Konoha.

Under the continuous downpour, it seemed to foreshadow the ninjas who had perished on the battlefield. The dim sky flashed with lightning from time to time. The Senju clan.

“Damn! Where in the world is there such a coincidence?”

Tsunade slammed her fist down on the table in anger, while Uzumaki Mito in front of her remained silent. She never expected that this time it could almost wipe out the bloodline of the First Hokage.

“Tsunade, what if it really is a coincidence?”

After a moment, Uzumaki Mito said hoarsely, but as soon as she uttered this, the elderly woman revealed a self-mocking, sorrowful smile. Even she didn’t believe her own words!

As for Tsunade, she gritted her teeth and replied gloomily, “Coincidence? These wandering warriors have no issues at all; it's reasonable for them to carry some explosive tags for protection, and setting traps is normal.”

At this point, Tsunade looked up, revealing a sarcastic smile. “It all seems so reasonable; there’s not a hint of a problem to investigate. But for such a simple mission, right here in the Land of Fire, how could Orochimaru underestimate it? A ninja with Chunin strength could easily stumble into a trap.”

“And then get blown up by explosive tags! But Grandma, don’t you think the number of explosive tags is a bit excessive? Even if the investigation shows all sources are legitimate!”

The more there are no signs of flaws, the more suspicious it becomes. If they hadn’t been forewarned, they might have checked for a long time, confirming repeatedly, and this would have forever remained a mystery. But they received intelligence in advance! And it matched so well! Especially since this mission cannot even be said to be in the Land of Fire; it’s right at the doorstep of Konoha.

Shinju celebrated his birthday the day before, then went on a mission the next day. In the evening, Jiraiya could come to inform him to see the corpse. Isn’t this right at home!

“As for the Uchiha!”

At this point, Tsunade revealed a hint of a mocking smile. “The current Uchiha is isolated and excluded, constantly trying to integrate into Konoha. Not to mention whether they have any reason to act against us; does the mere policing department even have that capability?”

The Uchiha clan is indeed powerful! They can be said to be the top clan, not just in Konoha but throughout the ninja world. However, in Konoha, most of the Uchiha's elite have been sent to the front lines. The remaining Konoha has never trusted them and has always maintained vigilance and surveillance in the shadows.

With the Uchiha clan involved in such matters, the risk is too great; they can’t pull off something so seamless.

“Tsunade!”

Uzumaki Mito finally sighed heavily, revealing a hint of sadness on her aged face. “Shinju is my own grandson. Now that he’s gone, it’s better to take this opportunity to send him to the daimyo’s mansion, where there’s still the power of the Senju clan to protect him and help him grow in the shadows.”

“Tsunade, Konoha today may not truly be the Konoha of the past, but a great war is imminent, so you must not act impulsively!”

At this moment, Tsunade was undoubtedly the angriest, but as she lifted her head, her face regained its calm. This calm made Uzumaki Mito fall silent.

“Don’t worry, Grandma.”

Tsunade is someone who could become the Fifth Hokage in the future. Impulsiveness is part of her character, but that doesn’t mean she lacks intelligence. In significant matters, she not only has her own opinions but also possesses political acumen, not merely a simple ninja; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to sit in the position of the Fifth Hokage.

Seeing Tsunade quickly calm down, Uzumaki Mito also smiled with relief.

“Tsunade, I won’t live much longer. The future of the family and Kushina will depend on you.”

Just then, both of them changed their expressions, clearly sensing that someone was approaching from outside.

“Tsunade!”

Under Jiraiya’s familiar voice, at the moment the door opened, Tsunade feigned a normal angry expression and said, “Jiraiya, you need to give me an explanation; there’s no suitable reason for this!”

However, at that moment, Jiraiya's expression was grave, causing Tsunade's anger to gradually fade, as if an ominous premonition washed over her. A stiff smile formed on her face.

“Jiraiya! Don’t tell me the front lines suddenly became tense!”

But Jiraiya seemed to have a lump in his throat. After a pause, he lowered his voice and said, “Tsunade, Orochimaru has returned, in the morgue!”

Boom!

A flash of lightning illuminated Tsunade's expression of disbelief, as if she had already thought of something.

The next moment!

Boom!

With a splash of water, Tsunade burst into her fastest speed, heading towards the destination. Seeing this, Jiraiya hurriedly followed.

It must be said, women are born actors, especially ninjas. Tsunade showed no signs of weakness from start to finish.

…

Under the dark sky, the heavy rain poured down.

In front of the morgue, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed, accompanied by heavy breathing. At this moment, Tsunade looked in disbelief at the scene, with Orochimaru leaning against the door outside.

This breathing was not from exhaustion but from tension!

As Tsunade trembled and prepared to step forward, the arriving Jiraiya displayed a look of sorrow.

“It’s better not to see the corpse.”

That Jiraiya would say such a thing gives an idea of how tragic the corpse must be.

Leaning at the door, Orochimaru, with a strand of black hair obscuring his view, lowered his voice and spoke in an extremely calm tone, “What’s there to see? Anyway, I wouldn’t recognize my own brother.”

“Shut up, Orochimaru!” Jiraiya quickly reprimanded his companion.

However, Orochimaru just sneered, hiding the sadness deep within his eyes.

“They’re already corpses disguised as dead people. This is how it is, because there are no doctors on the battlefield. Unfortunately, for a child, it’s a bit too cruel.”

“Especially since it’s the day after receiving a gift!”

Orochimaru said this in a relaxed tone, as if this matter had nothing to do with him, while taking out a pendant from his pocket.

In an instant, with the appearance of this familiar necklace pendant, Tsunade’s pupils dilated, her gaze hollow and unseeing.

Jiraiya beside her couldn’t bear to look away.

This is war!

After a while, trembling hands took the necklace, and Tsunade's eyes overflowed with tears.

“Shinju!”

The sound of her sorrowful wailing echoed in the rainy night, causing the Konoha ninjas outside to look somber.

Ninjas have always lived alongside death.

Especially during wartime, such heart-wrenching cries happen almost every day.

…

In the Land of Fire.

The light rain fell gently, and the air was filled with the scent of earth.

“August 10th, yesterday was Shinju’s twelfth birthday, so today Tsunade should know.”

Even if Shinju’s incident was truly a coincidence, it would no longer be one with prior knowledge. This is human nature!

On the trunk, Uchiha Yoru unconsciously raised his head to look at the night sky.

“Yoru!”

Suddenly, a black dot flashed past behind him, drawing Uchiha Yoru's attention.

In the rain-soaked night, Uchiha Mikoto, carrying a family-style long sword on her back, looked at the distant cave with her double tomoe Sharingan.

“Based on the scent tracked by the ninja cats, this guy is inside!”

Usually gentle Uchiha Mikoto was filled with coldness at this moment, her eyes exuding a killing intent as she gazed at the cave.

Snap!

The next moment, Uchiha Yoru's hand landed on her shoulder, instantly dispelling her killing intent.

“Mikoto.”

A gentle call brought Uchiha Mikoto back to her senses, and she solemnly looked towards the distant cave.

And inside the dark, damp cave.

“Man? Woman?”

In the dark, damp cave, a gaunt old man slowly raised his head, as if sensing something, his calm voice accompanied by an eerie atmosphere.

“Decided. If it’s a woman who rushes in this time, kill her!”

His initially calm eyes gradually showed a hint of madness, staring fixedly at the cave entrance.