Deep within the underground secret base of Root, in a sealed chamber—
"Hokage-sama."
Tsunade made her way alone through the familiar corridors and arrived at the chamber, where she was met by Nono Yakushi, who was waiting by the entrance.
"Still no change?"
"No, it's the same as before."
Having gained some experience from the previous treatment, Nono's tone was not as rigid as before.
"Leave us. No one is to disturb me."
"Understood, Hokage-sama." Nono took two medical personnel and exited the chamber.
As the stone door closed, the runes embedded in the walls flickered to life, sealing the chamber completely.
Tsunade walked over and looked down at the still-unconscious Danzo.
For a long moment, she simply stared.
Then, she scoffed and spat on the ground.
Closing her eyes, she unsealed the Yin Seal. Runes spread across her entire body as a soft, milky-white glow enveloped her hands.
Not long after, Tsunade opened her eyes, frowning.
There was no reaction from Danzo at all.
Did she have to do it the same way as last time?
The feeling of having her chakra and life force drained dry was not pleasant.
You're getting off easy, old bastard.
Closing her eyes again, she allowed her consciousness to slip into the fragmented space within him, bracing herself for the familiar sensation of being siphoned.
Chakra, life force, and even a trace of soul energy were being forcefully extracted.
Unlike last time, Tsunade no longer panicked. Instead, she simply waited as her energy was drained bit by bit.
Until she could no longer hold on—her body finally gave out, collapsing onto Danzo.
...
Suddenly, a deep green light radiated from Danzo's body.
Here it comes.
Through her hazy vision, Tsunade saw it and felt a tinge of satisfaction.
Vital energy surged from the points of contact between their bodies.
Like a traveler in the desert stumbling upon an oasis, an indescribable pleasure washed over her.
Danzo's body, now actively absorbing, greedily devoured more and more of the life energy.
No more barriers—more contact... deeper contact...
Unlike last time, his consciousness remained clear throughout.
The process of receiving life energy was intoxicating—utterly consuming.
...
Much later, the stone door finally opened.
"Hokage-sama, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Just excessive chakra depletion. I'm leaving now. Let me know when he wakes up."
As she walked away, Nono Yakushi remained deep in thought, unable to shake her suspicions.
Excessive chakra depletion?
That wasn't how it looked at all.
If anything, Tsunade seemed almost overcharged—like someone who had just taken a military ration pill or a powerful stimulant.
Her chakra was so abundant it was unstable.
Stepping over to the bed, Nono carefully examined Danzo's condition. There were no visible issues.
However, as she touched his chest, she noticed something damp. Bringing her fingers to her nose, she sniffed.
Sweat?
Danzo had been lying here for so long, yet he had never once sweated. There had never been any bodily excretions.
Could this be... from Hokage-sama?
Calling for warm water, Nono instructed the staff to cleanse Danzo's body, meticulously wiping him down from head to toe as if handling a priceless artifact.
Even his undergarments were removed for thorough cleaning. However, that was when she discovered something unexpected.
For the first time in her life, Nono Yakushi—a woman who had always been composed—felt her expression shift into one of deep contemplation.
Without delay, she summoned Pakura.
"Is he awake?" Pakura asked as she arrived.
"Not yet. But I need you to do something."
Pakura's expression turned to one of disappointment.
However, as Nono explained the task, Pakura's eyes widened in shock.
"This is important," Nono said solemnly.
Moments later, a visibly flushed Pakura walked out of the chamber.
"There's a response..."
Nono Yakushi's mind raced with a thousand possibilities—conspiracies, bloodline theories, even the idea that Tsunade was conducting secret genetic experiments.
After all, such things were not unheard of in the shinobi world. Some powerful Kekkei Genkai could fetch astronomical prices on the black market.
Just as she began making arrangements to investigate whether Tsunade had initiated some kind of "secret breeding program"—
Danzo regained consciousness.
...
Inside the chamber—
"Danzo-sama."
Danzo immediately sensed the relief in Nono Yakushi's voice.
"How long was I unconscious?"
"One and a half months..."
She hesitated briefly before regaining her composure.
"During that time... Hokage-sama treated you twice."
Danzo rose to his feet, stretching his stiff wrists. "Tsunade came here? No wonder I felt my recovery accelerate twice. So it was her doing. It seems her medical ninjutsu has progressed significantly—even in matters of the soul."
"Danzo-sama, were you able to perceive anything from the outside while unconscious?" Nono asked, carefully observing his reaction.
Danzo shook his head. "No. Why? Is there something I should know?"
"Danzo-sama..."
Before she could continue, a figure suddenly threw herself into Danzo's arms, clinging tightly to him.
Compared to Nono Yakushi's reserved nature, Pakura was far more direct—almost to the point of audacity.
Danzo did not seem to mind. With his increasing strength, his mindset had grown more composed.
He no longer needed to constantly maintain the ruthless image befitting the leader of Root.
His demeanor had become noticeably more relaxed.
And the women in his chambers were the first to sense this change.
Even Ichikawa Naomi—who had once been so terrified that a mere glance from him could make her tremble—had grown bold enough to seek his favor through small acts of defiance.
"It's nothing major," Nono finally said after a moment. "However... Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto have gone missing. Uchiha Itachi has already set out to search for them."
Uzumaki Naruto. Uchiha Sasuke.
Danzo gently stroked Pakura's smooth back as his gaze turned cold.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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