Konoha: Uchiha's Two-Way Travel in One Piece

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"I....."

Hearing those words, Tsunade hesitated, struggling to speak.

She could feel her grandmother's difficulty and pain.

For a moment, her heart brimmed with anger toward her teacher—discontent so intense it was beginning to morph into hatred.

If not for her teacher's selfishness, would her grandmother, her family, and the Uzumaki clan have been driven to this extent?

"Phew…"

Tsunade took a deep breath, her mind unusually clear.

Recalling her grandmother's earlier words, her expression grew serious as she pieced together the key elements.

Looking up at her grandmother, she asked, "So, Grandma, after observing the recent changes in the Uchiha, especially Uchiha Jiri, you've started thinking differently. Are you planning to ally with the Uchiha to save the Uzumaki and Senju clans, and to stand against the new Hokage faction led by the Third?"

"Oh?"

Mito Uzumaki's gaze sharpened as she looked at Tsunade, a flicker of gratification in her eyes.

"It seems you've finally come to your senses!"

"That's right. I've been considering it. But everything depends on my meeting with Uchiha Jiri. I need to probe her thoughts before making any decisions. Let's hope this plan works!"

If it worked, the future would be much brighter for both the Senju and Uzumaki clans.

Moreover, this alliance would benefit the Uchiha greatly as well—a mutually advantageous arrangement.

Mito knew this all too well.

The Sarutobi and his faction were so entrenched in their quest for power and self-interest that they wouldn't stop at just suppressing the Senju.

After the Senju, the Uchiha would be next.

Following them would be the Hyūga, the Ino-Shika-Chō clans, the Inuzuka, the Aburame, and others.

One by one, the great clans would face suppression until none could rival the Sarutobi faction's dominance.

Only when the Sarutobi clan rose to be the strongest in Konoha, perhaps even turning the entire village into Sarutobi Village, would this suppression slow or stop altogether.

This was the fatal flaw of replacing a major clan with a minor one as Hokage.

In hindsight, neither she nor Tobirama had seen this clearly, leading to the current disaster.

"Hmm!"

Tsunade nodded firmly. "Then let's wait until you've met with Uchiha Jiri. I hope it works out!"

"By the way…"

Suddenly, a thought struck Tsunade, and she looked at her grandmother with a hint of excitement.

"Grandma, if Uchiha Jiri has regained her peak strength, maybe she can help you recover too?"

"Even if she can't bring you back to your peak, she might have a way to extend your life, don't you think? Didn't you check her condition a few years ago? I remember you mentioned that her life force and soul had suffered damage, right?"

"Her condition back then was far worse than yours!"

"Your life was only shortened because of the chakra and life force you expended to seal and suppress the tailed beast. If she could recover fully, surely she could help you as well, right?"

Thinking this through, Tsunade finally saw a glimmer of hope.

Ever since her disillusionment with the Third Hokage and learning of the trials ahead for the Senju and Uzumaki clans, she had been feeling crushed under the weight of it all.

It was suffocating—too much for someone her age to bear.

But if her grandmother could live for another ten or twenty years—or longer—then Tsunade wouldn't have to shoulder these burdens alone.

She could take a supporting role, helping here and there while letting her grandmother lead.

That would be much easier.

By the time another ten or twenty years passed, Nawaki would be an adult.

The responsibilities could then fall to him.

After all, as the future head of the Senju clan, it was only natural for Nawaki to bear this responsibility, wasn't it?

She was just a delicate woman; it wasn't right for her to carry such an overwhelming burden.

"Perhaps."

Uzumaki Mito could easily see through Tsunade's thoughts.

But if extending her life by ten or twenty years would help Tsunade carry less weight, she wouldn't mind.

She could also focus on training Nawaki more intensely in the meantime.

"That's why I said everything depends on the meeting with Uchiha Jiri. Only if we confirm that her recovery is genuine and that her methods aren't exclusive can we move forward with our plans."

"For now, deliver this invitation to Uchiha Jiri, asking her to visit us soon."

Mito pulled an invitation from her robe and handed it to Tsunade.

"Got it! I'll go right away!"

Tsunade took the invitation and hurried off.

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Before long, Tsunade arrived at Uchiha Jiri's residence and explained her purpose, handing over the invitation.

"Oh?"

Jiri raised her brows slightly as she opened the letter and skimmed its contents.

"I understand the reason for this meeting," she said.

"I agree, but I won't be available for the next two weeks. Let's meet in twenty days. I'll bring my son, Kaito, with me as well. If all goes well, you should get what you're hoping for. That's all."

Though the invitation contained few words, Jiri saw through its veiled intent.

It was clear Mito wanted to extend her lifespan.

"So, she's thinking the same thing as me," Jiri mused with amusement.

"Uzumaki Mito isn't foolish, nor is she one to sit back and wait for death. I'm sure our future negotiations will go smoothly."

"Hmm? Twenty days?"

Tsunade frowned. "Can't it be sooner? The Uzumaki clan's situation is dire. Who knows when the enemy might strike?"

"I…"

Before Tsunade could press further, Jiri's aura suddenly flared.

The oppressive energy bore down on Tsunade, forcing her back to the ground. Her face turned red as her body trembled uncontrollably, nearly collapsing.

Luckily, the pressure only lasted a moment before Jiri reined it in.

Casually sipping her tea, as though nothing had happened, Jiri glanced at Tsunade and waved dismissively.

"My decisions are clear. You may leave now."

"Yes!"

Though frustration boiled inside her, Tsunade clenched her fists and nodded.

"Then I'll take my leave."

Turning quickly, she left Jiri's residence.

Once outside, she exhaled deeply, her trembling finally subsiding.

Looking back at Jiri's home with a complicated expression, she muttered, "What a terrifying presence. I've underestimated her."

"She's at least as powerful as Grandma!"

"Not to mention, her vitality is astonishing. It's not just for show—she really has recovered!"

This was good news.

At least it confirmed that Jiri might have a way to save her grandmother.

With this hope in mind, Tsunade hurried back home and recounted her experience to her grandmother, ending with a pout.

"Grandma, you have no idea how scary Uchiha Jiri is! She's so fierce—she used her aura to pressure me without warning. It was so terrifying that I almost collapsed!"

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