Who Could Save Tsunade? Who Could Save Shizune?

"Looks like we've got a tough one!"

When Fuuga realized the newcomer was Tsunade of Konoha, he quickly signaled Biwa Juzo to retreat.

To protect Tōdō Xiao Dong, Tsunade didn't pursue them.

The enemy attack had temporarily subsided, but traces of chakra still lingered in the air.

Shizune carefully supported the injured Medical Ninja, her face full of concern. He was a Chunin, covered in blood and barely breathing.

"Lady Tsunade, he's badly injured, but his life isn't in danger," Shizune ventured.

Tsunade nodded, her gaze settling on the man's wounds: broken ribs, torn muscles in his right arm, internal bleeding in his lungs, and a laceration across his abdomen.

His injuries were severe, but he could be saved.

She crouched down and tried to soften her voice. "What's your name?"

The ninja struggled to open his eyes and answered hoarsely, "My name is Tōdō Xiao Dong. I'm... a doctor at the Konoha Medical Hospital."

Tsunade's eyes shifted slightly. A doctor from the medical hospital—what was he doing at Konoha's border?

Her brow furrowed, but she didn't ask. The battle had just ended, and the situation remained uncertain. They'd have to set many things aside for now. They could discuss it all after returning to Konoha.

"Don't talk. Save your strength. I'll stop the bleeding." Tsunade raised her hand, pale green chakra slowly swirling in her palm.

But just as her chakra was about to touch Xiao Dong's wound, he suddenly jolted violently. His whole body convulsed, and cold sweat poured down his forehead.

"My... my body... something's... wrong..."

"Hm?" Shizune frowned. "There's a strange chakra fluctuation inside him..."

Tsunade's pupils contracted. Her instincts told her something was wrong. "Get back!"

But it was already too late.

Tōdō Xiao Dong's pupils suddenly dilated, the whites of his eyes showing. His body began to swell, and his chakra went berserk, surging wildly out of control.

The next second—

"Boom!"

With a deafening blast that tore through the sky, Tōdō Xiao Dong's body exploded in an instant. Flesh and shattered bones flew in every direction, carried by a powerful shock wave.

Tsunade barely managed to grab Shizune and leap backward. A branch caught in the blast's wake sliced across her cheek.

Waves of heat rolled over them, and the stench of blood nearly swallowed the entire forest clearing. Tsunade staggered to her feet and stared at the center of the explosion, where a horrifying pool of blood slowly seeped into the scorched earth.

The blood looked like a tragic, vivid red lotus, blooming silently.

The air fell still.

Tsunade's breathing suddenly grew ragged. She couldn't hear the wind, Shizune's frantic calls, or the startled cries of fleeing birds and beasts.

Her gaze remained fixed on the blood. That color was more familiar to her than any other—and the nightmare she had resisted all her life.

Nawaki's face suddenly appeared in her mind.

That day, she had rushed onto the battlefield, only to find her younger brother's shattered body and his Forehead Protector soaked in blood. She had thrown herself toward him, crying and calling his name, but she couldn't save him.

Then there had been Dan Katō. He had fallen before her eyes, blood pouring from his mouth. She had reached out to stop it, but she had been powerless.

Her fists could shatter rock and crush enemies amid a thousand troops, but she couldn't save the one she loved.

"I... I..." Tsunade murmured, her voice trembling.

She stumbled backward until her foot found nothing beneath it and she fell to the ground. She stared at her shaking hands. The traces of blood on them seemed to still be steaming, scorching her will.

Her heart pounded, her breathing turned ragged, and it felt as if thousands of needles were stabbing her chest. That familiar suffocating nausea came rushing back.

"Lady Tsunade! What's wrong?" Shizune rushed to her and held her tightly.

Tsunade's eyes were vacant, her lips trembling. "Blood... There's so much... I couldn't... I couldn't save him again..."

"It's not your fault!" Shizune cried. "It was a trap—a Fuinjutsu! He'd been controlled from the start. It was the enemy's technique, not your fault!"

But Tsunade seemed unable to hear her. She had sunk into the depths of her memories, drowning in them again and again.

Just then, a cold voice cut through the silence.

"Heh. What a pathetic sight. The legendary Sannin of Konoha, brought to her knees just like that?"

The voice was low, filled with scorn and mockery.

Shizune jerked her head up, her expression hardening.

