Inside the medical tent, the light was dim.
Outside, rain continued to patter against the canvas, broken only by the occasional groans of the wounded. The cramped space felt heavy and stifling.
Tsunade's face had turned a sickly purplish-blue, her breathing shallow and uneven.
The fiery Tsunade—who could smash walls with a single punch—was nowhere to be seen. Curled beneath the blankets, she looked more like a drenched kitten, fragile and weak.
Her usually vibrant brown eyes were half-lidded, unfocused.
"Tobi… Tobirama…"
She struggled to turn her head, looking toward the boy seated beside the bed.
"Am I… going to die?"
Hanzo's poison was infamous. During the Second Shinobi World War, the Hidden Rain's dominance had relied heavily on his toxins.
Even with the Senju Clan's exceptional constitution, Tsunade was at her limit.
Tobirama was gently wiping the cold sweat from her forehead with a damp cloth. Hearing her words, his hand paused briefly.
"Don't say stupid things."
He shot her an annoyed glance, though his movements remained careful and gentle.
"Evil sticks around for a thousand years. A woman like you—who can stomp through floors—would scare even the King of Hell. He'd worry you'd tear his palace apart."
Under normal circumstances, Tsunade would've flicked his forehead without hesitation.
Now, she could only twitch her lips weakly, forcing out a smile that looked more painful than comforting.
"Heh… you brat… still sharp-tongued, even now…"
Her eyes grew hazy, as if clarity had arrived right before the end.
"I'm not ready to die…"
"I'm only in my twenties… the prime of my life…"
"I haven't become a great Hokage like my grandfather… I haven't restored the glory of the Senju Clan…"
As she spoke, a tear slipped from the corner of her eye.
"And Nawaki… that idiot little brother of mine… without me, with his reckless personality, he wouldn't last three days on the battlefield…"
Her voice grew hoarse. Fear and regret finally shattered her stubborn composure.
"And what's most unfair is…"
She let out a self-mocking laugh, staring blankly at the tent ceiling.
"I've lived this long… and I'm still single…"
"Every day it's gambling or missions. I haven't even properly held a man's hand…"
"Do you think… my life's been a failure?"
Tobirama raised an eyebrow, feeling a strange sense of dissonance.
Dan Katō was nowhere to be seen.
In the original course of events, that man would've met Tsunade in the rear lines and won her heart with the Spirit Transformation Technique.
But now—
The butterfly effect had changed everything.
This Tsunade had been fighting nonstop on the front lines. No romance. No emotional attachments.
A blank slate.
"Since you're that unwilling," Tobirama said calmly, "then stay alive and accomplish it yourself."
He tossed the towel into the basin, splashing water over the edge.
"Take care of that idiot Nawaki yourself."
"Don't dump him on me—I'm too lazy to babysit."
"And as for dating…"
Tobirama suddenly leaned forward.
His youthful yet sharp-featured face drew close until their noses were nearly touching. Their breaths mingled.
"That wish," he said softly, "I suppose I could reluctantly help you fulfill it."
Tsunade froze.
She stared at the boy right in front of her.
Sharp brows, clear eyes, a straight nose—there were few shinobi in the entire Ninja World more striking than him.
It wasn't surprising. After all, he was an Uchiha.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Still, stubbornness was second nature to her.
"Tch…"
She turned her head away, but the tips of her ears burned red.
"You brat… you're barely grown, and you dare take advantage of your teacher?"
"…However."
As if resigning herself to something, she turned back, looking at him with a mix of teasing and weary acceptance.
"If there really is a next life… or if I somehow don't die this time…"
"It's not completely impossible."
"After all… you are handsome, and strong. Worthy of me."
"Just consider it… comfort for someone on their deathbed…"
Her voice faded, eyelids growing heavy as the toxin began affecting her mind.
"Who said anything about comfort?"
Tobirama suddenly reached out and lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.
"Tsunade, listen carefully."
"I'm holding you to every word you just said."
"Don't even think about backing out once you recover."
"Now, I'm going to cure you. You only need to do one thing."
"Trust me."
Her vision swam.
Yet in those eyes, she saw no trace of joking.
