Reborn in Konoha, Sailing to the Grand Line

"I..."

Tsunade hesitated, struggling to find the right words. Her grandmother's expression was filled with a mix of sorrow and determination, making it clear just how dire the situation truly was.

For the first time, Tsunade's growing discontent with the Third Hokage reached a boiling point, transforming into something much darker—resentment. If not for his selfish ambitions, how could things have deteriorated to this extent? How could her grandmother, her clan, and the Uzumaki be pushed to such a precarious position?

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to think clearly. No longer blinded by admiration for her teacher, she began piecing everything together.

She turned toward Mito, her voice steady but firm. "So, Grandma, after seeing the changes in the Uchiha, especially Uchiha Sarah, you've started considering other options. Are you planning to ally with them to protect the Uzumaki and the Senju… and stand against the growing influence of the Hokage's faction?"

Mito's eyes gleamed with approval. "It seems you've finally woken up, Tsunade."

She nodded. "Yes, that thought has crossed my mind. But nothing is certain yet. I need to meet with Uchiha Sarah and gauge her true intentions before making any decisions."

Tsunade clenched her fists. "If this works, it could change everything."

"Indeed," Mito agreed. "If we can form a solid alliance, the future will be far brighter—not just for Senju and Uzumaki, but for Uchiha as well. We all stand to benefit."

She sighed, her voice turning grave. "You must understand, Tsunade, that Hiruzen and his closest advisors will not stop at Senju. They will suppress every great clan that does not fall in line."

She listed them off one by one. "First, Senju. Then Uchiha. After them, the Hyuga, Ino-Shika-Chō, Inuzuka, Aburame… One by one, they will all face the same fate. Any clan that is stronger than them, any that they cannot control, will be subdued."

Her voice turned cold. "Their goal is simple: to turn Konoha into their personal stronghold. When the Sarutobi clan becomes the most powerful, when Konoha belongs to them entirely, only then will this oppression stop."

Tsunade's stomach churned at the thought. "I see it now… This is the danger of having small clans control the Hokage position."

Mito gave a bitter smile. "Tobirama and I didn't foresee this. We believed the village would always act in unity. We failed to anticipate the greed that comes with power."

Tsunade inhaled deeply, then exhaled. "Then we'll discuss it again after you meet Uchiha Sarah. I hope it works."

Then, as if struck by sudden inspiration, she turned to Mito with excitement flashing in her eyes. "Wait, Grandma! Uchiha Sarah recovered her peak strength—what if she can help you do the same?"

Mito's eyes widened slightly.

"Even if she can't restore you completely, maybe she can extend your life!" Tsunade continued eagerly. "Years ago, she came to you for an examination, right? You said her life force and soul had been damaged beyond repair. But she still recovered!"

She leaned forward. "Your situation is different. You've been using your chakra to maintain the tailed beast seal, which has drained your vitality over time. But if Sarah could reverse her own decline, then maybe… just maybe… she can help you too!"

Hope surged within Tsunade. The weight that had been suffocating her—the burden of carrying both the Senju and Uzumaki legacies—suddenly felt lighter.

If her grandmother could live another ten, twenty, maybe even more years, then Tsunade wouldn't have to shoulder this responsibility alone.

She could stand beside Mito as support rather than as a leader. She wouldn't have to bear the weight of an entire clan's survival on her own.

And in a decade or two, Nawaki would have grown into a capable leader himself.

By then, the burden could rightfully be passed on to him.

For the first time in a long while, Tsunade felt hope.

Mito, too, seemed to absorb the weight of her granddaughter's words, contemplating the possibilities. If Sarah truly had the ability to recover her peak, then the same could be applied to her. She had long accepted her fate, but now, for the first time in decades, a glimmer of hope surfaced.

"If Sarah does indeed have a method, then I must find out how she did it," Mito said, her tone shifting into something sharper, more determined. "If there is even the slightest possibility, I owe it to the Senju and Uzumaki to live as long as I can."

Tsunade nodded firmly. "Then we'll make it happen."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of everything settling over them. The political landscape of Konoha was shifting, and they would not stand idly by while their clans were wiped out.

For the first time in years, Mito felt something beyond exhaustion—resolve.

She would not go down quietly. Not if there was still a chance to fight.

Chapter Title: The Dawn of Rebellion

"I..."

Tsunade hesitated, struggling to find the right words. Her grandmother's expression was filled with a mix of sorrow and determination, making it clear just how dire the situation truly was.

For the first time, Tsunade's growing discontent with the Third Hokage reached a boiling point, transforming into something much darker—resentment. If not for his selfish ambitions, how could things have deteriorated to this extent? How could her grandmother, her clan, and the Uzumaki be pushed to such a precarious position?

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to think clearly. No longer blinded by admiration for her teacher, she began piecing everything together.

She turned toward Mito, her voice steady but firm. "So, Grandma, after seeing the changes in the Uchiha, especially Uchiha Sarah, you've started considering other options. Are you planning to ally with them to protect the Uzumaki and the Senju… and stand against the growing influence of the Hokage's faction?"

Mito's eyes gleamed with approval. "It seems you've finally woken up, Tsunade."

