Naruto: The Senju Patriarch

Katsuro made his way towards the Suna front with only about half of the Senju clan members, leaving about 200 on the Iwa front, where numbers weren't the issue anymore, with Kaito to lead them. The Suna front was also in Amegakure, meaning Katsuro's force made their way there within nearly less than a day. They hadn't anticipated any enemies on their journey, but regardless still had their guards up - it was still a war. Nonetheless, they couldn't help but hold good spirits when they were being led by the Stormbreaker. Occasionally, even Katsuro joined in the somewhat cheerful songs and discussions, which always raised the mood of the rest of the force. However, before long, they neared the Suna front. Everyone quickly returned to a more serious demeanour, preparing themselves for yet another battle to come. 

Soon, they reached the main camp of the Konoha. Katsuro was the first to step into the camp, and with a large unit diligently following behind him, stares and whispers and expressions of shock, awe and grateful nods greeted him. They had all heard of his feats in the war, from capturing a Bijuu and forcing even the Third Tscuhikage, Onoki, to retreat and abandon his men.

"Look, it's the Patriarch of the Senju!"

"I hear he's the youngest to ever become the leader of the Senju."

"Y'know what he did at the Iwa front right?"

"He and the rest of the Senju clan absolutely turned the tide of the battle over there!"

"He brought down a Bijuu all by himself!"

"I hear he uses all chakra natures like the Third!"

"They call him the Stormbreaker…"

Katsuro inwardly smiled at how fast the news had spread about his battles. But, more than that, he was even prouder of how much recognition his clan had received, as well as the rest of the forces at the Iwa front - the ones still there and the others who were currently with him. Now, his mind diverted to finding Sakumo and Tsunade. 

Tsunade, it's been so long. 

"Look, Patriarch," Bumi, who had now been promoted to a Jonin, turned to Katsuro, "it seems like our victory at the Iwa front has raised morale over here as well!" 

He wasn't wrong - the Konoha shinobi at the Suna front had also fought more tirelessly and fiercely, hearing of their comrades' strength at the Iwa front. They knew that they now had the fighting advantage, with the Senju shinobi fighting alongside them, as well as the supposedly Kage-level Jonin who had been newly referred to as the Stormbreaker, by both enemies and allies. Now, they had 2 Kage-level shinobi at their side - the White Fang, and the Stormbreaker.

"I agree, but there's still a war to be fought," Katsuro responded, stopping in front of the medical tent. 

"Tell the rest of our unit to put down their belongings and rest up until they're called. It's been a long journey." 

"Of course, Patriarch," Bumi nodded. 

"You heard him! Let's move!" 

Katsuro immediately walked into the main tent, hoping to find Tsunade. As heads turned toward him, he looked around and finally saw her. It had been so long. Now, being able to see his lover in front of his eyes, after so long, his heart raced, and couldn't help but smile widely, not bothering to hide it. Of course, his master was there as well, but his mind was almost tuning him and everyone else out. Hatake Sakumo, who was about to greet his disciple, saw where he was looking, and wisely chose to pause his words with a small smile. 

Suddenly, confused, Katsuro caught a glimpse of a pale-blue haired, somewhat tall, lean shinobi sitting awfully close to Tsunade. Katsuro quickly recognised him as Kato Dan, an established and respected Leaf shinobi, who was very proficient in the S-rank Spirit Transformation Jutsu, which allowed his soul to leave his body, and fight as a spirit - high risk, but also high reward. Either way, Katsuro knew Dan was no average shinobi. He frowned seeing them share a close conversation, where a small smile appeared on Tsunade's face. Without a moment to lose, he walked towards them. 

Tsunade, who had been so focused on the war since she deployed, recently had found Dan as a new friend. They often shared deep conversations about life, the war and family. 

However, now, as she briefly looked up, Tsunade caught a glimpse of someone who she thought looked very very similar to Katsuro. Unable to believe her eyes, she blinked repeatedly, but still Katsuro's smiling, tall figure stood in front of her. She knew he would be arriving at the Suna front soon, but not this soon.

Tsunade's eyes lit up, about to say something, but remembered something which caused her to force a frown and turn away in mock anger, as she had often done when they were children, being as stubborn as they possibly could. Kato Dan, who was unfamiliar with the Senju Patriarch, was surprised to see such a large reaction from Tsunade, who had usually been acting cold and above it all recently. But the negative reaction made his mind assume this shinobi must have done something bad toward her. 

Katsuro noticed Tsunade still trying to keep ignoring him, as she turned to Sakumo.

"Commander, why did you stop speaking, as if someone important walked in?"

The rest of the Shinobi, part of the decision making process, who were elated at Katsuro's arrival, looked to each other sensing the drama going on. It was fairly public knowledge that Katsuro and Tsunade were something. These Shinobi, who could almost sense death, inferred a fight between the couple. It put a smile on their faces to see something so mundane and innocent on such a grim battlefield. 

Sakumo let out a sigh of exasperation, having been dragged between the two again, as he looked to Katsuro as if pleading for him to deal with it.

The Nara Shinobi sitting on the other side of Tsunade felt the Patriarch's gaze on him, and true to his Nara wit, made the strategic decision to move, inferring what Katsuro wanted. 

Katsuro sat down next to her after thanking him, staring at Tsunade with an almost cheeky grin on his face. Tsunade, who could see this out of the corner of her eye, struggled to keep composed, almost smiling, but harrumphed while turning her head again. This led Katsuro to make eye contact with Kato Dan, who by this point had easily inferred his identity.

"Good afternoon, Lord Senju, I am Kato Dan."

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