Naruto: After Seclusion Becoming Naruto Grandfather

Three figures moved swiftly through the jungle, leaving a trail of silence in their wake. Any ninja who dared to stand in their way and lacked a Konoha forehead protector was dealt with decisively.

As they approached Konoha, Hokage Rock loomed in the distance, a stark reminder of the village's legacy. The closer they got, the more patrols appeared. Anbu and Root operatives began emerging from the shadows, their vigilance evident.

"Who goes there? Konoha is currently off-limits to outsiders!" a voice barked from the shadows. A shuriken embedded itself in the ground ahead of them.

"Jiraiya!"

"Kakashi Hatake!"

"Senju Tsunade!"

The three travelers revealed their identities, but the Anbu operative didn't lower his guard. Instead, he signaled toward the woods, where countless Konoha ninjas emerged and quickly surrounded them.

"What is the meaning of this?" Jiraiya demanded, his voice sharp.

"I'm sorry, Jiraiya-sama," the head of the guard department said respectfully. His tone, however, was noticeably colder when addressing Tsunade. "Konoha is under strict surveillance. All outsiders, especially those who have been absent from the village for years, must be thoroughly checked."

Tsunade's gaze hardened. "Heh, is this how I'm treated after agreeing to return? What a warm welcome," she said coldly, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Jiraiya, is this the village you told me about?" Her piercing gaze silenced any words Jiraiya might have had prepared.

"Tsunade, this must be a misunderstanding," Jiraiya stammered, attempting to defuse the tension.

"Misunderstanding?" Tsunade scoffed. "A misunderstanding is questioning my identity?"

Her anger simmered as she took in the scene. This was not the Konoha she had left behind. The hostility, the distrust—it was a far cry from the vibrant village her grandfather had built.

Tsunade turned abruptly. "I'm done here. This Konoha doesn't need me, and I don't need it," she declared, her disappointment evident.

But the Anbu and Root operatives weren't about to let her leave. Drawing their weapons, they formed an unyielding blockade.

"I'm sorry," the head guard said grimly, "but all outsiders are considered enemies of Konoha. You cannot leave."

The hostility in their eyes was unmistakable. Tsunade's laughter was bitter and sharp. "This is the Konoha my grandfather poured his heart into creating?" she said, shaking her head.

Her chakra flared, and the ground beneath her cracked. "Anyone who dares to stop me will regret it," she said, her voice as fierce as her gaze. A single punch shattered the ground in front of the gathered ninjas, sending fissures racing toward them.

The Anbu hesitated, cold sweat dripping down their faces. So this is the power of one of the legendary Sannin...

As Tsunade began walking away, a voice called out from the shadows. "Why leave so soon, Tsunade?"

Danzo stepped into view, standing on a tree branch in the distance. His gaze was cold and calculating as he observed her.

Tsunade stopped, her expression unreadable as she looked at him. Her patience was wearing thin, and Danzo's mere presence tested it further. If he dared spout his usual rhetoric, she wouldn't hesitate to take action.

"Are these worthless fools the ones who dared to provoke you?" Danzo said mockingly, gesturing toward the Anbu. "If they can't even recognize Princess Tsunade, one of the legendary Sannin, they're nothing but trash."

Danzo's tone was biting and condescending. Without hesitation, he raised a chakra-infused shuriken and hurled it toward one of the guards. The weapon tore through the ninja effortlessly, cutting him down like a blade through butter.

Blood spilled onto the ground, the metallic scent filling the air.

Tsunade froze, her breath hitching. The vivid red, the unmistakable smell—it overwhelmed her. Memories surged, and her legs trembled.

Hemophobia...

Tsunade tried to steady herself, but her body staggered under the weight of her fear. She clenched her fists, desperate to mask her vulnerability.

"Tsunade, the ignorant have been dealt with," Danzo said dismissively. "Now, come back to Konoha. Hiruzen misses you dearly." His figure disappeared into the shadows, taking the bodies with him.

As the Anbu retreated, Tsunade's strength finally gave out. She collapsed, unconscious.

When Tsunade woke, she found herself in Konoha's hospital. The smell of antiseptics and the low murmur of wounded patients filled the air. Despite the overcrowding, she had been given a bed.

"Tsunade, you're awake!" Jiraiya exclaimed, rushing to her side. His concern seemed genuine, though Tsunade wasn't fooled. She remembered overhearing him and Kakashi discussing the plot of Icha Icha Paradise earlier.

"Jiraiya," Tsunade said sharply, "what did Danzo mean when he said that sensei misses me?"

The question caught Jiraiya off guard. His expression darkened. "Hiruzen was resurrected by Uzumaki Chito," he admitted after a moment. "But his soul is bound to a stone. He's… not really alive, but not dead either."

Tsunade's eyes widened. "So Hiruzen isn't dead?" she asked, her voice tight with emotion.

Jiraiya nodded cautiously, but before he could say more, Tsunade's chakra flared. Her right hand clenched, glowing with raw power.

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