Naruto: The Sage Body of Konoha

Residence of the First Hokage.

"It's already very late today. Lady Mito Uzumaki must have fallen asleep by now. I'll pay a visit tomorrow."

After hearing Tsunade's words, Heiyan replied.

"There's also..."

Tsunade still held his hand tightly. Her lips slightly parted, she remained silent for quite some time before finally speaking, "Back then at the Valley of the End, thank you for killing the blue-haired woman."

The "woman" she referred to was none other than Madara Uchiha's blue-haired female clone.

Upon hearing this, Heiyan too kept quiet for a moment.

He thought it wouldn't do for Tsunade to remain so despondent forever.

He decided to help her get back on her feet.

Finally, he slowly revealed the truth to Tsunade, "Actually, I suspect that woman didn't die at all. What perished was merely a clone."

"What did you say?!"

Hearing these words, Tsunade immediately raised her head.

At this moment, all traces of intoxication vanished from her face, replaced entirely by shock and horror.

"I believe the enemy's original body is still hiding in the shadows, possibly making a comeback at any moment. Furthermore, the enemy might not necessarily be a woman—they could just as easily be an elderly man born during the Warring States period."

While observing Tsunade's expression, Heiyan continued presenting his "theory."

He hadn't directly mentioned Madara Uchiha's name.

Because he wasn't sure how Tsunade would react upon hearing that name.

Most likely, she'd experience extreme emotional turmoil.

Therefore, Heiyan planned to gradually reveal the entire truth bit by bit, allowing Tsunade sufficient time to digest and accept everything.

Creak!

After listening to Heiyan's words, Tsunade involuntarily tensed her entire body. Her fists clenched tightly—her fingernails even dug deeply into her flesh, drawing blood.

That person who killed her brother had actually survived.

Just thinking about this reignited the fire of vengeance deep within her heart.

"Big sister Tsunade, I'll take my leave first."

Seeing Tsunade's condition, Heiyan knew he'd achieved his goal, turned around, walked out of the room, and closed the door behind him.

In the courtyard, cool night breezes blew gently.

Heiyan glanced back toward Tsunade's room.

In the original Naruto story, kunoichi reaching Kage-level strength were extremely rare throughout the entire world of shinobi. Among them, Fifth Hokage Tsunade stood particularly prominent.

One could even call her the strongest woman beneath Kaguya otsutsuki.

Moreover, had she not developed hemophobia and fallen into gambling—which cost over twenty years of her life—she could have been even stronger.

Now, Heiyan's arrival undoubtedly changed Tsunade's life path...

Inside the room.

Half an hour passed after Heiyan left.

Only then did Tsunade loosen her blood-covered fist. She stood up and walked toward the desk.

Opening the drawer, she took out a pair of dice.

Back then, Hashirama Senju had used this very pair to teach her gambling. To Tsunade, these dice were cherished mementos, much like the crystal necklace her grandfather had left behind.

Unfortunately, both her gambling luck and her grandfather's had been equally terrible—throughout all these years, she had hardly ever won.

It wasn't until the recent battle between the three prodigies that she finally won big.

But the cost was losing her only remaining family member.

Before, she gambled purely for the thrill of winning. But now, each time she won at the gambling tables, she would think of Nawaki's death.

So—

"I'm done gambling... from now on."

In the darkness, Tsunade murmured, her fists tightening slowly, crushing the dice into powder.

Her eyes turned sharp and resolute.

She would have her revenge.

From today forward, she would train relentlessly, no matter the cost, growing stronger. Even if it meant traveling across the entire world of shinobi, she would find her enemies and personally avenge her younger brother.

She swore it.

...

The next day, in the morning.

Heiyan once again arrived at the residence of the First Hokage.

As soon as he walked through the door, he saw an elderly woman with long, light-brown hair wearing a white kimono, watering the plants in the courtyard with a watering can.

"Mito Uzumaki," Heiyan said with a respectful bow.

"Heiyan, you're here," Mito Uzumaki replied, setting down the watering can with a warm smile. Though aged, her facial features still clearly showed she had once been a great beauty.

At Mito Uzumaki's invitation, Heiyan followed her into the house and took a seat.

To his surprise,

"Hearing from the Third Hokage that you want to learn Sage Art?"

Uzumaki Mito didn't beat around the bush, bringing up Sage Art directly in the conversation.

"Yes," Heiyan nodded.

"I also heard that your trip to Mount Myoboku wasn't smooth?" Mito continued asking gently, her tone as kind as a grandmother chatting with her grandchild.

"It really wasn't smooth. But I was lucky, and barely managed to learn Sage Art in the end."

Heiyan answered honestly.

Upon hearing this, Mito looked genuinely surprised.

"No wonder you're the Number One Prodigy—truly amazing."

She praised him sincerely, then smoothly changed the subject: "However, the Sage Art from Mount Myoboku isn't suitable for you. Perhaps you should consider learning other Sage Arts instead… like those from Shikkotsu Forest."

What did she mean?

Hearing this, Heiyan felt slightly puzzled about Mito's intentions.

"Aren't all Sage Arts basically the same?" He pretended confusion, asking.

"Indeed, the fundamental principles of Sage Arts are the same among the three sacred locations—all involve absorbing natural energy to form Sage Chakra."

Mito smiled gently while explaining patiently: "But the Sage Art from Shikkotsu Forest is very special, and extremely difficult too. Up to now, only my late husband, Hashirama Senju, has ever mastered it. Would you like to know why?"

Without waiting for Heiyan's reply, she threw another question at him.

"Heiyan, do you know why our Uzumaki clan and the Senju clan have maintained good relations generation after generation?" Mito stared at Heiyan.

"Why?" Heiyan kept playing dumb, showing curiosity.

"Because both families share the exact same ancestor. Both the Uzumaki clan and Senju clan are descendants of the Immortal Sage himself."

Uzumaki Mito revealed a shocking secret.

"Due to carrying the Sage's bloodline, members of the Uzumaki and Senju clans naturally possess vast chakra reserves and extraordinary vitality."

She continued slowly, giving voice to the truth. "Hashirama was able to master [Sage Art] of Shikkotsu Forest because he inherited the Sage's constitution almost perfectly, far surpassing other clan members." 

"Just… like you."

These words from Mito caused Heiyan's heart to skip a beat.

It seemed that she had not only uncovered his true identity as a member of the Uzumaki clan, but also seen through to his possession of the Sage Transformation.

"Lady Mito, what exactly are you saying..." 

Heiyan asked cautiously.

"I want you to go to Shikkotsu Forest and learn senjutsu from Lady Katsuyu the Sage. Would you be willing to do that?"

Mito smiled gently as she asked.

"May I ask, how might I serve you?" 

Instead of answering directly, Heiyan countered with a question. He knew better than to believe in free lunches.

"There is indeed one matter I wish to entrust to you."

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