Chapter 267 Choice

 In the operating room.

Tsunade grabbed Xiang Rin's arm, stared at the tooth marks on the latter's arm, and questioned her disciple sternly.

She could tell at a glance that Xianglin's method of treating Sasuke was not a medical ninjutsu at all.

"Tsunade-sama, I actually...have a special physique. As long as someone bites me, they can absorb the Yang Era Chakra in my body and heal the injury."

Xianglin was a little panicked and explained carefully.

"Why have you never told me about this before?" Tsunade asked, frowning.

"Before I came to Konoha, I was captured by a ninja from a small ninja village because I accidentally exposed my abilities. I became their medical kit. I finally escaped... From then on, I was afraid that I would be watched again. Go up and hide your abilities."

Xianglin's eyes dimmed as she told a tragic past that was unbearable to look back on.

　　Shizune, Sasuke and others couldn't help but be moved when they heard this.

Seeing the pitiful appearance of his disciple, Tsunade didn't want to have another attack. She let go of Xiang Rin's hand and softened her tone slightly:

“Xianglin, you must not be a commoner. Tell me, what is your last name?”

 Out of intuition.

 Tsunade had a hunch in her heart that there was some connection between Xianglin and Sasuke's attack, and Xianglin's true identity may be the key to answering this question.

Xianglin may have some difficulties, so she doesn't want to answer, but Tsunade must know.

Because, only by knowing what kind of trouble her disciple is in, she can find a way to help the former solve it earlier, instead of waiting until the incident comes to light, which may be too late.

"I…"

Xianglin hesitated, not knowing whether to tell the truth.

　　When she first came to Konoha, she even dyed her conspicuous red hair black, and she was always careful just to conceal her identity.

Just at this time.

 “Her last name is Uzumaki, Uzumaki Korin.”

A voice suddenly came from outside the operating room, followed by a clang and the door being pushed open.

Kakashi and Itachi rushed in with five or six ANBU ninjas and surrounded Xiang Rin.

finally come.

Sasuke saw the reinforcements coming and breathed a sigh of relief. His mission was completed.

Xianglin's expression suddenly changed, and her body trembled involuntarily.

Tsunade noticed the strangeness of her disciple, her heart suddenly sank, and asked again: "Xiang Rin, are you really from the Uzumaki clan? Why should you hide this kind of thing?"

 She doesn’t understand.

 In Tsunade's view, Konoha, the so-called ally, must bear some responsibility for the destruction of the Uzumaki clan.

 It’s Konoha’s debt to the Uzumaki clan.

 “Tsunade-sama, this is what happened.”

Kakashi stepped forward, handed Konan's paper crane to Tsunade, and told the truth.

turn out to be.

 The Uzumaki Kaoru in front of him turned out to be a spy member of the Akatsuki organization. The reason why she got close to Tsunade was to use the latter to spy on Konoha's confidential information.

As for why Xianglin refused to tell her true identity, it was because her superior, the current leader of the Akatsuki organization, was the demon fox brat from Konoha Village.

Uzumaki Naruto.

 The two are of the same race.

Xiaonan’s paper crane is Xianglin’s talisman.

Ruined.

Xianglin knew that the situation was over, and she also knew that with her own strength, even if she tried her best, there would be no chance of escaping from here.

 But it must not fall into the hands of Konoha ANBU.

 At that time, not to mention being tortured, Xianglin was worried that he would leak the organization's information and betray Naruto, Mr. Konan and others.

Think of this.

 She slipped a pill from her sleeve and prepared to commit suicide.

As long as she swallows this pill down her throat at the right time, she will not only die suddenly on the spot, but even her brain tissue will be destroyed by the drug, leaving Konoha's intelligence department helpless.

However.

Just when Xianglin was sweating profusely and decided to commit suicide by taking medicine.

"Kakashi, do you think it's appropriate to accuse my disciple of such a big crime based on an inexplicable paper crane, and then lead people into the operating room to arrest him?"

As Tsunade spoke, in front of everyone, she placed the paper crane on the flame of the alcohol lamp and watched it burn to ashes.

 Then, she protected Xianglin behind her and stood in front of Kakashi and Itachi.

this…

　No one expected that Tsunade would show up like this.

Kakashi’s expression changed, and he persuaded:

“Tsunade-sama, please don’t embarrass us.

If you are worried, you can go to the Intelligence Department with us and watch the entire interrogation of Xianglin. I guarantee that the interrogation process will be absolutely fair and impartial.

