Tsunade's Death

In the fine rain, the white cross-shaped Paper Sword slowly drew back the curtain.

Tsunade, lying on the ground, suddenly regained consciousness.

Although not a trace of Chakra remained in her body, and she had no strength left at all, even each faint breath had become agonizingly difficult and painful.

The air was like tiny blades, slowly cutting through her windpipe and lungs.

Yet she did open her eyes in a daze.

And saw Kato Dan's utterly shocked, grief-stricken face.

Tears welled in his eyes, and indescribable terror filled his gaze.

He looked so foolish...

Tsunade suddenly thought.

She wanted to offer him a smile, but when she tried to pull at the corners of her mouth, she found she could do nothing.

So this was it. Was she really going to die?

She seemed to see her fate.

Death was a ninja's destiny—

Every ninja was taught this before setting foot on the battlefield.

Even as Hashirama Senju's granddaughter and the disciple of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, she was no exception.

This belief had taken root and grown in Tsunade's heart for over twenty years.

But when this moment truly arrived, she still felt unprepared.

As death drew ever closer, Tsunade dimly saw many scenes.

There was Great-Grandfather Hashirama.

He was laughing heartily because, when she was five, she had stolen his wallet and run off to the casino, where she lost every last bit of it.

Behind him stood Grandmother Mito, holding a ruler, her face dark and displeased.

She was about to give Tsunade a proper lesson.

But Great-Grandfather Hashirama said she had the same spirit he had in his youth!

And so...

The two of them were disciplined by Grandmother Mito together.

Later, Great-Grandfather Hashirama died.

Great-Uncle Tobirama became the Second Hokage.

Then Great-Uncle died too.

He died on the battlefield.

His disciple, Hiruzen Sarutobi, became the Third Hokage.

And she, along with Orochimaru and Jiraiya, became Sarutobi Sensei's disciples.

Tsunade still held great respect for this teacher.

He was powerful, patient, and kind...

Every time, he carefully taught her ninjutsu, then patiently pointed out her shortcomings.

He seemed never to get angry, like a mild-tempered old man.

His only flaw was that he could be somewhat weak-willed at times.

But overall, he was still a good teacher and a qualified Hokage.

He had led Konoha through turbulent times, preserving the village's stability in the era after the Senju.

There were also her two companions, Orochimaru and Jiraiya.

The former was powerful, calm, and immensely talented.

Though he appeared cold on the surface, he was actually warmhearted—sharp-tongued but soft-hearted.

As for Jiraiya, he was an outright optimist.

Optimistic, kind, deeply loyal, and always positive.

He was just a little lecherous...

If he learned she had died, he would probably be devastated.

And Nawaki.

Her younger brother, sunny and cheerful like their great-grandfather.

But he lacked Great-Grandfather's strength to conquer the ninja world.

Fortunately, he had become Orochimaru's disciple, which put her somewhat at ease.

She hoped he would work hard and become Hokage soon!

And don't be sad for your big sister.

Finally, there was that foolish Kato Dan right in front of her.

Though their relationship had not lasted long, Tsunade had already fallen deeply in love with this gentle man.

Unfortunately, heaven did not grant their wishes.

In the end, they would never have the chance to grow old together...

Once I'm dead, go find a better woman and marry her.

Though it's fine if you don't. After all, there aren't many women in the ninja world as outstanding as me.

Forget it, you should still find one.

Otherwise, I'm afraid you'll never forget me.

Heh...

Who would have thought that the title of the Three Legendary Ninja would end so soon after it was earned?

Recalling how high-spirited the three of them had once been, Tsunade could not help but laugh softly to herself.

Watching the blade edge grow ever larger before her eyes, she finally closed them.

I...

will go on ahead.

Kato Dan felt as though time throughout the entire world had slowed to an abnormal crawl.

His pupils slowly contracted. Tsunade on the ground slowly opened her eyes. Their gazes slowly met...

Then Jingū Kiraku released the Cross Longsword from his mouth.

The instant he let go, time snapped back to normal like lightning.

A silent thunderclap exploded in his mind.

The seemingly fragile Paper Sword effortlessly sliced through the air and fell soundlessly.

Then, with a squelch, it pierced through Tsunade's body just as it would any ordinary ninja.

That slender paper sword was like a judgment, ruthlessly shattering every hope and fantasy Kato Dan had held for the future.

"No..."

"Don't..."

His lips trembled as he begged humbly.

Under his gaze, Tsunade tugged at the corner of her mouth.

He knew she was smiling.

But everything was already too late.

The longsword had pierced through her body, crimson blood slowly spreading outward.

Like a red spider lily gradually blooming on a rainy day.

"Bastard!!"

Danzo Shimura erupted with astonishing fury.

He had never imagined that Jingū Kiraku would actually dare to do it!

Tsunade was Hiruzen Sarutobi's personal disciple. Was he not afraid of retaliation?

This was a blatant slap in Konoha's face!

They were the overlords of the ninja world—when had they ever suffered such humiliation?

At that thought, rage surged from Danzo Shimura's entire body.

Now that the hostage was dead, he no longer needed to hold back. He immediately unleashed his full strength.

"Wind Release: Vacuum Wave!!"

Dense Chakra poured from his mouth, transforming into a sharp wind-blade slash that shot toward Jingū Kiraku.

The latter neither dodged nor evaded, and was directly blasted into fragments filling the sky.

Seeing their leader attack, the other Root ninjas swiftly moved as well.

All manner of ninjutsu flew forth, enveloping Jingū Kiraku.

"Boom boom boom!!"

Smoke burst forth, yet Jingū Kiraku was completely unscathed.

He slowly reassembled in midair, his wings spreading behind him as he looked down upon the Konoha ninjas below.

"Go back and tell Hiruzen Sarutobi that no matter whom he sends, they had better be prepared to die."

"Either you die, or I do."

He grinned, his face stained with iron-blooded savagery.

That smile was like a mad demon, yet also like a monarch of hell who presided over all evil.

"I told you, this is only the beginning."

"Only by feeling fear can you understand the preciousness of life—and the meaning of death."

"Until we meet again, ninjas of Konoha."

With that, he turned into countless sheets of paper and vanished into thin air.

Kato Dan's eyes reddened at once. He immediately formed hand seals, preparing to use Reika no Jutsu to pursue him.

But Danzo Shimura held him firmly in place.

"Be careful. It could be a trap, Dan."

Kato Dan gritted his teeth, thin streams of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.

He instead dropped to his knees, clenching his fists until they bled.

"I was too late... I was too late..."

His voice grew softer and softer, until it became a choked sob.