"Uchiha brat!"
The once-renowned Tsunade lay collapsed on the ground, like a jade statue shattered by a storm.
All strength seemed drained from her body. Every breath dragged pain through her chest.
She tried to push herself up—
Only to falter, nearly falling again.
In the end, she could only lie there weakly on her side, her body trembling like a boat on the verge of capsizing.
Tears slipped from the corners of her tightly shut eyes, rolling down her pale face and gathering at her chin before falling.
"Remember this… one day, I will kill you with my own hands!"
She forced her head up.
Wet strands of blonde hair clung to her face. Her lips were bitten raw, her expression disheveled—
Yet her amber eyes still burned.
The hatred in them locked onto Uchiha Ren without wavering.
Ren looked down at her, unhurried.
"You really don't learn, do you?"
He reached out and grabbed her hair, forcing her head back slightly.
"Looks like you'll suffer again."
A sharp crack.
He dislocated her jaw.
Tsunade's body tensed, humiliation flashing across her face.
"You'd better stay alive," Ren said lightly. "Otherwise… Shizune will be the one taking your place."
"Surely… you wouldn't want that?"
"And look on the bright side—your hemophobia seems cured now."
He laughed softly.
Tsunade tried to speak, muffled and incoherent rage spilling from her throat.
Under constant pressure, Ren's illusion continued to erode her mind, planting seeds—subtle, persistent.
Live for revenge.
Endure for Shizune.
Everything else—
Untouched.
He preferred her this way.
Alive. Defiant. Useful.
Once his mood settled, he adjusted his clothes and casually tossed his outer robe over her.
"Behave," he said flatly. "Unless you want Shizune to see what happens here."
His fingers formed a brief seal.
"Clank—"
The chains binding her limbs released.
Only the dark iron rings around her ankles remained, glowing faintly with sealing scripts.
Tsunade immediately felt it—
Her chakra was still suppressed… but not completely.
The massive reserves sealed within her forehead—the Strength of a Hundred Seal—remained intact.
With a single thought—
She could break free.
Kill him.
The intent flared in her eyes like ghostly fire.
Her muscles tightened. Fingers twitched.
But—
"I'd think carefully if I were you."
Ren's voice cut in.
Cold.
"If you fail…"
He paused.
Leaving the rest unsaid.
"…your precious disciple will suffer in your place."
Tsunade froze.
Her grip tightened on the robe.
"You really have no humanity… do you?"
Her voice trembled with suppressed fury.
"Humanity?" Ren scoffed.
"How much have you seen at the gambling tables?"
"How much do you have yourself?"
"Don't stand on moral high ground."
"In war, how many vile things has Konoha done?"
"And what were you doing then?"
"Now Konoha is surrounded on all sides. And you?"
"Where's your humanity?"
He folded his arms, expression indifferent.
"We're all the same."
"Filth crawling in the mud."
"Destined for hell."
"Don't pretend otherwise."
Tsunade fell silent.
His words struck deeper than she wanted to admit.
But the final threat—
That shook her.
Her head lowered.
Her thoughts sharpened.
I need to stay calm.
Find a chance.
Take Shizune… escape… return to Konoha… expose everything.
She dressed quickly, covering herself, her movements efficient despite the lingering weakness.
"Follow me."
Ren turned and walked out.
Tsunade followed, silently healing herself as she moved.
As they passed the corner—
Her eyes flicked to the corpse still twitching.
A flick of her finger.
No hand seals.
No visible chakra.
Just—
Force.
"Pop."
The corpse's head exploded instantly.
Dark fluid and ruined matter splattered outward.
The body fell still.
Completely dead.
Ren didn't react.
Or perhaps—
He simply didn't care.
Tsunade didn't look back.
But in her eyes—
A flicker of cold satisfaction.
If I can't touch him… I can at least destroy that thing.
—
The door closed behind them.
They ascended the stairs.
At the top, Minako Uzumaki stepped forward.
"Take her to wash. Change her clothes," Ren instructed.
"After that, let her rest."
"Yes, Ren-sama."
He left without another word.
Silence remained between the two women.
Minako glanced at Tsunade—
The robe.
Her expression.
Something flickered in her eyes.
"…Uzumaki Minako," she introduced calmly. "This way… Tsunade-sama."
The title made Tsunade stiffen.
"There's no relationship between me and that Uchiha," she snapped.
"None now. None ever."
Minako only smiled faintly.
"Of course… Tsunade-sama."
They walked in silence for a while.
Finally—
"…Shizune," Tsunade asked quietly. "How is she?"
"She's resting. Unharmed."
A small relief.
Then—
"You're from the Uzumaki clan."
"Why follow the Uchiha?"
There was tension in her voice.
Minako didn't stop walking.
"The Land of Whirlpools… is gone."
She spoke simply.
"And I follow Ren-sama now."
"…Is that a problem?"
Tsunade opened her mouth—
But no words came.
The answer caught in her throat.
Minako continued after a pause.
"Konoha took Kushina Uzumaki away back then."
"At least… she survived."
Her voice softened slightly.
"In this world…"
"Survival alone… is already happiness."
Tsunade fell silent again.
They passed through corridors, hidden doors—
Until finally stepping into an open courtyard.
Night had fallen.
The sky was deep blue, scattered with stars.
A cool autumn wind stirred fallen leaves across the stone path.
Moonlight painted everything in silver.
Tsunade tightened the robe around herself.
Standing there—
Between moonlight and wind—
Her eyes reddened slightly.
Yesterday.
Today.
Heaven and hell.
And all of it—
Real.
That Uchiha…
Had already done what even Dan never had.
"Please wash here," Minako said, stopping at a door.
"Tonight, Ren-sama will lead the Crimson Guard against Kirigakure."
"Dinner will be delivered shortly."
"After bathing… please rest."
She paused.
"For your safety—and Shizune's—"
"Do not wander."
With that, she turned and left.
Her footsteps faded into silence.
Tsunade stood alone.
For a moment—
She closed her eyes.
Shizune… wait for me.
I'll get you out.
She stepped inside.
Steam rose.
And swallowed everything.
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