Tsunade folded her arms, fingers tapping unconsciously at her elbow.
"It sounds like a plan that can be discussed," she said at last. "With Fugaku's approval already in place, this path does have feasibility."
"Feasibility and actual implementation are two different things," Shuji said. "To put it into action requires the Hokage's full support. It cannot be done."
That support could not be limited to words. Uchiha Fugaku had not pushed until now precisely because he understood this plan needed both the village and Uchiha leadership to push it forward. He could represent the clan head's agreement. But would the village's upper echelon reach out their hand?
Shuji was not certain yet, so finding Tsunade was the best option. She could suppress opposing voices.
And Sarutobi Hiruzen might not summon the resolve to overrule his old comrades until the fire singed his eyebrows.
Tsunade clicked her tongue and looked away. Silence spread again, only the tireless crash of waves against the rocks on shore.
A few minutes later, she made up her mind.
"Then let's begin."
"First, solve my problem."
Tsunade was not without understanding of her own situation. After all these years of self-exile, she had occasionally tried to deal with her hemophobia.
Compared to the worst state back in the village when she could not even see blood, now as long as others' blood did not actually splash onto her body, that fear could still be barely suppressed.
But when faced with blood truly staining her skin, she always chose to flee.
Shizune held Tonton, watching with worry. Tsunade sent her a look, nodding slightly to show she was ready.
Shuji said nothing. He drew the blade at his waist, gripped the edge with his left hand, and squeezed. Warm blood welled up at once.
Since mastering sage techniques, the recovery from Hashirama's cells had grown much stronger. He deliberately controlled the muscles to delay the wound's healing and let the blood keep flowing.
He raised his hand and held his bleeding palm above Tsunade's arm.
The first drop fell and hit her bare forearm.
Tsunade's body went rigid. Her breathing stopped for a beat. The blood's warmth, viscosity, and touch were unbearably clear. A faint tremor spread from the contact point, but she clenched her jaw and stayed rooted, though her face paled a few shades more.
"Keep... going." The words scraped through her teeth.
Shuji squeezed the wound harder. More drops fell, forming broken red lines on Tsunade's arm and pooling into a small patch that slowly slid downward.
Tsunade's breathing grew rough. Fine cold sweat beaded her brow. She stared at the blood on her arm, pupils slightly contracted.
The familiar iron scent drilled into her nostrils. Though she still stood, her body had begun to sway.
Then Shuji took it further. He stepped forward and pressed his still-bleeding palm fully against Tsunade's other hand.
Warm, wet sensation wrapped her fingers and palm at once. Every seam.
"Ngh—"
A stifled grunt escaped Tsunade's throat. Almost by instinct she tried to yank her hand back with force, but Shuji gripped harder and would not let go.
Sight, touch, smell. Every sense screamed madly. The blood's slick touch was unbearably vivid, burning her skin and searing straight to the marrow.
Her vision began to darken. Countless fragmented images churned in her mind.
Tsunade's eyes reddened rapidly, bloodshot. Her body shook violently beyond control. Her legs gave out and she half-knelt on the ground.
Just before reason snapped at the last instant, she lifted her head. Her bloodshot eyes met Shuji's gaze, which was calm to the point of cruelty.
"Grandfather's... dream," she rasped, each word wrenched out with all her strength. "The future... is there really... hope?"
Shuji met her gaze on the edge of collapse without flinching. His palm still held hers.
"Yes," he answered. "Keep going. Keep moving forward. Those of us now, those in the future who yearn for a better life, who yearn for peace, will all keep going."
Beside them, Shizune rushed forward in two or three steps and threw her arms around the trembling, sweat-soaked Tsunade. Tonton nuzzled her with soft grunts.
"Lady Tsunade..."
Tsunade's rigid body softened just a fraction in her student's embrace. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them again. The fear remained, but something more tenacious began to sprout within it.
Slowly, agonizingly slowly, she pulled herself free of Shizune's arms. Shuji released her hand and let it fall.
Looking at her hands covered in blood, Tsunade's chest heaved violently.
Then she began to try gathering chakra.
At first, only a faint, stuttering blue glow flickered at her fingertips, as if it might go out any moment.
Veins stood out at Tsunade's temple. Gradually, the light stabilized. Though weak, it stayed lit.
Shuji breathed a long sigh of relief. Success.
Tsunade struggled to her feet. Without warning, she slammed a fist into Shuji's abdomen.
The force was enormous and without mercy.
The movement was not fast. Shuji saw it but did not dodge. He took the blow head-on.
A heavy thud. Pain exploded instantly. His organs felt displaced. Shuji grunted, cold sweat breaking at his temple. His body bent involuntarily.
"That's my thanks. For all your encouragement these days," Tsunade said, shaking out her hand. Her tone was stiff. Her eyes swept over Shuji's brow, which creased slightly from enduring pain, with a complicated look.
Once the sharp pain eased, Shuji slowly straightened.
"You're welcome," he said.
Kage had never been a good position. Compared to other shinobi who still had some freedom of movement, as Kage, you basically could not leave the village. Even inside the village you dealt with paperwork every day.
For a top-tier shinobi, becoming Kage meant being bound, losing freedom, and forgetting any good life.
A lone individual could roam the world. Become Kage, and not only could you not protect your own life, your family had to sacrifice for it too.
The first Kage had been that way. Later Kage were no exception.
With Minato Namikaze's strength, if he had not been Hokage, there was no way he would have died so young.
Now, for his own purposes, he had pulled Tsunade back to the village early, so this punch was deserved.
After all, Tsunade had not wronged him. From the Shikkotsu Forest contract to Sage Mode training, she had helped a great deal. He had practically repaid kindness with enmity.
"Hmph. At least you're self-aware."
"My hands are all sticky with blood. Come on, Shizune. Let's wash up first."
The Senju princess called out.
Shizune showed Shuji a trace of apology, but thinking of her teacher's state just now, she also felt he deserved it. She hurried after Tsunade.
Tonton stayed last. It trotted to Shuji's feet and nudged him twice with its snout.
"Buu buu."
"Are you cursing?" Shuji looked down.
"Buu."
"I'll eat you. I know lots of ways to cook pork."
"Buu?!"
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild