The morning sun barely rose above the trees when Kakashi stepped into the lab, his silver hair still slightly damp from a quick morning wash.
The room smelled faintly of ink, paper, and sterilized equipment. A quiet hum filled the air as the machinery activated and chakra began circulating through the diagnostic seals embedded in the floor.
In the center of the lab, Tsunade lay on a padded bench, wearing a light medical robe, calm and composed. Her blonde hair had been tied back neatly, and her expression held none of the nerves or hesitation one might expect from someone undergoing such a risky transformation.
Across the room, Orochimaru's clone adjusted the chakra gauge and checked the vial of Hashirama cells. His skin was pale as ever, but the movements were still steady, and professional.
"I've refined the concentration based on our last synthesis attempts," the clone said, voice smooth but a little dry. "With Tsunade's Senju lineage and her enhanced physique, she should integrate them without rejection."
Kakashi stood beside Tsunade, his hand hovering above her abdomen. The red Genesis Seal on his palm slowly began to rotate, glowing brighter.
"Are you ready?" he asked gently.
"Let's begin." Tsunade gave him a calm nod.
Kakashi placed his palm on her stomach.
The Genesis Seal pulsed.
Red light flowed out in thin lines, crawling across Tsunade's skin like veins of fire. Her body absorbed the Hashirama cell infusion, and the seal began converting the genetic structure, awakening what had been dormant in her blood all along.
"Just a sting… nothing bad." Tsunade flinched slightly.
Kakashi watched her carefully. Expression calm. Breathing steady. Her body, strengthened by years of medical mastery and latent Senju blood, accepted the transformation easily. She didn't sweat, didn't grimace, her chakra flowed smoothly as the energy synchronized.
Moments later, glowing red lines flashed briefly across her entire body, and then…
Boom.
A sudden rush of chakra burst from Tsunade.
The air turned thick with vitality.
With a small gasp, Tsunade raised her hands, and from both palms, two tiny green shoots sprouted.
In seconds, the saplings stretched tall, twisting vines and wooden stalks reached for the ceiling like newborn trees growing in fast-forward.
Tsunade blinked, startled, but not panicked.
"Stop." She quickly snapped her hands closed, muttering,
The plants immediately wilted, reabsorbing into her skin.
The chakra storm faded.
The room returned to quiet.
Tsunade sat up, staring at her palms. Her eyes widened.
"I… I really did it," she whispered.
Her fingers clenched experimentally, testing her body.
"No pain," she murmured. "Only… strength."
She stood from the bench slowly, flexing her arms, rotating her shoulders, channeling chakra through her limbs.
"I feel younger and my lost vitality has recovered," she said, surprised. "Stronger. And… my yang chakra, it's grown massively. My water and earth affinity too."
Kakashi smiled as he walked up to her.
Tsunade turned and wrapped her arms around him without hesitation, pulling him into a tight hug.
"You did it," she said softly. "Thank you."
Kakashi hugged her back, relieved and proud.
Their faces met, and without a word, their lips touched.
Warm, deep, and full of emotion.
Their kiss lingered.
When they finally pulled apart, a soft, awkward cough echoed from the side of the lab.
The Orochimaru clone stood there stiffly, glancing away like he'd been forced to watch something unspeakable.
"I… suppose this means the procedure was a success," he muttered dryly.
"It was. I feel incredible." Tsunade chuckled and crossed her arms.
Kakashi walked over and placed a hand on her back, then focused briefly, scanning her chakra pathways.
"Her reserves are already catching up to mine." He frowned in mock annoyance.
"Did you forget? I'm a Senju too, you know." Tsunade grinned.
Kakashi blinked.
"…Right. I also am part Senju, aren't I?" Then he smacked his forehead.
"You forgot your own heritage?" The clone raised an eyebrow.
"I've been busy." Kakashi gave a sheepish shrug.
He turned to Tsunade. "Maybe I'll try synthesizing the full Senju genes into myself next. Could help stabilize some of the later fusions."
Tsunade nodded approvingly. "As long as you don't try to grow a forest on your face."
"No promises," Kakashi smirked.
The rest of the morning was spent running chakra diagnostics and tests.
Tsunade summoned vines at will, created wooden roots from her feet, and even forced a small tree to grow from a soil sample in under ten seconds.
Her chakra control was excellent as always, and even though her control over Wood Release was still raw, she adapted quickly.
Kakashi and the clone recorded everything, from chakra flow rates to genetic response time.
After several hours, they had enough data.
"That's it," Kakashi said, putting down the scrolls and seals. "We're done here."
"Good." Tsunade wiped the sweat from her brow, still smiling.
"Come on. Let's go upstairs." He reached out and held her hand.
….
Upstairs, the living room was filled with quiet tension.
Karin sat on the edge of the couch, fiddling with a kunai.
Kurenai stood with her arms crossed, her red eyes on the stairs.
Anko was pacing back and forth.
Even Mei was leaning against the wall with her arms folded, watching silently.
When the door finally opened, all of them turned at once.
Kakashi stepped out first, followed by Tsunade.
The atmosphere instantly shifted.
Everyone breathed out at once.
"Tsunade-sensei!" Karin jumped up and rushed forward, eyes wide. "Are you okay?!"
"I'm fine," Tsunade said with a reassuring smile.
"No side effects?" Kurenai asked her.
"No pain? No weird chakra surges?" Mei added, curious more than concerned.
"Only strength." Tsunade laughed.
Then, to prove it, she raised her hand.
A wooden sprout grew from her palm, twirling into a little spiral vine.
Everyone stared.
"That's…" Anko whispered.
"Wood Release," Kurenai finished.
"The same bloodline the First Hokage wielded… I never thought I'd see it in my life." Mei stepped closer, her green eyes narrowed in fascination.
Still needs training, but I'm getting the hang of it." Tsunade waved her hand, and the vine vanished into dust."
"Her chakra control's making it easy," Kakashi added proudly.
The room was full of quiet awe and admiration.
Then Kakashi turned toward Anko and Kurenai.
"I've been reviewing bloodlines for both of you. I want to pick something that won't just make you stronger but also match your nature chakra-wise. I want it to feel like it's yours."
"So, I get to pick something cool?" Anko's eyes lit up.
"I'll trust your judgment." Kurenai smiled, more controlled but no less excited than Anko.
"You'll both undergo testing like Tsunade," Kakashi explained. "But I'll make sure it's safe. No shortcuts."
"This is getting exciting!" Karin clapped her hands.
Tsunade took a seat, sipping tea now, her face glowing with energy.
Kakashi leaned against the wall, his gaze scanning the room.
Everyone was smiling.
This home, this family, was becoming stronger, day by day.
And the best part?
They were doing it together.