Seeing the disappointed look on Itachi's face, Isamu felt conflicted.
He knew his grandson had countless questions, but now was not the time to answer them.
From the moment Itachi was born into their family, the gears of fate had already begun to turn. Isamu didn't want to interfere too much with the boy's early path, so there were many truths he couldn't reveal yet.
Opening his eyes, Isamu slowly walked over to Itachi and said calmly,
"There are countless secrets in this world."
"If you want to uncover them, you'll have to explore them yourself."
"One day, through your own efforts, you'll discover the truth behind everything."
"Your grandfather is only here to guide you."
"Do you understand, Itachi?"
"Yes."
"I'll use my own eyes to uncover the truth, one step at a time."
"Good."
"I believe in you."
Watching how mature his grandson was, Isamu sighed inwardly.
The path of seeking the truth is lonely… and painful.
Itachi… have you truly prepared yourself for it?
Garuda interrupted the moment.
"What are you two talking about?"
"It's already getting dark."
"If we don't hurry, we'll be sleeping out in the wilderness tonight."
"You're right."
"Let's go."
Isamu nodded.
The five Xuanyuan Clan puppets immediately scattered, spreading out in every direction and acting as guards roughly five hundred meters away.
The three of them continued onward.
About ten minutes later, a small town came into view.
"So she ended up hiding in a place like this…"
Feeling Tsunade's Chakra inside the town, a faint smile appeared on Isamu's face.
"Isamu, are you certain your wife is here?" Garuda asked.
"I'm certain."
"She's here."
Hearing his confident answer, Garuda's heartbeat quickened.
She was finally about to meet Isamu's first wife.
Despite all her confidence…
She couldn't help feeling nervous.
Unlike Garuda, however, Itachi was filled with excitement.
He was finally going to meet the legendary Lady Tsunade, one of the Three Legendary Sannin.
Unlike his rather unconventional grandfather, Tsunade's name was famous throughout the ninja world.
He had wanted to meet her for a long time.
"Let's go."
Having completely locked onto Tsunade's location, Isamu led Garuda and Itachi into the town.
A few minutes later…
He stopped in front of a tavern.
Looking at the building, he sighed helplessly.
"So she's drinking in a tavern again…"
"Still trying to drown her sorrows with alcohol."
"Tsunade…"
"Oh, Tsunade…"
Shaking his head, he led the two inside.
The tavern owner immediately greeted them with a smile.
"Welcome! Are you here for food or lodging?"
"We'll worry about that later."
"I'd like to ask…"
"Is the Big Fat Sheep here?"
"The Big Fat Sheep?"
Garuda and Itachi exchanged confused looks.
Weren't they here to find Tsunade?
Who was this "Big Fat Sheep"?
The nickname sounded rather ridiculous.
"Oh!"
"So you're looking for the Big Fat Sheep."
"She's here."
"Go down the hallway, turn left, and the third private room is hers."
"Thank you."
After expressing his thanks, Isamu led the two toward the room.
Along the way, Itachi finally asked,
"Grandpa…"
"The Big Fat Sheep you mentioned…"
"Hahaha!"
"The Big Fat Sheep is your Grandma Tsunade."
"Your grandmother loves gambling."
"The problem is…"
"She almost never wins."
"Wherever she gambles, she ends up handing money to the casino."
"So every gambling hall is thrilled whenever she walks through the door."
"They practically celebrate her arrival."
"That's why she's known as the Legendary Big Fat Sheep."
Garuda and Itachi were both stunned.
That wasn't simply bad luck.
That was practically donating money.
How wealthy did someone have to be to gamble like that?
While they were talking, they arrived outside the private room.
Isamu pushed open the door.
Inside…
A blonde woman was slumped over the table, completely drunk.
Nearby, another young woman lay asleep on a wooden couch while hugging a small pig.
Garuda and Itachi both stared in disbelief.
This was completely different from the image they'd imagined.
This wasn't the dignified Legendary Sannin.
She looked like someone who had completely let herself go.
Unlike the other two, Isamu looked at the unconscious Tsunade with nothing but guilt and heartache.
"I never imagined…"
"That after all these years…"
"You still haven't let go of Nawaki…"
"…or Dan."
"Tsunade…"
"Why are you so stubborn?"
After gazing at Tsunade for a moment, Isamu turned toward the young woman sleeping nearby.
Shizune.
Following Tsunade all these years couldn't have been easy.
Walking over, Isamu gently tapped her shoulder.
"Little Shizune."
"Wake up."
"Little Shizune."
"Hmm…?"
Shizune slowly opened her eyes.
When she saw the person standing before her, she blinked several times.
She rubbed her eyes…
Then pinched her own thigh.
After confirming she wasn't dreaming, she immediately jumped off the couch and bowed respectfully.
"Lord Isamu!"
"Alright, alright."
"There's no need to be so formal."
"You know I don't like all this."
"Yes, Lord Isamu."
Even so…
Shizune continued standing respectfully at one side.
Seeing this, Isamu simply smiled and let it go.
Looking at the graceful young woman before him, he couldn't help sighing.
"Time really does fly."
"I never imagined that the little girl from back then…"
"…would grow up so much."
Shizune smiled softly.
"Well… it's only natural after so many years."
"But, Lord Isamu…"
"Why were you gone for so long?"
"You have no idea how Lady Tsunade has…"
Isamu sighed.
"To be honest…"
"I never expected to be away for so many years either."
"Some things simply come down to fate."
"But…"
"Isn't it enough that I've finally returned?"
"Yes."
"Now that you're back…"
"Lady Tsunade will finally be able to move forward."
Shizune nodded happily.
Watching Tsunade sink deeper into despair over the years had broken her heart.
Now that Lord Isamu had returned…
Everything would surely change.
Looking at the unconscious Tsunade, Isamu asked,
"She can't even hear us talking."
"How much has she had to drink?"
Shizune scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"Well…"
"I'm… actually not sure."
"I got too sleepy…"
"…and ended up falling asleep beside her."
She lowered her head in embarrassment.
After all…
She was supposed to be Tsunade's attendant and protector.
Not even knowing how much her mistress had drunk was undeniably a failure on her part.
----------------_-_-_------------------
Read 50 advanced chapter on
👉 patreon.com/Master_fic