It wasn't until noon, after the construction crew left, that someone finally appeared.
Kawaze's group immediately withdrew as well, returning to the site only after lunch.
"What on earth is the Uchiha planning?"
Tsunade kept turning the self-directed Uchiha scenario over in her mind, but no matter how she reasoned, she couldn't find an answer.
"Don't overthink it. Tonight, I'll take you to find out."
Seeing the confidence on Kawaze's face reassured her—but she had no idea that relying solely on skill and courage might not lead to the smooth outcome she expected.
Meanwhile, the area where the Root operatives had been stationed was already a complete mess.
Only one of the six Root shinobi was still struggling to cling to life, grievously injured.
The other five lay on the ground, no longer breathing.
"So this is how your Senju clan conducts itself?"
"You're not afraid I'll report this back to the Third Hokage?"
Even now, the Root shinobi tried to threaten the black-robed man standing before him with his words.
"Our land was approved by the Third as well. Why are you playing these tricks?"
"Besides… if you never make it back, who would know I was the one who killed you?"
The instant he finished speaking, the man in the black robe stepped in, preparing to deliver the killing blow.
But gradually, sounds of clapping echoed from a distance. Behind his mask, the injured Root shinobi's eyes lit with joy.
He was saved.
"Damn it."
Possessed by the movie emperor Uchiha Fugaku, the black-robed man cursed inwardly and fled without hesitation.
The lone surviving Root shinobi never imagined that this "Senju clansman" actually had enough time to kill him and still get away.
After Fugaku left, a senior Uchiha jōnin arrived with dozens of clan members.
He saw one corpse on the ground—and the last surviving Root operative.
"I heard a disturbance and came running. I was originally planning to head to the construction site."
"Who did you encounter?"
His explanation had holes, and he was clearly desperate to justify himself. Fortunately, the survivor was far too overwhelmed to think clearly.
"I encountered a member of the Senju clan."
"This is outrageous. I'll get you back immediately."
Uchiha Shō deliberately ignored the bloodstains and left with the Root shinobi. The other Uchiha scattered as well.
I never planned on going to the construction site. I was just putting on a show.
After the injured Root operative was taken back to headquarters, the Uchiha jōnin left with a satisfied smile.
"Tch. Danzō, Root… they're nothing but toys in the hands of the Uchiha."
Danzō had a medical-nin tending to the survivor, but fury twisted his face.
Six men had gone out, and only one returned. How was he supposed to "easily train replacements"?
"What happened?"
The anger in his tone could no longer be hidden.
"I encountered the Senju. Everyone else was already dead. Luckily the Uchiha arrived and saved me."
"The Senju troops were scared off by the large number of enemies."
"The Uchiha said you should go question the construction workers tomorrow."
"For now, the Uchiha have one injured member, and our Root division has five casualties."
"Even if this reaches the Third Hokage, we can still clean it up."
Enduring the pain, the Root shinobi recounted everything that had happened—and everything the Uchiha jōnin had said when he brought him back.
"Even if you're related to the Hokage's circle, you're going too far."
At this point, Danzō had no doubts left. He had walked straight into the Uchiha clan head's trap.
Tomorrow, if he went to the construction site, trouble was guaranteed.
"Take him away for treatment."
After all, Danzō never killed for the sake of venting anger. Every Root ninja was someone he had invested enormous effort in raising.
Tomorrow, however, he would definitely spill blood to vent his fury—and what did that have to do with the Senju?
The hospital, too, would conveniently use this situation to settle matters.
Danzō couldn't help recalling Kawaze again, the hook on his throat still vivid in his mind.
If they truly met tomorrow, the Uchiha would have to make the first move.
Kawaze no longer believed anything would happen today and seemed a bit relaxed.
If Tsunade weren't here, he probably would have left the country already.
When the construction crew finally clocked out, Kawaze got up and stretched.
"Work's over."
After a few ups and downs, they disappeared from sight.
After dinner, Tsunade and Kawaze sat facing each other at the training grounds.
Sakumo and Nayuki had their own matters to handle and didn't want to disturb them.
"Kawaze-kun… where exactly are you taking me later?"
Tsunade couldn't wait any longer, but Kawaze still hadn't revealed the destination.
"The Uchiha compound."
Kawaze sipped his tea, looking at the moon as if discussing something trivial.
"What?!"
Tsunade shot to her feet, startled.
"The Uchiha clan won't just sit back and do nothing! Do you know how many people they have?!"
She clearly disapproved—after all, they would be entering Uchiha territory, and casualties were a real possibility.
Besides, anything involving the Uchiha was always a sensitive topic among the village leadership.
"Don't worry. I have my reasons for taking you."
"With Flying Thunder God, we'll be perfectly safe."
Kawaze spoke with absolute confidence. Without Mangekyō Sharingan, the Uchiha couldn't stop him—Flying Thunder God or not.
Seeing him so assured, Tsunade finally relaxed. If safety was guaranteed, then she had no objections to the Uchiha making a move.
The moon climbed higher, and Kawaze felt the time was right.
"Let's go."
Placing his right hand on her shoulder, the two vanished instantly.
When Tsunade regained her bearings, they were already back on the same tree branch they had used as a hiding spot during the day.
Seeing Kawaze appear perfectly calm, she was secretly shocked.This chakra amount… it's absurd.
"Come on. We're going straight in."
Tsunade thought Kawaze planned to stay concealed—but instead he boldly escorted her right into Uchiha territory.
They were immediately stopped by a guard.
"Hatake Kawakaze Kaede is here with Lady Tsunade to request an audience with the Uchiha clan head. Please inform him."
Before the Uchiha ninja could speak, Kawaze introduced himself.
"Understood. Please wait."
The guard's expression darkened. He stole several glances at Tsunade, unable to guess what his clan's sworn enemy intended to do.
But a small fry like him wasn't qualified to worry about such things. He turned and hurried to report to the clan head.
The clan head, who hadn't yet rested, was equally puzzled and called out, "Fugaku!"
The two discussed quietly in the room. Refusing the visit would damage the Uchiha's reputation.
"Prepare some tea. Have the guard bring them in."
Kawaze and Tsunade remained silent as they followed the guide straight to the clan head's quiet room, where the Uchiha clan head and Fugaku were waiting.
"Oh, it's you?"
When Kawaze entered, Fugaku glared at him, earning a small laugh in return.
"Hmph… Uchiha Fugaku greets Lady Tsunade."
As the designated successor of a noble clan, he maintained at least a veneer of dignity.
A flicker of strange emotion passed through Kawaze's eyes.So this guy is Itachi's and Sasuke's father?His strength is… pretty average.
"Tsunade greets the Uchiha clan head."
She maintained the necessary courtesy.
As soon as Kawaze sat down, he poured himself tea. Uchiha Seishi's expression grew even more displeased.
The old fox's irritation was clear, but he suppressed it.
Tsunade took a seat beside Kawaze.
"I'm curious—what wind brought you two to visit the Uchiha household so late at night?"
The clan head began, while Fugaku stared fixedly at Kawaze, afraid he would do something dangerous.
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All the fanfiction is 30-chapter ahead but this "Naruto: Tsunade the Fugitive Healer" is 30 chapters ahead there