Only resolve.
Unshakable confidence—enough to hold up the sky itself.
Through the haze, she saw that figure again, standing in the rain, commanding a crimson giant and crushing a water dragon with a single hand.
The boy who stood before thousands of enemies and declared:
"There are only Uchiha who die in battle—never a Tobirama who runs."
He had created miracles before.
Maybe…
He could do it again.
Logic screamed that it was impossible.
But instinct told her to believe.
"…Fine."
She forced out the word, a faint smile of trust appearing on her lips.
"I trust you…"
"My life's in your hands… do whatever you want…"
With that, her body relaxed completely.
Tobirama let out a quiet breath.
Done.
"System, open the shop."
His consciousness sank inward.
[Host: Uchiha Tobirama]
[Current Funds: 530,000]
The spoils of battle.
Dozens of Rain shinobi, plus the massive rewards from defeating Hanzo and eliminating Salamander.
Instant wealth.
"Exchange."
He didn't hesitate.
[Ding! 300,000 spent—acquired "Master-Level Medical Ninjutsu Proficiency"!]
[Ding! 100,000 spent—acquired "Hanzo of the Salamander's Toxin: Perfect Antidote (Formula + 1 Dose)"!]
A flood of information poured into his mind.
In an instant, Tobirama felt like a top-tier medical-nin.
Chakra Scalpel. Mystical Palm Technique. Cellular Activation.
The knowledge felt as natural as breathing.
A green test tube materialized in his hand.
A life-saving medicine worth 100,000 points.
"So this is what cheating feels like," he murmured with a grin. "Not bad."
An antidote that would normally take days of research—delivered in seconds.
With enough money, even the King of Hell could be robbed.
"Hang in there. This might hurt a little."
He uncorked the vial, supporting Tsunade's neck with one hand and bringing the liquid to her lips.
She lacked the strength to swallow.
A bit of medicine spilled from the corner of her mouth.
"Tch… troublesome."
Tobirama frowned, then looked at her pale yet breathtakingly beautiful face—at those faintly parted lips.
He made a decision that utterly violated disciple ethics—
But perfectly aligned with being a man.
He tipped his head back, took a mouthful of the antidote—
Then leaned down.
And kissed her.
"Mmph—"
Though half-conscious, Tsunade's body shuddered at the sensation.
Warm liquid flowed into her mouth, carrying the boy's scent and an unmistakable dominance.
Her instinct was to push him away, but her weakened hands resting on his shoulders only made it look like resistance.
A few moments later, Tobirama pulled back, licking his lips.
"This medicine's… surprisingly sweet."
On the bed, Tsunade's complexion rapidly returned to normal.
Her breathing steadied.
Hanzo's poison was gone.
Though another kind of poison might never fade.
Her eyelashes fluttered as she slowly opened her eyes.
The lifeless haze was gone—replaced by embarrassment and unmistakable panic.
Just now…
She'd felt it.
Her first kiss.
The first kiss she'd kept for over twenty years.
Stolen by this rebellious disciple—
With the excuse of feeding medicine?!
"You—!"
Tsunade was about to erupt, then suddenly paused.
She lay back down, face burning red.
"…The poison's gone."
Tobirama sat beside the bed, looking utterly righteous—as if he hadn't just crossed a line.
"You said it yourself, Tsunade-sensei."
"As long as you didn't die, you'd agree."
"Now it's time to keep your promise."
Tsunade ground her teeth, staring at the innocent-looking brat.
Yet deep inside, an unfamiliar sense of security welled up.
He'd done it.
Saved her from a demigod.
Cured an impossible poison.
This man…
Even if he was younger—
He was dependable.
And as the Princess of Konoha—and his teacher—she couldn't go back on her word.
"Hmph…"
She gave a classic tsundere snort, burying her face in the blankets.
Her muffled voice drifted out.
"Wait until… wait until you survive all the way to the end of the battlefield!"
Tobirama smiled.
No rejection meant acceptance.
A massive victory.
"Rest well, Sensei," he said softly. "As for the Medical Ninjutsu—keep it secret for me. Just say the antidote was something you'd already finished researching and I simply brought it to you in time."