Chapter 218

By the time Hui left the Uchiha compound, night had fallen. He walked leisurely back toward the Senju compound, looking very comfortable.

It was rare for him to have such moments of peace.

During the day, his presence would inevitably draw attention. 

Nearly everyone who crossed paths with him would stop to greet him. But now, with most people enjoying the bustling night markets, the streets he walked were nearly empty.

Thinking about Konoha's history, Hui found Konoha's development to be quite interesting.

The village, founded jointly by the Senju and Uchiha clans, ironically saw both clans fall into decline. The Senju, for most reasons unknown, had quietly faded into obscurity after Tobirama's era. Aside from Tsunade and Nawaki, no other living Senju descendants were known.

As for the Uchiha, they produced many exceptional shinobi over the years, but most were individuals were not normal people. Ultimately, the Uchiha were wiped out by their own. By the time Naruto Uzumaki became the Seventh Hokage, only Sasuke and Sarada Uchiha remained in the Uchiha lineage.

It was a complete tragedy.

What caused such outcomes, Hui couldn't say for absolute certainty. But with him here now, he was certainly never going to let history repeat itself. 

As Hui approached the Senju compound, he noticed a young woman standing under a streetlamp, smiling at him. It was Tsunade, waiting for him.

Hui's lips curled into a gentle smile. He walked over and naturally took her hand in his, leading her into the compound.

"Have you eaten?" Tsunade asked, not questioning where he had been or what he had been doing.

"Yes, I ate at the Uchiha compound," Hui replied casually. "They're struggling under Tobirama-grandfather's policies and reached out to express their concerns."

As he spoke, his gaze drifted toward a darkened house within the compound, obviously, people inside were already rested.

"Grandma Mito..." Tsunade murmured, following his gaze with some worry.

"She's fine. Let nature take its course," Hui said softly, though his tone carried a hint of sadness. 

He could sense Uzumaki Mito's life force waning further. She was nearing the end of her life, growing frailer by the day.

Hui could have used his abilities to restore Mito's vitality, but he chose not to. 

As he had mentioned before, Mito's heart carried a longing—a desire for the sweet release of death. She yearned to reunite with Hashirama, her late husband.

Tsunade's expression darkened at Hui's words. She understood what he meant by "letting nature take its course."

Seeing her mood drop, Hui pulled her into a gentle embrace. "If grandma Mitogets to reunite with grandfather Hashirama, isn't that something to celebrate? Don't be sad. One day, when I'm stronger, I'll bring everyone back to life."

His words, spoken with utter confidence, dismissing the natural order of life and death as if it were nothing.

Tsunade couldn't help but laugh at his audacity. 

She lightly punched his shoulder, rolling her eyes at him. Yet, a small part of her believed he might actually achieve it.

After all, the barriers between life and death in this world were fragile. Instances of resurrection and immortality were not unheard of.

Tobirama's Edo Tensei jutsu was a form of immortality in itself, while the Reincarnation Jutsu of Chiyo from Sunagakure demonstrated the possibility of bringing the dead back to life. 

If others had already cracked the code of mortality, why couldn't Hui someday do the same?

Amused by Hui's words, Tsunade's spirits lifted.

Hand in hand, the two wandered aimlessly through the compound. As they passed, many of the Senju clan members smiled knowingly but didn't disturb them.

To the clan, Tsunade was their cherished "little princess," while Hui was someone they had long regarded as one of their own—a "Senju" in everything but name.

…

Not far away, a small Senju girl clasped her hands under her chin, watching Hui and Tsunade stroll together. Her eyes sparkled with admiration as she sighed dreamily.

"I'm so jealous of Tsunade-nee. She has Hui-nii as her perfect boyfriend," the girl gushed, her face flushed with emotion.

Beside her, several other Senju children nodded in agreement. Even the boys couldn't help but nod their head in succession.

Except for one. A young Nawaki frowned, gripping a wooden sword in his hand. 

He swung it lightly and muttered under his breath, "If the heart has no woman, the blade becomes divine. First rule of the sword manual: forget the one in your heart!"

He spoke with an exaggerated sense of gravity, then schooled his expression into a cold, detached look. 

The combination made him seem aloof and enigmatic.

Sure enough, the boys around him were all captivated.

"Nawaki, that's so cool!"

"That line is incredible! Nawaki, you're amazing!"

"You're my brother for life, Nawaki! That's our motto from now on!"

Encouraged by their reactions, Nawaki maintained his stoic façade, lazily swinging his wooden sword again. 

"Hui-nii wastes too much time indulging in romance. His swordsmanship is bound to stagnate. Mark my words—within a few years, I'll surpass him and become the village's number one swordsman. The name 'Emperor of the Tree' will echo across the great world."

Nawaki's tone was filled with pride as he spoke of grand ambitions. 

Konoha and even the shinobi world were too small for him, he was aiming for the vast, boundless universe. 

Inspired by the stories Hui had told him, Nawaki dreamed of becoming a supreme figure like the legendary Heavenly Emperor.

The other children were stunned. For a moment, Nawaki seemed to radiate light in their minds. Even the girls couldn't help but look at him with interest.

But their admiration quickly turned to scorn when they remembered his earlier words about Hui.

…

Hui, of course, overheard everything Nawaki said. He couldn't help but laugh, both amused and exasperated.

"What's so funny?" Tsunade asked, curious about his sudden grin.

Hui repeated Nawaki's words to Tsunade, emphasizing the part about "indulging in romance."

Tsunade froze for a moment, and then a vein bulged visibly on her forehead.

"NAWAKI!!" she roared, dragging Hui with her as she stormed toward the source of the offending comments.

Still basking in the praise of his peers, Nawaki froze at the sound of his sister's voice. His wooden sword nearly slipped from his grasp.

"Ah... uh, I just remembered I have something urgent to do! See you guys later!" Nawaki stammered, hastily retreating.

No way! he thought, panicking. If Tsunade catches me, she'll pummel me into the ground! I'm the future Emperor of the Tree—how can I let myself be humiliated like this?

Heart pounding, Nawaki broke into a run. But how could his speed be a match for Tsunade's. She caught up to him in no time.

Looking around and seeing that his friends were out of sight, Nawaki changed his tone entirely.

"My beautiful, invincible, gentle, kind, lovely, and absolutely amazing sister," he began in a sugary voice, "what brings you here?"

Hui burst out laughing, unable to contain himself.

"Is that so?" Tsunade said with a cold smile. "Well then, let your amazing sister see how divine your blade truly is!"

"Nooo—" Nawaki's wail pierced the night, shattering the tranquility..

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