They're promoting the "Konoha threat" theory, and spouting nonsense about the Hidden

Chapter 142 This moment is just like that moment.

As Hozuki Shingetsu's childhood friend, Yukinagi naturally harbors great curiosity about Hozuki Shingetsu's serious and earnest research topics.

Therefore, he often stayed by her side without hesitation, researching topics with her until late at night. He even went so far as to use himself as a test subject for Hozuki Shingetsu's research, conducting experiments again and again.

Moreover, she adhered to the principle of not leaving the front line even with minor injuries, and sometimes she was unwilling to leave even with a hoarse voice the next day, which moved Hozuki Shingetsu deeply.

At the same time, in order to prevent his underage fiancée from developing a competitive mentality and to prevent her from being tortured as a test subject during her physical development, Hozuki Shingetsu and Yukinagi have been secretly conducting experiments under the guise of being a personal secretary and a boss.

For example, Yukinagi was just under the desk testing the flow rate of liquid from a ninja who was proficient in water transformation under extreme conditions.

Hmm, judging from Yukinagi's furrowed brow just now, this shouldn't be an easy experiment.

"Tsunade... I've heard that this legendary Sannin of Konoha, the granddaughter of the 'God of Shinobi,' Hashirama Senju, is a renowned beauty!"

"The Leaf Village probably didn't send her here with good intentions!"

Yukinagi sat in Hozuki Shingetsu's lap, her words carrying a hidden meaning.

Having grown up together and participated in such highly confidential chakra experiments, she knew Hozuki Shingetsu inside and out, and naturally had a vague sense of some of Hozuki Shingetsu's thoughts.

"Tsunade? I guess Hiruzen Sarutobi sent her specifically because of her connection to the Uzumaki clan."

In his Sage Mode, Hozuki Shingetsu's mind was perfectly clear. With a quick thought, he understood why Konoha had sent Tsunade.

"Uzumaki? Oh... This is none of my business. Kushina hasn't said anything yet, so why should I worry about it?"

Yukinagi's ability to grasp the key points remains as strong as ever, leaving Hozuki Shingetsu quite embarrassed.

Fortunately, since reaching the age limit and being freed from the constraints, Hozuki Shingetsu has gained experience in how to comfort Yukinagi. In this situation, all that's needed is to distract her.

As for how to transfer it...

"Lightning Release Chakra Mode, activated!"

In an instant, the crackling of electricity echoed in the prestigious Mizukage's office. Stimulated by the Lightning Release chakra, Hozuki Shingetsu's cell activity increased dramatically, and his weakened body recovered in a flash.

"I suddenly remembered a very famous scientific experiment: the electrolysis of water. Nagi, come with me to experiment with what kind of substance can act as a catalyst to increase the rate of water electrolysis!"

Sensing Yukinagi's sudden stiffness, Hozuki Shingetsu smiled.

-

"Shall we meet again tomorrow?"

After seeing off Akiba Masanobu, who had come to inform them, Tsunade and her group returned to their house to discuss the specific details of their meeting the next day.

"Judging from what we've seen and heard along the way, Kirigakure's strength has indeed recovered. With our four great ninja villages having fought for three years, Kirigakure's new force is indeed a key force that will determine the final victory."

Nara Shikahan first gave a summary.

Judging from the thriving commercial scene of Kirigakure, the scattered glances cast from the shadows, and the words and clothing of the villagers, Kirigakure's strength has long since recovered to its pre-internal strife state.

"However, Kirigakure seems to have gone down the wrong path. As a ninja village, instead of focusing on military training, it is paying too much attention to commercial development. It seems that it has lost sight of its own role."

Upon seeing this, one of the accompanying ninjas said sourly.

Born in Konoha, the number one village in the ninja world, he could not accept his behavior along the way, which was like a country bumpkin coming to the city. So he immediately spoke downplaying Kirigakure.

In his view, Kirigakure only benefited from the war between the four great ninja villages, leaving merchants with nowhere else to go, which allowed Kirigakure to develop to its current state.

Once the war ends, Konoha will be freed from its focus on the war and can catch up with Kirigakure in no time.

Upon hearing this, Tsunade frowned but remained silent.

Although she agreed with the ninja's words in principle, she felt uneasy for some reason and had a strange fear of the overly active economy of Kirigakure.

"Forget it, it's all the old man's business anyway. I'll just finish this and leave Konoha after the war, so why worry about so much?"

