Tsunade's sharp refusal echoed through the stone chamber, reverberating until the air itself seemed to tremble.
Ren only smiled.
"Oh? Is that so?"
The curve of his lips was gentle—but his black eyes held no warmth. They were cold, like a frozen abyss.
A quiet pressure settled over the room.
He no longer looked at Tsunade.
Instead, he walked slowly toward Shizune.
The girl's face was pale, her slender body trembling uncontrollably like a leaf in winter wind.
She didn't even dare raise her head.
All she could see were his spotless shoes stopping in front of her.
Ren bent down. His shadow swallowed her whole.
Then—
He reached out and casually grabbed the back of her collar, lifting her up like a helpless kitten.
"Put her down!"
Tsunade's pupils shrank violently as she roared.
She struggled forward with everything she had.
The chains rattled violently, biting into her wrists and ankles, drawing dark red marks—
But she couldn't move even an inch.
She could only watch—
As Ren carried the trembling Shizune step by step toward the writhing corpse in the corner.
The thing twisted, jaws open, emitting low, guttural growls.
Sensing fresh flesh, it thrashed even more violently.
Ren stopped right in front of it.
He lifted Shizune slightly—
Her terrified face now inches away from the corpse's rotting mouth.
The stench of decay filled her lungs.
She could see veins writhing beneath gray-white skin.
Her throat locked.
No scream came out.
Only broken sobs.
Tears streamed down her face.
…Am I going to die?
…I shouldn't have given Tsunade-sama that sakura mochi…
"Lady Tsunade."
Ren turned his head slightly, his voice calm—terrifyingly calm.
"You said even death wouldn't make you cooperate."
"Then now…"
"Regarding your disciple's life…"
"Shall we… reconsider?"
"…Let her go first!"
Tsunade's voice came out hoarse, like something pushed to the edge of collapse.
Her head lowered.
For the first time—
She looked defeated.
Ren watched her quietly for a moment.
Then—
He kicked the corpse aside.
Released Shizune.
The girl's legs gave out immediately. She nearly collapsed, only to be steadied casually by his hand.
"Fine."
As if nothing had happened, Ren smiled lightly.
"Minako."
Minako Uzumaki stepped forward at once.
"Take her to the next room. Prepare warm food and water."
He didn't take his eyes off Tsunade.
"Her safety… depends on your cooperation."
Minako bowed.
"Yes, Ren-sama."
She supported Shizune and led her out.
Before leaving, Shizune turned back, eyes blurred with tears.
Tsunade met her gaze.
Forced herself to nod.
Live first.
The door closed.
Silence returned.
Only the corpse's faint growling lingered like a distorted heartbeat.
Tsunade slowly raised her head.
Her bloodshot amber eyes locked onto Ren.
"…Uchiha Ren."
"You know I suffer from hemophobia."
"I'm useless when it comes to blood."
"You want me to conduct experiments… you'll only be disappointed."
Ren shook his head.
"That's just you refusing to face your past."
His eyes shifted—
Black to crimson.
Three tomoe spun slowly within Sharingan.
He stepped forward.
Tsunade instinctively turned her head away—
So he stepped closer.
"It seems… I'll have to use less pleasant methods."
He stepped on the chain.
With a subtle mechanism—
The ceiling chain extended.
The ankle chains tightened.
Tsunade's body shifted, suspended at a new height.
A muffled grunt escaped her lips.
Before she could adjust—
Ren was already in front of her.
Close enough to feel his breath.
His fingers rose—
Grasped her chin.
Forced her to look up.
The crimson eyes filled her vision.
Then—
His voice dropped low.
Like a whisper from something inhuman.
"Your loved ones… dying in your arms."
"Your lover… torn apart."
"Your last family… growing cold before your eyes."
Each word—
Like a blade.
Cutting into the deepest wounds of her soul.
"That kind of pain…"
"If you were Uchiha…"
"You'd already have awakened the Mangekyō."
His tone softened.
Dangerously gentle.
"Why keep remembering it?"
"The blood. The loss. The nightmares."
"They only torment you."
His hand moved—
Resting lightly against her cheek.
"I can help you."
"Forget."
"Give me the pain… the regret… everything."
"No Nawaki's corpse."
"No Dan's death."
"No war."
"No loss."
"Only happiness."
"You could even… see them again."
His eyes deepened—
Like spiraling voids.
Pulling her in.
Fall into it.
Into a world without pain.
—
For a moment—
Tsunade's gaze wavered.
Her breath hitched.
Then—
Suddenly—
Her pupils snapped tight.
Her head jerked back, breaking free from his hand.
"Ha…"
A short, hoarse laugh escaped her lips.
But it carried something sharp.
Something unbroken.
"…Uchiha Ren."
Her voice steadied.
Cold.
Clear.
"You think that's enough?"
"A cheap illusion… like comforting a crying child?"
Her lips curled in mockery.
"Forget pain?"
Her voice sharpened.
"Then tell me—"
"What about those who actually died?"
"Their suffering? Their sacrifice?"
"Do they just become… something you erase?"
Her eyes burned.
"Don't compare me to Uchiha who drown in their own twisted emotions."
"My pain is mine."
"My loss is mine."
"It's what makes me Tsunade."
She pulled against the chains.
Her chest rose and fell with suppressed fury.
"I'd rather live with it."
"Face it."
"Than hide in some false dream."
Her gaze flicked briefly to the corpse—
Then back.
Something calculating flashed in her eyes.
She took a slow breath.
"…I'll deal with my condition myself."
"Give me time."
"I'll help with your experiments."
"But—"
Her voice lowered.
"I want proper standing."
"I'm not your slave."
"Cooperation requires respect."
Ren's expression darkened.
In the next instant—
He grabbed the front of her haori and yanked.
Fabric tore.
Chains clattered violently.
"You talk too much."
His voice dropped, rough.
"What makes you think you're in a position to negotiate?"
"Calling you 'senior' was courtesy."
"Don't mistake it for status."
Tsunade clenched her teeth, fury and humiliation flashing across her face.
"Uchiha Ren—!"
"Same village, right?" she forced out. "Let's talk properly—"
"Oh? Same village?" he scoffed. "So stealing from your own village is fine?"
"…That was a mistake!"
"Good."
"Then mistakes get punished."
He leaned closer, voice cold.
"I gave you Plan A."
"You refused."
"So now—"
"Plan B."
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