Uchiha Hikari's little combo for making the bodies disappear left Shizune completely dumbfounded.
Her emotions had been on a roller coaster lately. First, while helping Lady Tsunade pack up the tents, she'd heard Uchiha Hikari say that enemies were approaching Tokiju.
When she arrived, she'd found three Cloud Ninja, each at the Special Jōnin level, facing off against Tokiju. It had given her quite a scare.
She'd been about to go help, but Lady Tsunade stopped her and signaled for her to wait.
At first, she'd thought Lady Tsunade wanted to see how Tokiju handled himself in a real fight, which was why she'd stopped Shizune from helping.
But then, what had she seen?
Tokiju had easily dodged the enemy's first attack. In the blink of an eye, he'd crippled one, sealed another, and scared the last one off.
As for the Cloud Ninja who'd run away, Miss Hikari had easily dragged him back.
What was more, none of them even seemed the least bit tired. It had left Shizune utterly stunned.
Seeing Shizune standing there in a daze, Tokiju snapped his fingers a few times in front of her and asked, "Shizune, come back to us. What are you thinking about?"
Shizune snapped out of it, still looking a little dazed. "Oh, right. What did you say just now?"
Tokiju shrugged helplessly and repeated, "I said I've finished taking care of the bodies. We can head back."
Shizune nodded and headed for the tents they'd set up.
She really had been distracted just now, but now that she thought about it, she understood.
Lady Tsunade had left earlier because Tokiju had been too rough, splattering blood everywhere and triggering her fear of blood.
As Shizune thought about it, guilt weighed heavily on her. She should have noticed sooner. Lady Tsunade must be terrified right now.
With that thought, Shizune quickened her pace.
Tokiju also sensed something was wrong. He hadn't known his big sister was there watching the fight.
His Mind's Eye of the Kagura had only just awakened, and he was still very inexperienced with it. He could sense things only a few hundred meters away at most.
On top of that, he'd been focused on the fight and hadn't had a chance to pay attention to the other chakra signatures.
By the time the fight was over, his big sister had already run off because of her fear of blood. That was why he hadn't sensed her.
Thinking about it, Tokiju grew just as worried as Shizune and quickened his pace.
Uchiha Hikari was the only one there who had no idea what was going on. She couldn't understand why the other two were in such a hurry.
When they returned to camp, Tokiju immediately spotted Tsunade, her face pale as she sat alone beside the campfire, drinking in silence.
He walked over and sat down beside his big sister.
Shizune stopped and left the two siblings alone together.
Uchiha Hikari had also picked up on something. Something seemed to be troubling Tsunade.
There was nothing she could do to help, though, and she tactfully stayed out of it, quietly stepping aside with Shizune.
Once Tokiju had settled beside Tsunade, he nudged her with his elbow and said in a teasing voice, "Hey, Tsunade, why are you drinking all by yourself? Tell me, who upset you? I'll teach them a lesson!"
Tsunade's eyes flickered. She looked at Tokiju, who was grinning beside her, and finally managed a smile.
She ruffled his hair and praised him. "You're pretty impressive, brat. Three Special Jōnin couldn't beat you."
Tokiju puffed out his chest proudly. "Of course. Do you know whose little brother I am?"
At his words, Tsunade's expression finally brightened. She smiled and said, "All right, all right. My Tokiju really is a genius."
Tokiju stayed with Tsunade and talked for a long time, about training, memories from the past, and their hopes for the future.
"Hey, Tokiju, do you think I'm useless? I couldn't save Nawaki when he died, or Dan when he died. And when you suddenly disappeared, I couldn't do anything about that either..."
As she spoke, Tsunade had already buried her face in her knees, her voice growing choked with emotion.
Seeing Tsunade's mood sink again, Tokiju could barely stop himself from cursing.
Seriously, Sis, I've been comforting you for ages, and you seemed to be feeling better. Why are you getting depressed again all of a sudden?
But then again, even in the original Naruto story, where I wasn't around, Tsunade's life had been nothing short of tragic.
She'd lost her little brother before the Second Ninja War, her lover late in the war, and then Kushina and Minato, both of whom she'd been close to, in the Nine-Tails Rebellion. Before Pain's invasion, she'd also lost her teammate Jiraiya.
Tsunade's life really could rival Kakashi the Copy Ninja's.
Tokiju sighed helplessly to himself. He could only grit his teeth and keep comforting her.
"It's okay, Sis. I'll always be here with you. For Nawaki's sake, and for Uncle Dan's, you have to pull yourself together."
As he spoke, Tokiju wrapped his arms around Tsunade. He was still too small, and his little arms couldn't encircle her completely.
Even so, his embrace made Tsunade feel warm.
Tokiju held Tsunade quietly until her breathing gradually grew slow and even.
Seeing that she'd fallen asleep, Tokiju immediately glanced at Shizune and gave her a look.
Shizune understood at once. She quickly fetched a blanket from the tent, making not a sound along the way.
Tokiju took it and gently draped it over Tsunade.
When he'd finished, he nodded to Shizune and Uchiha Hikari, who was farther away, telling them to go get some rest. He could stay with Tsunade.
Shizune didn't go to rest. Instead, she quietly sat down on Tsunade's other side and stayed with her in silence.
Uchiha Hikari also made her way over to Tokiju without a sound and sat down beside him.
Seeing that neither of them was leaving, Tokiju said nothing more. He simply gazed at the night sky, now filled with stars.
Tokiju gently raised a hand and whispered, "O stars, grant us your blessing."
As little points of green starlight drifted down from the sky, Tokiju and the others gradually fell asleep beside the campfire.
The next morning, the first light of dawn had already brightened the horizon.
As soon as Tsunade woke, she realized that everyone was there with her. Warmth filled her heart.
She didn't disturb the three of them as they slept. Instead, she quietly savored the moment.
Her heart was now resolute. She silently drew a Kunai and looked at her palm.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them again, they held nothing but determination.
Then she pressed the Kunai hard against her palm and slashed.
As the sharp blade pierced her flesh, blood immediately welled from the wound.
Looking at the vivid red blood on her hand, Tsunade felt completely calm.
Green chakra appeared in her palm, and the wound from the Kunai quickly healed.
And so, Princess Tsunade of Konoha had finally returned!
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