"Lady Tsunade."

Shizune rapped lightly on the door.

Silence. No response.

"Lady Tsunade!" She raised her voice, a hint of urgency slipping through.

"Stop shouting.." came a muffled groan from inside.

Tsunade rolled over on her bed, one long leg slipping free from the sheets, pale against the dim light.

"Lady Tsunade, Kitazawa has come to see you!"

Without waiting for permission, Shizune pushed the door open.

"Kitazawa?" Tsunade mumbled groggily, rolling onto her back.

Shizune's eyes flicked around the room, and she immediately froze. Relief washed over her at least Kitazawa hadn't seen this embarrassing mess.

"Didn't he go to the Land of Grass?" Tsunade yawned, stretching lazily.

"He should've returned yesterday," Shizune replied thoughtfully. "Knowing him, he wouldn't show up without reason. It's probably urgent."

"Could it be Naruto again?" Tsunade muttered, sitting up. But then she shook her head. "No... if it was Naruto, he'd come straight to me himself."

"Lady Tsunade, perhaps you should change first," Shizune suggested gently, eyeing the revealing nightgown.

"You're right," Tsunade said with a smirk, tugging the fabric. "Can't let that guy get a free show."

"...?" Shizune blinked, a hundred questions buzzing in her mind. From that tone alone, it felt as if something had already happened between her master and Kitazawa.

Tsunade strode to her wardrobe, pulling out her familiar sleeveless blouse. She cinched the black sash tight, and in a single motion her casual elegance returned. Moments later, she stepped into the room where Kitazawa waited. "Alright," she said bluntly, "if this isn't urgent, I'll throw you out myself."

Few dared disturb her sleep-and lived to tell the tale.

"It's urgent," Kitazawa assured quickly. He knew Tsunade wasn't joking. She'd once sent Jiraiya flying with a single punch. Throwing him out would be effortless.

"I ran into a rather unusual ninja in Kusagakure," Kitazawa began, repeating what he had already told Kurenai.

As she listened, Tsunade's pupils narrowed, her body stiffening. Even without seeing it firsthand, she already knew.

Red hair. Vast chakra reserves.

There was only one possibility-the Uzumaki Clan.

"I didn't think any of them had survived...' Tsunade whispered, exhaling slowly, her voice edged with disbelief.

The Senju and Uzumaki had always shared deep bonds. The First Hokage's wife, Uzumaki Mito, had been their first nine-tailed jinchuriki. The second was Uzumaki Kushina-Minato's wife, and Naruto's mother.

"Kusagakure dares to keep them hidden?" Tsunade's fists clenched, anger

simmering. "Come with me-we'll see the Hokage immediately!"

Though Grass was a minor village, matters of foreign affairs had to pass through the Hokage.

Kitazawa wasn't surprised; he silently followed.

At the Hokage's office, Haru stepped forward. "Hokage-sama hasn't arrived yet."

"Then tell him to come. Now," Tsunade snapped.

"Yes." Normally, such disrespect would earn punishment. But this was Tsunade. Everyone knew she'd storm the Sarutobi compound herself if ignored.

Moments later, Hiruzen entered, brows lifting when he spotted Kitazawa. "What's going on? For you to call me here so early...

Tsunade's expression turned sharp. "Do you remember the Uzumaki Clan?"

"Of course," Hiruzen said gravely. His first thought was dangerous-that perhaps Tsunade had found the ones who conspired to annihilate them. If so, it meant involvement of the Great Villages.

"Kitazawa discovered a surviving Uzumaki in Kusagakure."

Hiruzen froze. Shock flickered across his face, but relief followed. Grass was troublesome, yes-but at least it wasn't Mist or Cloud.

"Kitazawa, are you certain?" he asked solemnly.

"Without a doubt." Kitazawa described the woman in detail.

Hiruzen nodded slowly. "Then it's true."

"What will you do, old man?" Tsunade pressed.

"The Uzumaki are our allies," Hiruzen answered firmly. "They must be rescued."

Not only because of their history, but also because Uzumaki Naruto himself

carried their blood. Denying them would mean betraying Naruto as well.

