Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!
Chapter 561: Next Steps in the Strategy

Chapter 561 - 561: Next Steps in the Strategy

With the war finally over, news of Madara Uchiha's resurrection spread rapidly across the entire Ninja World.

The Eye of the Moon Plan sent waves of panic through everyone. After all, no one wanted to experience a few days of blissful dreams only to become nourishment for the God Tree. The cost of such a dream was far too high.

When people learned that Konoha's elite had fought Madara and that the Fourth Hokage had died in battle, their hearts sank.

To them, Tsunade was a figure of great influence, someone who had played a crucial role in unifying the Ninja World. If someone of her caliber—an exceptional warrior—had fallen at Madara's hands, just how powerful was he?

And with even Kawakaze, the Second God of Shinobi, unable to claim victory, some had already lost hope.

A heavy gloom settled over the entire Ninja World. Even the once-thriving development plans for the region came to a standstill. No one had the heart to focus on grand visions for the future anymore. All eyes were on Konoha.

But none of this mattered to Kawakaze now.

Standing at the front door, he held Tsunade's hand, staring at the entrance, yet unable to take a step inside.

He had no idea how to face the children.

Their mother had left home alive, yet now she had returned in this state.

She was still here—still by his side—but that didn't change the reality. Tsunade was dead.

"Don't worry. Ginji and Ritsuki are strong," she reassured him.

"You said you could bring us back," she continued softly. "This... this is only temporary, right?"

Tsunade knew exactly what was going through Kawakaze's mind. The guilt he carried was likely heavier than she could imagine.

Her gentle words gave him the strength he needed.

"I will," he murmured, nodding as he took a deep breath.

Summoning his resolve, he pushed open the door.

He had barely stepped inside when Ginji and Ritsuki came rushing toward them.

"Dad! Mom!"

"Are you okay?"

"You're not hurt, right?"

Ritsuki, with his tiny legs, ran straight into Kawakaze's arms, then glanced up at Tsunade with a bright smile.

But Ginji froze mid-sentence.

His words caught in his throat as he stared at the cracks on Tsunade's face, at her dull, lifeless eyes.

Without warning, tears began to spill down his cheeks.

He knew this technique. He had seen it before. There was no mistake.

Impure World Reincarnation.

"Mom... you—"

His voice trembled, choked with emotion. Slowly, he raised his hand and stepped closer to her.

When his fingers brushed against her face, the cold sensation and the rough, fractured surface beneath his touch forced him to accept the truth.

Mom was dead.

No more words came.

Ginji threw his arms around her, sobbing uncontrollably.

It was only then that little Ritsuki finally noticed—something about Mom wasn't right.

"Wah wah wah~"

She clung to Kawakaze's shoulder, quickly soaking his clothes with her tears.

"Don't cry. Mom is still standing right in front of you, isn't she?"

"This is only temporary."

"Dad will bring Mom back, and so will Senior Brother Nagato."

"Be good, Ginji~"

Tsunade gently stroked Ginji's hair, her eyes brimming with tears.

It had been so long since Ginji had felt Tsunade's touch like this. His already fragile emotions shattered further, and he sobbed even harder.

"It's my fault... I didn't take care of Mom."

"I'm sorry... to both of you."

Kawakaze comforted Ginji and Ritsuki, but soon, he could no longer hold back his own emotions.

The four of them huddled together, their grief thick in the air.

Nayuki held Seina close, while Kakashi stood nearby, silent but with tears streaming down his face.

No one knew how much time had passed before the sorrow finally began to settle.

Though Ginji and Ritsuki didn't want to accept it, they had no choice. All they could do was hope that Kawakaze would bring Tsunade back soon...

The next morning, after a restless night, everyone gathered in the operations conference room of the Hokage Building.

The five Hokage stood together on the podium, facing a room full of Konoha's Jōnin.

It had been a long time since such a large-scale meeting had taken place.

Without exception, worry was etched into everyone's faces, and the atmosphere in the room was unbearably heavy.

"Since no one wants to speak first, I'll go ahead."

Hashirama stepped forward, immediately drawing every gaze to him.

"Madara Uchiha—I'm sure none of you need an introduction to that name."

"I fought him back then, but I never expected him to fake his death and escape."

"The situation we face now... I bear undeniable responsibility for it."

"As the First Hokage, I have failed Konoha, and I have failed all of you."

With that, Hashirama bowed deeply. It was clear from his expression that this was no mere formality—his guilt was genuine.

"Lord First, you're being too hard on yourself."

"Madara Uchiha is cunning beyond belief. This isn't your fault."

"No one could have foreseen this."

"..."

Voices murmured through the room, but one thing was clear—no one blamed Hashirama.

If anything, they blamed Tobirama.

He had no business creating the Impure World Reincarnation technique.

If it weren't for that jutsu, none of this would be happening.

"Thank you all for understanding."

"But I won't sugarcoat things—the situation is dire."

"Madara Uchiha's power now surpasses mine entirely."

"He has already sealed five of the Tailed Beasts."

"The remaining One-Tail, Four-Tails, Five-Tails, and Nine-Tails are still in our hands."

"But to complete the Eye of the Moon Plan, he will undoubtedly strike again."

"We don't know when he will come."

"But one thing is certain—the battlefield cannot be in Konoha."

"Nor can it be anywhere with civilians."

"We will take the Tailed Beasts to the desert in the Land of Wind."

"We are not confident in our chances of victory, which is why we need everyone's strength."

"Rasa and Sasori from Sunagakure, Kakuzu from Akatsukigakure have already gathered in the Land of Wind."

"This is a battle that will decide the fate of the entire ninja world. Are you willing to stand with us?"

Hashirama's voice wasn't loud, but it carried through the room with unwavering resolve.

He did not rely on his title as the First Hokage to command them. Instead, he spoke with nothing but sincerity.

"Yes!!!"

The response was thunderous, roaring through the chamber and beyond.

At that moment, the room ignited with fighting spirit.

"Everyone, calm down."

"Let me make one thing clear."

"You are not strong enough to fight Madara directly."

"We don't need you throwing yourselves into battle as cannon fodder."

"Your task is simple—seal the reanimated shinobi under Madara's control. Do not interfere in the battle that will decide the fate of the ninja world."

Tobirama stepped forward, his cold tone cooling the rising fervor in the room.

The last thing he wanted was for someone to get swept up in the moment and charge at Madara recklessly.

That would accomplish nothing except getting themselves killed.

"Understood."

Satisfied with their response, Tobirama gave a curt nod and said no more.