Tanzaku Town.
On the top floor of a four-story tavern, Uchiha Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, leaning against the railing as he gazed out over the bustling town.
Behind him, Chiba Sōichi and the others were drinking freely and loudly.
"Hahaha! Seeing that bastard Kobayashi Shiratani's shocked face earlier was incredibly satisfying!"
Inuzuka Hikaru burst into laughter and gulped down another mouthful of sake.
Chiba Sōichi, however, looked puzzled.
"What surprises me is that Sarutobi Seijirō actually chose to compromise."
"Heh, how would Captain Sarutobi dare oppose him?"
At a nearby table, Yamazō Qiichi let out a cold laugh. He then recounted the incident during Yuan's night watch, when Root shinobi had attempted to assassinate him.
"Damn it! To assassinate comrades from the same village—what utterly shameless behavior!"
Hikaru slammed his cup down angrily.
"Hmph. In the eyes of certain people in the village… are we even considered comrades anymore?"
Another jōnin spoke with obvious resentment.
"Yuan-kun, you don't seem to care much about Root's assassination attempt."
Chiba Sōichi set down his cup and looked at Yuan with surprise.
He had expected Yuan to erupt in fury, yet the man had remained calm and silent the entire time.
Yuan turned around and looked at the group with a faint smile.
"They were just a few insects."
"One step is enough to crush them. Why bother getting angry?"
In truth, Yuan understood very well—
Even if he pursued the matter, it would be meaningless.
Danzō would never admit responsibility.
Even if the Third Hokage and the others knew perfectly well that Root had carried out the attack.
And Yuan had another consideration.
Like a compressed spring, pressure applied for too long eventually rebounds.
Whether it was the police force taking control of Konoha's gates, or Yuan severing Danzō's arm—
He had repeatedly forced the village leadership into compromise through his personal strength and the backing of the Uchiha clan.
Resentment toward him had already accumulated among the higher-ups.
Even if he pursued the assassination attempt now, the leadership might still side with Danzō.
At most, Danzō would receive a few meaningless reprimands.
Worthless words.
Instead—
By remaining silent about the incident…
If Yuan later did something excessive, the Third Hokage and the others would show greater tolerance.
They would believe he was merely venting suppressed anger.
Hearing this, Chiba Sōichi frowned slightly.
"If Root failed this time, they may not give up."
Hikaru raised his cup again and laughed loudly.
"Yuan-kun is right! Those pests are nothing but vermin. If they come again, we'll crush them again!"
A while later.
On a lively street in Tanzaku Town—
Yuan walked in front, while the others followed behind him, reeking of alcohol.
Suddenly—
A commotion erupted ahead.
"Don't let them escape!"
"The fat sheep is over there! Hurry!"
"Damn it, you can't run!"
Moments later, a group of casino thugs appeared, panting heavily as they rushed down the street. They were clearly chasing someone, their eyes scanning everywhere.
The moment they saw Yuan and the others—
They froze briefly.
Then one of them shouted,
"Did you see two women pass by here?!"
Yuan glanced casually down the street.
A fleeting trace of amusement flashed in his eyes.
Because not far away—
Behind a corner stall—
Two figures were hiding.
One was a tall blonde woman with a voluptuous figure and a diamond-shaped mark faintly visible on her forehead.
Beside her stood a young girl with short brown hair.
The girl whispered nervously,
"Tsunade-sama… they're coming this way!"
The blonde woman clicked her tongue irritably.
"Damn it… I knew we shouldn't have stayed in that casino so long."
At that moment—
Yuan's gaze shifted slightly.
And met the woman's eyes across the street.
For a brief instant—
Their eyes locked.
A faint smile appeared on Yuan's lips.
So…
This is the legendary Sannin.
Tsunade.
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