Uchiha Ascendant: Rewriting the Ninja World

Inside the tent, Kushina Uzumaki forced a strained smile. Normally bold and boisterous, today she looked subdued, her confidence shaken.

Tsunade noticed immediately and stepped forward, a gentle and reassuring smile on her face. She reached out to ruffle Kushina's fiery red hair.

"Kushina, I believe in you. One day, you'll be just as strong as Granny Mito."

Despite Tsunade's encouragement, Kushina's spirits remained low. She nodded with a faint smile, her voice soft yet firm:

"Don't worry, Tsunade-nee. I'll be the kunoichi who becomes Hokage."

The proclamation, usually bursting with energy, sounded half-hearted—a mantra to keep herself moving forward.

After Kushina left, Jiraiya stepped into the tent, his usual jovial demeanor replaced by a serious expression.

"Tsunade, has Kushina already been sealed?"

Tsunade sighed and nodded.

"Yes. On her last supply mission back to the village, part of Kurama's chakra was sealed within her. It's her destiny, Jiraiya. She has to adapt sooner or later."

Sealing a portion of a tailed beast's chakra in stages was the safest method. It allowed the host to gradually adjust to their new reality while minimizing risks.

Jiraiya frowned, unconvinced.

"She's too young, Tsunade. Wasn't this supposed to wait until she was an adult?"

Tsunade's face tightened, and she glanced away briefly before responding, her voice heavy with emotion.

"Mito-sama wants to see Kushina adapt to being a jinchūriki before her time comes."

The mention of Mito Uzumaki's impending passing silenced Jiraiya. Being a jinchūriki—carrying the power of a tailed beast—was both a gift and a curse, and few bore it willingly.

Tsunade continued, her voice calmer now.

"Jiraiya, this mission will be a good distraction for her."

Jiraiya nodded and exited, leaving Tsunade alone in the tent. Her expression shifted—grief melted into a sly smile, and her eyes glinted with sharp cunning.

Even Jiraiya thinks this is rushed. What about those old fossils back in the village?

Alone, she muttered with a trace of bitter satisfaction:

"Nawaki, Dan… After everything that's happened, do you think I'd leave anything to chance? The Uzumaki clan must remain tied to the Senju, no matter what."

In Tsunade's eyes, Kushina wasn't just a girl with a dream. She was a symbol, a necessity. If Konoha ever dared to strip the Uzumaki clan of its last tether to power, the Senju clan would crumble completely.

Kushina will master this, and the Senju will stand tall again.

Outside the camp, the shinobi convoy gathered, fully prepared to depart. Jiraiya stood at the forefront, raising his arm to signal the group. In a flurry of motion, the ninja dispersed into the dense forest.

Uchiha Yo, clad in his sturdy silver-gray armor, moved fluidly through the trees, keeping pace with his squad.

Half the team carried large, heavy sealing scrolls on their backs. The remaining ninja formed a protective perimeter around them, maintaining formation as they traversed the woods.

The scrolls contained crucial supplies and were a rarity even for the five great nations. Losing one to the enemy would be a disaster. For smaller villages, seeing a sealing scroll in action was an unimaginable luxury.

"Are you okay, Kushina?"

Minato's voice was gentle as he approached Kushina, concern etched on his face. She had been unusually quiet since the mission began.

Kushina responded in an uncharacteristically calm tone:

"Stay alert and keep watch."

This reserved demeanor did not escape the notice of Nara Shikaku, who furrowed his brow thoughtfully. A moment later, his eyes widened in realization, and he subtly distanced himself from Kushina.

"Tōrō, stay sharp," Shikaku muttered to his teammate, signaling for added caution. He suspected the truth: a jinchūriki losing control was no laughing matter.

Yo, positioned further ahead, noticed Shikaku's actions and smirked inwardly.

Shikaku, you sly bastard. Always two steps ahead.

Tsunade had already confided in Yo about Kushina's partial sealing. It wasn't common knowledge, but for someone like Minato—who was well aware of Kushina's role as a jinchūriki candidate—it was hardly a secret.

From his position, Jiraiya also observed the subtle shift in the group's dynamics.

"Could it be that Tsunade didn't tell Yo this time? That's… surprising."

For a moment, Jiraiya felt conflicted. He had expected Tsunade to break protocol, as she often did, and inform Yo of everything. But now, it seemed even Tsunade had her limits.

Shaking his head, Jiraiya refocused. His gaze lingered on Minato before he sighed.

Minato… A union between you and Kushina could truly strengthen the bonds between Konoha and the Uzumaki clan. This match is too important to fail.

Back at the camp, Tsunade stood on a tall tree, watching the departing convoy with a heavy heart. A masked ANBU appeared from the shadows behind her.

"Tsunade-sama, intelligence confirms that mercenaries from the Land of Lightning have entered the area."

Tsunade's expression hardened. She nodded sharply.

"Good. Proceed as planned. Inform Uchiha Fugaku that he's temporarily in charge of the camp."

The ANBU vanished, leaving Tsunade alone. Her gaze turned cold, and a rare smile tinged with malice crossed her lips.

"Let's settle the score for Uzushiogakure," she muttered to herself.

The so-called "wandering ninja" mercenaries from the Land of Lightning were a well-known secret in the ninja world. These were Cloud Village's unofficial operatives, skilled in theft and destruction, operating under the guise of freelance soldiers.

Uzushiogakure's fall had lined the pockets of these mercenaries, who had stolen countless Uzumaki sealing techniques during its demise. It was one of the reasons Cloud Village boasted superior jinchūriki-sealing methods today.

This time, you'll pay for what you've done, Tsunade vowed silently.

"Grow stronger, Kushina. You must."

In her heart, Tsunade acknowledged that forcing Kushina to mature early was a desperate gamble. But with the Senju under siege from all sides, there was no other choice.

This mission wasn't just about delivering supplies—it was a trial by fir

e, designed to push Kushina closer to her potential.

For her survival. For the Senju's survival.

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