The perspective shifts back to Tsunade in the barbecue restaurant.
The shop was a mess, the customers had already quietly left, and even the owner was hiding behind the counter, not daring to make a sound.
Tsunade sat there alone, staring blankly at the empty bottles and the cooled charcoal fire on the table.
The cold wind that Shinichi brought with him when he left had long since dissipated, leaving only a deeper silence and the lingering smell of alcohol in the air.
The conflict just now, especially Shinichi's resounding words at the end, was like a boulder thrown into a lake of her heart, stirring up the muddy memories buried deep within her.
In a daze, she seemed to return to her childhood, playing in her great-grandfather's broad hands, listening to her second grandfather's stern yet caring admonitions…
Back then, being the Hokage was the highest honor of the clan, protecting the village was a matter of course, and Konoha was the warmest home under the sun.
Her younger brother, Nawaki, smiled brightly as he shouted that he would become a great Hokage like their great-grandfather and second grandfather.
Dan spoke gently yet firmly of his dream to protect their companions…
The beliefs and face that once supported and defined her are now blurred and painful under the erosion of alcohol and years of pain.
Just as she was lost in the whirlpool of memories, almost swallowed by the heavy feeling of suffocation, a small voice, tinged with worry and a hint of annoyance, rang out at the door: "Lady Tsunade!"
Tsunade turned her head somewhat slowly. At the doorway, Shizune's small figure stood there, wrapped in a thick scarf, her face reddened by the cold wind. She pursed her lips while looking at her with both anger and helplessness.
Was it that kid...? Did he go find Shizune after he left?
The thought flickered through Tsunade's muddled mind.
"Seriously! You ran out alone to drink this much again!"
Shizune walked over quickly, expertly checking the number of empty bottles on the table, her brows furrowing even more.
She complained, but deftly steadied Tsunade's swaying arm: "You reek of alcohol, and you made such a mess... Let's go home."
Tsunade did not resist being helped up by Shizune, who was not strong but unusually firm.
Leaning on the girl's slender shoulder, feeling the strength that was trying to support her, and the concern that couldn't be hidden in her words, a sudden warm current quietly surged into Tsunade's heart, diluting some of the icy pain and dejection.
She didn't say anything, letting Shizune half-support and half-drag her as they walked, one step at a time, on the streets where the snow hadn't melted.
Shizune was still quietly nagging beside her, saying things like, not taking care of your body, losing your temper again, and making people worry, her voice buzzing in her ear.
Strangely enough, these nagging words that would normally annoy her made her feel even warmer at this moment.
The cold night wind blowing on her face actually cleared her drowsy mind a little.
After walking for an unknown amount of time, the familiar courtyard gate came into view.
"We're here."
Shizune breathed a sigh of relief, struggled to find her key, opened the door, and helped Tsunade into the warm house.
And just like that… They were back home.
Tsunade leaned against the porch, watching Shizune bustling about, turning on the lights and boiling water, her small figure busy under the lamplight.
Outside, it was a cold winter night; inside, there was a dim yellow light and faint noises.
The traces of the argument have not been completely erased, and the worries have not dissipated, but this space called home and the girl in front of her, who is complaining while taking care of her, truly exist.
Looking at the little girl in front of her, who was still sulking but was still taking meticulous care of her, she suddenly let out a long, silent sigh of pent-up frustration.
Tsunade thought that she probably wouldn't have another chance to see that sharp-tongued, determined black-haired boy anytime soon.
He was like a mirror that was too bright, reflecting the embarrassing situation she didn't want to face.
However, just a few days later, on a snowy afternoon, urgent knocking broke the tranquility of the courtyard.
Standing outside the door was an Anbu wearing an animal mask, his posture upright and his aura deep and composed.
Tsunade recognized him; he was one of the elite guards who had served the third Hokage for many years.
Without any pleasantries or unnecessary formalities, the Anbu stated his purpose in the most concise and rapid language the moment Tsunade opened the door: Shinichi Higashino suffered a serious accident during his training, and his injuries were extremely difficult to treat. The existing Medical Ninja team at Konoha Hospital was helpless after checking the wounds, and his situation was critical.
The third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, personally ordered him to be dispatched here urgently, requesting that Lady Tsunade go to the hospital immediately.
Injuries sustained during training?
What kind of injury could be so severe that the entire hospital team was at a loss and even required the Third Hokage to personally send the Anbu to ask her for help?
Tsunade frowned instantly, hesitated for a moment, then followed the Anbu and stepped into the vast snowstorm, hurrying towards Konoha Hospital.
The footprints were quickly covered by the fresh snow, leaving only a trail that swiftly disappeared into the distance.
.....
Let's rewind to that morning.
The fourth training ground in Konoha was covered with thick snow. The sky was gray, and fine snowflakes swirled down in the north wind, casting a cold silence over the entire field.
In the center of the arena, Shinichi Higashino was slightly out of breath, holding a steadily spinning azure chakra ball in his hand, the Rasengan.
Beside the field, the tall and imposing Monkey King Enma stood with his arms crossed, like a rock sculpture in the wind and snow, his golden pupils intently watching Shinichi's movements.
"Ha!"
With a low shout, Shinichi's Rasengan suddenly emitted a deep hum, its size expanding at a visible speed. At the same time, a wisp of intense crimson color, like thick ink dripped into clear water, rapidly spread from the core of the sphere!
Whoosh!
The originally attribute-less chakra ball instantly transformed into a raging storm filled with explosive fire nature chakra!
The crimson Rasengan pulsed in Shinichi's palm, its interior seemingly compressed with molten lava. The intense heat emanating from it instantly vaporized the surrounding snowflakes into white mist, producing a hissing sound and forming a twisted, surging heatwave in the snowstorm.
Enma stared intently at the steadily burning crimson ball. After a few seconds, he finally nodded slowly and said in a deep voice, "The injection of chakra nature transformation is stable, and the shape is maintained perfectly... Kid, you've succeeded."
"Have you decided on a name for this technique?"
Shinichi's forehead was beaded with sweat, but his eyes remained calm as he said: "I plan to call it Fire Style: Great Flame Rasengan."
The name is simple and direct, highlighting its esoteric nature and its origin from the Rasengan, while also exuding a fierce aura.
"A good name."
Enma commented, then his gaze became even more serious: "Then, the final step, and the most important one, is to release it safely and test its true power and controllability. Remember! Creating and stabilizing it is only the beginning. Being able to wield it, that is what makes it your technique."