Tsunade, dying?
On the blurred and trembling image on the TV screen, blood streamed from the gaping wound on Tsunade's chest—right where her heart should be. The sight was undeniably one of fatal injury.
Kakashi's lips felt dry as he stared at the screen.
Was this another failure? Would the Third Generation never get the chance to put down his burdens and enjoy a peaceful twilight to his life?
"Wait," Logan said, pointing at Tsunade's shoulder.
There, nestled against her skin, was a palm-sized Katsuyu. The slug glowed faintly, and with every breath, a stream of life energy pulsed into Tsunade's body, mending the torn flesh rapidly.
"It's Tsunade-sama's Summon Beast—Katsuyu!"
Kakashi exhaled a long breath.
Tsunade was world-renowned for her medical ninjutsu. With Katsuyu's assistance, she was nearly impossible to kill unless the enemy landed a fatal blow in a single strike. As long as she drew breath, Tsunade could heal herself.
Yet Kakashi's heart clenched when he saw the newly healed wound reopen again—just as violently.
"This… What's going on?"
He turned to Logan.
"Did you rewind the footage?"
Logan shook his head. Hermit Purple didn't have a recording or replay function. What they were seeing was happening live, in real time.
Tsunade's wounds kept healing, then tearing open again. Heal. Tear. Heal. Tear. Over and over.
"It looks like a curse," Logan said grimly, pointing to the screen. "It's like the state of being 'wounded' has been solidified—locked in place. No matter what healing is used, the outcome remains the same: she stays injured."
Kakashi stared at him, horrified. "Is that… even possible?"
Logan didn't answer right away. Since his arrival in this world, he'd fought many ninjas and had developed a decent understanding of their techniques.
The shinobi of the Hidden Leaf operated mostly through direct power—ninjutsu, taijutsu, genjutsu. Techniques meant to overpower, manipulate, or deceive the enemy through force or illusion. But this…
This wasn't just damage. It was a law being enforced. A wound made permanent by something beyond ninjutsu.
"It's not ninja work," Logan murmured. "It's something else—something more like a Stand ability."
Kakashi frowned. "Then there's only one way to be sure…"
"We have to see it with our own eyes," Logan said.
He studied the TV screen again, scanning the background for clues. And soon enough, he found them.
"Hot spring hotels. There's one in nearly every frame."
Kakashi nodded. "That has to be the Land of Hot Springs. Only there are hot spring inns so densely packed. Look at the mountain ridges and trees. Scenic, peaceful. It fits."
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"Then let's go," Logan said, standing up and brushing off his coat. "I'll pack."
"Wait—already?" Kakashi blinked. "Shouldn't we wait for the Third Hokage's reply? You haven't even confirmed whether he's agreed to your payment."
Logan tilted his chin toward the TV, where Tsunade struggled to remain upright.
"With a situation like that—can we really afford to wait?"
If it were anyone else asking for help, Logan might have hesitated. But this was Kakashi. The two had shared history—enough for Logan to step in, even without a guaranteed reward.
"Besides," Logan said, glancing at the silver moonlight outside the window.
"That little old man will agree."
---
"I agree."
Sarutobi Hiruzen signed the document in a slow, firm stroke and handed it back to the kneeling Anbu.
The masked ninja bowed deeply before retreating silently into the trees.
The Third Hokage sat alone in the forest, within the boundaries of Konoha. A fire crackled before him, its flames throwing shifting shadows across his wrinkled face. The glow deepened the lines around his eyes and mouth, like etchings carved in wood.
He looked up at the moonlight filtering through the leaves and exhaled slowly.
A small grilled fish, slightly charred, was suddenly presented before his eyes.
"Grandpa Hokage, what are you thinking about? You've burned the fish again."
Hiruzen looked down and saw Naruto standing in front of him, offering the skewered fish with both hands. A warm smile replaced the tired tension in his face.
"Thank you."
He took the fish and took a bite. The flavor was weak—almost nonexistent—but he knew it wasn't the fish's fault.
His taste buds were fading. Everything tasted bland now.
"Grandpa Hokage, weren't you always old?" Naruto asked, tilting his head.
"Yes, I've been old for a while," Hiruzen chuckled. "But until recently, I still felt like I could fight. That my mind was sharp."
"So… now you can't fight? Or you're not sharp anymore?"
Hiruzen shook his head. "I can still fight. My thoughts are still clear. But here—"
He placed a hand on his chest.
"—this part has grown weaker."
He paused, then added, "Naruto, every person is different. We look at others, reflect ourselves in them. Like looking into mirrors."
"In the past, I could look at those mirrors without being affected. I knew what was me and what was reflection."
"But lately… I can't tell the difference anymore. I hesitate. Doubt. And that—"
He tapped his chest again.
"That's what it means to be old."
He reached out and ruffled Naruto's hair. "Do you understand?"
Naruto shook his head, eyes wide.
Hiruzen laughed gently. "That's okay. By the time you understand, you'll be old, too. And I hope that day comes later—much later."
Naruto stared at him in silence, puzzled. The Hokage was talking more tonight than he had in the past month.
"Hey, Naruto."
"Yes?"
"Let's go to Kirigakure tomorrow. Take a look for me. See what kind of 'New World' they're building."
Naruto's jaw dropped. "Me? But I… I'm the fox demon. Everyone says I'll be locked in the village forever."
Hiruzen's eyes clouded. He remembered the rainstorm, the rumors of Yagura's death, the massive stone sphere floating over the Hidden Mist.
He didn't explain. He simply smiled, patting Naruto's head again.
"You don't have to hold onto those old things anymore. Just go."
Naruto's face lit up. "Oh! Oh! We're going out to play?"
Then he paused, confused again.
"What about you, Grandpa Hokage? Aren't you coming?"
Hiruzen rose to his feet slowly, bones creaking with effort. He picked up the Hokage hat beside him and, instead of placing it on his head, gently set it atop Naruto's.
"I'm too old. My time is up. People like me… we should stay behind in the old world, in its darkness."
He took a step forward, disappearing into the thickening trees. The moonlight was swallowed by shadows. The forest ahead was pitch black.
Naruto stood there, watching the old man walk away.
Then, suddenly, he turned, grabbed a burning stick from the fire pit, and ran after him.
The torchlight swung wildly in his hand as he caught up and grabbed Hiruzen's sleeve.
"Grandpa Hokage can't walk anymore," Naruto declared, panting. "So I'll take you. Because—"
He looked up, eyes fierce with determination.
"My dream is to become Hokage!"
The light from the torch lit their path forward. Their shadows stretched long behind them—Naruto's a little taller than Hiruzen's, just barely.
---
The next day..
Asuma, Guy, and Ebisu led a group of fifty: ninjas, civilians, tradespeople, and children. Together, they departed Konoha, heading for the Land of Water—to Kirigakure, the Village Hidden in the Mist.
At the same time, Logan and Kakashi began their journey to the Land of Hot Springs, where Tsunade awaited—bleeding, cursed, and unyielding.
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