Is Tsunade going to die?
In the blurry, shaky TV footage, you can see that Tsunade's chest wound is right where her heart is. Blood is flowing out constantly, clearly a fatal injury.
Kakashi's lips were dry.
Could it be that they will fail again this time? Will the Third Hokage never be able to put down the burden and enjoy even a moment of peace in his old age?
"Wait a minute."
Linto pointed to Tsunade's shoulder.
A slug the size of a palm was lying there. A constant stream of life energy was being transferred to Tsunade's body as it breathed, and the wound was healing quickly.
"It's Tsunade-sama's summoning beast, Katsuyu!"
Kakashi breathed a sigh of relief.
Tsunade was already famous for her medical Ninjutsu. Added to Katsuyu's support, no matter who the enemy was, unless they could kill her in one blow, Tsunade could heal herself in a very short time with her own skills.
But before Kakashi's worried heart could relax, he noticed that the newly healed wound had strangely torn open again.
"What... What's going on?"
Kakashi turned to look at Linto:
"Did you rewind it?"
Linto shook his head. Hermit Purple doesn't have the function of recording or rewinding.
This is what's happening in real time. Tsunade's injury is constantly going through a process of healing, tearing, then healing again, then tearing again, over and over.
"It seems to be some kind of "curse"."
Linto pointed to the TV screen and said, "It's as if the idea that "Tsunade has a wound on her chest" has been fixed. No matter what method she uses to heal, it will always return to the result of being "injured"."
After hearing this, Kakashi was shocked: "Does this kind of ability really exist?"
Linto shook his head slightly.
Since the first day he came to the Hokage world, Linto had been fighting with ninjas and had a rough understanding of the Ninjutsu in this world.
The fighting style of the Hokage world is more focused on "direct power". Various Ninjutsu, taijutsu, and even genjutsu are used to control the opponent or kill them.
But the fixation of Tsunade's injuries is more like a Stand user's ability based on rules.
"I'll only know if I go take a look."
Linto looked at the TV screen, searching for clues. Soon, they found some leads.
Hot Springs Inn Izumi.
There were Hot Springs Inns Izumi everywhere.
"Land of Hot Water."
Kakashi realized, "Only the Land of Hot Water has so many Hot Springs Inns. Also, look at the mountains and forests in the background. The scenery is beautiful, which matches the standards of the Land of Hot Water."
"Then let's go."
Linto patted his butt and stood up, "I'm going to pack my luggage."
"Go?"
Kakashi was stunned, "Aren't you going to wait for the Third Hokage's reply to confirm whether he agrees to your reward?"
Linto raised his chin towards Tsunade on the TV, who was struggling forward, "In this situation, can we afford to wait?"
If someone else came to Linto for help, it would be one thing. Kakashi and Linto still had some friendship. Even if they didn't mention the reward and asked him for help because of their friendship, Linto would still take action.
"Besides—"
He looked at the moonlight outside the window.
"That little old man will agree."
...
"I agree."
Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up his pen and signed the document handed over by the Anbu ninja.
The Anbu ninja bowed and left.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was sitting in a forest in Konoha Village, in front of a burning campfire.
Under the firelight and shadows, the wrinkles on his face looked as deep as if they had been carved with a knife.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the moonlight above through the gaps in the branches and sighed softly. Just then, a slightly burnt grilled fish was handed over.
"Hokage grandpa, what are you thinking about? The fish is burnt."
Sarutobi Hiruzen lowered his head and saw the grilled fish in front of him, and then Naruto. A tense face showed a smile.
"Thank you."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a smile, "I'm just thinking that I'm really old."
He took the grilled fish, took a bite, and felt it was a little bland.
But Sarutobi Hiruzen knew that the fish was not bland. It was just that he was too old and his sense of taste was numb, so everything he ate tasted bland.
Naruto tilted his head and said, "Hokage grandpa, aren't you already an old man?"
"Yes, I'm already an old man."
He opened his palm, "But in the past, I felt that I could still fight, and that my mind was clear enough."
"Then... Hokage grandpa, can't you fight now? Or is your brain confused?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head and said, "I can still fight, and my mind is still considered clear, but this place of mine—"
He pointed to his chest.
"Has become weaker than before."
"Naruto, everyone in this world is different. We observe others, project our hearts onto others, and thus, in communicating with different people, we use people as mirrors to recognize ourselves."
"In the past, I wouldn't be affected by observation. A mirror is just a mirror. But I don't know when it started, I can't tell the difference between the mirror and myself, and I can't make the right judgments."
"This is what it means to be old."
Sarutobi Hiruzen reached out and touched Naruto's head, "Do you understand?"
Naruto shook his head simply and directly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen laughed, "It's good that you don't understand. When you understand, you will also be old—I hope that day can be later, the later the better."
Naruto stared blankly at Sarutobi Hiruzen, not understanding what was wrong with Hokage grandpa today. Today's Sarutobi Hiruzen said more than he had ever said before.
"Naruto."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "Leave tomorrow and go to Kirigakure to take a look for me. See what the so-called "new world" is like."
Naruto was stunned.
"Am I... Am I not the Fox Demon? Many people say that I will be trapped in the village for the rest of my life and can't go out."
Sarutobi Hiruzen thought of the rainstorm that night, the beheaded Yagura, and the huge stone sphere celestial body rumored to be condensed above the blue sky.
He didn't explain too much, just smiled and touched Naruto's head.
"The things you cared about in the past no longer need to be cared about... Go."
"Oh, oh!"
When Naruto heard that he was going out to play, he was naturally extremely happy, but after being happy, he turned to ask Sarutobi Hiruzen:
"Hokage grandpa, what about you? Aren't you going to come and play together?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood up with difficulty and slowly. He looked at the Hokage hat in his hand and raised his hand to put it on Naruto's head.
"I'm old and can't walk anymore. Someone like me should just stay in the darkness of the old era."
He strode forward, walking in the shade of the trees. The moonlight was blocked by the branches and leaves, and the road ahead became darker.
Naruto stared blankly at Sarutobi Hiruzen's back as he walked into the darkness. He suddenly grabbed a burning piece of wood from the ground and ran over with small steps.
Sarutobi Hiruzen turned back in surprise and grabbed Naruto's hand.
"If Hokage grandpa can't walk, I'll take you with me, after all—"
Naruto raised his small face.
"My dream is to become Hokage!"
The light of the torch illuminated the darkness ahead, casting the shadows of the two people behind them. Perhaps because the torch was held in Naruto's hand.
His shadow, looked taller than Sarutobi Hiruzen.
The next day.
Asuma, Guy, and Ebisu led a team of fifty people, including ninjas, ordinary civilians of various professions, and children, to Land of Water, Kirigakure by car.
At the same time, Linto and Kakashi embarked on a journey to the Land of Hot Water to find Tsunade.
---
You can read 50 Chapters ahead on my
pat reon.com/GMadman