Yakushi Nonō led Uchiha Iori toward the place where Tsunade was resting.
There were noticeably more hidden sentries along the way, and the security was even tighter than around Orochimaru's central camp.
They reached a secluded stretch of cliff. Yakushi Nonō sent chakra into an inconspicuous spot, and the cliff face trembled slightly.
"Shizune, one of the village's reinforcements is a ninja skilled in healing. I'd like him to examine Lady Tsunade's condition. Please inform Lady Tsunade," Yakushi Nonō said to the cliff.
Iori stared at the cliff with curiosity and activated his Mangekyō Sharingan. Only after searching carefully did he spot special markings carved into its surface.
He studied the markings closely and realized their main purpose was to conceal chakra fluctuations.
There probably weren't many ninja in the Ninja World who could see through them. Aside from the Byakugan, Sharingan, and Mind's Eye of the Kagura, there shouldn't be many ninjutsu or Kekkei Genkai that could spot the flaw.
"Could you tell me about the markings? I'm curious," Iori asked directly, his voice full of interest.
"I know a little about markings, too. If you'd like, we could exchange notes and study them together."
"These are sealing jutsu passed down through Lady Tsunade's family. If Lord Uchiha Iori wants to learn them, you can discuss it with Lady Tsunade," Yakushi Nonō replied.
Senju secrets? No. Other than Flying Thunder God, I've never heard of the Senju having any famous sealing jutsu.
Family inheritance can come from the mother's side as well as the father's. These are probably sealing jutsu from the Uzumaki Clan.
Now that I think about it, after the Land of Whirlpools fell, nearly all the core members of the Uzumaki Clan were wiped out. Some of the clan scattered across the land. They'd make excellent subordinates.
They probably don't have a favorable opinion of Konoha, but I'm an Uchiha.
Madara must have already transplanted the eyes into Nagato. Once the Third Shinobi World War ends, I'll go find Karin's mother and any other survivors who might still be out there.
Uchiha Iori didn't join the conversation. He quietly considered his plans for the future. Sealing jutsu were the native form of ninjutsu most suited to combining with Magecraft formulas.
If he could obtain the Uzumaki Clan's essential sealing techniques, he could make significant progress on his plan to adapt Magecraft to the local world.
Rumble!
The stone wall lowered, revealing an entrance. A few torches burned inside, but the cave was dim.
Shizune, Dan Katō's niece, was waiting at the entrance for Uchiha Iori and Yakushi Nonō.
They knew each other, too. They'd met at the Ninja Academy, but after Shizune left Konoha with Tsunade, they hadn't seen each other again.
"It's been a long time, Shizune," Iori greeted her first. She looked much more mature after all these years.
"It's been a long time, Senior Iori." Shizune looked somewhat haggard. Since her uncle's death, Tsunade had been her only family.
Tsunade drank heavily, gambled, borrowed money, and ran up debts. Sometimes, she even left Shizune without enough to eat.
But her care for Shizune and the way she'd raised her had been sincere. Their bond was deep, like that of a mother and daughter.
"Senior Iori, can you really heal Senior Tsunade?" Although she'd brought Iori inside, Shizune couldn't help asking him.
At the Ninja Academy, Iori had been famous for his beautiful swordsmanship. After awakening his Sharingan, even Genin couldn't match him.
The Uchiha Style Kenjutsu combined with Fire Release was beautiful and deadly, but she'd never heard that he had any skill in Medical Ninjutsu.
Iori nodded, then shook his head. "I don't know, but I can try. Lady Tsunade's trauma is most likely psychological. I'll need to see how things are before I can decide on the treatment."
Shizune didn't say anything more. She was desperate enough to try anything. After all, how could anyone fight on a battlefield without seeing blood?
If Tsunade couldn't be cured and refused to withdraw early, she'd have little chance of surviving if the Sunagakure Ninja broke through the front line while she was unable to fight.
I'll just die alongside Lady Tsunade. I've already made up my mind. Maybe that wouldn't be such a bad choice, Shizune thought, lowering her head.
"Don't be afraid. Even if I can't heal Lady Tsunade, I won't let the front line fall." Iori seemed to have guessed what she was thinking. He reached out, patted her on the head, and reassured her.
"Now that I'm here, we'll win!"
Encouraged by Uchiha Iori's confidence, Shizune smiled.
They reached Tsunade's quarters. Shizune opened the door and saw her curled up on the bed, her face twisted in pain and her body limp.
"Lady Tsunade, what's wrong? Is there anything I can do for you?" Shizune hurried over and caught Tsunade as she teetered.
"Nawaki... Nawaki... why..." Tsunade murmured, her eyes vacant.
The brutal death of her younger brother was like a blade that never stopped piercing her heart.
She dreamed of him constantly. In her dreams, Nawaki's face was smeared with blood as he asked her, "Why didn't you save me?"
She knew Nawaki couldn't possibly blame her, but she could never escape her guilt.
She clutched the necklace in her hand. It was the embodiment of her nightmares: both Nawaki and Dan Katō had died shortly after she gave them necklaces.
Tsunade and Dan Katō had only just begun their relationship, and their feelings hadn't yet grown deep. But it was the guilt of causing the deaths of the people she loved that had given rise to her fear of blood.
Shizune held Tsunade tightly, trying to calm her with the warmth of her embrace.
Iori didn't waste any time. He decided to test the effects of PainBreaker first. If it didn't work well, he'd consider psychological treatment.
He swallowed a Military Ration Pill and calmed his breathing. Then he projected a staff and cast golden light over Tsunade.
The specks of light settled on Tsunade, softening her expression somewhat, but the fear buried deep in her heart remained.
Shizune watched Tsunade's expression and said despondently, "It doesn't seem to be working. You can't heal Lady Tsunade."
"Senior Iori, thank you for coming to help, but Lady Tsunade isn't doing well. Please go back for now."
"Once Lady Tsunade has recovered a little, I'll come and inform you."
"Thank you again for your help."
Iori heard her, put away his staff, and said to Shizune, "I have another method of treatment, but it requires using genjutsu to assist."
"Lady Tsunade's illness is psychological. Her body is perfectly healthy; she just can't face reality mentally."
"Senior Iori, could your treatment hurt Lady Tsunade? How sure are you?" Shizune rubbed her fingers together, her voice hesitant.
"It won't make things worse. As for my chances, I can't say. It varies from person to person." Iori waved his hand, making no promises.
Shizune looked at Tsunade's pained expression, and a pang of sorrow welled up in her heart.
She made up her mind. "Senior Iori, please treat Lady Tsunade. If anything goes wrong, I'll do everything I can to take responsibility. Please give it your all."
"Don't worry. It won't get worse." Iori stepped forward and activated his Mangekyō Sharingan.
"This is a new technique I've developed recently. It's my most powerful genjutsu."