"Still," Hiruzen added, "we must tread carefully. Grass is small, but rash action

could give the other villages an excuse to interfere."

"Excuse? We'd only be fulfilling our duty!" Tsunade snapped.

"As Hokage, I must weigh every consequence," Hiruzen countered.

"Then I'll go myself," Tsunade declared, rising to her feet.

"That would make us seem overbearing," Hiruzen said quickly. "We need

diplomacy first."

"Hokage-sama, Lady Tsunade," Kitazawa interjected smoothly, "why not courtesy before force?"

Tsunade's temper cooled a fraction. "Explain."

"The Uzumaki were allies of Konoha," Kitazawa reasoned. "If we approach Grass formally-through a letter-demanding they hand over the survivor, it places all responsibility on them. If they comply, problem solved. If not, then we'll have just cause to act."

"That's... wise," Hiruzen admitted, visibly relieved. "If they refuse, the fault is theirs alone."

"Then stop wasting time!" Tsunade growled. "Every moment delayed means more suffering for her."

"Very well," Hiruzen said, his tone softening. "Tsunade, I'll place the ANBU under your command, as I did during the Kabuto affair. You will lead them to deliver the

letter personally!"

Tsunade's brow twitched. "Again? Am I that easy to rope into your errands?"

"This isn't an errand," Hiruzen said calmly. "If Grass denies everything, we'll need

your strength to make them comply."

Tsunade paused, then sighed. "Fine."

What Hiruzen Sarutobi said wasn't unreasonable.

To be safe, it was better if Tsunade went herself.

"I'll write the letter now. You head to the Anbu and gather a team," Hiruzen

instructed.

Then he paused, adding firmly, "Remember-this is a rescue mission, not an attack on Kusagakure. We don't need an army!"

In truth, he was worried Tsunade might bring all of Anbu along.

"I'm not a child," Tsunade muttered with a pout. "Two squads will be enough."

"...Alright then."

Hiruzen raised his voice. "Haru! Select eight Anbu to accompany Tsunade to

Kusagakure!"

"Yes, Hokage-sama!" Haru replied instantly.

Tsunade flopped onto the sofa, too lazy to head to the Anbu herself.

Before long, Haru returned with eight masked Anbu.

Kitazawa's eyes immediately caught Kakashi's unmistakable silver hair. He shot

him a wink, the look saying: 'Another mission together, huh? Fate's funny like that.'

Kakashi's gaze swept the room and lingered briefly on Tsunade and Kitazawa, surprise flashing in his lone visible eye.

But Kitazawa's attention quickly shifted to the Anbu standing beside him. The frame, the eyes behind the mask-too familiar. He knew this one.

"Lady Tsunade," Haru introduced respectfully, "these are the squad leaders:

Kakashi Hatake and Uchiha Itachi."

'So it was Itachi... no wonder.' Kitazawa's brows arched. Haru had chosen well. With

Tsunade, Kakashi, and Itachi, they didn't just have the strength to pressure Kusagakure they could storm Kumogakure if they wanted.

Still, Kitazawa's mind flicked to Yamato. Twice now, Tsunade had taken temporary command of Anbu, and yet the Wood Release shinobi never showed. Was he truly away on another mission... or being deliberately hidden by Hiruzen? If Tsunade ever discovered Yamato's existence, she would inevitably dig into the Wood Release experiments. Orochimaru might have fled, but Danzo remained- and that would trigger another storm.

The office grew quiet, filled only with the sound of Hiruzen's brush moving

across paper.

Itachi's eyes fell on Kitazawa. Technically, he was the odd one out here. Everyone else-Tsunade, Shizune, the Anbu-belonged to the Hokage's circle. A mere academy teacher shouldn't have a seat among them.

But the fact that he did only confirmed his influence. His bond with Tsunade was

real. The Uchiha clan's gamble on him hadn't been in vain.

"Done," Hiruzen said at last, handing the sealed letter to Haru.

Haru presented it to Tsunade, who pocketed it without even glancing.

