Reborn in Konoha, Sailing to the Grand Line

Uzumaki Mito sat in quiet contemplation, her gaze distant as she reflected on the shifting tides of power in Konoha.

"Alas, I am getting old," she thought. "My influence is waning, and Sarutobi's hold on the village grows stronger. His position as Hokage is more stable than ever, and my deterrence has faded."

Tsunade, seated beside her, noticed the sudden somberness in her grandmother's expression. "Grandma? What's wrong? Why do you look so troubled all of a sudden?"

Mito looked up and smiled sadly, reaching out to gently brush Tsunade's golden hair. "Tsunade, my dear, I won't be around for much longer. When will you finally mature and take charge of the Senju?"

Tsunade felt an unexplainable heaviness in her chest at those words. Gripping her grandmother's hand tightly, she shook her head. "What are you saying, Grandma? You're strong! You'll live to be a hundred!"

Mito chuckled, her smile tinged with both warmth and sadness. "A hundred years? Ninjas rarely live that long. This profession of ours… it shortens lives, no matter how strong we are."

She sighed. "Your great-grandfather, with all his vitality and strength, still died young. If not for this life as a ninja, he could have easily lived for a hundred years. But war, battle, and the constant strain of chakra drain… it all takes its toll."

Tsunade fell silent. As a medical ninja, she understood the brutal truth behind Mito's words. The more a ninja fought, the more they wore down their lifespan. It was an unavoidable reality.

Mito, seeing the sadness in her granddaughter's eyes, quickly changed the subject. "Enough of that. What's important is that you grow up. Before Nawaki matures and is ready to take responsibility for the Senju, you must bear the burden. Understand?"

Tsunade hesitated but eventually nodded. "I understand, Grandma. I will."

Still, she couldn't help but ask, "But we have Teacher. Isn't the village stable under him?"

Mito's expression darkened. "Stupid girl. Sarutobi Hiruzen isn't just your teacher—he is the Hokage and the leader of the Sarutobi clan. He didn't take you as a student simply because of your talent. He did it to win over the Senju and secure his position."

Tsunade's face contorted in disbelief. "That's not true! Teacher believes in me!"

Mito's voice turned sharp. "Think about it! Who does Sarutobi prioritize? First, his own Sarutobi clan. Then Konoha as a whole. Then the families of Danzo, Koharu, and Homura. After that, it's not the Senju—it's the Ino-Shika-Chō and other smaller clans that he's been pulling under his wing."

She took a deep breath. "In these past few years, he has been slowly suppressing the Senju. Have you really not noticed?"

Tsunade's world seemed to shake. The unwavering trust she had in her teacher suddenly cracked. "How… how could this be?"

Mito watched her granddaughter carefully. "It's time for you to see reality. The village isn't as united as you think. Sarutobi is not our enemy, but he is also not our ally."

Tsunade clenched her fists. She had never questioned her teacher's intentions before. But now, hearing it from Mito… she couldn't ignore the truth any longer.

Mito let out a sigh. "I didn't want to shatter your illusions, but things are changing. Uchiha Sarah's recent actions have made me reconsider our future. Perhaps… it is time we rethink our alliances."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Mito's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Perhaps forming a secret alliance with Uchiha wouldn't be such a bad idea."

"I..."

Tsunade listened to Uzumaki Mito's words, and it felt as if a veil had been lifted from her eyes. The trust and admiration she had held for the Third Hokage crumbled as she recalled past events—subtle signs of manipulation, quiet suppressions of the Senju, and decisions that had seemed normal at the time but now revealed a darker reality.

Her face turned grim. "I didn't expect things to be like this! The old man… he had ulterior motives all along."

Mito's expression softened slightly. "It's good that you understand."

Tsunade, still shaken, looked at her grandmother for guidance. "Then what should I do next, Grandma?"

"We will discuss it after I meet with Uchiha Sarah. You must be there when the time comes."

Tsunade nodded. "Alright."

If she was lost, she would follow her grandmother's lead. Despite her uncertainty, she trusted Mito's wisdom.

Mito sighed. "I don't want to push you, but the situation is only getting worse for us."

Tsunade frowned. "What do you mean?"

"There has been troubling news from the Uzumaki clan recently." Mito's voice was grave. "Signs indicate that the other four great ninja villages have set their sights on Jinchūriki and sealing techniques."

Tsunade's heart pounded. "What?!"

Mito continued, her tone heavy with concern. "Lately, there have been increasing numbers of foreign spies infiltrating Whirlpool Country. Their intentions are clear—they want our knowledge, and they won't stop at mere observation."

Tsunade's fists clenched. "Does the old man know? How is the village planning to respond? Will Konoha send support?"

As the words left her mouth, a sinking realization struck her. The teachings of her grandmother—the things she had just learned about her sensei—cast doubt on her own questions.

Would the Third Hokage truly help? Would he act in time, or would he only move when it benefited him?

Even worse, she considered a horrifying possibility. If the Uzumaki clan were wiped out, wouldn't that serve to further consolidate his power? The Uzumaki's destruction would allow him to seize their sealing techniques, and it would also weaken the Senju even more.

For years, she had overlooked the weakening state of the Senju under Sarutobi's rule. Now, everything was painfully clear.

When her great-uncle Tobirama had been alive, the Senju were the strongest clan in Konoha—perhaps the strongest in the entire ninja world.

And now?

Their influence had all but faded into obscurity.

Many branch families had been assimilated into the general populace. The direct bloodline had suffered severe losses in endless conflicts. Missions had claimed their lives, one after another, until only a handful of them remained.

The Senju were on the verge of extinction.

Mito watched Tsunade carefully. "It looks like you've finally figured it out."

Tsunade looked up, her expression dark. "Grandma… does that mean… we can't expect any help from Konoha?"

Mito sighed. "You should expect nothing but opportunism from them. At most, the village will intervene when it sees a chance to benefit from the situation."

Tsunade felt sick to her stomach. "Then what should we do?"

"I had hoped to persuade the Uzumaki clan to relocate to Konoha," Mito admitted. "But Uzumaki Aminari refuses to leave. I have tried to change his mind, but his resolve is unshakable."

Tsunade's lips pressed into a thin line. "Then… that means…"

Mito nodded grimly. "We must prepare to send a force from the Senju to aid them. An elite team composed of our remaining direct bloodline and loyal branch members."

Tsunade's breath hitched. "But that will…"

"Yes," Mito confirmed. "It will further deplete the strength of the Senju. It may very well be our last stand. But I refuse to watch the Uzumaki be destroyed while we do nothing."

A heavy silence fell between them. The weight of Mito's decision loomed large—one that would change the course of history for both the Senju and Uzumaki.

For the first time, Tsunade truly understood what it meant to bear the burden of leadership.