The Nara leading the group spoke first.
With the mention of Tsunade's name, the others in the patrol squad subconsciously lowered their guard.
They might not have met Tsunade, but they certainly knew the name—one of Konoha's legendary Sannin.
More importantly... due to the rumors Uchiha Jin had spread, they were also well aware of the persecution of the Senju Clan by the Village High Command.
"She is seeking refuge with the Uchiha!"
"Go report this."
Tsunade crossed her arms, her tone completely flat.
Upon hearing this, everyone in the patrol squad felt their minds go blank.
What the heck?
Tsunade seeking refuge with the Uchiha?
Everyone found this unbelievable, instinctively thinking it was a joke, because Tsunade's identity was far from simple!
However.
Still, no one dared to be negligent, and one person immediately headed into the clan compound.
The remaining two patrol members respectfully welcomed Tsunade into the compound.
A moment later.
Tsunade was invited into Jin's main courtyard and immediately escorted to the reception room.
"You are Uchiha Jin?"
"Yes, please have a seat."
Uchiha Jin looked at Tsunade before him, his expression unchanged.
After Tsunade sat opposite him, Uchiha Jin brewed her a cup of tea, then said with an air of curiosity, "I truly didn't expect you, Tsunade, to choose to seek refuge with the Uchiha."
This was the truth!
This was the Fifth Hokage from the original work, someone who also held no goodwill toward the Uchiha.
There was no helping it.
How could the thousand-year hatred between the Senju and Uchiha be erased just by founding a Village?
Everyone says Senju Tobirama was prejudiced against the Uchiha, but that statement is actually wrong; it should be said that the entire Senju Clan disliked the Uchiha, and only Senju Hashirama truly considered the Uchiha his friends.
Tsunade was naturally no exception!
It was only because they were all in the same Village that she didn't target the Uchiha as much as the Konoha F4 did.
That was precisely why Uchiha Jin was curious!
He figured Tsunade would, at most, remain neutral, with a small chance of becoming the Fifth Hokage, and virtually zero chance of joining the Uchiha.
Therefore.
When he learned that Tsunade actually wanted to join the Uchiha, his first thought was disbelief, and his second was that the woman had gone crazy.
On the other hand.
Tsunade's expression was very calm. Although her gaze held a faint discomfort when looking at Uchiha Jin, she ultimately picked up the tea Uchiha Jin offered.
"Tch, it's not sake!"
"I apologize, but I personally don't like alcohol; it makes me lose my judgment."
Uchiha Jin shook his head, and he was, of course, telling the truth.
He hadn't liked drinking in his previous life, and in this life, the pressure was far too great. He was constantly on edge, afraid that he'd drink one moment and be killed by Root the next.
Even now, the situation was the same.
Although the Uchiha's situation looked good, essentially, they had only just managed to pull themselves up to the same tier as the Konoha High Command. Only if this current operation succeeded completely could they be considered to have fully suppressed the Konoha High Command.
Yes!
It was merely suppression; they were still a long way from true success.
"You don't want to drink?"
"Then your life must be truly boring. You know, even the Nara Clan occasionally drinks to relax."
"If you're calculating every day like this, what joy is left in life?"
"But, never mind."
"It has nothing to do with me anyway. As for why I chose to join the Uchiha, just assume a donkey kicked me in the head."
Tsunade downed the tea in one gulp, and her mind cleared up slightly.
Then.
She herself was stunned!
She joined the Uchiha? Why did she do that just now?
Having sobered up slightly, she stood frozen in place.
Although she hated Hiruzen Sarutobi and the rest of the Konoha High Command, she still shouldn't have chosen to seek refuge with the Uchiha, right?
Alcohol really causes problems!
But since the die was cast, she didn't know what to say besides letting out a sigh.
What should she do?
She couldn't possibly tell Uchiha Jin that she just had a few drinks, thought about the darkness of the Village, and came to the Uchiha in a fit of pique, could she?
However, on the other side.
Although Tsunade didn't state the true situation, Uchiha Jin noticed her embarrassment, and combined with the strong smell of alcohol emanating from her, he guessed the situation with high accuracy.
After a brief moment of thought, he spoke slowly.
"Lady Tsunade's words truly reflect how the full don't know the hunger of the starved!"
"If I didn't scheme, the Uchiha would have been wiped out long ago, and I, at best, would be a Rogue Ninja."
"Under such immense pressure to survive, who has the mind to think about joy?"
"Of course."
"I have a general understanding of Lady Tsunade's situation."
"The Uchiha grants freedom of movement; we will not force anyone to stay."
"If you feel regret, you are free to leave at any time."
Uchiha Jin was completely calm.
Sensing Tsunade's emotions, he immediately gave her this promise.
Yes!
Perhaps Tsunade's status as a Medical Ninja and the last remaining member of the Senju Clan was a huge boon to the Uchiha, but he didn't actually value it that highly.
To be frank.
In Uchiha Jin's overall plan, there was no inherent place for Tsunade, so he naturally didn't care if she left.
He had enough confidence in himself that he could achieve all his goals through upright and honorable means!
And regarding this.
Tsunade was stunned by his words, her face full of surprise.
Although she seemed self-destructive every day, she was still very clear about her own value. Even if she hadn't inherited the Senju surname, the name Tsunade was still irreplaceable in Konoha.
Otherwise, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Jiraiya wouldn't be desperately trying to bring her back.
But looking at the completely calm Uchiha Jin before her, she couldn't help but feel a little annoyed.
"Oh, so generous?"
"Aren't you afraid that I might actually become the Fifth Hokage? That would certainly have a profound impact on your plans, wouldn't it?"
"You should know that if I just nod my head, the chaotic Civilian Ninja and villagers outside, and even the Daimyo, would 100% acknowledge my position."
"Even among the Ninja Clans you've won over, I'm confident I could sway some of them."
"Aren't you afraid of all this?"
Tsunade was extremely confident internally; she truly had this assurance.
Of course, the prerequisite was.
She couldn't settle scores with Sarutobi and those other Ninja Clans, or she would certainly face the hostility of all the Ninja Clans.
After all, those individuals played an ignoble role in the downfall of the Senju Clan back then. Even if they hated Hiruzen Sarutobi and his ilk internally, they were more afraid of her, the Fifth Generation, settling scores with them.
Therefore.
As long as she gave up on settling scores with the Konoha High Command, she could definitely ascend to the position of the Fifth Generation.