruofeng quietly led Kushina and Reiko out of the room.
Pausing at the doorway, he glanced back one last time and murmured, "The remnants of the Warring States finally fade away today. How many legends of that era still remain? From those who founded the Five Great Villages, how many are left?"
The Warring States Period… had reached its true end.
Like the Valley of the End, it had become a final punctuation mark.
What remained was a brand-new era.
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