Tsunade smiled with satisfaction, and then the two continued their walk, passing through several streets where the surrounding buildings gradually became more archaic.
Bluestone paved roads, white walls and black tiles; occasionally, one could spot a few ancient trees, lush and leafy, their canopies blocking out the sky.
This was once the Senju Clan grounds, though the clan had long since dissolved.
Tsunade spoke as they walked, her tone tinged with emotion: "After the Senju Clan dissolved, the surname 'Senju' basically only exists in books. Now, most people of the Senju Clan have changed their surnames or simply don't use one at all."
She pointed to a distant courtyard surrounded by high walls.
"Only Grandma Momoka still retains the 'Senju' surname; she lives over there."
Senba looked in the direction she indicated; that courtyard appeared larger than the surrounding buildings, and its walls were noticeably higher.
"Then where are we going?"
"To the courtyard in the very center." Tsunade said, "That's where Grandma lives. After she married Grandpa, she lived there. Later, when the Senju Clan dissolved, most of the clan grounds were distributed to the clansmen, and only the courtyard in the very center was left for her."
Uzumaki Mito, wife of the First Hokage, Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, and furthermore, the strongest in the Five Great Hidden Villages of the current Ninja World.
Senba's eyes flickered slightly; Hiruzen was able to become the Third Hokage thanks to the support of Uzumaki Mito and Sarutobi Sasuke.
After walking for a while, the two stopped in front of a grand gate.
"Come in." Tsunade opened the door and invited him inside.
Beyond the gate was a spacious courtyard, paved with bluestone and meticulously clean.
Several old trees were planted in the courtyard, their branches and leaves lush, casting a patch of shade. A few rattan chairs were placed under the trees, where two old ladies were chatting, but Nawaki was nowhere to be seen.
The old lady on the left had a full head of white hair, combed neatly and tied into a bun at the back of her head.
She wore a plain-colored kimono, holding a cup of tea in her hand, her posture elegant and composed.
Uzumaki Mito, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Tsunade's grandmother.
The old lady on the right also had white hair, but it was cut shorter, about ear-length. Her face appeared slightly sterner than Uzumaki Mito's, with a sharp, fierce aura between her brows; one could tell at a glance that she was someone who had experienced countless battles.
She wore a dark-coloured Ninja outfit, and although elderly, her back was perfectly straight.
Hokage Advisor Senju Momoka, known as a Genjutsu Ninja capable of contending with the Sharingan.
Tsunade strode over without a care and shouted, "Grandma! Grandma Momoka!"
Both old ladies looked up at the same time, Mito's lips curling slightly into a kind smile.
"Tsuna is here?"
Senju Momoka nodded, her gaze falling on Senba.
Tsunade plopped down onto a nearby rattan chair and stretched. "This is my newly accepted student, Uchiha Senba. He's a genius Ninja who mastered the Healing Technique on his own."
She beckoned to Senba. "Kid, come here."
Senba walked forward and stopped in front of the two elders, bowing slightly with a respectful attitude.
"Lady Mito, Lady Momoka."
Mito looked at him, her eyes filled with gentle appraisal. "Yes, you're very good."
Momoka's gaze lingered on him for a moment and she asked curiously, "How old are you?"
"Six years old," Senna replied.
Momoka nodded slightly and shifted her gaze away, showing no particular interest.
Mito smiled and looked at Tsunade: "This child is quite polite, much better than Nawaki."
Tsunade rolled her eyes: "Don't mention that brat. Where is he?"
Mito sighed. "He went to find Jiraiya, saying he wants to learn a Ninjutsu that can defeat Uchiha Senba."
"He went to find Jiraiya?"
"Yes. He ran out early this morning, talking about learning a powerful Ninjutsu to come back and defeat Senba."
Speaking of this, Mito couldn't help but laugh and shook her head, "That child, really..."
"What can he learn from Jiraiya?" Tsunade rolled her eyes and plopped back onto the rattan chair, her tone full of disdain.
Senba stood to the side with a thoughtful look in his eyes.
Jiraiya, one of the future Sannin, contractor of Mount Myōboku, and disciple of the Toad Sage.
At this point in time, he was only twenty years old and shouldn't have mastered Sage Mode yet. Meaning, he was the weakest of the three Sannin currently.
Tsunade leaned back on the chair and began to complain.
"That guy Jiraiya, his specialties are completely different from normal people. The Ninjutsu he created are all related to hair: Wild Lion's Mane Technique, Needle Jizo, Lion's Head..."
She counted on her fingers: "Besides these, the rest of his Ninjutsu are learned from Mount Myōboku."
She paused, her expression even more disdainful.
"Summoning Jutsu, Frog Kata, Toad Oil Bullet—can normal people learn these things? Without a contract from Mount Myōboku, learning them is useless."
Mito nodded with a smile on the side; she thought the same. Unless Nawaki became Jiraiya's disciple, it was impossible to sign the Summoning contract with Mount Myōboku.
But if he became Jiraiya's disciple, what could he teach Nawaki?
Senju Momoka picked up her teacup and said indifferently: "Of Hiruzen Sarutobi's three disciples, only Orochimaru was truly taught by him."
Tsunade pursed her lips: "I learned Medical Ninjutsu from my mentor, I didn't learn anything from the Old Man, and neither did Jiraiya."
She paused and looked at Senba. "If that brat Nawaki went to find Orochimaru, he might actually learn something. As a true disciple of the Ninjutsu Doctor, teaching a C-Rank or B-Rank Ninjutsu wouldn't be a problem.
But Nawaki just had to go find Jiraiya, who's still in the exploration stage."