Ever since Tsunade joined the chat group, Itsuki had pictured the moment they would meet.
He had guessed that Tsunade might approach him eventually, but he had never expected this.
Not only had her image collapsed in Tenzo's heart, but even Itsuki felt her character had taken a hit.
"Ah! I haven't eaten this happily in a long time!"
While Shizune was frantically bowing and apologizing to both Tenzo and Itsuki, Tsunade finally set down her chopsticks, letting out a long, satisfied sigh.
"Okay, okay, Shizune, stop fussing!" Tsunade snapped, grabbing her apprentice by the shoulders and tossing her gently behind her.
Then she strode toward Itsuki in high heels, head held high, radiating dominance.
"Tsunade-sama, what are you…?" Tenzo swallowed nervously.
His body tensed as if to step between them, but facing the legendary Princess Tsunade, his legs refused to move.
A mere flick from her hand shoved him aside like nothing.
"Boy, do you know who I am?" Tsunade crossed her arms beneath her chest, looming over Itsuki.
Though she was only a few centimeters taller, the heels made her tower half a head above him.
From Itsuki's vantage, he could barely see her chin—while her… assets nearly brushed his collarbone, their warmth and faint fragrance teasing his senses.
Even Itsuki, who prided himself on composure, felt his throat tighten.
"I… I don't know," he stammered, gaze wavering.
"Itsuki, this is Lady Tsunade!" Tenzo blurted quickly. "Disciple of the Third Hokage, one of the Legendary Sannin, the greatest medical ninja in the shinobi world, and the granddaughter of the First Hokage himself."
"No," Tsunade corrected sharply. She laid a firm hand on Itsuki's shoulder, her eyes steady.
"I only have one identity now. I am your aunt."
"Ah?!!" Tenzo and Shizune gasped in unison, eyes wide.
Even Tonton froze, staring in disbelief.
Tsunade's tone hardened. "The Senju clan followed the decree of my grandfather and great-uncle, hiding our surname and blending into civilian life. Even I was forbidden to trace the records."
"But after years of war, most of our clan—main and branch alike—were slaughtered. Only a handful of civilians remain, powerless and stripped of their heritage."
Her gaze locked on Itsuki. "But you… you awakened Wood Release. A bloodline limit only my grandfather, Hashirama Senju, ever possessed. Even if it defies the wishes of our ancestors, I had your background investigated in secret."
Her voice softened, trembling slightly. "It's confirmed. One of your parents was Senju—my sibling. That makes me your aunt."
Tsunade had lived her life following the will of her forebears, but war had robbed her of everyone she loved.
She had watched her relatives die, one after another.
When Nawaki fell, her last blood relative, she shattered.
She developed hemophobia, abandoned the village, and wandered aimlessly, hiding her grief behind gambling and bravado.
Only Shizune, her late lover Dan's niece, had remained at her side.
Tsunade thought that was all life had left to offer—loneliness until the end.
Until the Itsuki harem chat group revealed the existence of a boy like Itsuki.
A bloodline survivor. A final spark of the Senju legacy.
When she learned Danzo had tried to suppress him, Tsunade's rage had burned hotter than her fear of blood.
Hemophobia was nothing compared to family.
"A-Aunt…?" Itsuki stammered, dazed.
Sure, he had noticed Tsunade's strange protectiveness toward him in the group chats, but he had always assumed it was about his Wood Release.
Now this? He really carried Senju blood?
No—he reminded himself—this was the backstory his "traverser" identity had dropped him into.
"Tsunade-sama, are you certain?" Shizune asked, shocked.
If true, it would mean Tsunade was no longer alone. But if wrong, it could cause disaster.
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "Tenzo. You're Anbu captain. Surely you know the truth? Isn't Itsuki from my great-uncle's line?"
"I…" Tenzo's smile was bitter. "The Third Hokage never told me directly. But only the Senju could awaken Wood Release naturally. And this house—"
"This is my great-uncle's residence," Tsunade interrupted, turning back to Itsuki with rare gentleness.
"My great-uncle was the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. The fact that the old man gave you this house proves you are his descendant."
Her lips twisted faintly. "When I was little, I overheard that great-uncle was pressured by Grandma Mito into marrying a woman from the Uzumaki clan. But he kept her distant. No one thought he left heirs…"
She paused, conflicted. "If I'd known… maybe you wouldn't even exist today. But now, you do."
Her words carried joy, regret, sorrow, and relief all at once.
"No!" A firm voice cut through the air.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, entered slowly, pipe in hand. His gaze fixed on Itsuki.
"If I had known that Tobirama-sensei's bloodline survived, I would have trained and protected them with my life. I would never have let Itsuki grow up as an orphan."
Tsunade's pupils shrank. Her earlier declaration had been bold—but now the Hokage himself confirmed it.
Itsuki was indeed Senju blood.
Yet instead of relief, sarcasm flickered in her expression.
"Train them… and then send them to die on the battlefield, one by one. What difference does it make?" she said bitterly.
"No—there is a difference. If you'd found him sooner, Itsuki might not even exist."
Tears welled in her eyes as memories crushed her chest.
She saw Nawaki again—her little brother who dreamed of becoming Hokage, only to die the very day after she gave him his birthday gift.
He had been the same age Itsuki was now.
And she swore she would never let that fate repeat.
"You don't understand, Tsunade," Hiruzen said heavily, his own tears falling. "Every order I gave as Hokage bore the weight of lives. I sacrificed some, yes—but only to save countless more."
He clenched his fists. "I will never forgive myself, but I had no choice."
Tsunade looked at him for a long moment, then sighed.
"I never blamed you, Old man. I just… can't accept how cruel this world really is."
[Note: Tsunade still doesn't know which of Itsuki's parents carried Senju blood. If it was his mother, Tsunade is indeed his aunt. The Senju were a large clan, and even maternal lineage could carry weight—especially since Wood Release awakened in him. To avoid nitpicking, this explanation is added.]
...
Author's Note:
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