Tsunade knew who the "Monkey" her grandfather spoke of was. It was none other than her teacher, Sarutobi Hiruzen. She could only reply helplessly, "The village is doing very well right now. As for my teacher, because he enabled Danzō to conduct human experiments and sold the village's intel to the Cloud Village, he committed suicide out of fear of punishment."
"Ah." Even the usually composed Second Hokage never expected Monkey to do such a thing. *The first offense could be overlooked—perhaps it was a necessary evil to obtain greater power—but selling the village's intel? Was Monkey really that kind of person?*
"Tsunade, are you absolutely sure Monkey sold the village's intel?"
Tsunade nodded. "I am sure."
Although she hadn't been present at the time, all the clans in the village had attended her teacher's trial and accepted the verdict.
Ryōsuke, meanwhile, wanted to deal a blow to the Second Hokage. This guy had always looked down on their Uchiha Clan. He slowly spoke up, "Sarutobi Hiruzen used the people of your Senju Clan for human experiments, trying to create a Wood Style expert. Not only did he fail to create a Wood Style expert, but he also caused the Senju Clan to fall into decline."
"Ah." The Second Hokage's heart trembled. He let out a deep sigh. *He could understand Monkey and Danzō's intentions, but he never expected them to be so ruthless.*
Ryōsuke continued to rub salt in the wound. "It is all your fault, Second Hokage. If you hadn't supposedly sacrificed yourself to let your subordinates escape, sending two incompetents back... If you hadn't spent every day thinking about how to suppress our Uchiha Clan and fight for power instead of protecting the village... Your Senju Clan wouldn't have ended up like this."
Tsunade rolled her eyes at her man. "How can you say such things?"
The Second Hokage glared at Uchiha Ryōsuke. "Hmph, a Hokage's mission is to protect his subordinates. Someone like you would never understand." He then looked at Tsunade. "How is Nawaki? With him around, the Senju Clan's lineage shouldn't be broken, right?"
Tsunade's eyes dimmed. "Nawaki also died during the Second Great Ninja War."
"Ah." The Second Hokage was truly struck by this. *Dying in the Second Great Ninja War meant he died not long after I did. He would have been quite young at the time. He probably hadn't even left behind any heirs. Is the Senju Clan's lineage truly broken?*
"Tsunade, who is left in the Senju Clan now?"
Tsunade replied helplessly, "To prevent the rest of our clansmen from being ruined by my teacher and Danzō, I disbanded the clan."
Hearing this, the Second Hokage was absolutely furious. Yet, he also felt a profound sense of helplessness, because he was the one who had chosen those two. *Was it really just as this Uchiha clansman before me said? Is it all my fault?*
Ryōsuke took the opportunity to twist the knife further. "Actually, the Senju Clan still has a direct bloodline. And that is the two children Tsunade and I share."
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire area fell dead silent. The Anbu operatives in the back all had their mouths hanging wide open. *Although they had long known about the relationship between the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, and Uchiha Ryōsuke, they never expected Lord Ryōsuke to dare tell the Second Hokage at a time and in a manner like this. The Uchiha Clan's bloodline had actually become the direct bloodline of the Senju Clan!*
The Second Hokage looked utterly disbelieving. *His grandniece had actually borne children for a guy from the Uchiha Clan. What kind of absurdity is this?* He voiced his demand. "Tsunade, is this true?"
Tsunade was truly speechless at her man's behavior. However, it was the truth. She met her second grandfather's stern gaze. "It is true."
The Second Hokage instantly let out a long breath. *He never expected such an outcome. The Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan had fought countless wars throughout history. Both sides had suffered innumerable casualties. Following Uchiha Madara's defection from the village, the Senju Clan had firmly suppressed the Uchiha Clan. But in the end, to think that the sole direct descendant of the Senju Clan would marry an Uchiha clansman. The ultimate result was that the Senju Clan had been completely defeated.*
It was a massive blow to him. He couldn't fathom that things would turn out this way.
Unlike him, Senju Hashirama was equally shocked to hear this news, but he was delighted. *Although their clan had fallen into decline, Tsunade being able to unite with an Uchiha clansman was a fortunate thing for the village.*
"Well done, Tsunade."
Receiving her first grandfather's approval, Tsunade instantly felt greatly encouraged. *How could she not know the history between the two clans? Her grandfathers' generation had fought bitterly with the Uchiha Clan, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides. Even if her grandfather disapproved of her being with Ryōsuke, it would have been completely normal. It seemed her first grandfather was a bit more open-minded, while her second grandfather was still extremely displeased with the Uchiha Clan. As for herself, she was more than happy to stay by Ryōsuke's side.*
Senju Tobirama was left somewhat speechless. *To think his older brother would react like this. Forget it, as long as Tsunade is living well, that is enough. I am already a dead man; I can't control so much anymore.*
At this moment, Orochimaru mocked them. "Tsunade, I never expected you to be the type to rob the cradle. It truly makes one's jaw drop."
Hearing Orochimaru's words, Tsunade instantly flew into a rage. Her biggest taboo was people mocking her for robbing the cradle. "Orochimaru, are you looking to die?"
Seeing the furious Tsunade, Orochimaru's snake-like pupils shrank slightly. He had experienced Tsunade's ferocity firsthand. But things were different now. "Tsunade, for the sake of our past acquaintance, be a good girl and step aside. Returning to the village this time, the only person I want is Uchiha Ryōsuke."
Tsunade instantly grew even more furious. *He actually wants my man.* "Orochimaru, you are courting death."
Orochimaru smiled disdainfully. "I am not the one courting death. Look at the five people standing before me. Disappear from my sight immediately."
Tsunade was seething with rage. *She recognized all of these people. Every single one of them had an illustrious reputation. To think Orochimaru had actually brought them back using the Impure World Reincarnation.* "Orochimaru, do you think I'm afraid?"
At this moment, Ryōsuke reached out and stopped Tsunade. "Tsunade, take your people back to the village. The White Zetsu army has begun attacking the village from underground. Go back and provide support. There's no need to worry about things here. They are nothing but a bunch of useless rabble."
Tsunade froze. *Ryōsuke spoke with immense arrogance, but the people here included her second grandfather and her first grandfather!* She shot him a glare. "First Grandfather, Second Grandfather, I am heading back to the village."
*This was a rare meeting, and she didn't know if there would ever be another chance.*
"Go, Tsunade. The village is more important." In the end, it was the Second Hokage who spoke up and told Tsunade to leave.
Hearing this, Tsunade decisively led the Anbu operatives away. *Leaving this place to Ryōsuke would be no problem at all.*
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