If There Is Misfortune, I Will Be In Front of You

Land of Rice.

In the underground fortress built of dark purple bricks, two rows of cylindrical glass cultivation pods stood upright, each containing twisted and conjoined human limbs.

Orochimaru sat before the central screen, typing on the keyboard.

The screen displayed a thermal image of a human body from a snake's perspective, with a large hole in the heart, and winding lines intertwined within it.

"Kabuto, I still need you."

Orochimaru was now utterly alone. The Sound Four had died during the invasion of Konoha, and Kimimaro and Yakushi Kabuto had just perished together.

His six most capable subordinates had all been killed by Naruto alone.

Orochimaru's internal organs had long since been modified and replaced with those of snakes, granting him infinite regenerative capabilities.

He had now transplanted his own cells into Yakushi Kabuto, attempting to reconstruct his heart and achieve resurrection.

Before returning, Orochimaru's original intention had been to perform Impure World Reincarnation on Yakushi Kabuto.

However, he discovered mid-way that Yakushi Kabuto's survival instinct and desires were incredibly strong. Even though the man was dead, the chakra from Yin Healing Wound Destruction was still striving to grow flesh and blood.

Though lacking the strength, he had managed to maintain his body's circulation with the support of blood vessels created by his flesh and blood ninjutsu, holding on until he reached the laboratory.

Orochimaru clasped his hands under his chin, his eyes filled with joy over his new research findings. "As long as there's no rejection, it should be fine. Kabuto, you truly are the best experimental subject!"

"The Akatsuki are hunting me, and I have no subordinates left to use." Orochimaru wiped his face, his female appearance transforming into that of a dashing young man with earrings. "I'll go out for a bit and pick out a few promising candidates for Curse Marks."

With that, he changed into a pure white robe and slipped out of the laboratory.

The door closed.

Inside the cultivation pod's nutrient fluid, Yakushi Kabuto, with thirteen infusion tubes connected to his front and back interfaces, his skin gradually began to develop texture, shimmering with a scaly luster.

A string of bubbles slowly floated out of his nostrils and mouth.

In a Tanzaku Street inn.

Under Shizune's daily care and attention, Naruto was full of life again.

Shizune no longer wore the loose black and grey outfit that resembled mourning clothes. She had changed into a form-fitting black qipao with floral patterns. The fringe that covered her entire forehead was swept to the sides, revealing her fair skin, making her look bright and gentle.

At this moment, Naruto was shaking a dice cup. Tsunade and Jiraiya were betting on Cho-han, which was a game of guessing odd or even. This was the deciding round for whether they would stay or go.

Tsunade couldn't make a decision for herself, so she handed the choice over to fate.

Tsunade's gambling luck was well-known; she always lost unless she was incredibly unlucky, so she was betting on herself to lose.

If she won, she would return to Konoha.

Naruto didn't dislike this decision. Everyone has moments when it's hard to choose; what matters is making a choice.

Jiraiya knew this was a step forward. Being able to voice this decision meant she had a willingness to consider it.

He inexplicably felt a surge of heroism and said something no one in the room had expected, "Damn it! If you don't become Hokage, I will!"

Tsunade's brown eyes widened in shock.

In her impression, Jiraiya had always been a cool, free-spirited person. However, deep down, she actually preferred responsible people, even though she herself didn't have much of it.

But when she thought of Dan Katō, her younger brother Nawaki, or even Naruto saying he wanted to become Hokage, a sense of fondness would involuntarily arise in her heart.

After all, that was the home she grew up in, the village her grandfather founded.

The dice clattered noisily in the cup, the atmosphere tense yet relaxed.

Shizune silently clenched her fist: Go, Naruto! You must bring Lady Tsunade back to the village!

Thump!

The dice cup landed on the table.

Jiraiya and Tsunade both looked at Naruto, as if trying to discern the answer from his eyes and actions.

Naruto had no expression. He didn't know the numbers, hadn't listened, hadn't controlled it; he had shaken it completely randomly.

Jiraiya and Tsunade exchanged glances. "You first, me first?"

Tsunade: "You first."

Jiraiya bet on "Odd," an odd number, and laughed heartily, "It's always good to be a pair."

Tsunade didn't need to bet anymore. She didn't choose at all, leaving the result to fate. "Open it."

Naruto immediately lifted the lid.

