A person's eyes can convey countless emotions.
Even before Tsunade had been brought to the Hidden Mist Village, there had been no light in her gaze—only fatigue and grief.
But now… her eyes shone once more.
Her entire presence seemed to have come alive again.
"Are you… from the Senju Clan?"
Faced with Tsunade's question, Shigure froze for a moment.
If he denied it, would he destroy this fragile spark of hope—the first light she had found after years of inner torment?
Yet if he admitted it, it would be a lie. He truly wasn't a Senju.
Great Sage: "It is recommended that the Host admit it."
Shigure hesitated.
Admit it?
Admit that he was from the Senju Clan?
"I… I don't know. Maybe."
His vague response made Tsunade's expression shift several times—shock, disbelief, and finally, joy.
Her lips trembled before curving into a smile.
"You must be! You must be one of us!" she cried.
"Otherwise, how could you have inherited Grandfather's Wood Release?"
As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.
She suddenly rushed forward—and this time, neither the chains nor the mist restraining her reacted.
The next instant, Shigure's world went dark.
Tsunade had wrapped him in a tight embrace.
"You inherited Grandfather's bloodline," she said softly, voice trembling, "so you must be family—one of my clan."
Then, for the first time in years, Tsunade laughed. It was a pure, relieved sound.
"This is wonderful! I thought I had no family left… but to think I'd meet you here!"
As she finally released him, Shigure drew in a desperate breath of air.
Being hugged by Tsunade was no joke—he had nearly suffocated.
Tsunade smiled through her tears. "That's right, it must be you. Only someone with the Senju bloodline could withstand the chakra of two Tailed Beasts at once."
"Throughout the entire Shinobi World, only the Senju and Uzumaki Clans could accomplish such a feat!"
Tsunade's reasoning was sound. If Shigure truly had Senju blood, his body might naturally possess the same powerful vitality and chakra reserves as her clan.
But the truth was… he wasn't a Senju at all.
Still, in that moment, Shigure didn't care about the misunderstanding. His clan didn't matter. What mattered was Tsunade — and the fragile peace she had finally found.
"From today onward, you're my little brother!"
Shigure blinked, dumbfounded.
Again?
First Mei Terumī had adopted him as a younger brother, and now Tsunade too? Was he destined to be everyone's little brother?
He sighed inwardly. That was a problem for another time.
Right now, Tsunade's emotional state was what truly mattered — and she looked… genuinely happy.
He wondered if her hemophobia had really disappeared.
"Fine," Shigure said with a faint smile. "If you want me to be your little brother, then I'll accept. But on one condition…"
Tsunade tilted her head. "Oh? What is it?"
"You have to help me save Ringo."
Without hesitation, Tsunade nodded. "You mean that girl? Don't worry. With me here, she'll be fine."
And before Shigure could react — she hugged him again.
Again!
"It's the middle of the night!" Shigure protested, struggling to breathe. "I already agreed to be your little brother, so let me go!"
"No," Tsunade murmured softly. "I'm not letting go tonight. I've dreamed of this moment for so many years… I won't lose you again."
Shigure was left speechless. Was she really trying to steal his bed?
The night passed quietly.
In the end, Shigure had no choice but to let Tsunade hold onto him until they both drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, they arrived at the Hidden Mist Village hospital.
Tsunade glanced at Shigure and smirked. "Don't worry, your woman — big sister will save her for you."
"My what?" Shigure almost choked. My woman? Since when?!
Even if he did have one, she was in Konoha, not here!
Still, he held his tongue as Tsunade began her examination of Ringo.
And what truly shocked Shigure was that — during the entire process — Tsunade showed no trace of hemophobia.
Just a simple misunderstanding had completely lifted her mental block.
He couldn't have predicted this outcome at all.
The first time his Wood Release had been used — and it ended up healing Tsunade's heart.
"Her condition is severe," Tsunade said finally, after her examination. "Even with my treatment, I can only extend her life by about twenty years at most."
As expected of the greatest Medical Ninja in the world.
Twenty years of borrowed time — for someone who originally had less than one left — was nothing short of a miracle.
"That's more than enough," Shigure replied gratefully.
Tsunade nodded. "The full treatment will take about two weeks, followed by some recovery time."
"Two weeks is fine," Shigure said. "Take as long as you need."
"Good," Tsunade said with a rare smile. "First, I'll stabilize her condition. Once she's strong enough, I'll perform the surgery."
The fact that surgery was even necessary showed just how serious Ringo's illness was.
But now that Tsunade had overcome her fear of blood, and agreed to help, Shigure felt a great weight lift from his heart.
This also meant that Tsunade no longer had any reason to resent the Hidden Mist — which would make it easier to let her return to Konoha later.
Meanwhile, far away in the Hidden Leaf Village, Jiraiya had returned overnight — bringing Naruto and Shizune with him.
Naruto remained silent the entire way back.
He hadn't been able to bring Shigure home, and guilt weighed heavily on him.
But the moment they reached the village, Naruto learned something that made his heart sink even deeper — Sasuke had defected.
Shigure had been lost to Mist. Sasuke had run away to Orochimaru.
And it hit Naruto all at once — he'd failed to protect them both.
Jiraiya, however, was focused on a different crisis.
Tsunade had been taken by the Mist shinobi. Her fate was uncertain. Would they imprison her? Kill her? Or worse — force her to hand over her techniques?
To make matters worse, the deadline for the Hokage selection was approaching.
If Tsunade didn't appear by tomorrow… Danzo Shimura would become the next Hokage.
And Jiraiya couldn't allow that.
He immediately sought out Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.
"Danzo absolutely cannot become Hokage," Jiraiya said firmly. "You have to stop him!"
The two elders exchanged a weary look.
"You were the one who made that agreement," Koharu said. "And now you want to go back on your word?"
Jiraiya's face flushed with frustration. "I've already found Tsunade! But she was captured by the Hidden Mist! If we go there and bring her back, she can still take her rightful place as Hokage!"
"Do you really think Konoha can just march into the Hidden Mist Village to demand her release?" Koharu asked coldly.
Homura crossed his arms. "Even if you are one of the Legendary Sannin, this isn't a decision you can make alone… unless, of course…"
He gave Jiraiya a pointed look.
"…you become Hokage yourself."
Jiraiya fell silent.
They were cornering him — forcing him into a role he had never wanted.
He clenched his fists.
He wasn't suited for the title of Hokage. He'd always believed Tsunade was the right person for it.
But now, if he didn't step forward… Danzo would.
And that, Jiraiya knew, would lead Konoha into darkness.
...
TN:
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