Rising Shadows: Uchiha's Wrath

"Where have you been? I haven't been able to find you since last night!"

As soon as Kaito opened the door, the sharp scent of alcohol hit him. At the same time, Tsunade's voice rang out—casual yet piercing.

"Lord Kaito!"

Shizune, tending to the intoxicated Tsunade, quickly stood up and greeted him with formal urgency.

Tsunade now regarded Kaito in a completely different light. Ever since he had avenged Karin's mother, any lingering hesitation in her mind had vanished. Now, she addressed him with a natural ease.

But Shizune couldn't afford such casualness. The memory of Kaito's overwhelming strength was still fresh in her mind. Her awe of him bordered on fear—a feeling that wasn't so easily shaken.

Kaito acknowledged Shizune with a nod before shifting his gaze to Tsunade, who sat with hazy eyes amidst a dozen empty bottles.

He smirked. "Drinking this much… Guess you're celebrating your reunion, huh?"

Shizune hesitated, then spoke in a low voice. "Lady Tsunade searched for you late into the night, but she couldn't find you."

"So she drank alone."

Noting the fatigue in Shizune's face, Kaito said, "You've been up all night. Go rest. I'll handle Tsunade."

Shizune hesitated for a moment but quickly nodded. "Then I'll take my leave." With that, she quietly exited the room, shutting the door behind her.

Kaito stepped forward and sat beside Tsunade, studying her expression—calm, yet her sharp eyes betrayed her inner turmoil.

"So?" He tilted his head slightly. "Happy or bitter?"

Tsunade scoffed and took another sip from her cup. "Both."

Her voice was firm, stripped of its usual carefree tone.

She placed her drink down with deliberate motion. "Tell me, Kaito. Do you think I'm weak?"

"This has nothing to do with you. The real fault lies with Hiruzen Sarutobi for betraying the Uzumaki Clan as a conspirator."

"Besides, you're awake now, and you want to avenge your people. Last night, you saved Karin."

"So why are you blaming yourself for everything?"

Kaito reached forward, taking the bottle and glass from in front of Tsunade before she could pour another drink.

Her expression softened slightly, but she still muttered, "But I still feel useless."

Her hands clenched. "If I had acted sooner, maybe Karin's mother wouldn't have died so tragically in Kusagakure…"

Kaito nodded seriously. "You really were useless."

Tsunade stared at him in astonishment.

She had expected some kind of reassurance—anything but that. Was this really how he comforted people?

Kaito, of course, noticed her dissatisfaction.

His voice remained calm. "Since you know you were useless, then do something about it."

"The Uzumaki Clan isn't just Karin's family."

"If you keep drowning in self-pity, more tragedies like Karin's mother's death will happen."

Tsunade, still under the haze of alcohol, suddenly felt her mind clear.

Yes. Karin's family couldn't be the only survivors of the Uzumaki Clan. She should be searching for them right now... before another tragedy unfolded.

"Do you still want to drink? I can stay here with you for another day if you do."

Kaito picked up the glass and took a slow sip.

"No… I don't want to drink anymore."

Tsunade's face flushed slightly. She suddenly felt embarrassed.

Kaito nodded, his tone even. "Then go and comfort Karin."

"She's awake now, but she's still in shock."

"Her mother just passed away—she needs the support of her only living relative."

"After that, you should start searching for the remaining Uzumaki orphans."

"If necessary, the Anbu of Kirigakure will assist you."

Tsunade stood up and gave Kaito a deep bow. "Thank you."

A brief pause. Then, softly— "And… thank you for last night. For helping me destroy Kusagakure."

Kaito waved a hand dismissively. "You work for me now."

"As your leader, it's only natural for me to take care of small obstacles in your path."

Tsunade frowned slightly at his choice of words but understood the message. Nodding firmly, she turned to leave.

"Wait."

Kaito stopped her just as she reached the door.

"Are you really going to see Karin like this? You don't think you might make her feel worse?"

Tsunade instinctively glanced down at herself and immediately caught the strong scent of alcohol clinging to her clothes. Her expression twisted in embarrassment before she quickly channeled her chakra, purging the remaining alcohol from her system.

Kaito took a step forward. "Not just the smell of alcohol."

Tsunade frowned. "What else?"

Kaito reached out and pressed a finger against her forehead.

"Your self-doubt."

As he spoke, faint strands of energy, like threads of mist, unraveled from Tsunade's forehead, condensing at the tip of Kaito's finger.

The weight pressing down on her heart—the regret, the self-loathing, the anger—suddenly lifted. Her mind felt clearer, more focused.

Tsunade's eyes widened in shock. "What… was that?!"

Kaito smirked. "A little ability I picked up. I can manipulate emotions at will."

"Removing your self-doubt was the easy part."

Tsunade stiffened.

Then, before she could react, she felt something shift inside her. A strange warmth bloomed in her chest, her pulse quickening—

And just as suddenly as it came, it vanished.

She snapped back to her senses and shot Kaito a glare. He was watching her with an amused expression.

"See?" He said. "Any emotion."

Tsunade clenched her fists. "Don't mess around with things like that."

Then, without another word, she turned and walked away.

Kaito chuckled softly. "That ability is strong, but it can't create something out of nothing."

"I can only amplify emotions that already exist… or take them away."

Though his voice was low, Tsunade still heard him. She didn't respond, but her steps quickened slightly.

Watching her leave, Kaito shook his head with a smirk.

"I didn't expect her to have even the slightest feeling toward me… though it's weak."

He shrugged. Not that it mattered. From the moment they met, he had never been soft with her. He had only pushed her harder, and challenged her at every step.

His way of guiding people was not through kindness—but through strength.