Tsunade couldn't completely relax yet.
One patient remained unconscious: Tetsuo Uchiha.
Since suffering severe injuries that day, he hadn't awakened.
Raj, curious about whether Tetsuo had unlocked the Mangekyo Sharingan, had been monitoring his condition closely.
Today, Tetsuo finally stirred.
Raj, who had been wandering outside, sensed Tetsuo's awakening and immediately dashed back to camp, crawling under the tent to observe.
Someone noticed him.
But Raj's status within the camp was second only to Tsunade and Minato.
No one would dare stop the "Jonin Raj" from checking on his comrade's well-being.
Tetsuo lay in bed, Shizune slowly feeding him porridge.
His complexion was pale, and a shadow of worry lingered in his eyes.
Tsunade examined him.
After a few seconds, she smiled.
"Nothing serious. Your body is recovering well."
"Thank you, Lady Tsunade. What about my teammates?"
"Well..."
Tsunade hesitated, unsure how to answer.
Some of Tetsuo's teammates had been temporary recruits, while others were companions who had fought alongside him for years.
But the Kumogakure's assault had been devastating.
Apart from Tetsuo, none had survived - and even he owed his life to Raj's intervention.
"If it hadn't been for Raj, even Minato might not have been able to save you in that situation," Tsunade said.
Tetsuo Uchiha understood the implications without her needing to elaborate.
"What about the people from Kumogakure...?"
"We"
"Drove them back, meow. They've already surrendered."
Raj jumped onto Tsunade's shoulder.
Tsunade shot him a cold glare and shook her shoulder, sending him tumbling off.
"Healing time, stop causing trouble."
"Raj, thank you for... uh, they surrendered? Have I been unconscious for that long?"
Tetsuo Uchiha's eyes widened in disbelief.
He had assumed he'd been out for a year or two, but Shizune kindly informed him that he'd only been unconscious for less than ten days.
Moreover, not only had Kumogakure surrendered, but Kirigakure had as well.
Tetsuo, still recovering from his severe injuries, was overwhelmed by the news.
After a few seconds, he regained his composure.
His expression remained unreadable, masking a complex mix of emotions-excitement, grief, and everything in between.
After a moment of stunned silence, Tetsuo looked around the room.
Tsunade, deep in thought, took the bowl from Shizune and said, "Everyone, please leave. Tetsuo needs to rest."
"Can Raj stay? I want to hear the full story."
"Meow!"
Raj nodded.
He also wanted to ask if Tetsuo was related to Shisui.
Now that he looked closer, Tetsuo's curly hair and similar facial features suggested a connection.
After Tsunade nodded, she set down the bowl of porridge and led everyone out of the hospital room.
Once they were alone, Tetsuo Uchiha sat up and slowly brought the bowl and spoon to his mouth, one bite at a time.
He carefully considered the situation, still finding it utterly unbelievable.
'Kumogakure surrendered so quickly. What the hell happened to the Third Raikage?'
"Meow~ If you're wondering about the Third Raikage, he left just two days ago. Oh, and their Two-Tailed Jinchuriki, Yugito, is still here as a guest," Raj remarked, sensing his confusion.
The Third Raikage's initial treatment had been the most challenging part.
Subsequent care involved only meticulous maintenance, which ordinary medical ninja could handle after a few sessions.
There was no need for him to remain in the Land of Fire any longer.
Who knew if Tsunade might invent some "extended stay fees" or "maintenance charges" to keep him here longer?
Having witnessed Tsunade's extortion skills, getting everything he wanted to see and experience, the Third Raikage returned to his homeland early.
Tetsuo Uchiha's spoon paused mid-air.
'The Third Raikage? The Two-Tailed Jinchuriki?'
The sheer amount of information overwhelmed him.
He didn't even know where to begin asking questions.
After slowly finishing half a bowl of porridge, Tetsuo finally spoke up.
"What about the Kiri Ninja?"
"That was even simpler, meow! Minato and I captured the Third Mizukage and threatened them to hand over the remaining three Ninja Blades. They got scared and surrendered, meow!"
'Captured the Third Mizukage? Ninja Blades? Wait, the information keeps piling up!'
Tetsuo Uchiha felt utterly bewildered.
'In the short time we'd been apart, this cat had already reached the point where he could kidnap a Mizukage alongside Minato? He's so strong!'
'And here I am, panicking and worrying even after awakening the Mangekyo Sharingan... My mental fortitude still needs work.'
He straightened his posture, stared at Raj for a few seconds, and sighed.
"To think, you used to beg me for help. Now, less than a year later, you're the one saving my life. Raj, you're a true prodigy."
"Meow~"
"I wish my son had half your talent. Oh, have I introduced you to him yet? His name is Shisui. He's so cute, with curly hair just like mine, ha ha ha!"
Tetsuo Uchiha looked around and quickly found his belongings on the bedside table.
A precious photograph.
However, it had been slightly scorched by a Lightning Release attack.
He touched the photo regretfully.
"Meow~ I've seen this boy before."
"Really? Hahaha."
Tetsuo Uchiha smiled proudly and carefully tucked the photo into his robe.
He then began to talk about Shisui, eventually mentioning how he and some Uchiha clansmen had been stationed at the border.
By the end, his voice trembled with emotion.
'A group of loyal subordinates who had followed me for years... Who would have thought I'd lead them out only to fail to bring them back?'
As he spoke, he looked up, his eyes revealing three tomoe that swirled and shifted continuously, eventually transforming into a blurred, double-imaged state resembling a shuriken.
"Meow?"
Raj was stunned.
'The Mangekyo Sharingan? He's awakened it! No, he must have awakened it earlier, but this is the first time he's activated this state.'
"This is the Mangekyo Sharingan. Have you heard of it?"
"Meow!"
Raj nodded slightly.
The story of Madara's Mangekyo and his rivalry with Hashirama Senju was widely known.
Claiming ignorance would have been absurd.
"The Uchiha and the Ninja Cat Clan have always been allies. Raj, as a Jonin with formidable strength, I must ask you: if you were to obtain such eyes, how would you use them?" Tetsuo Uchiha asked solemnly.
"..."
This was a difficult question.
Fugaku Uchiha had struggled with this dilemma, ultimately choosing his clan.
What would Tetsuo choose?
It was curious.
After a few seconds of thought, it shook its head and said, "I'm just a cat. You shouldn't ask me such things, meow."
"You're right, ha... my apologies."
Tetsuo Uchiha withdrew his ocular power.
No matter how talented it was, it was still only a little over a year old, lacking the experience and understanding to grasp such complex issues that even humans struggled with.
Just as he was thinking this, Raj continued.
"But in our Cat Clan, if I possessed such power and wanted to change things, I would challenge for leadership or control of the clan.