Uzumaki?
Red hair?
Konoha Village?
As Tsunade connected these key clues, she began to piece together the boy's identity.
"As expected of the famous Tsunade," Menma said, watching her closely. "Looks like you've figured it out."
He smiled faintly. "That's right. My father is Minato Namikaze, and my mother is Kushina Uzumaki. Jiraiya is my master… and also my debtor."
Another name added to the growing list of people who owed Menma money—this time, Tsunade herself.
Tch. The Legendary Sannin really aren't anything special.
(Orochimaru sneezes in the distance.)
"Minato Namikaze…? Isn't that the name of the Fourth Hokage?" Shizune muttered. Her eyes widened in realization. "He's the Fourth Hokage's son?! And already this old?"
Although Shizune was born in Konoha, she had been traveling with Tsunade since she was young. She didn't know much about Kushina Uzumaki, but she certainly remembered hearing about the heroic Fourth Hokage.
Six years ago, when news of Minato's death spread, Shizune had grieved a little. He had been so young, so full of promise.
Tsunade let out a bitter chuckle. "You forgot to mention one more thing… Nine-Tails Jinchūriki."
"Thanks for the reminder," Menma said casually, his expression unreadable.
That only raised more questions in Tsunade's mind. Why had the Third Hokage allowed Menma—a Jinchūriki—to wander outside the village without any ANBU protection? She had sensed no guards nearby at all.
"Don't worry about paying me back," Menma continued. "Just come back to Konoha with me."
That was the real reason he'd come—to bring Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin, back to the village.
Three days earlier, Jiraiya and Menma had arrived in a small town. They checked into a modest inn, and Jiraiya warned Menma to stay put while he went out to "gather information."
In truth, everyone knew what kind of information Jiraiya was really gathering.
"Don't run off, got it?" Jiraiya said as he left, clearly not expecting trouble. With Menma's strength, even someone on the level of a Kage wouldn't be able to harm him.
Menma, of course, ignored the order entirely.
As soon as Jiraiya was gone, Menma created a Shadow Clone to stay behind and keep up appearances. The real him? He went straight out to look for Tsunade.
There was no way Jiraiya had chosen this town randomly. If he was here, that meant Tsunade was nearby.
And there were only two places someone like Tsunade would be during the day—a casino or a bar.
Menma had guessed right.
Not only had he found her, he'd managed to win a lot of money by betting against her notorious bad luck.
And with that, he'd recouped his own inn money—which, by the way, he had paid, not Jiraiya.
That deadbeat!
Jiraiya's reasoning:
Why carry cash when you've got a walking piggy bank beside you?
Return to Konoha?
Back to the village where she had lost everything?
Tsunade's expression shifted. The mention of "home" brought back a wave of painful memories.
Her grandfather. Her granduncle. Her father, mother, younger brother Nawaki… her lover Dan. Even the Senju Clan was nearly extinct—all gone, one by one, protecting that very village.
Menma noticed the sadness in her eyes. His heart softened.
To him, Tsunade was the most tragic woman in the world.
She should've been the happiest.
Her grandfather was Hashirama Senju, the God of Shinobi and the founder of Konoha. Her granduncle Tobirama was the Second Hokage. Her father was the head of the Senju Clan, respected and admired by many. She had a cheerful little brother, a kind lover—her whole future was golden.
And then… it was all taken away.
Menma didn't say anything right away. But his thoughts turned bitter.
The truth behind the fall of the Senju Clan and the Uzumaki Clan wasn't just war. It was neglect, and it started under the Third Hokage's leadership.
The Uzumaki Clan, masters of sealing techniques, had been allies with Konoha for generations. Their leader, Uzumaki Ashina, had even signed a blood pact of friendship with Hashirama. The Uzumaki crest had been proudly displayed on Konoha's jonin uniforms.
But after the deaths of Hashirama and Tobirama, that bond began to erode.
When the Uzumaki Clan was attacked by neighboring villages, they sent out an urgent call for help—to Konoha.
The Third Hokage ignored it. Not only that, he even blocked the news from reaching Kushina.
But the Senju Clan didn't forget their allies. Tsunade's parents and other clan members rushed to the Uzumaki's aid. They fought with everything they had… and perished alongside them.
The Uzumaki nation was destroyed. The survivors scattered. The Senju warriors who defended them—all died.
Menma took a step closer. Shizune immediately moved to block him, but Tsunade stopped her with a raised hand. There was no hostility in him—just… a strange sense of sympathy.
Sympathy? For me?
He suddenly leapt up and whispered something into Tsunade's ear.
Her eyes widened in disbelief. She stared at him, her lips trembling. "Is… is that true?"
Menma nodded solemnly. "Absolutely."
Tsunade's heart trembled. Her eyes began to glisten.
Even if there was only a one-in-a-million chance—it was worth believing.
Shizune blinked. Just moments ago, Tsunade had looked like a walking ghost. But now? She was full of energy. Her face had color again. Her posture had straightened.
She was alive again.
Whatever that red-haired boy said… thank you.
"Wanna go celebrate with a drink?" Menma grinned.
Tsunade's eyes lit up. "Absolutely!"
But then Shizune gently reminded her, "Lady Tsunade… we don't have any money…"
Not only couldn't they drink—they didn't even have a place to sleep.
Tsunade: "…"
That's right. She'd lost everything at the casino—and owed him money.
"It's okay," Menma said with a smirk. "My treat."
Tsunade looked at him again. The more she did… the more she liked this kid.
(End Of Chapter)
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