There are moments when time drags on endlessly—and others when it flies by in a blink.
In the slow ones, a single glance might feel like ten thousand years; in the fast ones, a lifetime spent together might seem like only a few days.
Shizune followed behind Tsunade, rushing toward the scene.
Yet the moment she could finally see what was happening, her eyes caught sight of a familiar figure.
Though he had grown taller than before and now wore a hat that obscured his face, Shizune—who had never stopped thinking about him—recognized him instantly.
That tall figure standing opposite Tsunade, wearing the [Black Cloak Adorned with Red Clouds], was indeed Saitama Uchiha—the one everyone believed had died in battle but who had recently resurfaced, causing chaos across the Shinobi World!
Shizune came to a stop. She had hoped their reunion would be emotional—maybe even tearful—but reality turned out far less dramatic.
She stared at that silhouette, strangely feeling an unfamiliarity creeping in.
Well, the time they had actually spent together and the time they had been apart were nowhere near comparable. Perhaps time had simply erased everything.
Shizune felt afraid—afraid to take another step forward. Afraid that maybe the Saitama who had returned no longer remembered her at all.
So she stopped. But her gaze stayed sharp, tears already welling up in her eyes.
On the other side, Tsunade noticed Shizune's hesitation and realized she hadn't stepped forward. Inside, she felt somewhat relieved—for whether or not this Saitama still valued past relationships remained unknown.
At least according to Minato's report, Saitama was currently a terrorist without question.
"It's been a long time, Shizune."
Seeing Shizune hesitate for so long, Saitama's eyes flickered with emotion for a brief moment. But it was quickly suppressed by something deep within him, and his usual coldness returned.
As he spoke, he used his right hand to grip the brim of his hat and lifted it off.
The hat came off, revealing the face so familiar to both Shizune and Tsunade.
Though time had matured Saitama and etched traces of growth onto his face, recognition came easily for the two women.
Tsunade said nothing—knowing this moment should belong to her disciple.
Looking at that familiar face and noticing the faint smile playing on those lips, the tears Shizune had been holding back spilled over in an instant.
"Saitama…"
Meeting his gaze, she found it unchanged—beneath the icy exterior still lingered that subtle tenderness.
Perhaps time exists to prove that some things never change—but also to remind us that other things fade away, meaningless in the end.
Shizune's heart pounded violently beyond her control. Then, she took a step forward and ran straight into his arms.
"Shizune!"
Concern flashing in her eyes, Tsunade called out to warn her disciple—but it was too late. Remaining alert, she prepared to intervene at any moment, ready to subdue Saitama before her hemophobia kicked in.
Brushing past Tsunade, Shizune ran forward, her short black hair flying behind her as translucent teardrops clung to her cheeks, leaving luminous trails at the corners of her eyes.
*Thud!*
Shizune rushed into Saitama's arms without hesitation, and Saitama also opened his arms to embrace her as she ran toward him, without the slightest hesitation.
Saitama was now significantly taller than Shizune. While Shizune stood at around five feet five inches, Saitama must have been at least six feet (about 183 cm) tall.
Therefore, when Shizune jumped into Saitama's arms, he realized just how petite she felt—her head barely reaching his shoulder.
"It's been so long!" Saitama whispered, burying his head slightly beside Shizune's blushing ear, holding the girl tightly in his arms, just like he had done during their farewell back in the Hidden Mist village.
"Mm…" Shizune softly nodded, still reserved. It seemed like charging into Saitama's arms had already used up all of her courage.
Tsunade exhaled deeply. It appeared that nothing had changed between Saitama and Shizune despite everything happening recently.
She didn't move, watching with a complex expression as the couple held each other tightly.
When Tsunade learned about Saitama becoming a rogue ninja and committing serious crimes, her first reaction was shock, followed quickly by regret.
Among everyone Tsunade had ever met, Saitama's talent ranked among the top—not inferior at all to Kakashi from the Hatake Clan.
What made him even more exceptional was that despite possessing such rare potential, he still maintained a calmness and composure difficult for an average adult ninja to uphold.
That was exactly why Tsunade hadn't stopped her disciple when she learned that her student had gotten involved with someone from the Uchiha Clan.
Later, upon hearing of Saitama's death, Tsunade saw herself in Shizune.
Both had been in their golden age (a time of youth and blooming potential), steadily climbing upward, only to suddenly face such a tragic blow.
Thus, sympathizing with each other's pain, Tsunade took Shizune and left this land filled with bad memories behind, traveling elsewhere in search of happiness.
Now, seeing Saitama alive again—resurrected from death—Tsunade knew that as Shizune's teacher, she should remain close by, ensuring her student wouldn't make any wrong decisions.
Eyes narrowing, Tsunade stared at the man gently whispering into Shizune's ear, unconvinced that this man could be persuaded easily or change his mind after only a few words from Shizune.
"Have you been okay these years?" Although Saitama knew Shizune had been with Tsunade, who could be quite the emotional burden at times—even if it meant dealing with her occasional childishness—he still asked out of concern.
