Uchiha Soren sat beneath the shade of a maple in the Senju compound courtyard. The space was elegant, serene, and deceptively calm — because outside the gate, dozens of Senju clanspeople milled with thinly veiled tension.
Uzumaki Minako knelt gracefully and pushed a steaming cup toward him.
"Please accept my tea, Hokage-sama."
Her smile was apologetic — warm, patient, and tinged with embarrassment.
"Please forgive the clanfolk outside. If suddenly a crowd of Senju showed up at the Uchiha estate… well, the situation would hardly be pleasant either."
Soren nodded lightly. He did not miss the faint exhaustion in Minako's expression — the exhaustion of a woman keeping an entire clan from tipping over an edge.
She covered her mouth with a soft laugh.
"It took a lot to persuade Zhili to come, so please… don't mind the noise."
Soren exhaled with a helpless chuckle — the Senju household truly was strict. Even through the open doorway he could sense the rippling emotional pressure, a clan standing at attention for the Hokage's visit.
Minako tilted her head playfully.
"If you don't return home on time, things will get noisier."
"Are you worried I'll get scolded?" Soren teased.
She giggled, the sound bright and gentle.
"I'll keep track of time, Hokage-sama. I won't let you miss your return."
The tone was soft but affectionate. Soren's chest gave a small, involuntary twitch.
She smiled over the rim of her cup.
"And please — call me Minako. You'll be Tsunade's teacher soon. No need for formality."
Her warmth, her grounded composure, her quiet strength — Soren could see clearly why Hashirama had once said the Senju and Uzumaki were the heart of Konoha.
Minako… was the kind of woman whose presence anchored a home.
He sipped his tea to steady the flicker running through his thoughts.
( If Zhili and Kaori were unripe apples, fresh, sharp, sweet—
Minako was a ripe, gentle peach, soft and intoxicating in a different way. )
( Let nature take its course, Soren told himself. One step at a time. )
The Arrival of Uzumaki Mito — and Tsunade
Lantern-light rippled across the courtyard as Uzumaki Mito stepped in, wearing a dignified purple kimono. Her hair was pinned high in regal style, her posture commanding and serene.
Behind her toddled a small figure — golden-haired, bright-eyed, confident even half-asleep.
Tsunade.
Minako smiled warmly.
"Tsunade, this is the Third Hokage — your future teacher."
Tsunade looked up with fearless curiosity.
"Hello, Hokage-sama. I'm Tsunade."
Soren softened.
"Hello, Tsunade. When you train under me — with Orochimaru and the others — don't complain."
Her eyes widened.
"Orochimaru is my teammate?! I'll show them that academy tests mean nothing — real ninjutsu is learned with blade and body!"
Two pairs of gentle but lethal maternal eyes (Mito and Minako) immediately fell on her.
Tsunade straightened like a chastised kitten.
Minako flushed, wringing her hands.
"Tsunade is… enthusiastic. But she's very popular in the academy."
Soren laughed softly.
"Relax, Minako. I know what kind of child she is."
Tsunade puffed up proudly, only to shrink again when Mito cleared her throat.
Over dinner, Mito spoke calmly about Tsunade's nature — competitive, stubborn, proud of her lineage, but an affectionate child at heart. Minako listened, relieved that Soren seemed receptive.
When the meal ended, Tsunade yawned loudly. Minako lifted her with practiced ease, and the trio retired to their quarters.
Mito's Last Warning — and Moriki's Last Delusion
Moonlight spilled across the wooden walkway as Mito approached a dim pavilion.
Senju Moriki sat alone within — clothes rumpled, face shadowed, eyes bloodshot and hollow. The former heir of the Senju looked more like a ghost than a man.
Mito's voice was cold steel.
"How long will you continue like this?"
Moriki did not answer.
She drew a breath.
"Today, the Third Hokage accepted Tsunade as his apprentice. I agreed."
Moriki jerked upright, fury and desperation flashing in his eyes.
"She's my daughter! How can you throw her to that evil Uchiha?! He'll ruin her—"
Mito's glare froze him mid-sentence.
"The man you call 'evil' is now Konoha's strongest Hokage. If you still have a mind left inside your skull… beware your words."
Moriki trembled, teeth clenched.
Mito's tone sharpened.
"If you refuse Tsunade's training, then what? Do you expect her to follow you?"
He flinched at the blow.
Mito turned toward the door.
"If you continue like this, I'll send you to the Hōzuki City Prison in Kusano Village for a time. Do not test my patience."
She left.
Moriki stood alone in the moonlight, hands trembling.
His mind drifted — not toward reflection, not toward regret —
But toward an old rumor.
A rumor whispered among fools:
The Elixir Box of Bliss
— hidden in the depths of the Hōzuki Prison.
— rumored to grant any wish.
A faint, deranged smile crept across his face.
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