When Shizune finally saw Tsunade, her eyes turned red, and she nearly burst into tears.
The pressure she had endured was unimaginable.
This disappearance was completely different from their previous escapes from gambling debts .... this time, the one who took Tsunade away was the deputy chief of the Uchiha clan.
Even someone as naïve as Shizune knew the deep-rooted feud between the Senju and Uchiha clans.
Moreover, the way Arata had suddenly taken Tsunade away using time–space ninjutsu had terrified her beyond measure.
Seeing Tsunade reappear safely, Shizune finally felt her heart return to its place.
Tsunade understood her anxiety. She gently rubbed Shizune's head and comforted her. "It's okay, it's okay. We've been separated longer than this before. Everything's fine."
Under Tsunade's reassurance, Shizune gradually calmed down.
Only then did she suddenly notice Uchiha Arata standing behind Tsunade.
Her expression instantly changed.
With a swift movement, she pulled out a kunai, jumped in front of Tsunade, and shouted, "Tsunade-sama! Uchiha Arata is here again!"
Tsunade was startled for a moment before quickly grabbing Shizune and explaining, "Shizune, he's not a bad person.
He didn't come to cause trouble. He was carrying out a mission assigned by the Third Hokage.
He just took me somewhere quiet to pass on important information."
Only then did Shizune relax, though her wariness toward Arata did not fully fade.
Seeing that Tsunade and Shizune had reunited safely, Arata knew his role here was finished. He spoke calmly:
"Tsunade, since everything is settled, I'll leave first. Please think carefully about what I mentioned. It concerns something very important."
Tsunade understood what he meant. A faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
In front of Shizune, she couldn't say much and only replied vaguely, "Go back and rest. I'll… think about it carefully."
Arata nodded, greeted them both, and quietly left.
Shizune watched him go, glancing left and right, feeling that something about the atmosphere between Tsunade and Arata was strangely different.
Tsunade, however, immediately dragged Shizune away, not giving her time to think too deeply.
It was already late. They needed rest.
Yet after washing up and lying in bed, Tsunade found herself unable to sleep.
So much had happened that day — far too much.
Her identity had changed completely. She had become a puppet under Uchiha Arata's control, and the psychological shock of that alone was difficult to digest.
As her thoughts drifted, she suddenly remembered the question Arata had asked her to consider.
Her cheeks instantly burned.
That damn Uchiha Arata…
Am I taking advantage of him, or is he taking advantage of me?
Do I really… want to give him a child?
I had planned to spend my life alone… and yet, I somehow ended up falling into the hands of this brat from the Uchiha clan.
Tsunade clenched her teeth, staring at the ceiling, tossing and turning.
That night, she did not sleep at all.
Compared to Tsunade, who had spent the entire night tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep, Uchiha Arata slept soundly.
After all, his objective this time had already been achieved. He had successfully controlled Tsunade — one of the legendary Sannin.
The only concern was that if the fusion of Senju bloodline took too long, Shizune, that little follower, might panic and send a distress signal to Jiraiya.
Although Arata was now powerful enough to fight Jiraiya head-on, or even suppress him, those familiar with Jiraiya knew that he still possessed countless hidden methods.
If Jiraiya kept targeting him, it would become extremely troublesome, delaying both his plans and timeline.
After all, Jiraiya still had to go find his destined child.
After a dreamless night, Arata woke up early. Despite going to bed very late due to everything that happened yesterday, he was still full of energy.
Ever since he completed his body refinement .... especially after fusing Wood Release and the Uzumaki bloodline — his physical condition had soared dramatically.
Even without eating, drinking, or sleeping for several days, he could still maintain peak performance.
When Tsunade and Shizune stepped out of their room, Arata had already ordered breakfast.
Seeing them, he invited them over to eat.
Tsunade and Shizune exchanged a glance, said nothing, and quietly walked over.