She nodded. "Yes, that thought has crossed my mind. But nothing is certain yet. I need to meet with Uchiha Sarah and gauge her true intentions before making any decisions."

Tsunade clenched her fists. "If this works, it could change everything."

"Indeed," Mito agreed. "If we can form a solid alliance, the future will be far brighter—not just for Senju and Uzumaki, but for Uchiha as well. We all stand to benefit."

She sighed, her voice turning grave. "You must understand, Tsunade, that Hiruzen and his closest advisors will not stop at Senju. They will suppress every great clan that does not fall in line."

She listed them off one by one. "First, Senju. Then Uchiha. After them, the Hyuga, Ino-Shika-Chō, Inuzuka, Aburame… One by one, they will all face the same fate. Any clan that is stronger than them, any that they cannot control, will be subdued."

Her voice turned cold. "Their goal is simple: to turn Konoha into their personal stronghold. When the Sarutobi clan becomes the most powerful, when Konoha belongs to them entirely, only then will this oppression stop."

Tsunade's stomach churned at the thought. "I see it now… This is the danger of having small clans control the Hokage position."

Mito gave a bitter smile. "Tobirama and I didn't foresee this. We believed the village would always act in unity. We failed to anticipate the greed that comes with power."

Tsunade inhaled deeply, then exhaled. "Then we'll discuss it again after you meet Uchiha Sarah. I hope it works."

Then, as if struck by sudden inspiration, she turned to Mito with excitement flashing in her eyes. "Wait, Grandma! Uchiha Sarah recovered her peak strength—what if she can help you do the same?"

Mito's eyes widened slightly.

"Even if she can't restore you completely, maybe she can extend your life!" Tsunade continued eagerly. "Years ago, she came to you for an examination, right? You said her life force and soul had been damaged beyond repair. But she still recovered!"

She leaned forward. "Your situation is different. You've been using your chakra to maintain the tailed beast seal, which has drained your vitality over time. But if Sarah could reverse her own decline, then maybe… just maybe… she can help you too!"

Hope surged within Tsunade. The weight that had been suffocating her—the burden of carrying both the Senju and Uzumaki legacies—suddenly felt lighter.

If her grandmother could live another ten, twenty, maybe even more years, then Tsunade wouldn't have to shoulder this responsibility alone.

She could stand beside Mito as support rather than as a leader. She wouldn't have to bear the weight of an entire clan's survival on her own.

And in a decade or two, Nawaki would have grown into a capable leader himself.

By then, the burden could rightfully be passed on to him.

For the first time in a long while, Tsunade felt hope.

Mito, too, seemed to absorb the weight of her granddaughter's words, contemplating the possibilities. If Sarah truly had the ability to recover her peak, then the same could be applied to her. She had long accepted her fate, but now, for the first time in decades, a glimmer of hope surfaced.

"If Sarah does indeed have a method, then I must find out how she did it," Mito said, her tone shifting into something sharper, more determined. "If there is even the slightest possibility, I owe it to the Senju and Uzumaki to live as long as I can."

Tsunade nodded firmly. "Then we'll make it happen."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of everything settling over them. The political landscape of Konoha was shifting, and they would not stand idly by while their clans were wiped out.

For the first time in years, Mito felt something beyond exhaustion—resolve.

She would not go down quietly. Not if there was still a chance to fight.

Meanwhile, Tsunade wasted no time carrying out her grandmother's wishes. She retrieved an invitation and hurried toward the Uchiha compound. When she arrived at Uchiha Sarah's residence, she was quickly granted an audience.

Sarah listened intently as Tsunade relayed Mito's request, her sharp eyes studying the younger woman before her. Taking the letter, she unfolded it and skimmed the contents, a small smirk forming on her lips.

"I understand your grandmother's request," she said, folding the invitation neatly. "Tell her I will meet her."

Tsunade felt a small surge of relief but faltered when Sarah continued.

"However, I won't be available for at least twenty days. There are matters I must attend to first," Sarah said nonchalantly, setting the letter aside. "When the time comes, I will visit—with my son, Ethan."

Tsunade frowned slightly. "Is there no way we can arrange the meeting sooner? The situation regarding the Uzumaki is urgent…"

Before she could finish, an overwhelming pressure crashed down upon her. Tsunade staggered, knees buckling as a suffocating aura engulfed the room. Sweat dripped down her forehead as she struggled to breathe.

Then, just as suddenly as it had appeared, the pressure vanished. Sarah took a sip of tea as if nothing had happened.

"I've made myself clear," she said simply. "You may leave now."

Tsunade clenched her fists, swallowing her frustration. She gave a curt nod, turned on her heel, and walked away as quickly as possible.

Once she exited the compound, she let out a shaky breath. She had underestimated Sarah's sheer presence—her strength was easily on par with her grandmother's.

Still, despite her humiliation, she had confirmed something crucial: Sarah had truly recovered. And that meant there was hope.

Returning home, she relayed everything to Mito, ending with a huff. "Grandma, you wouldn't believe how terrifying Uchiha Sarah is! She nearly crushed me with her aura alone!"

Mito chuckled. "Then it seems we have chosen our allies wisely."