"Let go of him, Obito."
Kakashi—who had remained silent until now—finally spoke.
He stepped forward and pried Obito's fingers off Chigen's collar, one by one.
"This is an order."
Kakashi's voice carried no emotion, yet it left no room for defiance.
Obito panted heavily, still glaring at Chigen, but in the end, he released his grip.
"I—I'm not afraid of dying!"
He craned his neck, sounding half like he was explaining himself, half like he was trying to psych himself up.
"I just… I'll never carry out a mission with someone who treats his teammates as bait!"
Chigen ignored his shouting. He merely straightened the wrinkled collar of his clothes, turned around, and walked away—without sparing them a single extra glance.
"Hey! Where do you think you're going?! The mission hasn't even started yet!"
Obito shouted after him.
Chigen paused, but didn't turn around.
"Going home," he said quietly.
"To pack my last belongings."
His voice wasn't loud, but it hit everyone's heart like a block of ice.
Watching that lonely figure disappear into the distance, Rin's eyes reddened.
Kakashi's frown tightened even further.
---
At the Senju Estate.
Chigen returned to the room that once belonged to Nawaki. He didn't turn on the lights, working instead by the pale glow of moonlight from the window.
He stacked the books on the desk neatly, swept away the dust on the floor, and even found a rag to carefully wipe down the windowsill.
He needed something—anything—to keep the cold dread threatening to swallow him at bay.
Kannabi Bridge.
Uchiha Madara.
Just thinking about those names made his hands and feet feel icy cold.
Creak—
The door opened softly.
Tsunade stood at the doorway, not stepping inside.
She had changed into clean loungewear, her long blonde hair falling loosely over her shoulders.
"The old man called for you," she said.
"What was it about?"
Her voice sounded unusually clear in the quiet room.
Chigen paused in the middle of wiping the windowsill.
"Nothing much. A logistics job—delivering supplies to the front."
He turned around, wearing his usual lazy, casual smile.
"The reward's pretty good."
Tsunade folded her arms and leaned against the doorframe, silently studying him.
"Is that so?"
She suddenly smiled—but there was a chill in it.
"What kind of 'logistics job' requires the Hokage to summon you personally? And to send Minato along with his entire team of brats?"
Chigen's smile stiffened.
"Chigen."
Tsunade walked toward him step by step, stopping right in front of him.
"Did you forget who I am? That little trick won't fool me."
"I told you—it's just logistics."
Chigen avoided her gaze, forcing the words out.
"I value my life. You know that."
"Value your life?"
Tsunade laughed bitterly, as if she'd heard the biggest joke in the world. She kicked over the bucket Chigen had just used.
Splash—
Water spilled everywhere, soaking even her pant leg.
"Someone who values his life would challenge Iwagakure chūnin alone?
Someone who values his life would gamble everything against Danzō's people during the exam?!"
Her voice grew louder and louder, her chest heaving violently. For the first time, her brown eyes showed undisguised anger—and fear.
"Tell me, Sakuya Chigen!"
"What mission are you really going on?!"
Chigen looked at her in silence.
The air in the room felt suffocating.
After a long moment, he finally spoke, his voice hoarse.
"Tsunade… in what capacity are you questioning me right now?"
Her body jolted.
"As my landlord?" he continued.
"Or… my teacher?"
His gaze was like a scalpel, cutting cleanly through all her defenses.
"What exactly… are we to each other?"
"I…"
Tsunade opened her mouth, but no words came out.
Seeing her so lost, Chigen felt an inexplicable ache in his chest.
He didn't want this.
"I just…"
Her voice dropped to a whisper, carrying a plea she didn't even realize herself.
"I just… don't want you… to go and die."
Something slammed hard into Chigen's heart.
Suddenly, he raised his hand and pulled a kunai from his ninja pouch.
Slice.
Without hesitation, the blade cut deep across his left palm.
Blood burst forth instantly, slipping through his fingers and dripping onto the floor.
"Ah!"
Tsunade's pupils shrank violently. As if she had seen something utterly terrifying, she let out a sharp scream and stumbled backward several steps, her back slamming into the wall.
Her face turned deathly pale. Her breathing grew rapid, her body shaking uncontrollably.
Hemophobia.
Chigen watched her suffering, the veins on the hand gripping the kunai bulging.
He knew this was cruel.
But he had to make her understand.
"Look," he said calmly—terrifyingly so.
"This is fear."
"You're afraid of blood," he continued.
"Just like I'm afraid of dying."
He tossed the kunai aside, letting the blood continue to flow.
"So don't ask anymore."
---
Late at night.
Chigen sat cross-legged on the corridor, gazing up at the moon.
He had crudely bandaged the wound on his left hand, but it still throbbed faintly.
Soft footsteps approached from behind.
Tsunade sat down beside him, carrying a medical kit.
She said nothing—just opened the box, took out disinfectant and bandages, and gently pulled his left hand toward her.
Her movements were light and careful, as if she were handling something fragile.
When the alcohol-soaked cotton touched the wound, Chigen still couldn't help but flinch.
Tsunade looked up at him, her expression complicated.
"Does it hurt?"
"It does," Chigen answered honestly.
She lowered her head and continued treating the wound, her voice muffled.
"Then why did you—"
"Because I wanted you to know," Chigen interrupted softly, "That I'm scared too."
Her hands froze.
Chigen turned his hand and held hers.
Her hand was small and soft—yet trembling.
"Tsunade."
He looked at her, the fatigue always lingering in his eyes gone, replaced by an intensity and sincerity he'd never shown before.
"I like you."
Her heart skipped violently.
She tried to pull her hand back—but he held on tighter.
"I've liked you for a long time."
"W–What?!"
"Let's make a bet."
He gave her no chance to refuse.
"A bet… about what?" she asked instinctively.
"About this—"
The familiar, slightly mischievous curve appeared at the corner of Chigen's lips.
"That I'll come back alive from Kannabi Bridge."
"I won't bet!"
Tsunade nearly shouted, jumping to her feet and trying to break free.
"I hate gambling!"
Especially gambling with human lives.
"You have to."
Chigen didn't let go. Instead, he pulled her back toward him, seating her astride his lap.
He looked up at her flushed, flustered face and spoke slowly, clearly:
"Because if you bet on me… you'll never lose."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every 250 P.S = Bonus Chapter.
Add to Library Btw.