Reborn in Konoha, Sailing to the Grand Line

"Hehe!"

Uzumaki Mito listened to Tsunade's complaints, but instead of offering sympathy, she let out a hearty laugh. "Oh, my dear granddaughter, now you know what it feels like to be on the losing end, don't you?"

She shook her head with amusement before continuing, "Do you truly understand who Uchiha Sarah is?"

Tsunade frowned slightly. "I know she's powerful, but—"

Mito raised a hand, cutting her off. "Don't let her calm demeanor and elegance deceive you. Only those who witnessed the Uchiha civil war, those who saw her single-handedly suppress the entire clan, can grasp the extent of her true might!"

She leaned back slightly, her eyes filled with nostalgia. "She is a true super genius, one whose talent is comparable to mine—perhaps even surpassing it. A woman whose strength and determination shook even your second grandfather to his core."

Tsunade's eyes widened in shock. "Grandfather Tobirama… couldn't handle her?"

Mito chuckled. "Oh, not at all. There were many times when she openly scolded your second grandfather, furious about the village's treatment of Uchiha. And despite his pride, despite his power, even he had no choice but to compromise with her. Does that remind you of anyone?"

Tsunade swallowed, her mind racing. "Like Madara…"

Mito nodded. "Exactly. Sarah was one of the few in history who could stand on equal footing with Madara in both intelligence and combat prowess. Had it not been for the forbidden techniques she developed—techniques that drained her life force and soul—her legacy might have lasted into the present day."

She sighed, a flicker of sadness crossing her expression. "If she had never sacrificed an eye to those forbidden techniques, if her body had not deteriorated due to their repeated use, then do you think Sarutobi and his cronies would have dared to oppress the Uchiha so easily all these years?"

Mito's gaze sharpened. "But now, it seems the legend has returned. Her strength has been restored, and her aura is no longer just a shadow of its former self. She did not need to test me, and I did not need to test her. She is whole again, and she knows it."

A slow smirk spread across Mito's lips. "That means she is open to negotiations. If she had any reservations, she would not have revealed so much. She clearly intends to strike a deal with us. The only question now is what terms we will settle upon."

Tsunade's mind reeled. She had never truly considered just how much of a cornerstone Sarah was in the village's balance of power. Now, knowing that her own grandfather had been forced to negotiate with her, Tsunade's frustration melted into a grudging respect.

If someone could make Tobirama Senju yield, they deserved admiration.

"Of course, she's powerful!" Tsunade exclaimed, her expression now filled with conviction. "Otherwise, Monkey and his allies wouldn't be so cautious. They have been testing Uchiha little by little for years, probing them while fearing their resurgence."

Mito's eyes twinkled. "Exactly."

Tsunade folded her arms, her mind connecting the dots. "When they learned she had seemingly returned to her peak, they panicked. They didn't dare interfere too much in Uchiha's reforms. They opposed them verbally, sure, but they didn't take any direct action. And instead of trying to suppress her themselves, they came running to you, Grandma! They wanted to use your remaining influence to suppress her!"

Mito let out a knowing hum. "Sarutobi wanted me to act as a deterrent, to keep her in check."

Tsunade's expression shifted to one of wicked amusement. "But the old man would never have expected that instead of opposing Sarah, you'd be seeking to ally with her instead!"

Mito grinned. "Oh, how I look forward to the moment he realizes the truth. The look on his face will be priceless."

Tsunade laughed. "It will be the perfect revenge!" She clenched her fists, the years of frustration with the Third Hokage boiling to the surface. "After everything he's done—after everything he's taken from us—this will be our chance to turn the tables."

She let out a slow breath. "You know, I actually respect Sarah now. Before, I only saw her as another Uchiha, someone removed from our affairs. But knowing how much of a force she was, how much she resisted the village's oppression, I think she might be one of the only ones who truly understands what it means to fight for your clan's survival."

Mito's laughter softened into a knowing smile. "She is a warrior, just like you. And I believe you will learn a great deal from her."

Tsunade, now fully caught up in the excitement of their coming alliance, suddenly furrowed her brows in confusion. "But, Grandma… why did she say we need to wait twenty days? Isn't that too long? What if the enemy moves against the Uzumaki before then?"

Mito tapped her fingers against the table in thought. "Patience, Tsunade. If she set the meeting for twenty days from now, it means she has unfinished business—something crucial. If it was something minor, she would have arranged to meet us sooner."

She sighed. "I understand your worry, but Sarah does not strike me as someone who wastes time. If she says we must wait, then whatever she is preparing is something that will benefit both her and us."

Tsunade frowned. "But what could be so important?"

