Tsunade opened her red lips and spoke softly, "Naraku-kun, I want to ask you a favour."
Uchiha Naraku sat upright, respectful in the presence of Princess Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin.
"Please go ahead, Lady Tsunade."
Tsunade was currently twenty-six or twenty-seven years old. In the precocious world of shinobi, she was already a seasoned kunoichi.
But given her age and the fact that she was unmarried, it was more appropriate to address her as "Lady Tsunade" in formal conversation.
Tsunade hesitated for a moment before she began to speak.
"My dear younger brother, Nawaki…"
Naraku did not interrupt. He simply listened, occasionally offering quiet words of comfort.
"Lady Tsunade, you still have a long life ahead of you. You're still in your prime. Please don't let sorrow bury your spirit."
As he listened, Naraku quickly grasped the full picture. The renowned Sannin, Tsunade-hime, had suffered deep psychological trauma due to the deaths of her younger brother Nawaki and her lover, Kato Dan. It had manifested as hemophobia—a fear of blood.
It was difficult to believe that the captain of the medical corps and director of Konoha Hospital, the greatest medical-nin in the village, could suffer from such a condition. How could she perform emergency treatment if she couldn't bear the sight of blood?
"What I'm telling you is a top-level secret of Konoha," Tsunade said firmly despite her sorrow. "If you ever reveal this, you will be punished severely. Understand?"
Though she appeared vulnerable, Tsunade maintained her discipline and reminded Naraku of the seriousness of the matter.
"Understood, Lady Tsunade. I swear I won't reveal a word."
Naraku's face was solemn as he made the promise. At that moment, he struggled to find the right words. He now understood the reason for this private meeting. Tsunade had summoned him in the hope that he could help heal her psychological wounds—maybe even cure her hemophobia.
At this time, Konoha was still relatively stable. The Third Hokage was still wise, Danzo hadn't yet lost all restraint, and the two Elders were sincerely working for the village. The Sannin, along with many jōnin, continued to fight for Konoha's future. While power struggles and politics existed, most of Konoha's leaders still held a genuine love for the village.
The rot began with the unjust persecution of White Fang. From there, the village lost more and more of its moral compass. Many proud shinobi, like Tsunade, eventually left Konoha—either disillusioned or heartbroken. Those without power or fame died in silence. Only Sannin or powerful clan leaders could leave under noble pretexts like "retirement" or "recovery."
After finishing her painful tale, Tsunade looked tired and sorrowful, yet she retained her dignity and didn't lose control.
"Lady Tsunade, I can only try my best. Please look into my eyes."
Naraku's voice was gentle. As Tsunade looked into his eyes, he activated his fully matured Sharingan.
"Genjutsu: Sharingan."
---
[Genjutsu Scene Begins]
Nawaki's Genin team was out on a mission, led by Orochimaru and Tsunade. Two jōnin led the three Genin. Orochimaru signalled them to move forward. Nawaki dashed ahead, full of spirit, into a narrow valley. His actions were bold—but reckless.
"Tsunade, stop him!" Orochimaru called.
But it was too late. A powerful explosion tore through the valley, a mushroom cloud blooming above. A necklace flew from the blast and landed at Tsunade's feet.
Nawaki had triggered a trap—an explosive tag embedded deep in the valley's floor.
"I'm sorry!" Tsunade screamed, her voice hoarse.
Ignoring all reason, she rushed into the blast zone.
"Tsunade, don't!" Orochimaru shouted, but he couldn't stop her. Calm under pressure, he knew it was a trap, but Tsunade's emotions overcame her logic.
Nawaki lay bloodied, unconscious. His body was broken—barely alive.
Tsunade's mind blanked. Her fear of blood momentarily vanished. She applied medical ninjutsu with trembling hands.
"Nawaki! Stay with me!"
Nawaki's eyes flickered open. A weak smile crossed his face. "I'm fine, sis… I did good, right? I'm a proud Senju…"
"Don't speak! Save your strength!"
Tears rolled down Tsunade's face as she poured chakra into her jutsu. Nawaki's body was a mess—bloodied, burned, his skin torn—but she refused to give up. She healed him, slowly but surely.
After half an hour, his wounds were stabilized. He was still weak, but alive.
Tsunade let out a shaky laugh through her tears. "You idiot… don't ever scare me like that again."
She cradled him tightly. "You don't need to carry the Senju legacy alone. I will bear that weight. You just live, you hear me?"
"I'm fine, sis. I was careless, that's all. I'll be Hokage someday, just you wait!"
Orochimaru stepped forward, his voice cool and calm. "He needs to return to the village and rest. Tsunade, you're still needed at the front."
"I'll go back on my own," Nawaki said, grinning despite his exhaustion.
"You'll listen to what I say!" Tsunade barked, slapping his forehead lightly.
"Alright, alright, I'm going!"
Orochimaru nodded. "I'll escort him back."
Nawaki stood. His strength returned unnaturally fast. He smiled, but a strange sadness hung in the air.
"Sis, take care of yourself. I'll be fine."
He turned, running toward Konoha with speed beyond his usual capability. His silhouette gleamed under the sunlight.
Tsunade's eyes widened.
"Nawaki! Come back! Nawaki!"
---
Naraku exhaled heavily as the illusion ended. Sweat beaded on his forehead. Tsunade's chakra was immense—it had taken everything he had to guide her through the genjutsu without resistance.
---