The heavy automatic glass doors slid open silently, releasing a wave of warm air that immediately pushed away the cold rain outside. The scent of freshly brewed coffee drifted through the hallway, giving the base a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere.
The moment the doors opened fully, a small figure stepped forward with exaggerated confidence.
"Ta-da! The Akatsuki Organization's greatest contributor—Uchiha Tsukiko—has returned in triumph!"
Tsukiko struck a dramatic pose, even making her own ridiculous sound effects as if a stage spotlight had suddenly appeared. With an exaggerated flourish, she stepped aside and gestured behind her like a noble hostess welcoming honored guests.
"Everyone, allow me to proudly introduce our newest recruit!" she announced loudly. "The one and only… Super Invincible Supreme Medical Consultant!"
Behind her, Tsunade walked in calmly with her hands tucked inside her coat pockets. Her expression was indifferent, as if she were merely strolling into a bar rather than a secret organization's headquarters.
Shizune followed closely behind, clutching the constantly squealing pig Tonton. Her eyes nervously scanned the luxurious surroundings. The base looked more like an elite resort than the hideout of a powerful ninja group.
Inside the meeting room, three people who had been discussing strategy suddenly turned around.
Yahiko froze.
The rice cracker he had been eating slipped from his hand and clattered to the floor.
Nagato's normally calm face stiffened in surprise, his Rinnegan widening slightly beneath his red hair.
Konan almost spilled the coffee she had been holding.
"L-Lady Tsunade?!" Yahiko shouted in shock.
"This… this can't be real…" Konan murmured, placing her cup down carefully.
Tsunade slowly looked at the three young leaders of the Akatsuki.
An energetic orange-haired boy.
A quiet red-haired young man with unusual eyes.
And a calm woman with blue hair and a composed demeanor.
The memories surfaced instantly.
Jiraiya.
The rainy battlefield.
Three starving war orphans he had stubbornly insisted on teaching.
"So it's you three," Tsunade said with a faint snort.
She walked over to a sofa and casually sat down, crossing her legs.
"The brats that Jiraiya refused to abandon in the Land of Rain." She glanced around the room. "I never expected you to still be alive… let alone running such a big organization."
Her eyes swept across the luxurious interior and the enormous windows overlooking the rainy city.
"What? That idiot taught you ninjutsu… and interior design too?"
Nagato immediately stood up respectfully.
"Lady Tsunade… Jiraiya-sensei often spoke about you."
"Hmph," Tsunade scoffed. "I doubt he said anything nice. He probably only talked about the times I broke his ribs."
Despite her harsh tone, the tension in the room eased slightly.
These weren't strangers.
They were practically family through Jiraiya.
Sensing the atmosphere becoming stiff, Tsukiko immediately jumped into action.
"See? I told you this was destiny!"
She happily leapt toward Konan and hugged her tightly, rubbing her cheek against Konan's shoulder.
Konan sighed helplessly but gently patted Tsukiko's head.
Then she turned toward Tsunade and bowed politely.
"Lady Tsunade, welcome to Akatsuki. I am Konan, and these two are Yahiko and Nagato. You may remember us."
She smiled slightly.
"And Tsukiko… although she can be mischievous, she has truly brought us a great surprise today."
"Surprise?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "More like a shock."
Her gaze moved toward Tsukiko, who was still clinging to Konan.
A strange irritation surfaced in her heart.
On the road here, this little brat had been clinging to her arm the entire time, shouting about how amazing Sister Tsunade was.
Now she had instantly jumped into someone else's arms.
"Also…" Tsunade suddenly stood up.
Before Tsukiko could react, Tsunade grabbed her by the collar and lifted her effortlessly into the air like a kitten.
"This brat promised me something on the way here."
Tsukiko flailed helplessly.
"She said the Akatsuki Organization would pay off all my debts, plus give me twenty million ryo per month."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Tell me honestly… can you actually afford that?"
Yahiko nearly choked.
"Twenty million?!"
Nagato almost lost his composure.
Even Konan blinked in shock.
Tsukiko immediately shouted from the air.
"Of course we can afford it!"
She waved her arms dramatically.
"Our Akatsuki Organization will soon control the entire ninja world's logistics and mercenary business!"
"This amount of money is nothing!"
Then she winked desperately at Konan.
Please agree… we must recruit her first!
Konan understood instantly.
Even though her heart felt a little painful at the thought of the financial cost, she maintained her calm and elegant expression.
