In the East City Hospital, a heavy, solemn atmosphere lingered.
The corridors were quiet and empty.
Only the scent of disinfectant remained, accompanied occasionally by muffled groans and the restrained, hurried footsteps of medical staff.
Sunlight slanted in through the high windows, stretching long patches of still light across the spotless floor. Rather than bringing warmth, it only deepened the chill.
Anlan led Shisui forward, walking slowly past one ward after another.
Most doors were open.
Inside—
Bandaged bodies.
Pale, blood-drained faces.
Eyes staring blankly at the ceiling.
Some lay unconscious, breathing faintly.
Others were awake—struggling to rise when they saw the Shogun, only to be gently stopped by a raised hand.
"No need to get up."
Anlan's gaze passed over bloodstained bandages and missing limbs, calm as a deep lake.
Behind him, Shisui followed in silence.
At first, he merely observed.
But with each step—
His back stiffened.
He had seen blood on the battlefield.
He had heard dying screams.
But never like this—
Room after room—
The lingering aftermath of war.
These were his clansmen.
His comrades.
Now lying here—
Barely clinging to life.
'…This is why Kotoamatsukami exists.'
'To change all of this.'
His hand tightened slightly within his sleeve.
His breathing grew quieter—
As if even sound would disturb this fragile stillness.
Anlan stopped before a ward.
Inside lay three heavily injured Red Guard members.
One had lost his entire right arm.
The other two were wrapped in bandages across their chests, bearing burns and impact wounds.
All three were awake.
Their dim eyes lit up.
"Shogun…"
The one with the severed arm spoke hoarsely.
Anlan stepped inside.
He placed a hand on the man's shoulder.
Paused.
"Focus on recovery."
"You will have another chance."
His tone was gentle—
Yet absolute.
"We have Tsunade."
"And the clan will spare no effort to restore you."
At the doorway, Shisui saw the man's eyes redden.
Hope returned.
"When that day comes…"
"I want to return to the Red Guard!"
Anlan smiled.
"There will always be a place for you."
They continued.
Anlan walked steadily.
Shisui followed—
His chest tightening.
Each door—
A silent echo of war.
Finally—
They reached the end of the corridor.
Outside the window—
Life thrived.
Smoke rose from kitchens.
People moved through the streets.
"Did you see everything?"
Anlan asked.
Shisui nodded firmly.
"This is proof that we are still not strong enough."
Anlan's voice was soft.
"Power can make you lose humility."
"When you lose yourself…"
"Look back."
He turned to face him.
"Ask yourself—what you fight for."
Shisui met his gaze.
The flicker of arrogance—
Gone.
Replaced by something solid.
Unyielding.
…
At the stairwell—
Shizune approached, with Rin beside her.
Rin had volunteered to help once she recovered.
Her talent quickly caught Tsunade's attention.
Now—
She worked as Shizune's assistant.
Both looked exhausted.
Dark circles under their eyes.
Their small frames weighed down with fatigue.
Anlan gestured.
They approached.
"Shogun."
Anlan glanced at them.
"Where is Tsunade?"
"This way."
They led him upstairs.
Soon—
They entered a resting room.
Inside—
Tsunade lay on a sofa.
Bathed in golden evening light.
Her blonde hair spread across the pillow.
Her breathing calm.
In her arms—
Yao Yao.
Curled up like a child.
The scene—
Like mother and daughter.
Tsunade stirred.
Her eyes opened briefly—
Saw Anlan—
Then closed again.
As if nothing had happened.
Yao Yao, however—
Woke instantly.
"Sh-Shogun!"
She jumped up in panic—
Fixing her clothes and hair.
Blushing slightly.
"I wasn't slacking…"
Tsunade sighed and sat up.
Her curves shifted naturally with the movement—
Graceful.
Effortless.
Alive.
Shisui bowed.
"Tsunade-sama."
She waved lazily.
Then smirked at Anlan.
"Oh? The busy Shogun finally shows up?"
Anlan ignored her.
He looked at Yao Yao.
"You've worked hard."
"I'll give you a long break soon."
"Hey!"
Tsunade protested.
"I'm the one doing all the work!"
Anlan shot her a look.
She instantly shut up.
Dragging Shizune and Rin away.
"Come, come—don't stay near these Uchiha…"
"…no good men among them."
She disappeared into the inner room.
Silence remained.
Shisui glanced at Yao Yao.
She stood nearby—
Clear-eyed.
Still a little dazed.
The memory hit him—
"Want a wife?"
His entire face turned red.
He froze.
Unable to speak.
Yao Yao burst into laughter.
"I've seen you before—Shunshin Shisui."
"Why is your face so red?"
Shisui lowered his head.
Completely defeated.
His eyes pleaded for help.
Anlan smiled.
"Let's keep this short."
Then—
"Yao Yao, treat him."
"Okay!"
Before Shisui could react—
His hand was taken.
Soft.
Warm.
Different from blades and steel.
A gentle energy flowed into him.
Yao Yao's ability—
A healing power born from the Peach of Blessing.
Through touch—
She restored chakra.
Even—
Sharingan power.
For the Uchiha—
This was priceless.
Shisui felt a cool stream spread through his body.
Pain faded.
Fatigue melted.
Even the strain in his eyes eased.
He stared at her—
Speechless.
"Feeling better?"
"…Yeah."
Her hand withdrew.
The warmth disappeared.
His fingers curled instinctively—
Trying to hold onto it.
Anlan watched—
Smiling.
"Yao Yao, Shisui will need frequent recovery."
"He'll come to you often."
She nodded seriously.
"I'll help him tame the Tailed Beasts!"
Shisui felt something warm bloom inside him.
A quiet happiness.
Not loud—
But real.
"Please take care of me, Shisui-senpai."
That word—
"Senpai"—
Hit differently.
Recognition.
Closeness.
"I… will."
He bowed.
Anlan stood.
"That's settled."
Then—
Quietly—
"Shisui… the chance is yours."
"…Yes."
His face flushed again.
At that moment—
Tsunade returned.
"Come. To the lab."
Anlan nodded.
Then to Shisui—
"Take Yao Yao out for a meal."
"Get to know each other."
They left.
…
Moments later—
They arrived at the underground laboratory.
A sterile, metallic space.
Bright white lights.
Silent.
At the center—
Twenty-three sealed glass chambers.
Inside—
Unconscious soldiers.
Barely alive.
Sustained by—
The experimental Life Serum: Prototype I.
Balanced—
Between life—
And death.