Two figures in Red Cloud Black Robes slowly emerged once more, their faces impassive. The two had returned, like messengers from hell.

"How amusing." Umino Fuga approached without a sound, sneering. "You're a ninja—a Medical Ninja—and you're afraid of blood?"

Shizune stood guard in front of Tsunade, with the enemies before her and Tsunade behind. She gritted her teeth, cold sweat on her brow, but didn't back down.

"You..." Her voice was resolute. "You dared to set foot on Konoha's land. Don't expect to leave in one piece."

As she spoke, she swiftly reached for her ninja pouch.

In the next instant, a smoke bomb shot through the air, filling the area with thick fog that blotted out the sky.

"Lady Tsunade, I'm sorry." Shizune took a deep breath, hoisted her onto her back, and leapt toward Konoha.

Tsunade's breathing was weak. "Don't worry about me... Shizune..."

"Please don't speak." Shizune gritted her teeth, her voice trembling. "I've never disobeyed your orders, but this time, I can't."

She was a Jonin of Konoha. Even though her specialty was Medical Ninjutsu, she had endured countless life-and-death trials. She knew how to run, and how to run faster and farther.

The wind howled in their ears. All Shizune could hear was Tsunade's faint breathing, her own footsteps, and the rush of air. The presence behind them gradually faded.

Maybe they're not good at pursuit, she thought, allowing herself a flicker of hope.

But the moment the thought crossed her mind, the air seemed to explode. High above, a shadow came crashing down.

"Thud!"

Biwa Juzo landed like a falling star, Kubikiribōchō in hand. Gripping the massive blade with both hands, he swung it diagonally through the air, aiming straight for Shizune's back.

"Whoosh—!"

Shizune dodged at the last moment, barely escaping a fatal blow, but the blade still grazed her shoulder. Her clothes tore, and her snow-white skin was instantly stained red. Blood ran down her arm, looking eerie and tragic in the moonlight.

"Shizune!" Tsunade jolted and tried to reach out, but even her fingertips trembled.

Shizune didn't cry out in pain. She gritted her teeth, secured Tsunade on her back again, forced herself upright, and started moving once more.

But how could Biwa Juzo let them escape?

He swept his blade across, slicing several thick old trees in half. Their shattered trunks came crashing down, blocking the path.

Shizune stopped and slowly lowered Tsunade beneath a tree. Her knees bent slightly as she gripped her Kunai and stepped in front of Tsunade.

"...Is this where it ends?" she whispered to herself.

Not being a combat-oriented ninja didn't mean she lacked the will to fight.

She exhaled softly, her eyes unwavering.

"I won't back down," she said.

"Then die." Biwa Juzo's voice was hoarse. He stamped his feet and lunged like a beast.

Shizune had no time to dodge. She could only cross her arms and brace herself against the blow. The instant her Kunai struck Kubikiribōchō, the force sent her flying into an old tree, breaking it in half.

Blood dripped from the corner of her mouth, and her organs churned.

But she still struggled back to her feet, as if sheer will could piece her broken body back together.

She closed her eyes and formed Hand Seals at lightning speed.

"Genjutsu: Sonic Boom."

Biwa Juzo's movements faltered. A thousand shrill insect cries seemed to ring in his ears, setting his nerves ablaze.

"Hmph... Pathetic trick." He sneered and swept Kubikiribōchō through the air, shattering the illusion's sound.

In the instant his movement slowed, Shizune appeared behind him. Her Kunai flashed as she aimed for his back. Her movements were sharp and decisive, filled with a killing intent she had never shown on the training ground.

The Genjutsu had been taught to her by a junior at the Ninja Academy. She hadn't expected it to be so effective.

The Kunai pierced his armor and cut into his skin. Blood spattered.

Biwa Juzo grunted and swung backward, slashing toward Shizune's chest. The tremendous force sent her flying.

"Ugh—!"

Shizune crashed into a tree trunk. Her back throbbed with pain, and a mouthful of blood surged from her throat. Her vision began to blur.

Her consciousness began to sink, but she still struggled to her feet with the last of her strength, determined to protect Tsunade.

"Heh... Why keep struggling when you're all alone?"

Biwa Juzo walked toward her one step at a time, raising Kubikiribōchō. Its icy gleam illuminated Shizune's pale, beautiful face.

"It's over."

"Who said she was alone?" A cold voice came from above.