Encounter

Chapter 96 Encounter

The next day, early in the morning.

In an unassuming hotel room, the small space was filled with a strong smell of blood and herbs.

Tsunade slumped in a chair by the bed, her golden hair sticking messily to her sweaty forehead.

She was breathing heavily, her hands trembling slightly.

On the blood-stained bed, Shizune was fast asleep.

The thorn-like black curse mark on the back of her neck had faded, leaving only a tattoo-like mark.

"We survived!"

As Tsunade watched Shizune's breathing gradually stabilize, her anxiety finally subsided.

But what followed was a deep fear.

During yesterday's thrilling surgery, she witnessed firsthand what a miracle truly is.

Naruto's cells did not kill Shizune like a virus; instead, they assimilated and strengthened her.

However, the intensity of this enhancement is too great, far beyond what an average person can withstand.

If Tsunade hadn't continuously used chakra to stabilize Shizune's condition, Shizune would have undoubtedly died last night.

"This vitality—"

"There's no mistake—this is a characteristic of my grandfather's cells!"

"And that's not all; there are at least two unknown properties involved."

Naruto's voice seemed to echo in her ears.

Breaking the boundary between life and death — bringing them back to life completely —

If Tsunade initially only had a 10% chance of believing it, now she has a 50% chance.

If even such illogical cell fusion can be achieved, then resurrection—perhaps it really is possible.

"Lady Tsunade————"

A weak call interrupted her thoughts.

Jingyin slowly opened her eyes and sat up.

She clenched her fist, somewhat bewildered.

At this moment, Jingyin felt that she was not weak from recovering from a serious illness at all, but rather as strong as if she could kill a bull.

"I...have become stronger?"

She looked at her hands in disbelief.

Tsunade looked at the scene before her with a complex expression.

Shizune has indeed become stronger, but this power is full of aggression and is a mark unique to Naruto Uzumaki.

It's difficult to determine if there are any hidden tricks involved.

"Alright, stop looking."

Tsunade took a deep breath, stood up abruptly, and forcibly suppressed the wavering in her heart: "Now that you're awake, come with me for a drink."

"I need some alcohol right now."

Noon, Tanshu Street Izakaya.

Although it was daytime, the shop was already quite crowded.

Empty sake bottles were laid out in front of Tsunade.

She slumped over the table, her eyes glazed, muttering incoherently, "Damn brats—damn village—damn ninja world."

Silent sat to the side, her eyes filled with worry:

-

"Lady Tsunade, please drink less. That deadline—"

"Shut up! Don't mention that to me!"

Tsunade waved her hand somewhat irritably.

Just then.

The curtain of the izakaya was roughly pulled open.

As light streamed in, two travel-worn figures walked in.

"Oh dear, I've searched the entire Tanabata district casino, and here I am, running into you."

A familiar and bold voice rang out.

Tsunade's hand holding the wine glass suddenly stopped.

She slowly raised her head, her eyes blurry with drunkenness as she looked at the newcomer.

A white-haired middle-aged man carrying a huge scroll and a black-haired boy with an impatient expression.

"Jiraiya————"

Tsunade snorted coldly, showing no joy at the long-awaited reunion, but rather a hint of resistance in her voice: "Why are you here?"

"Haha, you're still the same as ever."

Jiraiya sat down opposite Tsunade without any hesitation and poured himself a drink.

As the alcohol took effect, Jiraiya's expression gradually became serious: "Although I really want to catch up with you, the situation is urgent right now."

"The old man's prestige has plummeted, and he's almost out of control of the situation."

"That brat has made a mess of the village, and the daimyo has started putting pressure on us."

Jiraiya stared into Tsunade's eyes and said solemnly, "Come back with me, Tsunade."

"Konoha needs the Fifth Hokage now."

Upon hearing the words "Hokage," Tsunade seemed to have been hit where it hurt, and she reacted with some kind of shock.

"Naruto?"

"You mean that title, the one specifically for protecting a bunch of useless idiots?"

"Moreover, Konoha is now in ruins and faces internal and external troubles—let whoever wants to go to this mess is free to die."

"Tsunade!"

Jiraiya frowned deeply: "How can you say that? The dreams of Dan and Nawaki—"

"Shut up!!"

Tsunade slammed her hand on the table and stood up abruptly: "Don't mention them to me! They died because of that damned village, that ridiculous dream of becoming Hokage!"

"and----"

Tsunade's voice suddenly turned somber as she sat back down in her chair, a strange glint in her deep eyes: "Perhaps—there is a way to bring them back to life."

Jiraiya was taken aback, then his expression changed drastically: "What nonsense are you spouting? The dead cannot be brought back to life! That's basic common sense!"

"Moreover, even the power of forbidden techniques—only allows them to be temporarily resurrected."

"This is an insult to the deceased!"

Is that common sense?

Tsunade gave a bitter laugh.

"But I witnessed with my own eyes how common sense was broken—"

Hearing this, Sasuke Uchiha, who had been standing silently to the side, finally ran out of patience.

He had no interest in listening to those two old folks wallowing in self-pity.

He came here for only one purpose.

"I have no interest in your reminiscing."

Sasuke stepped forward, his crimson Sharingan activating, the three tomoe spinning wildly in his eyes: "What you meant by breaking the rules—you saw him, right?"

"Only one person can keep defying common sense."

"Tell me, where is that guy—Naruto Uzumaki?!"

After undergoing Jiraiya's rigorous training, Sasuke believed he had mastered the techniques of chakra transformation, greatly increasing his strength.

At this moment, he desperately needs to find Naruto and wash away the shame of the past.

Tsunade glanced at the Uchiha orphan and sneered, "You? So what if you find him? Are you just going to throw your life away?"

"Stop talking nonsense! Tell me where he is!"

Sasuke suddenly reached out, trying to grab Tsunade's collar and interrogate her.

however.

Even Sasuke, who had activated his Sharingan, only saw a blurry black shadow flash by.

then.

Sasuke's wrist was gripped tightly in mid-air, the immense force causing his bones to creak.

It wasn't Tsunade or Jiraiya who made the move.

Instead, it's muted.

At this moment, Jingyin's usually gentle face was expressionless, and the curse mark on the back of her neck was faintly burning.

This is the fighting instinct after unlocking the first stage of the gene lock!

Shizune stared coldly at Sasuke.

"Show some respect to Lady Tsunade."

"this----"

Sasuke's pupils contracted sharply, his face filled with disbelief.

How is that possible?

How could this meek and submissive maid following behind Tsunade, who seemed to have no fighting ability, possibly have such speed?

And this icy, bone-chilling feeling—

It has the exact same aura as Naruto's!

"Let go!"

Sasuke roared, and arcs of electricity crackled from his body as he tried to shake off the silence.

But Shizune simply flicked her wrist, sending Sasuke flying like a sandbag, slamming him heavily against the wall.

boom!

The wall was cracked, and Sasuke slipped and fell to the ground, looking utterly disheveled.

The entire izakaya fell silent.

Jiraiya, Tsunade, and even Tsunade's pet pig were all shocked.

Sasuke, clutching his throbbing arm, stared intently at Shizune.

Is he unable to even defeat a maid?

Tsunade stood up, not glancing at Sasuke again, and helped Shizune, who was slightly out of breath, to her feet.

"I'm not interested in Naruto or anything like that."

"I have something more important to confirm."

After saying that, Tsunade led Shizune out of the izakaya.

Only Jiraiya, with a complex expression, and Sasuke, trembling and with eyes that were gradually turning mad, remained.