"If it is Lady Tsunade," Konan said gently, "then the investment is worth it."
Tsunade grinned.
"Good. I like confident people."
She casually tossed Tsukiko back onto the sofa.
"Shizune!"
"Yes, Lady Tsunade!"
"Put the luggage down. Looks like this will be our new home."
Shizune looked around the room again.
The organization seemed intimidating… but strangely warm.
For the first time since leaving Konoha, she felt a little relieved.
Meanwhile, Tsukiko jumped back to her feet.
Looking at Tsunade on one side and Konan on the other, a wild thought flashed through her mind.
"Hehehe… life surrounded by beautiful women is about to begin!"
Suddenly Tsunade turned and looked at her with a dangerous smile.
"By the way, brat… didn't you say something about a fully automatic massage bathtub?"
Tsukiko's eyes lit up instantly.
"Yes! It's ready!"
She bowed dramatically.
"Please follow me, Lady Tsunade!"
---
Steam slowly filled the large bathroom on the top floor.
The entire room looked like a luxury hot spring resort.
At the center sat a massive circular bathtub filled with steaming water. Rose petals floated across the surface, spreading a gentle fragrance through the air.
Tsunade looked around in surprise.
"Hmph… you actually prepared something decent."
Through the large glass window, the entire Hidden Rain Village could be seen under the dim glow of the night.
Tsukiko proudly poured a bottle of fragrant oil into the water.
"Of course! I studied the best hot spring resorts in the Five Great Nations before designing this place!"
"This bathtub even has twenty-four vibration massage settings!"
Tsunade chuckled softly.
"Enough bragging."
She removed her coat and placed it aside before stepping into the bath.
The hot water rippled as she relaxed into it.
"Phew… this is comfortable."
Tsukiko hesitated for a moment before climbing in as well.
She grabbed a soft towel and began gently scrubbing Tsunade's back.
"Sister Tsunade… is this pressure okay?"
"Hmm… a little to the left."
Tsukiko obeyed immediately.
After a moment, she spoke again.
"Sister Tsunade… since you're joining the Akatsuki, shouldn't you receive something special?"
"A gift?"
Tsunade opened one eye.
"What kind?"
Tsukiko suddenly produced a small box.
Inside it lay a beautiful ring engraved with the character "Nan" (South).
"This ring is unique to the Akatsuki Organization," Tsukiko explained seriously.
"Each ring represents a meaning."
She gently took Tsunade's hand.
"The character Nan symbolizes the Southern Dipper, which governs life and vitality."
"It represents fire and life energy."
Tsukiko slowly slid the ring onto Tsunade's finger.
"You are the greatest medical ninja in the world. This symbol belongs only to you."
For a moment, Tsunade said nothing.
She stared quietly at the ring.
Originally, she had intended to refuse.
But seeing Tsukiko's hopeful eyes… she couldn't say the words.
Finally she sighed.
"Fine."
She smiled slightly.
"Since the craftsmanship isn't terrible… I'll accept it."
Tsukiko's eyes sparkled.
"You mean it?!"
Tsunade suddenly pulled her into a hug.
"Whoa!"
Tsukiko nearly lost her balance as Tsunade lifted her onto her lap.
"But remember something," Tsunade said with a grin.
"Now that I'm wearing this ring… my price just went up."
"Medical treatment, combat support—everything will cost extra."
"If the Akatsuki Organization goes bankrupt…"
She pinched Tsukiko's cheek.
"I'll sell you to pay the debt."
"No problem!"
Tsukiko laughed happily.
"As long as you're here, Sister Tsunade… our organization will become the strongest force in the ninja world!"
Then she suddenly hugged Tsunade tightly.
"You're our greatest treasure!"
Tsunade chuckled softly.
After a moment, she leaned back and looked out the window.
The endless rain of the Land of Rain continued falling outside.
But inside the warm room, everything felt peaceful.
After a while, Tsunade spoke quietly.
"That boy Nagato…"
Her voice grew serious.
"Those eyes of his… they carry a heavy burden."
Tsukiko nodded slowly.
"The Rinnegan drains his life force every time he uses it."
"His health has never been strong."
She lowered her voice.
"That's why I brought you here."
"Only you can save him."
Tsunade remained silent for several seconds.
Then she nodded.
"Tomorrow," she said calmly.
"Take me to see him."
She glanced at the ring again.
"Since I accepted your invitation…"
"I suppose I should start doing my job."
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