The lock on the wooden door shattered into pieces.
Shizune pushed it open and stared at the broken lock in surprise.
She turned to Tsunade, who was lying on the bed.
Why didn't Lady Tsunade just get up and open the door? Why did she lie there and break the lock from a distance?
"Why are you staring at the lock? Bring me the information, quickly!"
Tsunade's anxious tone startled Shizune, who hurried to her master's side.
Still lying in bed, Tsunade stretched out her left hand and yanked the papers from Shizune's grasp.
She began reading carefully, word by word.
As she read, Tsunade's beautiful face grew darker and darker.
When she reached a photo, her eyes suddenly widened and her breathing quickened.
The papers crumpled in her tightening grip.
Seeing this, Shizune leaned closer nervously.
The photo showed a young man with black hair and a gentle smile.
He wasn't exceptionally handsome, but he was better-looking than most.
He appeared to be in his twenties and wore a Jonin forehead protector.
Shizune frowned in confusion.
She had reviewed the documents before bringing them here and had found nothing unusual.
"Bang! Bang! Crack!!"
Shizune was about to ask her master what was wrong when a loud crash shook the room.
Boards splintered with a sharp boom, the sound of wood shattering echoing all around.
Startled, Shizune glanced around quickly.
A large section of the floor had collapsed.
Her eyes went to Tsunade, whose brows were furrowed.
Shizune swallowed nervously. She didn't know why her master was so furious, but at least Tsunade hadn't lost control completely.
If she had, with her strength, the entire house would already be gone.
Soon others, alarmed by the noise, rushed over to investigate.
But Tsunade's furious roar stopped them cold:
"Stay out! I'll pay for the damages later!"
Immediately, no one dared step inside.
After shouting, Tsunade lay back in silence.
Thanks to the thick mattress beneath her, the broken floor had no effect.
For a long while, the room was quiet.
"Shizune."
The sudden call made Shizune stiffen. She straightened at once.
"Master?"
Tsunade ignored her apprentice's caution.
She kept staring at the ceiling, fists clenching until the papers were reduced to scraps.
"This man… why doesn't the report mention anything about him being skilled in genjutsu or spiritual techniques?"
Shizune thought carefully.
She didn't know the full story, but one thing was clear:
Her master despised Rasa.
So she answered carefully:
"According to the files, Rasa is the direct disciple of the Third Kazekage. He's introverted and rarely shows himself."
"Records also say he inherited the Third Kazekage's Magnetic Release."
"But his bloodline limit is Magnet Style: Gold Sand. Compared to the Third Kazekage's Iron Sand, it has less range and power."
"He's also skilled in Wind Release ninjutsu."
"As for illusions or other mental techniques, nothing is recorded. In fact, hardly anyone in Sunagakure excels at illusions."
Tsunade listened silently, eyes still locked on the ceiling.
Only when Shizune finished did she finally let out a long breath and blink.
"Pack your things. We're leaving."
"Yes, Master… wait, where are we going?"
Shizune answered instinctively, then froze in confusion.
Her master almost never returned to the village unless it was an absolute emergency.
But Tsunade's teeth ground together so hard the sound was harsh.
"We're going back to Konoha!"
"I don't believe it. If I can't figure this out, then with all the top minds in the village, we still won't solve it?"
"And besides, the ninja world has been at peace for years. That bastard dared to attack me in secret—doesn't he fear starting the Third Ninja World War?"
"I'll go back and tell the old man myself. He'll settle this!"
Tears welled in Tsunade's eyes.
"That perverted bastard! He tricked me so badly in my dream!"
"And I was stupid enough to believe him!"
"He must be laughing at me right now, mocking how gullible I am!"
Shizune still didn't understand, but she saw how shaken her master was.
Tsunade had even slipped into referring to herself as "Mother," and had brought up the Ninja World War.
Something major had clearly happened.
Just as Shizune turned to hurry out and pack, Tsunade stopped her.
"Uh… Shizune, carry me to the bathroom first."
Tsunade tilted her head, her earlier fury giving way to embarrassment.
"What?"
Shizune blinked in confusion.
Tsunade flushed with shame. She hated troubling her apprentice, and even more, hated revealing her condition.
But she had just realized she couldn't even summon a chakra clone.
Not only were her legs weak, but even circulating chakra was difficult.
Breaking the wooden lock with a small Wind Release earlier had already pushed her body to its limit.
She never imagined that—seven times in a row… no, eight, including when that bastard forced her to do that—
Would leave her unable to circulate chakra at all.
Shizune noticed hermaster turn away, clearly unwilling to explain.
So she moved forward silently, preparing to lift her.
But as she pulled back the quilt, a strange fragrance filled the air.
It was similar to a flower scent she had smelled once before.
Then her eyes fell on the bed. A sticky stain spread across the sheet, so large it covered nearly all of it.
Even Tsunade's pants bore a clear mark.
Though still a virgin and inexperienced, Shizune understood immediately—and her cheeks flushed crimson.
Tsunade had always been an excellent, responsible teacher.
Not only in medicine and ninjutsu, but also in personal matters.
She had taught Shizune about relationships between men and women early, so she wouldn't one day be deceived by ignorance.
Because of that, Shizune understood all too well what she was seeing.
Her master's tightly closed eyes and embarrassed expression said everything.
Taking a deep breath, Shizune said nothing. She simply lifted Tsunade gently in her arms.
Halfway to the bathroom, she asked quietly:
"Master… after we return to the village, will we ever leave again?"
Tsunade's eyes stared into the distance, her voice heavy with despair.
"Not until the old man resolves this."
"Will there be a war?"
"Maybe… wait—what did you just say?"
...
...
[Image] Shizune