Chapter 75

Chapter 75

Chapter 75: Tsunade's Growing Disillusionment

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**The Senju Clan.**

Under the moonlight, the once-empty Senju mansion was now lit again.

The door creaked open, and Kushina Uzumaki, who had been standing inside, red-eyed and full of grievance, turned angrily toward the entrance, ready to confront whoever had arrived.

"Kushina!"

As the door opened, Tsunade entered, supporting the exhausted Mito Uzumaki. They instantly noticed the furious look on Kushina's face.

Tsunade hesitated, her voice raspy as she started, “Kushina, Grandma…”

But before she could continue, Mito raised her hand, stopping her, and turned toward Kushina with an expression of regret on her weary face.

“Kushina, it’s Grandma’s fault for not taking better care of you.”

“It seems that even the presence of Lady Mito, the First Hokage’s wife, is not always enough.”

Just then, a sigh echoed through the room.

Uchiha Yosuke, standing up from a nearby sofa, respectfully bowed to Mito.

“Lady Mito.”

Kushina froze. Seeing Mito’s visibly fatigued state—a sight she’d never witnessed before—tears started to well in her eyes.

“Grandma…”

Like a lost child, Kushina threw herself into Mito’s arms, crying out her fears and frustrations.

“Grandma, I was so scared… I thought you’d all leave me behind. Someone tried to take me away, and you weren’t there… and Tsunade wasn’t there…”

All of Kushina’s anger melted into sobs, and Tsunade sighed as she watched.

If only Grandpa were still alive… none of this would be happening.

The thought caught Tsunade off guard—when did she start doubting the village she once loved?

Was it because of the Nawaki incident? Or the near-miss in Grass Country?

“The Leaf Village, founded by the Senju and Uchiha, was meant to create a peaceful world free from war, where children wouldn’t have to go to battle. We’re all still striving for that, even if we haven’t achieved it. At least we protected Kushina.”

Uchiha Yosuke’s voice brought her out of her thoughts, and she noticed him gazing wistfully at Kushina.

“You brat, Kushina’s about your age,” Tsunade chided, hiding her affection and guilt.

Yes, the village her grandfather built was meant to keep children from war, but Yosuke, no older than Kushina, had already been to the battlefield.

“Me?”

Yosuke smiled with pride. “I’m an Uchiha. The village wasn’t built by the Senju alone. The Uchiha share the responsibility of protecting it.”

“You little…”

Seeing his resolve, Tsunade’s playful scolding faded. She couldn’t call him a “brat” because, like her, he bore the weight of protecting the village.

But… but!

In her mind, the recent scenes in the Hokage’s office replayed—the Senju and Uchiha sacrificing everything to protect the village, even as faces of authority like Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, and her teacher, the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, sat in safety.

They spoke grandly of the “Will of Fire” while sending countless shinobi and children to their deaths. The more Tsunade thought about it, the more empty that phrase felt.

In the First Great Ninja War, the Senju fought tirelessly to protect the village. Her granduncle even sacrificed himself to ensure the younger generation’s survival.

The Uchiha, though isolated and distrusted, fought in every battle, too. They went to Rain Country, they defended against the Mist…

All of it was to prove themselves—and protect the village—just as Yosuke had done in Grass Country.

“Tsunade?”

Yosuke looked at her, puzzled. “Tsunade, there’s no need to worry. Kushina’s only emotionally vulnerable from being drugged with a type of genjutsu powder. She’ll soon understand everything you and Lady Mito have done for her.”

Yosuke’s words brought fresh tears to Kushina’s eyes as she remembered the burdens her grandmother and Tsunade had to bear.

Everyone was protecting her!

“Jeez!”

Tsunade let out a playful huff, though she was secretly smiling.

“Tsunade, now that Kushina’s safe, I should get going. The clan still needs me back.”

In a scene like this, a family reunion, he had no interest in being the third wheel.

“You brat! I just asked for some guidance, and you went and brought half the police force with you!” Tsunade teased, but there was warmth in her eyes.

With a proud grin, Yosuke turned to leave, waving. “Tsunade, the Uchiha don’t tolerate deception, especially when it comes to our feelings.”

He turned away, his figure fading into the misty rain outside.

Standing in the doorway, Tsunade couldn’t shake the image of Yosuke’s expression as he left.

Longing, then loneliness.

When Kushina cried in her grandmother’s arms, he had looked on with longing, then masked it with stoicism as he departed.

Only now did she realize: Yosuke had always been alone. No matter what he went through, he bore it all silently. That longing gaze—did he wish for family?

And that final look of loneliness… was it because he would once again face the rain alone?

“Yosuke… you’re never truly alone.”

Tsunade smiled genuinely, glancing up at the Hokage Rock. The admiration she once felt for those carved faces seemed to be fading.

Not everyone could match the strength and dignity of the First and Second Hokages. With the founding of the five great villages, she was starting to see a new reality.

Each village’s leader wanted to weaken the major clans’ influence, and while she understood it was for the sake of balance, this village was built by the Senju and Uchiha together!

Tsunade fell silent. A leader with the strength to command everything wouldn’t need to worry about these things. But without that strength, the powerful clans became obstacles.

She could understand the need for balance, but everyone’s perspective was different—and that was simply human nature.