Tsunade's expression turned serious as she looked directly at Aoki Yoru.
Her usual lazy demeanor disappeared, replaced by a rare sense of gravity.
"Listen carefully," she said in a low, firm voice. "No matter what happens, you must never use Wood Release in front of the higher-ups."
Her golden eyes narrowed slightly.
"They've already gone mad over it. For the sake of Wood Release, there's nothing they wouldn't do."
Aoki Yoru's heart tightened.
He understood exactly what she meant.
The legacy of the First Hokage was not just a symbol of power—it was a temptation that could drive people insane.
"If you're ever exposed," Tsunade continued, "just say you carry the Senju bloodline. Push everything onto me. Say I confirmed it."
She paused, then added coldly:
"And if those old men have any objections… tell them to come find me."
Aoki Yoru was slightly stunned.
Then, without hesitation, he bowed deeply.
"I understand," he said sincerely. "Thank you, Lady Tsunade… for saving my life."
Tsunade waved her hand dismissively, as if it were nothing.
She turned and began walking toward the door.
"Um… Lady Tsunade!"
Aoki Yoru suddenly called out.
She stopped.
Turned.
Looked at him with a hint of confusion.
Aoki Yoru rubbed his hands together awkwardly.
"Well… about that arm…"
He hesitated for a moment before continuing.
"There should still be some left, right? Could you… return it to me?"
Silence.
Tsunade stared at him.
For a long moment.
Then—
She spoke.
"Gone."
"Used up."
Her tone was completely natural.
As if she were stating an obvious fact.
Aoki Yoru's mouth twitched.
Used up?
Even accounting for experiments, there should still be more than half remaining.
But looking at Tsunade's expression—
There was no room for negotiation.
He sighed inwardly.
Fortunately, he had only taken out one arm.
Tsunade, noticing his expression, smirked slightly.
"You're quite clever, brat," she said teasingly. "Don't tell me that's the only piece you have."
Aoki Yoru's expression stiffened.
"And…" Tsunade continued, her tone turning meaningful, "the cut on that arm still had traces of your Lightning Release Chakra."
"…."
Aoki Yoru froze.
Careless.
He had been too careless.
From now on…
He would have to be more cautious.
Maybe even carry a proper knife.
Tsunade didn't say anything further.
She pushed the door open and walked out.
"Shizune, let's go," she called. "There's a new casino in the west district. I heard they've got some interesting games."
"Lady Tsunade—!" Shizune wailed helplessly as she followed.
Watching them leave, Aoki Yoru couldn't help but shake his head.
Then—
He stepped outside.
The moment he appeared—
Everyone's eyes turned toward him.
And then—
They smiled.
It was the kind of smile that said everything without words.
They knew.
During the past few days, Tsunade had isolated everyone under the pretense of surgery.
Now, seeing Aoki Yoru walk out unharmed—
The result was obvious.
"Brother Yoru!"
Nao ran toward him excitedly.
"Congratulations on your recovery!"
Aoki Yoru smiled gently and patted her head.
Jiraiya had already told him everything.
About how Nao had taken care of him.
About what she had sacrificed.
Originally—
He had brought her back for practical reasons.
Her Uzumaki bloodline.
Her potential usefulness.
But now—
That had changed.
Now—
He truly saw her as family.
"Congratulations, kid."
Jiraiya walked over and patted his shoulder.
"But next time," he added seriously, "don't just rush into dangerous places. You were lucky this time—I happened to be nearby collecting material."
Aoki Yoru bowed slightly.
"This time… I owe you my life, Senior Jiraiya."
Then—
His gaze shifted.
"To be honest… I was wondering…"
"How did your leg recover so quickly?"
Jiraiya's body stiffened slightly.
Then—
He laughed.
"Haha! Just a minor injury. Nothing serious!"
Aoki Yoru narrowed his eyes.
He didn't believe a single word.
Jiraiya scratched his head awkwardly.
Then leaned closer.
Lowering his voice.
"…That woman Tsunade…"
"She used my name to borrow money from every loan shark in the capital."
"…Then she healed my leg."
"…And called it medical expenses."
"…."
Aoki Yoru blinked.
Then slowly turned to look at him.
"So… you're in debt now?"
Jiraiya nodded solemnly.
"And those loan sharks…"
He paused.
"…are looking for me."
"…."
Silence.
Then—
Jiraiya smiled sheepishly.
"So… I was thinking…"
"…could you lend me some money?"
Aoki Yoru stared at him.
For a long moment.
Then—
He sighed.
Of course.
This was the real reason.
Still—
Jiraiya had saved his life.
Without another word, Aoki Yoru took out a pouch.
And handed him 100,000 ryo.
Jiraiya's eyes lit up.
He carefully wrapped the money in a handkerchief.
Then tucked it into his clothes.
His movements were… unusually cautious.
Aoki Yoru couldn't help but feel a bit speechless.
A legendary Sannin.
A famous author.
Reduced to this.
Tsunade really was ruthless.
At that moment—
Aoki Yoru silently swore to himself:
I will never become someone like that.
"I'm leaving first," Jiraiya said. "If I stay any longer, those guys will find me."
With that—
He jumped out the window.
Gone.
Aoki Yoru shook his head with a helpless smile.
Then turned to Nao.
"Come on," he said. "I'll take you somewhere nice."
Nao blinked.
"But… I just ate," she said, patting her round little belly happily.
"That doesn't count," Aoki Yoru waved his hand dismissively. "We're going somewhere better."
"Where?"
"The Imperial Garden."
He smiled.
"They say it's where the Daimyo entertains foreign dignitaries."
Soon—
They arrived.
The moment they stepped inside—
They were greeted respectfully.
A waiter led them to an elegant private room.
Aoki Yoru didn't hold back.
He ordered everything.
Rare dishes.
Exotic ingredients.
A feast.
An hour later—
"Hic—"
Aoki Yoru walked out, slightly unsteady.
"That… was incredible…"
Even he couldn't help but sigh.
The taste.
The presentation.
The refinement.
It was on a completely different level.
"This is how the powerful live…"
Behind him—
Nao waddled along.
Her belly round.
Her face full of satisfaction.
"Brother Yoru… it was so delicious…"
"Can we come again?"
Aoki Yoru laughed.
"Of course."
Even if—
That single meal cost as much as an S-rank mission reward.
But—
So what?
This was his second life.
If he didn't enjoy it—
What was the point?
Over the next few days—
They explored the capital.
And what Aoki Yoru saw—
Surprised him.
Especially—
The eastern district.
There—
The streets were filled with things that shouldn't exist in this world.
Refrigerators.
Cameras.
Electric appliances.
Even—
Light rail trains.
They moved smoothly through the city, carrying nobles across vast distances.
At the center—
A massive amusement park.
Laughter echoed.
Music played.
It felt like…
Another world.
Aoki Yoru's expression turned thoughtful.
"If this is the East District…"
"Then the rest of the capital…"
"…is decades behind."
"And outside the capital…"
"…is another era entirely."
Three worlds.
Within one country.
In his previous life—
Such a gap would span a century.
But here—
It existed simultaneously.
Aoki Yoru looked into the distance.
"This world doesn't lack development…"
"It simply doesn't care about the common people."
And perhaps—
That was the cruelest truth of all.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)
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