Konoha Hospital
Dean's Office
"Release!"
A final pulse of chakra surged from Tsunade's palms.
Kato Dan, after hovering on the brink of death, had finally been brought back by Tsunade's masterful use of Medical Ninjutsu and the Creation Rebirth — Strength of a Hundred Technique. His internal organs and external injuries had all been repaired under Tsunade's frantic treatment.
As one of the Sannin and the preeminent Medical-nin of the era, Tsunade understood the weight of what had just transpired — she had pulled back the man she loved most from the edge of the afterlife.
Tears flowed freely as she embraced Kato Dan, her voice trembling with emotion.
"D-Dan…"
His body was weak, his chakra threads still fraying, but Kato Dan gently called back:
"Tsunade…"
"You've lost too much blood… You need rest. I'm taking you back to Konohagakure!"
Tsunade's tone was firm, but anyone could hear the desperate fear that had nearly consumed her. Her chakra reserves were almost depleted from the intensive healing — her body trembling, chest heaving, sweat clinging to her forehead.
Suddenly, one of the other Shinobi on their four-man squad stepped forward.
"Lady Tsunade! Your support is still needed at the front lines!"
This squad's mission had been to escort Tsunade to the warfront to counter a new poison developed by Sunagakure's Poison Corps. On the way through Amegakure territory, they were ambushed by Suna-nin, and Kato Dan had sustained fatal injuries during close-quarters combat.
"The battle still rages on. Konoha needs your medical expertise," said the second ninja.
Dan nodded slowly. "Tsunade… You must go. They need you more than I do."
"Release…"
Her hands clenched tightly, knuckles white. Tsunade's will — usually ironclad — wavered.
"Why are you acting like this today?" Dan's smile was weak but warm — the same gentle curve that had once stolen Tsunade's heart. But now, that pale face only filled her with pain.
"Release…"
Tears streamed down her face. Her cries were not the cries of a famed warrior, but those of a woman who had nearly lost everything.
"Tsunade! I'll escort Dan back to the village. You focus on the mission!"
Without further delay, the ninja slung Kato Dan over his shoulder and leapt away through the treetops.
"Wait—!" Tsunade's voice cracked. But it was too late. Dan was already fading from sight.
This scene — it was too real. Too familiar. It was exactly like the one that haunted her dreams every night.
But something was different. This time… Dan had survived.
Yet Tsunade's expression twisted as she looked up.
She knew.
This wasn't reality.
From behind Dan's departing form, a spiritual figure began to float — Kato Dan's soul, manifesting through the Spiritual Transformation Technique, a forbidden jutsu he had once mastered.
A warm smile played on his lips, eyes glowing gently with affection.
"Tsunade... I didn't expect to see you again."
"Release…"
"I still love you... But you must move on. Live for yourself, Tsunade."
Light enveloped Dan's figure. He scattered into millions of glowing motes — fireflies vanishing into the wind.
Tsunade whispered through her tears, "Dan…"
---
Reality – Konoha Hospital
Beads of sweat still dotted Uchiha Naraku's forehead.
He had been out of contact for over ten days, claiming to be training in seclusion. Tsunade hadn't thought much of it at first. But when her messengers received the same excuse over and over, she grew concerned.
To her, Naraku bore a resemblance — not physically, but in spirit — to her late younger brother Nawaki. She had always kept an eye on him.
Eventually, her inquiries revealed that Naraku hadn't appeared for active duty in the Konoha Military Police Force for days. Alarmed, she ordered him summoned to the hospital.
But the moment he entered the dean's office, he caught her off-guard.
Without warning, Naraku's Sharingan spun into motion — a genjutsu activated with a single glance.
Tsunade fell into the illusion immediately. And now, as her consciousness slowly returned, her eyes — usually so sharp — were clouded with emotion.
She looked at Naraku as if seeing Dan's soul still flickering within him.
"…Dan…"
Naraku offered her a handful of tissues, speaking softly.
"Lady Tsunade, here."
Tears streamed down her face — not just in the illusion, but in reality. Just like before. Her sorrow was so vivid it transcended even chakra.
She didn't take the tissues.
Naraku hesitated, then stood up and gently wiped her tears himself. His movement was instinctive — awkward, perhaps foolish, but full of compassion.
Tsunade blinked, slowly regaining her composure.
Naraku blushed. Embarrassed by his own impulsiveness, he quickly retreated behind his desk and covered his face, feigning sleep.
Tsunade couldn't help but chuckle softly.
She said nothing to reprimand him. Instead, she looked at him with softened eyes and asked:
"Naraku… I've seen a lot of genjutsu. But I've never encountered anything like yours. What kind of technique was that?"
Relieved that she wasn't angry, Naraku opened his eyes and explained.
"There are many types of genjutsu. But in essence, all of them disrupt the target's five senses to trap them in an illusion."
"The Sharingan is particularly suited for visual illusions — through direct eye contact, it induces hypnotic suggestion. However, the illusion I cast was a type of Healing Genjutsu — something closer to Mental Chakra Therapy."
He continued:
"It requires delicate chakra control. Offensive illusions only need to confuse or damage. But healing genjutsu must never harm the subject — it must align with the patient's mental state and offer clarity, not trauma."
Tsunade nodded slowly, half-understanding.
"Ohhh~ I see…"
Her voice was drawn out in mock realization, her expression somewhere between curiosity and amusement.
Naraku suddenly felt his heart flutter — her look, her tone — something about this moment tugged at him.
It was quiet.
Then, remembering why he came, Naraku placed a finely folded card on the desk.
"Lady Tsunade. I've heard your teammate, Lord Orochimaru, has an unparalleled understanding of ninjutsu theory and development. I'd be honored to meet him. Would you be willing to pass along my request?"
Tsunade picked up the visiting card, looked at it — but did not open it.
Her response was simple.
"Of course."
Her tone was soft. It carried no hesitation — as if she would agree to anything Naraku asked for in that moment.
Feeling a little overwhelmed, Naraku stood up and bowed politely.
"Thank you. Truly. Then I'll take my leave now."
He turned and left quickly, his footsteps echoing faintly in the hall.
Tsunade moved slowly to the window, her golden hair glinting under the soft sunlight. Her eyes followed Naraku as he exited the hospital gates.
At that moment, she wasn't the proud, fearless Sannin. She was just a woman — watching a boy walk away, carrying echoes of both her past and her future.
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