Senju territory.
Uzumaki Minako sought out the only elder left of the clan, Senju Ying.
After a long conversation, the aged Kage-level veteran gently refused to go to the Land of Lightning. His weathered face held a calm, settled dignity; his tone carried caution and counsel.
"Madam Minako, no matter how battered the Land of Lightning's ship may be, it still has a few nails holding it together. The forest branch of the Senju cannot bear a storm or upheaval now. Our clan does not lack secret techniques — what we lack is time to recuperate."
"I agree with Secretary Mito," Minako answered. "But Elder Ying's view must be weighed."
The reality that the Senju were now led by two Uzumaki women moved Senju Ying, who had witnessed the clan's prime, and he felt tears threaten to spill.
"To be trusted by Mito and Minako brings me comfort. I entrust the Senju's future to you both."
Watching the elder's frail back fade away, Minako's gaze was steady. She started to return to the Hokage Tower, then paused, and quietly turned toward the secluded manor where Senju Moriki was confined.
From a distance she saw Moriki — still unkempt and filthy — and left with a look of disappointment.
That scene did not go unnoticed. Senju Moriki, with senses still keen despite his disarray, watched the slim figure disappear around the corner. The curve of his mouth split into something between a laugh and a cry.
"Too busy even to spare me a word? Have you been corrupted by that wicked Uchiha?" he muttered. "Only the Elixir Box in Hōzuki City of the Grass Country can grant true wishes now. But first— I must leave you a memory. I must show you who is truly the head of the Forest Senju. It is not you, Uzumaki Minako!"
The sun sank. Senju Tsunade — punctual as always — arrived with the evening meal and worriedly peered at Moriki. "Father, please pull yourself together."
"Ah, Tsunade," the old man croaked. "I am much better now."
His unexpectedly gentle reply filled Tsunade with relief.
"Father, can you unseal the bath? I want to wash and change, then apologize properly to Minako and grandmother. I've been—"
"Of course, Father."
Tsunade did not hesitate. She had the chakra of a chūnin or greater and opened the secluded manor's seals without thinking of the built-in bathing facilities. But then she noticed what her father pulled from his ragged robe: a small, ornate wooden box. Inside lay a vial of pills — the forbidden Divine Strength Pill, the same potent tonic used to frame Uchiha Soren.
"This is a precious tonic left by your grandfather," Moriki said, voice syrupy. "It greatly boosts chakra. Consider it my gift to Minako. Grind a little powder into her soup — about an eighth… no, a quarter will do."
Tsunade frowned, handing the box back. "Why don't you do it yourself? Why won't you take it?"
(Because if you do it won't draw attention.) the old man thought, but did not speak.
(I do not need such things.) he added through cracked lips.
His eyes, hidden by the tangle of hair, burned red; yet his voice was mellow. "It must be a surprise. Only you can make it feel like one. The pill's effect is powerful — only someone like Minako can handle it. I cannot."
"Understood, Father. I'll do it." Tsunade smiled and hurried away, box clutched tightly.
After she left, Moriki ate ravenously, then lurched toward the inner rooms like an animal unmoored from reason.
Evening settled over the household. Mother and grandmother returned after their day's tasks and found Tsunade bringing the three bowls of dinner — the Senju still kept to the custom of separate plates.
"Grandmother, Mother, wash your hands — dinner's ready!" the child's carefree voice was a balm.
"Tsunade, slow down," Minako chided gently, rolling up her sleeves to help.
Soon the three dishes were set. Tsunade watched Minako sip miso soup, eyes turning into crescent moons of affection. She called out, loud and pleased, "Father — Mother has taken the soup."
At that moment Minako's bowl slipped from her grasp and clattered on the table. Color flooded her face as if a blush had been poured on it. A sudden, intolerable heat crawled through her chest. Repression broke — she toppled from her seat and collapsed to the floor.
The cold floor failed to cool the fever burning within Minako.
"Mother! What's wrong?" Tsunade cried, alarmed. "Father, why is Mother like this? What did you give her? What is in those pills?!"
Tsunade's smile froze into horror as a disheveled, filthy Moriki walked slowly toward them from the doorway, an ugly grin spreading across his face.
"Moriki!" Uzumaki Mito sprang up and helped Minako to her feet, checking her condition. As the pieces fell together — the manor's door that should have been sealed, Tsunade's sudden announcement, Moriki's presence and his recent gift — realization dawned like lightning.
"You madman! You actually drugged your wife with your own daughter's soup!" Mito's fury flared.
"Madam, I am fully lucid," Moriki replied with a chilling chuckle. "I only wanted to give Tsunade a brother. Couples sometimes need a little… seasoning. Isn't that normal?"
"Preposterous! That pill you used — it's violent and invasive. How can you claim that's normal?!" Mito snapped.
For the first time, the old man felt a rebellious excitement at being confronted so fiercely.
"I was only worried Minako's constitution is too strong. A little extra… might loosen her up." He smirked. "And with me around, what do you fear? This is a Nara clan secret — the Divine Strength Pill — a rarity." He sneered, then grew cold. "If you refuse, I can take Minako away. Watch her suffer until she dies. Or would you rather shame us by finding someone else for her?"
Mito's hands trembled with the urge to strike him down. Minako's body burned red; her consciousness swam. Mito, helpless as her daughter's heat rose and her grasp loosened, could only barely hold on.
The Divine Strength Pill acted like a shock — it took effect in seconds, a tonic more explosive than most poisons.
Mito's eyes went ice-cold. "If you harm Minako, I will utterly ruin you."
"Minako is my wife too," Moriki said, feigning sincerity. "I am not a monster." Then, with grim theatricality: "When this is over, Mother, you can send me to Hōzuki City's Blood Prison for life."
He scooped Minako up and carried her into the inner chamber. Tsunade stood motionless, her image of a gentle, striving father shattered like glass.
"Grandmother, did I hurt Mother?" the child whimpered.
"Tsunade, my child," Mito sobbed, holding her granddaughter close. "It's not your fault. Sleep now. Everything will be—"
Tsunade's cries ripped Mito's heart. She gathered the girl and retreated toward her room.
At the same time, Moriki laid Minako on the bed and was about to do… something, when a handsome youth silently descended outside the window, bathed in cool moonlight.
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