If she is really innocent, I, the ANBU minister, am willing to bear all the responsibilities. "

Tsunade did not accept this trick. She immediately frowned and said coldly:

"Are you threatening me, Kakashi? And you, Uchiha Itachi, it was Kaoru who saved your brother, but you retaliate and want to arrest her. Don't you think you have gone too far?"

The words just fell.

　　Boom.

 A powerful flow of air erupted from Tsunade's body without any warning, and immediately swept through the entire operating room.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　click.

 The ground beneath her feet instantly appeared with spiderweb-like cracks, spreading along the floor and onto the wall.

 The ANBU present, including Kakashi and Itachi, all changed their expressions for a moment and stepped back involuntarily.

 The domineering attitude is exposed.

This is the power of Tsunade's aura. She can make her opponents frightened and afraid to step forward without using any hands.

 “Tsunade-sama…”

Xianglin looked at Tsunade's back in front of her, and her eyes were already wet without realizing it.

 Five years ago, she volunteered, left the Akatsuki organization and came to Konoha alone, becoming a spy.

 After a brief investigation, she targeted Tsunade.

 So.

　　From being the top performer in the ninja school and showing amazing talent as a medical ninja, to catching the attention of Tsunade, passing the latter's assessment, and being accepted as a disciple.

 Along the way, Xianglin's plans have been going very smoothly.

Maybe it’s because she’s very talented in medical ninjutsu, maybe her personality suits Tsunade, or maybe it’s because Tsunade has become lonely as she gets older.

 In short, Tsunade is particularly concerned about her disciple Xiang Ling, investing a lot of time and energy in the latter and raising her like a daughter.

 And the fragrance is burning.

 Since her mother passed away, it was the first time in so many years that she felt maternal love from Tsunade.

 However, for the benefit of the organization, she had to use Tsunade to spy on Konoha intelligence from the latter.

This made Xianglin suffer a lot inside. Under her seemingly optimistic and lively appearance, she actually lived in pain and self-disgust every day.

 So, death may not be a relief for Xianglin.

at this time.

　　When she saw Tsunade standing up to protect her without hesitation even though she knew she was a spy, Xianglin could no longer control herself, and tears burst into her eyes.

 Then, her voice sounded behind Tsunade.

"Tsunade-sama, they are right, I am a spy of the Akatsuki organization. I have been lying to you, I'm sorry."

Xianglin took the initiative to step forward, breaking the tense silence in the conference room, and then said to Kakashi and Itachi, "Two adults, Tsunade-sama has no idea about my identity from the beginning to the end. I hope you won't make it difficult. she."

　　Even though Tsunade is determined to protect Xianglin.

 But Xiang Rin did not want to implicate Tsunade because of herself, this woman to her... was both a teacher and a mother.

 “Xianglin, you...”

Tsunade grabbed her disciple's arm again and glared at the latter with an angry face, as if she was going to have an attack in the next second, but in the end -

 She slowly let go of her hand.

Xiang Ling himself admitted his identity as a spy. Even Tsunade could not protect this disciple.

but.

 Kakashi and Itachi did not immediately step forward to arrest him. Instead, after looking at each other, they each turned sideways and moved out of the way.

 Follow.

An invisible and huge pressure surged from outside the door like a tide, immediately filling the entire operating room, making people feel like they were under water a hundred meters deep.

Nearly suffocated.

 Before the person shows up, the aura arrives first.

Furthermore, there was only one person in the entire Konoha who was even more powerful than Tsunade.

 The Sixth Hokage Uchiha Dan.

 A tall and majestic figure slowly walked into the operating room, like a ghost coming.

 Plop.

Xianglin fell to the ground on the spot, trembling all over, and her expression was full of fear.

She couldn't even stand firm before the section.

Tsunade also looked pale.

 The Sixth Generation Uchiha Dan, privately said by many people, is the greatest Hokage in history, but he is also the laziest Hokage.

He never cared about the affairs of the village, big or small, and almost always left them to his subordinates to handle.

 But at this moment.

 Even this guy was present in person, which is enough to show the seriousness of the matter.

 Xianglin is dead.

However.

The next development of the matter once again exceeded everyone's expectations.

His eyes swept across the operating room, and finally fell on Xianglin, with an inexplicable look in his eyes.

 After a moment of suffocating silence.

 “Choose for yourself, Uzumaki Kaoru.”

Duan suddenly spoke and said something incomprehensible.

"Choose...what?" Xianglin looked up at this man who was as majestic as a **** and spoke tremblingly.

