Konoha Notes

Chapter 102 Hemophobia

Tsunade crossed her arms, her fingertips unconsciously tapping her elbows.

“It sounds like a proposal that can be discussed,” she finally said. “Assuming you’ve already gained Fugaku’s approval, this path is indeed feasible.”

“Feasibility and actual implementation are two different things,” Shuuji said. “It is impossible to implement without the full support of the Hokage.”

This support cannot be limited to words. Fugaku Uchiha has not urged it until now because he understands that this plan requires the joint efforts of the village and the Uchiha leadership. He can now agree on behalf of the clan leader, so will the village leadership be willing to lend a hand?

Shuji wasn't sure yet, so finding Tsunade was the best option; she could suppress any opposition.

Hiruzen Sarutobi might only be able to muster the resolve to suppress his old comrade's objections after his eyebrows were burned by fire.

Tsunade clicked her tongue, turned her face away, and silence returned, with only the tireless waves crashing against the rocks on the shore.

A few minutes later, she made up her mind.

"Then let's get started."

"Solve my problem first."

Tsunade was not entirely unaware of her condition; after years of self-imposed exile, she occasionally tried to manage her hemophobia.

Compared to the worst situation in the village where she couldn't even see blood, now, as long as other people's blood doesn't actually splatter on her, she can barely suppress that fear.

But when it came to actually facing the bloodshed, she always chose to run away.

Shizune, holding Ton-Ton, looked over with concern. Tsunade gave her a look and nodded slightly, indicating that she was ready.

Xiu Si didn't say much. He drew the knife from his waist, gripped the blade with his left hand, and with a single exertion, warm blood gushed out instantly.

After achieving immortality through self-cultivation, the regenerative abilities granted by Hashirama's cells were greatly enhanced. He deliberately controlled his muscles, slowing down wound healing and allowing the blood to continue flowing.

With his hand raised, Shuji placed his blood-dripping palm on Tsunade's arm.

The first drop of blood fell onto her bare forearm.

Tsunade's body tensed instantly, her breath catching for a moment. The temperature, viscosity, and texture of the blood were exceptionally clear, and a slight shiver spread from the point of contact, but she gritted her teeth and stood rooted to the spot, though her face paled even more.

"Continue..." The words were squeezed out from between his teeth.

Shuji squeezed the wound hard, and more drops of blood dripped down, forming a broken red line on Tsunade's arm, eventually pooling into a small puddle that slowly flowed downwards.

Tsunade's breathing became heavy, and fine beads of cold sweat appeared on her forehead. She stared intently at the blood on her arm, her pupils slightly contracting.

The familiar smell of rust filled her nostrils, and although she was still standing, her body began to sway.

Then, Shuji took a further step. He stepped forward and pressed his still-bleeding hand against the palm of Tsunade's other hand.

The warm, moist touch instantly enveloped her fingers and palms, fitting perfectly.

"Well--!"

Tsunade let out a suppressed groan, and almost instinctively tried to pull her hand back, but Shuji gripped it with even stronger force, making it impossible for her to break free.

Sight, touch, smell... all her senses were screaming wildly. The sticky, viscous sensation of blood was incredibly clear, burning her skin and penetrating to her very bones.

Her vision began to darken, and countless fragmented images churned in her mind.

Tsunade's eyes quickly became bloodshot and turned red, her body began to tremble violently uncontrollably, her legs went weak, and she knelt on the ground.

Just as her reason was about to crumble, she raised her head, her bloodshot eyes meeting Xiu Si's calm, almost cruel gaze.

"Grandpa's...ideal." Her voice was hoarse and broken, each word seemingly uttered with all her might, "Is there really...hope for the future?"

Shuji met her gaze, which was on the verge of collapse, without flinching. His hand remained wrapped around hers.

“Yes,” he replied. “We will keep going, keep moving forward. We, who are now, and who yearn for a better life and peace in the future, will persevere.”

Shizune rushed forward in a few steps and hugged Tsunade, who was trembling and drenched in cold sweat. Ton-ton rubbed against her, puffing softly. "Tsunade-sama..."

Tsunade's stiff body slumped slightly for a moment in her disciple's embrace. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and then opened them again. The fear remained, but something more resilient sprouted within it.

She slowly, very slowly, broke free from Shizune's embrace. Shuji released her hand, letting it slip away.

Looking at her hands covered in blood, Tsunade's chest heaved violently.

Then, she began to try to condense chakra.

At first, only a faint, intermittent blue light flickered at her fingertips, as if it might go out at any moment.

The veins on Tsunade's forehead bulged, and gradually, the light stabilized, though faint, it continued to shine.

Shuji breathed a sigh of relief; he had succeeded.

With difficulty, Tsunade stood up and, without any warning, punched Shuji hard in the stomach.

It was extremely powerful and showed no mercy.

The movement wasn't fast, but Shuuji saw it and didn't dodge, taking the blow squarely.

A heavy, muffled thud followed. A sharp pain exploded within him, as if his internal organs had shifted. Xiu Si groaned, cold sweat instantly beading on his forehead, his body buckling uncontrollably.

"This is a thank-you gift. Thank you for your encouragement these past few days." Tsunade waved her hand, her tone stiff, her eyes sweeping over Shuji's slightly furrowed brows, which were furrowed in pain.

After the sharp pain subsided, Shuji slowly straightened up.

He said, "You're welcome."

The position of Kage has never been a good one. Compared to other ninjas who have a certain degree of freedom of movement, the Kage are basically not allowed to leave the village and are busy with official duties every day while staying in the village.

For the top ninjas in the ninja world, becoming a Kage is tantamount to being bound, deprived of freedom, and unable to live a good life.

One can roam the world alone and become a shadow, but not only can one not save one's own life, but one's family will also have to sacrifice themselves for it.

The first shadows were like this, and so were the later ones.

Given Minato Namikaze's strength, he wouldn't have died young if he hadn't become Hokage.

Now that he's brought Tsunade back to the village early for his own purposes, he deserves to be hit.

After all, Tsunade hadn't wronged him. From the Shikkotsu Forest contract to his cultivation of Sage Mode, she had been a great help. He could say he was repaying kindness with ingratitude.

"Hmph, at least you have some self-awareness."

"My hands are covered in sticky blood. I've left the station and I'm going to wash them first."

Princess Thousand Hands greeted her.

Shizune showed a hint of apology to Shuuji, but thinking of her master's behavior just now, she felt that he deserved it, so she hurriedly followed Tsunade away.

Tun Tun lagged behind, approached Xiu Si's feet, and nudged him twice with her nose.

"Puff."

"Are you swearing?" Shuuji looked down at it.

"puff!"

"If I eat you, I'll know many ways to cook pork."

"puff?!!"

(End of this chapter)