Chapter 59: Humbled
"Bring me their files." Tsunade instructed the ANBU at the door.
Soon, scrolls were presented to her.
Tsunade unrolled the scrolls, quickly scanning the text:
[Uchiha Sasuko, age 7, orphan of former Uchiha clan head Uchiha Fugaku. Adoptive sibling relationship with Uchiha Yu.]
[Uzumaki Naruko, age 7, Nine-Tails jinchuriki, daughter of Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina. Classmate of Sasuko.]
"As expected, neither is simple..." Tsunade murmured softly, the images of those two little girls floating in her mind.
Nara Shikaku leaned over to glance at the information, speaking thoughtfully: "One adoptive sister, one jinchuriki... no wonder he takes special care of them."
"However, this 'care' might be exactly the breakthrough we need."
A clan leader frowned and raised a question: "Caring for an adoptive sister is understandable, but why be so concerned about Uzumaki Naruko too? Could it be..." He hesitated. "Does he also covet the Nine-Tails' power?"
Those words were like a stone thrown into still water, creating ripples of contemplation.
But soon, Nara Shikaku shook his head in denial: "Given the strength he's displayed, the Nine-Tails' power is probably insignificant." He adjusted his glasses. "If he truly wanted it, he could simply take it directly. No one in Konoha could stop him."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Indeed, someone who could split a desert with one finger—why would they covet a tailed beast's meager power?
Just then, Tsunade suddenly remembered something, her eyes widening slightly: "Wait..."
She quickly flipped through the files in her hands. "This Uchiha Yu, though his current strength is extraordinary, he's also an orphan..." Her finger stopped on a line of small text. "And... he was adopted by the Fugaku couple as an infant."
Hyuga Hiashi's Byakugan flickered slightly: "You mean..."
"Perhaps..."
"He sees his own reflection in that child."
"If that's the case..." Koharu Utatane's aged voice carried some hesitation. "Is he fundamentally still a good person?"
The atmosphere in the meeting room subtly eased.
Homura Mitokado adjusted his glasses, adding thoughtfully: "Thinking about it carefully, since that... incident half a year ago, he's indeed been well-behaved in Konoha."
Nara Shikaku also said: "More than well-behaved—he's been excessively low-key. Apart from occasionally being seen at the ninja academy gates waiting to pick up Sasuko after school, he rarely appears in public."
This detail made everyone exchange glances.
Hyuga Hiashi's Byakugan showed a trace of surprise: "In that case, his daily behavior..."
"Is just like an ordinary older brother." Tsunade picked up the thread, unconsciously relaxing her tense shoulders.
Confused expressions appeared on many clan leaders' faces.
Possessing power capable of overturning the ninja world, yet willingly living a nearly reclusive life—such a choice was beyond their understanding.
"If it were me..." A young clan leader started to speak but quickly realized his mistake and shut his mouth.
But his unfinished words had already voiced what many present were thinking—if they possessed such world-destroying power, who wouldn't want to dominate and rule the ninja world?
Akimichi Choza stroked his chin, his round face showing rare seriousness: "Perhaps... this is exactly why we can't understand him. When faced with absolute power, worldly authority becomes a burden instead."
Nara Shikaku nodded thoughtfully: "Like how elephants don't care about ants' territorial disputes. His realm... has exceeded our understanding of what 'powerful' means."
Tsunade slowly stood up, her gaze sweeping over each clan leader present, summarizing: "At this point, the situation couldn't be clearer."
"Since he has no interest in power, the only thing we can do is show one hundred percent sincerity."
She lightly tapped the two files with her fingertip: "Improving the treatment of these two children to show goodwill is currently our safest approach."
"From today forward, Konoha will devote all resources to nurturing Sasuko and Naruko. Their treatment—"
"Will exceed that of previous Hokage successors."
Koharu Utatane opened her mouth as if to object, but swallowed her words under Tsunade's sharp gaze.
"This isn't up for discussion—it's a decision." Tsunade's voice was decisive. "Anyone who dares play tricks with this matter..." She punched the remaining table corner, wood chips flying.
"Will be considered an enemy of Konoha!"
With Tsunade's words, the last trace of wishful thinking in the meeting room finally dissipated completely.
Nara Shikaku was first to state his position: "The Nara clan will fully support this plan. After all, none of us can afford the cost of opposing such an existence."
Hyuga Hiashi slowly nodded: "The Hyuga family has no objections."
Other clan leaders also voiced their agreement, even the most stubborn advisors remained silent—faced with absolute power, all schemes seemed so laughable.
Now they could only hope that existence would sense their sincerity.
Faced with a life-or-death crisis, even the greediest power holders dared not gamble with their lives.
Luxurious exclusive privileges were passed unanimously at astounding speed:
"Uchiha Sasuko will have unlimited access to secret techniques..."
"Uzumaki Naruko's living expenses elevated to Kage-level standards..."
"Both will have dedicated ANBU protection squads of twelve members..."
"Medical teams on twenty-four-hour standby..."
"All future mission commission fees waived..."
...
Nara Shikaku recorded while secretly clicking his tongue.
Any one of these clauses would have been enough to make the previous advisory council argue for three days and nights.
Now they were throwing them out like they cost nothing, afraid of not giving enough.
"Add one more," Tsunade tapped the table with her knuckles. "Monthly, allocate thirty percent of my special funds for new clothes and ninja tools for the two children."
Koharu Utatane nearly bit her tongue hearing this—that was the Hokage's personal treasury, reserved for emergency contingencies!
When the Hyuga clan leader suggested "whether to arrange dedicated attendants," Tsunade coldly interrupted: "Excess is as bad as deficiency." She looked around at everyone. "We want to show sincerity, not servility."
The meeting ended with eerie efficiency.
As everyone left the meeting room, they all looked up at the sky in unison.
That young man might be somewhere at this moment, leisurely strolling while holding two little girls' hands.
Yet they, these so-called "important figures" of Konoha, had to carefully guess at his thoughts with trembling hearts.
How... utterly ironic.
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