The familiar ambiance of the tavern remained unchanged. Despite the recent shocking events, the proprietor behind the counter and the nearby patrons continued their activities, seemingly unaffected and indifferent. The only noticeable change was the presence of a distressed sister and brother, locked in a tearful embrace.
Bai Ye maintained his composure, relishing the admiration in Yuyue Xiyan's eyes as she fed him pieces of grilled meat.
"I've never heard of the Uchiha clan's ocular abilities extending to resurrection," Uzuki Xiyan remarked, acknowledging her prospective partner's formidable skills but uncertain of their limits.
"It can both save and take lives," Bai Ye explained with a casual shrug. "In essence, it consumes ocular power to dictate a soul's fate."
As a transmigrant bound to a rigorous self-discipline system, Bai Ye's ocular power wasn't granted by the system but had been augmented in some manner. According to the system, conventional ocular techniques didn't align with his enhanced status.
This augmentation allowed him to perform feats such as extracting a soul from the Impure World Reincarnation, using a sacrifice to reconstruct a body, and achieving resurrection upon fusion—a relatively simple task within his capabilities.
Regarding his decision not to save Kushina initially, or even Minato, the reasons were straightforward:
He wasn't a saint. While not entirely malevolent, he wasn't altruistic either. No one had specifically requested him to save them; they merely asked him to look after Kushina. Bai Ye wasn't inclined to intervene unsolicited. Additionally, at that time, he hadn't advanced to the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and was unwilling to deplete his ocular power, risking impaired vision.
Moreover, Minato seemed to have his own intentions. Bai Ye speculated that Minato, during his tenure as Hokage, had discerned Konoha's intrinsic nature and recognized that his survival wouldn't effect substantial change. Thus, he placed his hopes in his son, evident from embedding his chakra within Naruto.
Using one's death to catalyze a child's growth? Bai Ye found this perplexing. Nonetheless, he refrained from judging Minato's paternal choices, confident in his own care for Kushina.
As for their relationship, it was natural for a woman to seek support, and for him to desire companionship.
After some time, Tsunade regained her composure. The courageous woman was astounded that Bai Ye had resurrected her younger brother—not through the Impure World Reincarnation, which she had reservations about—but through genuine revival, for which she was profoundly grateful.
From Bai Ye's perspective, the dead were deceased. Any method of resurrection, regardless of form, was a manipulation of mortality. However, since Tsunade didn't object to certain methods, he chose not to comment. After all, with Nawaki revived, it wasn't his place to interfere further.
Tsunade refrained from immediately inquiring about the circumstances surrounding her brother's death. After a moment of contemplation, she returned to her seat, directing her attention to Bai Ye. Meanwhile, Shizune gently led the tearful and bewildered Nawaki aside for a private conversation.
"What do you need from me?" Tsunade asked directly. "As long as it doesn't threaten the village, I won't refuse."
"It's a beneficial proposition," Bai Ye replied calmly. Unlike others who might playfully test boundaries, he was straightforward, not leveraging favors for personal gain.
"The previous terms remain unchanged. In addition to covering your gambling debts, there's a substantial salary.
As the captain of the Konoha Guard, I aim to enhance the village's welfare. Therefore, I'm establishing a medical division within the security force, and I want you to lead it.
Of course, you won't be required to handle every case personally. Your role would involve training or recruiting personnel to ensure that our team members receive prompt medical attention when injured.
That's the proposal."
Bai Ye was confident that his invitation to Tsunade wouldn't be declined. After concluding the discussion, he took Yuyue Xiyan out to enjoy the scenery, considering Tsunade's potential involvement with the guard as an added advantage.
"Joining the guards? Returning to Konoha?" Tsunade glanced at Bai Ye in surprise, then at her brother, pondering the proposition.
Perhaps it was time to return.
Nawaki's death had always been shrouded in ambiguity. Orochimaru, Nawaki's mentor, had been evasive about the details, raising suspicions. Additionally, Nawaki's demise had left the Senju lineage without a male heir, effectively halting the clan's continuation. Returning could provide clarity on these matters.
"I accept. When do we depart?" Tsunade, known for her decisiveness, agreed promptly, clinking her glass against Bai Ye's gourd before downing her drink.
She regarded Bai Ye with a mix of curiosity and complexity. An Uchiha striving to reform the medical practices of the guards was unexpected and intriguing. However, she chose not to dwell on it. If the benefits were as Bai Ye described, she was willing to return.
"But let me be clear: Although I'm one of the Sannin and a disciple of the Third Hokage, don't expect me to partake in any political machinations between the Uchiha and the village leadership." Her eyes gleamed with resolve as she set her terms.
In other words, she was willing to return but had no intention of involving herself in the power struggles between Uchiha and the village. Being a Senju, her perception of the Uchiha was ambivalent. Moreover, she had vowed upon leaving the village to avoid its political intrigues until its underlying corruption was addressed.
"These are my guards," Bai Ye stated calmly, rising to his feet. "No one