With a heart as cold as ashes, Tsunade once again chose to ignore that inexplicable fear.

"Lady Tsunade, since we won't meet until tomorrow, why don't you pay a visit to the Uzumaki clan now? Lady Mito is also from the Uzumaki clan, so I'm sure you're quite curious about them, aren't you?"

Just then, Nara Shikahan gave Tsunade a "kind" reminder.

Sending Tsunade to the Uzumaki clan at this time clearly demonstrates the intention behind it.

Tsunade naturally knew that this was her main mission, so she readily agreed and immediately set off for the Uzumaki clan.

However, to her surprise, the Uzumaki clan didn't even open the door and chose to avoid her altogether.

"I am Tsunade, the granddaughter of Mito Uzumaki from Konoha, and I have come to pay my respects to the Uzumaki clan head."

Despite feeling extremely ashamed, Tsunade still brought up her grandmother, hoping that the Uzumaki clan would at least grant her a meeting for the sake of Mito Uzumaki.

At this moment, perhaps because of Mito Uzumaki's reputation, or perhaps because they felt that Tsunade was representing Konoha and it would be impolite to leave a village envoy outside, the Uzumaki clan finally opened the gate and let Tsunade in.

"I wonder what brings Lady Tsunade to our Uzumaki clan?"

As soon as Tsunade entered and sat down, she heard the Uzumaki clan leader, Uzumaki Yoshio, ask her such a question, and she immediately felt something was wrong.

These polite words and distant tone make it seem like they're not capable of helping at all.

However, since she had already promised Hiruzen Sarutobi, and she really couldn't bear to see the village that her grandfather had built fall into such a state, she had no choice but to bite the bullet and try to establish a connection.

"Uncle Yoshio..."

"No, I can't accept the title of Tsunade's uncle from Konoha."

Yoshio Uzumaki cut off Tsunade's follow-up remarks, refuting her without any politeness.

These blunt words stunned Tsunade, who blushed with embarrassment and anger.

As the granddaughter of Hashirama Senju, and a renowned and powerful ninja and medical master, no one has ever dared to give her a hard time since she was a child.

However, for the sake of the village and to prevent her grandfather's legacy from being damaged, she pretended not to hear and forced a smile as she repeated her request.

And unsurprisingly, he was rejected.

"The village's affairs have always been decided by the elders' council, and we, the Uzumaki clan, have neither the right nor the ability to interfere with the elders' decisions."

Since Hozuki Shingetsu has not yet become the Mizukage, the affairs of Kirigakure are still outwardly handled by the Elders' Council, hence Uzumaki Yoshio's statement.

"But I've heard that Hozuki Shingetsu and the Uzumaki clan have a marriage alliance, and considering the past friendship between the Senju and Uzumaki clans..."

"The past friendship? Does it refer to Mito Uzumaki's inaction when he was in dire straits in Uzushio Village, or to the Senju clan only remembering to visit him three years after he was submerged?"

"As an envoy of Konoha, you immediately approached my Uzumaki clan upon entering Kirigakure, constantly mentioning our past friendship and hoping that my clan would interfere in important village affairs. Where does this place the Uzumaki clan?"

Yoshio Uzumaki seemed impatient and interrupted Tsunade.

Tsunade opened her mouth, speechless, and could only cover her face and leave.

"Clan leader, is there any need to act like this? Lady New Moon is not a petty person. With Kushina around, she won't hold a grudge against our clan over such a small matter."

Watching Tsunade's departing figure from afar, the Uzumaki ninja beside her seemed puzzled.

"Do you think I'm doing this for show?"

Yoshio Uzumaki glanced at him sideways and snorted coldly.

"I just have a problem with the Senju clan!"

"If Mito Uzumaki had been willing to intervene back then, would Uzushio Village have ever disbanded?"

As an elder who lived through the glorious era of the Uzumaki clan, Yoshio Uzumaki naturally cherishes the memory of the clan establishing a village.

Although the Uzumaki clan is doing well in Kirigakure, it's never as good as being a king and ancestor as someone else.

All of this stemmed from Mito Uzumaki's inaction back then, so how could he not hold a grudge?

As Yoshio Uzumaki watched Tsunade walk away dejectedly, he seemed to see a reflection of his own past despair.

At this moment, just as at that moment.

(End of this chapter)