"Mm, very well. How about you?" Shizune wrapped both arms around Saitama's waist, feeling the warmth radiating from him. Her face flushed slightly as she spoke while looking upward, gazing lovingly at his handsome features.
She'd dreamt of seeing him again so many times before, but nothing had ever felt this real.
From the moment she heard he was alive, a quiet fear had lingered—that this was just a dream… and one she never wanted to wake up from.
Feeling Saitama's presence and touch, Shizune knew this was truly real.
"As for me… I've also been fine, just thinking about someone often."
A smile tugged at Saitama's lips. He wasn't much for smiling—it didn't come naturally—but seeing Shizune, he just couldn't help it.
Feelings were something extremely mysterious and elusive; no one truly understood their secret yet.
Saitama wasn't a god, merely a person with a relatively cold personality. Saying he was cold didn't mean he lacked emotions.
Precisely speaking, he valued hard-earned emotions more than anyone else.
The familial bond with Grandma Ka, the brotherly relationship with Shisui, the romantic feelings shared with Shizune, and those with his clan...
"They say you've become a rogue ninja now. Is that really true?"
Shizune hadn't seen the full story from the earlier intelligence reports. She only knew that Saitama was alive, had done some bad things, and had become a rogue ninja.
"Yeah, it's true." Saitama raised his right hand, which had been embracing Shizune, bent his index finger, and gently touched her forehead.
"What happened? Why didn't you return to the village back then..."
Guided by her trust in Saitama, Shizune simply couldn't believe the man before her would suddenly betray the village.
"It's complicated. I'll tell you everything after I finish what needs doing."
Saitama slid his bent index finger down from Shizune's forehead along her delicate skin toward her nose, just like he used to, gliding across her nasal bridge.
"Can't you tell me now?" Shizune lifted her head, confusion on her face—her fair complexion, long eyelashes, and large eyes gave her an innocent appearance.
"Not yet. Be patient," Saitama replied, knowing how difficult this was.
"Can't you return to the village? With Tsunade-sama there, there must still be room for negotiation! If Tsunade-sama isn't enough, we can even call Jiraiya-sama back! With their guarantee, you're certain to have your rogue ninja status removed and rejoin the village!"
"Shizune, listen to me." Saitama cupped her face in both hands and noticed her eyes filling with tears again, sensing the firmness in his heart.
"Mm… Go ahead…" Her voice carried a nasal tone as she buried her head against Saitama's chest.
"There are things I need to do—to fulfill a promise made to someone, and also to achieve my own ideals."
"Although events have unfolded somewhat differently from my original intentions, the final outcome remains unchanged!"
Saitama gave Shizune's back a gentle pat, his eyes regaining their firm resolve.
He knew meeting with Shizune might shake his resolve, but he did not avoid it—he faced it head-on.
Shizune tightly gripped Saitama's arm without realizing, digging her fingers into the flesh at his waist beneath his clothing. Through the fabric, Saitama could clearly feel her grasp.
"Is there really no other way? I don't want you becoming a rogue ninja..."
She wasn't ready to give up yet—she didn't know everything, but something about calling Saitama a rogue ninja just didn't sit right with her.
"Just a little longer, Shizune!" Saitama embraced her, slowly pulling her out of his arms and looking into her eyes as he spoke each word deliberately.
From the look on her face, Saitama could tell she still didn't understand just how serious things were.
Collecting the Tailed Beasts—plundering them from all the great ninja villages—was undoubtedly a violation of every village's core code.
"Saitama!"
Shizune grabbed his arm, unwilling to let him go, but the strength in Saitama's hand was simply too great. He peeled away each of her clinging fingers, one by one.
"It's great to see you again. Don't go back to Konoha Village. Wait for me somewhere else in the Land of Fire with Tsunade-sama. It won't take long before I finish what I have to do and come find you!"
Saitama looked at Shizune, lightly rubbed the bridge of her nose with his right hand, then took a step backward.
"Tsunade-sama, for Shizune's sake, don't return to Konoha Village. Take her far away from that place."
After saying this to Tsunade while looking into her eyes, Saitama ignored the stunned Shizune, placed his straw hat on his head, and turned to leave.
A gentle breeze blew past, lifting the hanging cloth strips on his hat, revealing Saitama's calm face once again.
He had to make this call. It wouldn't be easy, but he'd push through anyway.
Saitama left Tsunade and Shizune with only his back, slowly disappearing from their sight and taking away some of Shizune's illusions along with him.
Shizune didn't move, just kept watching as Saitama walked farther away, eventually squatting down with tears streaming onto the ground, moistening a patch of earth.
"Shizune, he's already gone. Where should we go now?"
Tsunade walked over, half-squatted beside her, and wrapped an arm around Shizune's shoulders, whispering near her ear.
She took Saitama's words into account—but ultimately respected her apprentice's choice.
After trembling slightly a few times, Shizune quickly regained her composure, determination returning to her eyes as she gazed toward the direction where Saitama had vanished.
"Let's go back to the village."
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