Starting with rogue ninjas, building the insect kingdom.

Chapter 451 Tessa is also practicing ninjutsu.

Tsunade grabbed Uchiha Mori by the back of his collar and lifted him off the ground like a chick, saying in a deep voice, "Come with me."

Uchiha Mamoru was staggered as he was dragged out of the izakaya. The night wind blew in his face, and the smell of alcohol suddenly surged up, almost making him vomit on the spot.

Tsunade frowned, casually tossed him onto a roadside bench, crossed her arms, and looked down at him condescendingly: "Tell me, what happened in Konoha?"

Uchiha Mamoru slowly raised his head, moonlight falling on his haggard face, his eyes bloodshot. He stared at Tsunade for a long time, then suddenly chuckled softly, his laughter filled with an unyielding bitterness.

"Lady Tsunade...you've been away from Konoha for too long."

He looked up at the deep night sky, his voice hoarse, and slowly began to recount the beginning and the end.

"The whole thing started with spies from the Land of Waterfall. They were secretly supplying resources to the Uchiha hawks, and as a result, the rift between Konoha and the Uchiha clan deepened."

Tsunade frowned, remaining silent.

"Shisui and I have always disagreed." Uchiha Mamoru closed his eyes, lost in memories. "He planned to use Kotoamatsukami to control the hawkish elders and force the Uchiha clan to bow down and compromise. I strongly disagreed. I felt that we should resolve the conflict through communication and have everyone sit down and discuss it properly... Looking back now, I was ridiculously naive."

"Later, Danzo made his move." Uchiha Mamoru's tone suddenly turned cold. "He secretly attacked Shisui, stole Kotoamatsukami, and attempted to use that eye to control the entire Uchiha clan."

Upon hearing this, Tsunade unconsciously clenched her fists, feeling that the Konoha leadership were all incompetent and that her early departure was a wise move.

"But an unexpected incident occurred. That despicable masked man reappeared, this time claiming to be Uchiha Madara. His appearance completely disrupted Danzo's entire plan."

Uchiha Mori took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly: "Danzo actually ordered the Uchiha clan to kill each other. The clan members went mad, gouging out each other's Sharingan, fighting tooth and nail, as if it were the most precious treasure in the world... And I, foolishly, pinned my hopes on the Third Hokage and the clan head, thinking that they could quell the conflict, or at least temporarily ease the tension."

"In the end, the Third Hokage killed Danzo. I thought the turmoil was over, that at least the Uchiha clan could still have one branch left, that they could still..."

Shou didn't continue speaking, but Tsunade clearly heard the unspoken sorrow in his words.

She remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking: "So, in the end, the old man did not keep his promise."

"No. Not only did he break his promise, but he has now joined the Akatsuki organization and is under the command of a being named Zetsu. He also said... that the entire ninja world is shrouded in darkness, and that Shisei Aburame of the Land of Waterfall is the greatest threat at present."

"Aburame Shisei?" Tsunade looked bewildered, but judging from Uchiha Mamoru's expression, he didn't seem to be lying.

It wasn't until Uchiha Mamoru revealed the man's other name—Military Advisor Shiraki.

Tsunade's expression changed drastically in an instant. That was the enemy who had killed Jiraiya. This matter had nothing to do with right or wrong, it was a blood feud that she had to settle herself.

In just a moment, the murderous aura surging around her slowly subsided.

"never mind."

Tsunade suddenly turned around, her tone becoming indifferent, "Why bother with all that strife? I don't think there's anything wrong with my current wandering life. Perhaps the policy of separating the five great ninja villages was wrong from the very beginning."

She took a few steps forward, then turned back to look at Uchiha Mori, who was still slumped on the bench: "Are you planning to stay there forever?"

Uchiha Mamoru was stunned for a moment, then struggled to his feet and followed after him with unsteady steps.

Tsunade spoke casually, but Shizune saw through it all.

Ever since Uchiha Mamoru caught up with the group and revealed the current situation in Konoha, Tsunade's gaze would unconsciously drift towards the direction of Konoha.

This was a side of her that she had never shown before, when she was constantly gambling, drinking, and wandering around.

"Shizune, is your accommodation arranged?" Tsunade asked casually.

"It's all arranged. We've booked three rooms at a hotel on the street just ahead."

"Um."

Shizune glanced at the unsteady Uchiha Mamoru behind her, then looked at Tsunade in front of her who was pretending to be indifferent, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Before, I only had to take care of Tsunade, who was addicted to gambling and drinking. Now, I have to take care of two at once.

As things progressed, Silent's prediction came true.

As if by prior arrangement, Tsunade and Uchiha Mamoru would drink together in the morning, gamble away their money at the casino in the afternoon, and return to their residence drunk at night. After losing all their money, they would take turns coming to Shizune to ask for more money.

Kazuya quickly became acquainted with Uchiha Mamoru. The boy was twelve years old this year, and his eyebrows and eyes vaguely resembled those of Kato Dan. However, his personality was like Tsunade's: stubborn, obstinate, and unwilling to admit defeat. He never spoke softly, but his heart was softer and more delicate than anyone else's.

That afternoon, the two were practicing their spiritual cultivation in the mountains and forests.

After finishing a set of taijutsu techniques, Kazuya lay down on the grass, drenched in sweat, gazing at the vast sky, and softly asked, "Mori-nii, what is Konoha like?"

Uchiha Momoshi, who was sitting to the side drinking water, paused slightly upon hearing this.

"Konoha..." He pondered for a long time before slowly speaking, "It's an exceptionally lively place. Right in the center of the village stands the Hokage Rock, engraved with the portraits of the Hokage of each generation. The streets are lined with shops—ramen shops, dumpling shops, ninja tool shops—you name it. Every summer, the village holds a fireworks festival, where the whole village gathers together, filled with laughter and joy, a truly vibrant and lively scene..."

He paused, his tone turning somber: "However, all of that happened a long time ago."

Kazuya was silent for a moment, then looked up and asked, "Have you ever met my father?"

Uchiha Mamoru turned to look at him.

"Lord Kato Dan? I've met him. He's kind-hearted and a top-tier ninja. He's a master of spirit transformation techniques and is virtually unmatched on the battlefield. Most importantly—he's deeply devoted to Konoha and also deeply loves Lady Tsunade."

"What I want to ask is... aside from what everyone else knows, what kind of person is he?" Kazuya sat up, his eyes unusually serious.

Uchiha Morakuro pondered for a moment, then smiled gently: "He is gentle to people and speaks softly, yet every word is steady and weighty. He doesn't like fighting, but once he wants to protect someone he cherishes, he will rush to the front without hesitation."

Kazuya Senju lowered his head and remained silent, but his fists clenched tightly without his noticing.

Uchiha watched the boy's dejected appearance and suddenly realized something.

Over the years, Kazuya Senju has wandered around with Tsunade, never staying in one place for long. He has never received systematic ninja training and has relied entirely on his own hard work and exploration to develop his skills.