Mito looked out the window, her expression unreadable. "That is what we must find out. And when we do, we will be one step closer to reshaping the fate of our clans."

"Not sure!"

Uzumaki Mito shook her head, her expression calm and composed. "Since she has made this decision, she must have her reasons. We just need to wait patiently."

She glanced at Tsunade, who still seemed anxious. "As for the Uzumaki clan, you need not worry too much. Right now, the four major ninja villages are still in the phase of intelligence gathering and probing. There has been no indication of an imminent attack or troop mobilization. There should be enough time."

Pausing for a moment, she added, "If things escalate, I will take the initiative to meet Uchiha Sarah earlier."

However, she knew that doing so would put them in a more passive position. It would also raise unnecessary suspicions from the Third Hokage and his faction, potentially setting off a chain of unforeseen consequences. If she could avoid it, she preferred to wait for Sarah to come to her on her own terms.

"Yeah!" Tsunade exhaled in relief, feeling a sense of reassurance. "Since Grandma has already prepared for this, I feel much better."

With a long stretch, she felt the exhaustion of the day finally catching up to her. "If there's nothing else, I'm heading off to rest! I'm completely drained!"

She had spent hours in the hospital performing surgeries and healing the wounded. Then, she had come home only to be bombarded with revelations that shattered her worldview. The mental strain had been far worse than the physical work.

Mito chuckled knowingly. "Go ahead and rest! You'll need your strength for the days ahead."

She waved her hand dismissively, but there was a deeper meaning behind her words. Tsunade needed to grow—and fast. The weight of their clan could not rest solely on an old woman's shoulders forever.

The Third Hokage's Growing Anxiety

Not long after Tsunade left the Uchiha district, word reached the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

The moment he received the report, he could no longer remain still. His mind raced with possibilities and consequences. Without hesitation, he made his way to Uzumaki Mito's residence, determined to hear the details firsthand.

As soon as they met, he got straight to the point. "Lady Mito, have you spoken to Uchiha Sarah? What has she decided?"

Mito remained composed as she replied, "I sent her an invitation, and she agreed to meet—but not until twenty days from now."

She gave him a small, knowing smile. "So, we wait."

Hiruzen's brows furrowed slightly. "Twenty days? That's... quite a long time."

"Indeed. But it is what she decided." Mito's gaze did not waver. "We must be patient."

There was a moment of silence before she continued, "Additionally, I have conducted my own assessment. With Tsunade's confirmation, I can say for certain—Uchiha Sarah has fully recovered. And I don't mean just physically. She is not someone whose strength is only for show."

She let her words hang in the air before adding, "You understand what that means, don't you, Hiruzen?"

The Third Hokage tensed slightly. He could hear the underlying message in Mito's words.

She was telling him that Sarah was not to be trifled with. That she was once again a force to be reckoned with. That any schemes against her would be met with disaster.

He let out a quiet sigh, his mind burdened by this revelation. "I see."

Mito observed him closely. "You have known for years that Sarah was no ordinary kunoichi. You and your advisors have spent much of your time testing and probing the Uchiha, trying to ensure they remain under control. But tell me, now that she is back at her peak—are you prepared to deal with what that means?"

Hiruzen did not answer immediately. Instead, he mulled over the situation in silence. He had always understood that Uchiha Sarah was different. She had been one of the few in history to stand against both Tobirama and Madara and remain a significant player in Konoha's power struggles. Now that she had regained her full strength, the balance was once again shifting.

Even worse, Mito seemed unconcerned. No—she seemed pleased.

For the first time in a long while, Hiruzen felt a tinge of unease. Was she... supporting Uchiha Sarah?

Something in Mito's knowing gaze made him wary. He suddenly realized that some of the subtle moves he and his advisors had made against the Senju over the years may not have gone unnoticed. If Mito was beginning to see through their manipulations, then things could become much more complicated.

A smirk played at the corner of Mito's lips. "You should be careful, Hiruzen. Sarah has never been someone who is easily deceived."

A brief silence stretched between them.

Hiruzen clenched his pipe tightly before nodding. "Thank you for the update, Lady Mito. I will take your words into consideration."

But in his heart, he was restless. His plans to use Mito's influence to test Uchiha Sarah's patience might have already failed before they even began.

As he left, Hiruzen chose not to immediately inform Danzo or his other advisors of the situation. He needed time to think. Danzo was reckless, always eager to act without considering the greater consequences. If he knew about Sarah's full recovery, he might attempt something drastic—something that could endanger all of them.

And if Danzo made the mistake of moving against Sarah too soon... it wouldn't just be disastrous.

It could be fatal.

Hiruzen shivered at the thought. He had seen Sarah's power firsthand before.

And he had no desire to see it again.