The next day, early morning.
In an unremarkable hotel room, the small space was filled with the heavy scent of blood and medicinal herbs.
Tsunade sat slumped in a chair by the bed, her golden hair messily stuck to her sweat-drenched forehead.
She was gasping for air, her hands trembling slightly.
On the blood-stained bed, Shizune was fast asleep.
The thorn-like black cursed seal on the back of her neck had receded, leaving only a mark that looked like a tattoo.
"She survived..."
Watching Shizune's breathing gradually steady, Tsunade's heart finally settled.
But following that was a deep sense of dread.
During yesterday's soul-stirring surgery, she had witnessed firsthand what could be called a miracle.
Naruto's cells didn't kill Shizune like a virus; instead, they were assimilating and strengthening her.
It was just that the intensity of this strengthening was far beyond what an ordinary person could endure.
If Tsunade hadn't continuously used chakra to help Shizune stabilize her condition, Shizune would have certainly died last night.
"This level of vitality—"
"There's no mistake—these are the cellular characteristics of my grandfather!"
"And not just that, there are at least two other unknown properties present."
Naruto's voice seemed to echo in her ears.
Breaking the boundary between life and death—bringing them back to life completely—
If Tsunade only believed ten percent at first, she now believed fifty percent.
If even this kind of common-sense-defying cell fusion could be achieved, then resurrection... might actually be possible.
"Lady Tsunade..."
A weak call interrupted her thoughts.
Shizune slowly opened her eyes and sat up.
She clenched her fists somewhat blankly.
At this moment, Shizune felt that far from the weakness of someone just recovering from a major illness, she felt strong enough to kill a bull.
"I... have become stronger?"
She looked at her hands in disbelief.
Tsunade watched this scene with a complex expression.
Shizune had indeed become stronger, but this power was full of aggression; it was a brand unique to Uzumaki Naruto.
It was hard to say if there were any hidden traps within it.
"Alright, stop staring."
Tsunade took a deep breath, stood up abruptly, and forcibly suppressed the wavering in her heart.
"Since you're awake, come have a drink with me."
"Right now... I need some alcohol."
Noon, an izakaya in Tanzaku Town.
Even though it was daytime, many people were already seated in the shop.
Tsunade's table was covered with empty sake bottles.
She lay slumped on the table, her eyes glazed, mumbling curses under her breath.
"Damn brat... damn village... damn ninja world..."
Shizune sat to the side, her eyes full of worry.
"Lady Tsunade, please drink a little less. That deadline—"
"Shut up! Don't mention that to me!"
Tsunade waved her hand irritably.
Just then...
The curtain of the izakaya was roughly pushed aside.
Light flooded in as two travel-worn figures entered.
"Oh my, I searched all the casinos in Tanzaku Town, only to run into you here."
A familiar and hearty voice rang out.
Tsunade's hand holding the sake cup suddenly froze.
She slowly raised her head, looking at the newcomers through drunken, bleary eyes.
A white-haired middle-aged man carrying a giant scroll, and a black-haired boy with a face full of impatience.
"Jiraiya..."
Tsunade snorted coldly. There was no joy of reunion; instead, her voice carried a hint of resistance.
"What are you doing here?"
"Hahaha, you're still the same as ever."
Jiraiya sat down opposite Tsunade without ceremony and poured himself a cup of sake.
As the alcohol went down, Jiraiya's expression gradually grew solemn.
"Though I'd love to catch up with you, the situation is urgent right now."
"The old man's prestige has plummeted; he's almost unable to control the situation anymore."
"The village has been turned into a mess by that brat, and the Daimyo has started applying pressure."
Jiraiya stared into Tsunade's eyes and said solemnly.
"Come back with me, Tsunade."
"The current Konoha needs a Fifth Hokage."
Hearing the word 'Hokage,' Tsunade seemed to be pricked in a sore spot and immediately reacted defensively.
"Hokage?"
"Are you referring to that title specifically for protecting a bunch of useless fools?"
"Besides, the current Konoha is in ruins and facing internal and external troubles—whoever wants that suicidal mess can have it."
"Tsunade!"
Jiraiya's brow furrowed.
"How can you say that? Dan and Nawaki's dreams—"
"Shut up!!"
Tsunade slammed her hand on the table and stood up.
"Don't you dare mention them! It's because of that damn village, that ridiculous Hokage dream, that they died!"
"And besides..."
Tsunade's voice suddenly dropped as she sat back down, a strange glint flashing in her downcast eyes.
"Maybe... there's a way to bring them back to life."
Jiraiya was stunned, then his face changed drastically.
"What nonsense are you talking about? The dead cannot return! That's the most basic common sense!"
"Even the power of forbidden jutsu... only brings them back temporarily."
"That is an insult to the deceased!"
"Common sense?"
Tsunade gave a tragic laugh.
"But I saw common sense being shattered with my own eyes..."
Hearing this, Uchiha Sasuke, who had been standing silently to the side, finally exhausted his last shred of patience.
He was in no mood to listen to these two old fogies reminiscing about their sorrows.
He came here for only one purpose.
"I have no interest in your catching up."
Sasuke took a step forward, his crimson Sharingan activating, the three tomoe spinning wildly in his eyes.
"This 'shattering of common sense' you mentioned—you saw him, didn't you?"
"There's only one person who constantly shatters common sense."
"Tell me, that guy—Uzumaki Naruto—where is he?!"
After the special training with Jiraiya along the way, Sasuke believed he had mastered the techniques of chakra shape transformation and that his strength had increased greatly.
At this moment, he was desperate to find Naruto and wash away his previous humiliation.
Tsunade glanced at this Uchiha orphan and sneered.
"Just you? What if you find him? Are you going to your death?"
"Stop wasting words! Tell me where he is!"
Sasuke suddenly reached out, trying to grab Tsunade's collar to interrogate her.
However...
Even with his Sharingan active, Sasuke only saw a blurred black shadow flash by.
Then...
Sasuke's wrist was caught in mid-air with a death grip, the massive force making his bones creak.
The one who moved was not Tsunade, nor was it Jiraiya.
It was—Shizune.
At this moment, Shizune's usually gentle face was expressionless, and the cursed seal on the back of her neck was faintly glowing hot.
This was—the combat instinct after unlocking the first stage of the Gene Lock!
Shizune looked at Sasuke coldly.
"Show some respect to Lady Tsunade."
"This—"
Sasuke's pupils shrank violently, his face full of disbelief.
How could this be?
How could this submissive maid who followed Tsunade around and seemed to have no combat ability possess such speed?
And this bone-chilling feeling—
It was exactly the same as the aura on Naruto's body!
"Let go!"
Sasuke roared, a few arcs of electricity erupting from his body as he tried to shake Shizune off.
But Shizune simply flicked her wrist, throwing Sasuke out like a sandbag, where he slammed heavily against the wall.
Boom!
The wall cracked, and Sasuke slid to the floor in a pathetic state.
The entire izakaya went silent.
Jiraiya, Tsunade, and even Tsunade's pet pig were all shocked.
Meanwhile, Sasuke clutched his throbbing arm, staring intently at Shizune.
Could he not even beat a maid now?
Tsunade stood up, not giving Sasuke another glance, and helped up the slightly panting Shizune.
"I have no interest in being Hokage."
"I have... more important things to confirm."
With that, Tsunade led Shizune and strode out of the izakaya.
Leaving behind a complex-looking Jiraiya and a trembling Sasuke, whose eyes were gradually turning crazed.