The presence of the Ring of Mizukage was undeniable proof of his identity.
The title of "Kage" was not something that just anyone could bear—it symbolized the pinnacle of a nation's military and political strength.
Tsunade had never expected that she would form such a connection with the Fourth Mizukage of Kirigakure under these circumstances.
As Tsunade spoke, she gestured toward a wooden table and chairs in the center of the room.
"Please, come with me."
What Mizuki Ryosuke did not notice was the indescribable complexity in Tsunade's eyes. What he also did not know was that aside from the three people in the photo hanging on the wall, he was the first person ever to set foot here.
"Hahh…"
A deep sigh escaped his lips.
In the center of the inner wall of the tree-house, a photo immediately caught Mizuki Ryosuke's attention.
The blond-haired girl in the middle was being lifted high into the air by two men—one with long black hair and a flamboyant smile, and the other with short white hair and a cold but shallow smile.
It was a picture of Senju Hashirama, Senju Tobirama, and a young Tsunade.
Hearing his words, Tsunade's amber eyes briefly flashed with nostalgia and sorrow, but she quickly composed herself.
Mizuki Ryosuke did not mind the aloofness in Tsunade's tone, and instead, he praised Senju Hashirama without hesitation.
"Lord Hashirama's courage to bring peace to the ninja world is truly admirable."
Seeing this, Tsunade wordlessly led him forward.
The two walked under the massive canopy of a colossal tree—one far larger than the others in the area.
The tree was massive, towering at least 20 meters in diameter, and unlike the others, its roots and trunk had been hollowed out to form a tree-house.
Yet despite this, the tree remained alive, its lush greenery a testament to the strength of Senju Hashirama's Wood Release.
In comparison, Ryosuke and Tsunade were like tiny ants beneath its shadow.
The expressions on their faces were calm, yet there was an unspoken barrier between them—a distance created the moment Mizuki Ryosuke revealed his true identity.
But in the chaotic ninja world, such caution was only natural.
Inside the tree-house, the furniture was entirely wooden, while a corner of the room contained neatly stacked food supplies and daily necessities.
Numerous photographs adorned the walls, capturing various mundane moments from the past.
Soon, Tsunade led Mizuki Ryosuke inside the tree's hollow trunk, guiding him through a corridor formed by its roots.
"This is where my grandfather and great-uncle trained and lived," Tsunade stated.
Mizuki Ryosuke's eyes darkened slightly upon hearing that.
Indeed, with Senju Hashirama's power, he alone had been able to reshape landscapes, carve out entire forests, and create a system that shaped the modern shinobi world.
Even if the peace he envisioned ultimately failed, he had still managed to end the Warring States Period and create the one country, one village system that stabilized the ninja world for generations.
In both strength and ideals, Senju Hashirama truly deserved the title of "God of Shinobi."
Ryosuke and Tsunade soon arrived at a small wooden door nestled in the roots of the tree. Tsunade pushed it open, leading Ryosuke inside.
Seating himself, Ryosuke took the hot tea Tsunade offered him.
"I never expected to see remnants of Lord Hashirama and Lord Tobirama in my lifetime," he murmured, feeling the weight of history in this place.
Tsunade's amber eyes flickered as she observed his expression.
As a Kage, Ryosuke held a position equivalent to Hokage, yet his attitude carried the respect of a junior toward a senior, which surprised her.
"No need to use honorifics," she said after a brief pause.
Ryosuke shook his head.
"Whether it's power, vision, or legacy, there is no one in the ninja world who can compare to Lord Hashirama."
Tsunade silently sipped her tea.
The ninja world was small, and the Five Kage were the true rulers of the era.
The price of trusting someone too easily was often irreversible.
Still, Tsunade couldn't ignore her curiosity.
"Mizukage-sama," she began, "did you also take an interest in my grandfather and great-uncle?"
Her voice remained formal, her words carrying a hint of distance.
Their two villages, Konoha and Kirigakure, were neither allies nor outright enemies, but their relationship was far from amicable.
Tsunade's caution was understandable.
Ryosuke took a sip of the tea, savoring its warmth before replying.
"Of course. The names of the First and Second Hokage are known across the entire ninja world."
His gentle demeanor caused Tsunade to feel an odd sense of guilt—as though she had been overly harsh in her approach.
But soon, she shook off the thought.
Her duty to Konoha and the Senju Clan took precedence over personal feelings.
After all, Tsunade had never been someone who allowed emotions to cloud her judgment of right and wrong.
She placed the Mizukage's ring on her palm, examining it closely.
With her deep knowledge of Konoha's Hokage lineage, she quickly recognized it as genuine.
The title of "Kage" was only given to those capable of leading a nation's forces.
Mizuki Ryosuke, as the Fourth Mizukage, was a man who carried the weight of Kirigakure on his shoulders.
Still, Tsunade's suspicions only grew.
Even though Ryosuke had saved her, he had no real obligation to do so.
"How did you end up in Amegakure?" she finally asked, her voice filled with curiosity and skepticism.
Thinking back to how Mizuki Ryosuke had suddenly appeared in Hanzo's stronghold, her confusion deepened.
Mizuki Ryosuke, however, remained calm and composed.
The world of shinobi was filled with deception, betrayals, and hidden agendas.
And yet, true connections could only be built on honesty.
"That… is a long story," he admitted with a small smile.
"But I suppose we have time."
With that, Tsunade leaned back slightly, prepared to listen—though she kept her guard up.
In this war-torn world, no meeting was ever pure coincidence.
And deep inside, she knew…
This encounter would change everything.