 “Whether you want to go or stay, it’s up to you.”

The statement was shocking and he promised Xiang Rin, "If you agree to cut off the connection with the Akatsuki organization, stay, and continue to stay with Tsunade, then you will treat it as if nothing has happened. However, if you want to leave, you can, no. Someone is stopping me."

After the words fell, everyone present widened their eyes.

Ignoring everyone who looked shocked, Duan walked to a chair aside and sat down, crossing his legs:

 “I’ll give you a minute to think about it.”

 After saying that, he crossed his arms and began to close his eyes and meditate.

Then.

                                            .

 Everyone’s eyes fell on Xianglin, waiting for her to make a decision.

Hokage-sama’s conditions for Xianglin were extremely tolerant.

As long as she betrays the Akatsuki organization and takes refuge in Konoha, all the crimes she has committed before will not be held accountable.

On the contrary, if she wants to leave, she can escape without any punishment.

 Time keeps passing.

 Ten seconds, thirty seconds, fifty seconds.

This minute may seem short, but in Xianglin’s heart it is extremely long.

Logically speaking, after hearing Suan's promise, she shouldn't have had any hesitation and could have walked out of the room and left Konoha on the spot.

after all.

　　At first, it was Naruto and Teacher Konan who rescued Xianglin from the devil's cave in Kusanagi Village and gave her a new life.

She can't help but repay the favor.

But when I think of Lady Tsunade, how she has cared for and cared for me over the past few years, and how she just wanted to protect herself at all costs...

Xianglin was caught in a fierce struggle in her heart.

finally.

"Time is up."

He said calmly and opened his eyes again.

Xianglin clenched her fists, and after a fierce battle between heaven and man in her heart, she finally looked at Tsunade and said with all her courage:

 “I’m sorry, Tsunade-sama.”

　　Continue.

Without waiting for Tsunade to respond, Xiang Rin rushed to the window and jumped out.

 “香琐…”

Tsunade muttered the name of her disciple, and she was obviously hit hard. She sat down on the stool, as if all her strength had been taken away.

 Silence.

 In the operating room, it was deathly quiet, no one spoke.

  After a while.

 “Take Sasuke to the ward to recuperate.”

　　Shizune spoke first, asked Sasuke to get on the cart, and sent him to the ward.

Kakashi and Itachi looked at each other, then bowed to Dan and left with a group of Anbu.

 In the operating room, only Tsunade and Dan were left.

 A long time passed.

“That child’s personality is very similar to mine. It turns out she is from the Uzumaki clan, no wonder she has a hot temper and is straightforward..."

Tsunade suddenly spoke, recalling Xianglin, and finally sighed, "I have always regarded her as my daughter."

Suan glanced at Tsunade with a puzzled expression:

"If you want a daughter so much, just give birth to one yourself. A biological child will not betray his mother."

“That’s not necessarily the case. Didn’t the Six Paths Sage, the ancestor of your Uchiha clan, betray his mother and seal her into the moon?”

Tsunade sneered, as if she had found a punching bag for Suan, and said sarcastically, "And your daughter Marissa, I heard that she is very rebellious. She has always been against you as a father at a young age. When she grows up, From now on, I’m afraid I will betray you sooner or later.”

Hearing this, Duan shook his head:

"No, it's just a game between our father and daughter. It's a kind of fun. You won't understand. You will know when you give birth to a daughter yourself."

 “Who are you born to?”

Tsunade rolled her eyes and asked angrily.

Suan was very enthusiastic and spread his hands towards Tsunade:

“Honestly, because of our friendship for so many years, I can help you. It can also be regarded as helping others and continuing the incense of the Thousand Hands clan..."

"roll!"

Before Suan could finish speaking, Tsunade stood up and yelled angrily, interrupting his nonsense.

"OK."

The purpose of cutting off was to distract Tsunade and make her feel better. Now that the purpose was achieved, she stood up and prepared to leave.

However, he had just reached the door.

"etc!"

 Tsunade stopped her and said somewhat dejectedly, "Are you free? Come and have a drink with me."

 Since quitting gambling.

When faced with such unhappy things, it seems that the only way left is to drink to drown the sorrow.

Duan thought for a while and said:

“There are several bottles of good wine in my office, which were paid tribute by wealthy businessmen from the Kingdom of Wind. I heard they are fifty years old.”

"Walk."

Tsunade strode past Dangan and was the first to walk out of the operating room.

 (End of this chapter)