"We leave immediately."

Kitazawa cleared his throat softly. "Lady Tsunade, allow me to accompany you."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you supposed to be teaching?" Glancing around, Kitazawa leaned close and whispered something into her ear.

Tsunade chuckled. "Not a bad idea."

"...?" Hiruzen hesitated, his brush freezing. 'Even I, the Hokage, don't get to hear

this?' But since it involved Tsunade, he let it go.

Kitazawa's chest stirred with excitement as the system's familiar script unfurled

before his eyes:

[A genius should carve his name into the Ninja World. Take the first step-let

Kusagakure taste your strength.]

[Mission: Safely escort Karin and her mother back to Konoha.]

[Reward: Fire Sealing Method.]

[Reward: Fire Sealing Method.] [Accept?]

He accepted without hesitation.

The Fire Sealing Method-a B-rank jutsu capable of sealing flames with a

specialized scroll. In the original story, it was the sole counter to Itachi's Mangekyo flames, Amaterasu. Though Amaterasu's showing was underwhelming, its level alone proved the jutsu's worth.

As for what he whispered to Tsunade? The idea was simple: if the Legendary

Sannin herself delivered the letter, Kusagakure might be too intimidated to resist. But if he went instead, sparks of defiance were guaranteed. Push them far enough, and Tsunade would have every excuse to unleash her fury.

And fury was exactly what she wanted. With Karin's mother treated so cruelly,

words alone wouldn't satisfy her. Beating Kusagakure's shinobi into the dirt, however... that would.

The group departed the Hokage's office. The Anbu melted into the shadows,

vanishing from sight, while Tsunade, Shizune, and Kitazawa pressed forward toward Kusagakure.

By evening, they made camp, and Kitazawa spent time trading information with Kakashi and Itachi, learning of Kusagakure's fractured state.

Two factions ruled the village: Kusa no Mi (Grass Fruit), the militant party led by those obsessed with the mythical Pure Land Box-said to grant any wish. Mui of Hozuki Castle, infamous for Fire Release: Heaven Prison, had been one of them. And Kusa no Hana (Grass Flower), the pacifist faction, opposing them. Their true goal was simple: retrieve Karin and her mother. The Pure Land Box

wasn't their concern-though Kitazawa, unlike the others, knew such a thing might actually exist.

By dawn, they reached Kusagakure's gates. "Kitazawa, you'll deliver the letter," Tsunade said, passing it to him.

"I'll bring Shizune with me. Two representatives will look more official," Kitazawa replied, taking it.

"Hmm." Shizune agreed with a nod.

"Kakashi. Itachi," Tsunade called.

The two squad leaders appeared instantly.

"Slip into the village. Find the Uzumaki. Quietly."

Their Sharingan made them ideal for reconnaissance. Though they believed there

was only one survivor of the Uzumaki, soon enough they would discover it was a

mother and daughter.

"Yes, Lady Tsunade," the two replied and vanished like ghosts.

J-- --.--- fam

Kitazawa and Shizune walked openly toward the gates.

"Halt! Who goes there?" barked two Kusagakure guards. "We're shinobi of Konoha," Kitazawa announced.

"Konoha?" The guards exchanged wary looks. "State your purpose."

"This letter is from our Hokage to your leader," Kitazawa said coolly. "But

understand this if your village refuses, the consequences will be severe." The guards stiffened. "Is that a threat?"

"This isn't a threat. It's a warning." Kitazawa smiled faintly. "Deliver it quickly. Time is short, and I can't guarantee what might happen if you waste it." "You Konoha dogs think you can act superior?" The younger guard snapped, hand flying to his blade.

"Correction." Kitazawa spread his hands mockingly. "We don't think we can. We

do."

His disdain was genuine. Kusagakure's methods-slavery-were beneath

contempt. And besides, this was his mission.

Shizune glanced at him in shock. She had no idea what he and Tsunade had

schemed, and his antagonistic tone made no sense to her. 'Is this intentional?' The older guard held his comrade back. "Fine. We'll notify the leader. And we'll repeat your words exactly!"