Four pairs of eyes focused on the dice.

"Three, five, seven, a total of fifteen points, odd..."

Tsunade read out the short sequence of numbers, but it was as if she had used up all her strength, feeling utterly drained. Yet, the moment the result appeared, a sense of relief washed over her.

Because things were now decided.

Rumble!

She turned her head to look out the window. Suddenly, dark clouds gathered, lightning and thunder split the sky, and a torrential downpour began.

"Will there be misfortune?"

Jiraiya: "I don't know, but I'm the one who invited you back to Konoha. If misfortune comes, I will stand in front of you."

Tsunade genuinely smiled. Despite the terrible weather, her smile was bright and comforting.

"Jiraiya, which woman taught you these words? You haven't been traveling in vain all these years."

Naruto really wanted to say it wasn't a woman, but the atmosphere had reached this point, so he didn't break it. "Shizune-nee, it's been a while since it rained. I want to go out for a walk with an umbrella. Can you accompany me?"

"Okay." Shizune rose from her kneeling position.

Even though many days had passed since that night, she still often recalled Naruto's determined gaze, his eyes reflecting the fierce flames as he held his sword.

Ever since Tsunade left Konoha, Shizune, despite being a student, had acted as her bodyguard for years, helping Tsunade resolve troubles every day.

Being protected; she had almost forgotten what that felt like. Naruto had reminded her.

Jiraiya and Tsunade had no new topics to discuss; they only talked about old times. Whenever they brought up recent experiences, the conversation would inevitably lead back to the past.

Things like, "Don't you remember you had a similar experience back then?" or "I knew you would do this again."

Going downstairs, Naruto and Shizune each held an umbrella and walked down the street. The rain was heavy, splashing a few centimeters high when it hit the ground. The shops on Tanzaku Street had all packed up, complaining about how quickly the weather had changed.

Perhaps because Naruto's innate Chakra nature was wind, he felt quite refreshed during this stormy weather, with the banners clanging in the wind.

There was a sense of peace amidst the chaos.

Just like the instability of the wind element, it needed friction and rotation to become sharp, unlike the stability of earth and water, or the volatility of fire and lightning.

Shizune held a small pink pig wearing a pearl necklace named Tonton in her arms. Tonton had a very keen sense of smell.

However, the heavy rain washed away all scents, making it impossible to smell anything.

The two entered a pavilion, put down their umbrellas, and stood under the doorway. The wooden benches around the edge were soaked, making them un-sit-able.

"Can I hold him?" Naruto said.

"Here!" Shizune happily handed Tonton over. "Do you like Tonton?"

"I like anything cute," Naruto replied, taking the pig.

Shizune couldn't help but recall the first thing Naruto had said to her: he wanted to sit with her because she was cute?

She was already twenty-eight years old.

Naruto seemed to be not yet fourteen?

He was almost twice her age.

She suddenly smiled gently and asked, "Naruto, do you have a girl you like?"

"I used to, her name was Haruno Sakura," Naruto said, holding Tonton in his left hand and extending his right hand out of the pavilion, letting the rain drench it.

"But she thought I was ugly and had a bad temper, and liked handsome guys. She didn't agree even when I confessed. Later, things got even more ridiculous, but I won't say."

Shizune looked directly at Naruto and said earnestly, "Naruto, you're very handsome, and you have a great personality."

Being complimented always made one happy. Naruto laughed heartily, "Shizune-nee, you are too."

Although he possessed self-healing abilities, they were rough and unrefined. In contrast, Shizune, as Tsunade's direct disciple, was meticulous with her medical treatments, bandaging, and wound dressing.

For him, it was optional, but having it was definitely better. For others, it was like a life-saving bodhisattva.

He suddenly remembered Hinata. After he was severely injured in his fight with Kisame, Hinata had said she wanted to become a Medical Ninja.

"Shizune-nee, is Granny Tsunade still teaching students?"

Shizune shook her head. "I don't know. You'll have to ask Lady Tsunade."

"Do you teach?"

Shizune waved her hands repeatedly. "Me? I don't have the qualifications."

"You definitely do. I saw it with my own eyes, how could I not know?" Naruto's gaze was sincere. "When we get back to the village, I'll recommend a student to you."

Shizune's cheeks flushed slightly. "Okay."

BOOM!

Thunder exploded, the wind and rain raged.