The Konoha Princess's Inner Thoughts

Tsunade parted her red lips slightly and said softly, "Nara-kun, I would like to ask a favor of you."

Uchiha Nara sat up straight; he held a fair amount of respect for the Sannin, Princess Tsunade.

"Lady Tsunade, please, go ahead."

At twenty-six or twenty-seven, Tsunade was already a ninja capable of standing on her own in the precocious world of shinobi.

However, given her actual age and the fact that she was unmarried, addressing her as Lady Tsunade or Miss Tsunade was appropriate etiquette.

Tsunade hesitated for a moment, her expression wavering, before she began to pour out her heart.

"My kin, Nawaki..."

A long time passed.

Nara did not interrupt, listening quietly to Tsunade's account and occasionally interjecting with a word of comfort.

"Miss Tsunade, the road of life is still long. You are in the prime of your youth; please, do not grieve too deeply."

After hearing Tsunade out, Nara understood. The legendary Sannin, Princess Tsunade, had suffered severe psychological trauma following the death of her kin, Nawaki, and her lover, the jonin Kato Dan, which had manifested as hemophobia.

For the captain of the Medical Corps and the director of Konoha Hospital, this was simply inconceivable.

The most renowned and excellent medical ninja in Konoha had developed a phobia of blood, unable to even look at it. How could she treat patients or save the wounded in such a state?

"What I have told you is a Konoha secret. Leaking it will result in severe punishment. Do you understand?"

Though Tsunade was dejected and had bared her soul, she did not forget to warn Uchiha Nara about the necessity of confidentiality.

Secrecy was the primary virtue of a ninja on a mission.

"I understand, Lady Tsunade! I guarantee that no information will be leaked."

Hearing this, Nara used the formal title and gave his word.

At this moment, Nara did not know how to express his feelings.

The Sannin, Princess Tsunade, had summoned Nara to see if he could help her treat her psychological trauma, help her emerge from the shadows of the past, and cure her hemophobia.

At this time, Konoha Village had not yet rotted to the core. While various problems existed, it was generally stable—the village everyone loved.

The Third Hokage had not yet grown senile, Danzo had not yet become completely shameless, and the two advisors were truly dedicated to Konoha. Many jonin, including the Sannin, were working themselves to the bone for the village. Although the big figures each had their own agendas, they generally loved Konoha and were willing to sacrifice for it.

The decline of Konoha likely began with the suppression of the White Fang of Konoha, leading to increasingly unscrupulous methods that caused many of Konoha's ninjas, like Princess Tsunade, to lose faith and drift away. In the end, they either met untimely deaths or left the village.

Those with average strength and influence would only meet an untimely end. Only those like the Sannin, or leaders of certain ninja organizations, could leave Konoha under the guise of retirement, recuperation, or leave. Such treatment was not something an ordinary ninja could enjoy.

After speaking of the past events that had long plagued her and caused her such agony, Tsunade looked dejected and sorrowful. Yet, she did not lose her composure in front of Nara, maintaining a facade of strength.

"Miss Tsunade, I can only try. Please, look!"

Nara said softly, drawing Tsunade's gaze. As their eyes met, he activated the genjutsu of his Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

"Genjutsu: Sharingan!"

[Nawaki's three-man genin squad was following Orochimaru and Tsunade on a mission. Two jonin were leading three genin. With a wave of Orochimaru's hand, the three genin surged forward.

Nawaki took the lead, charging into a valley first. It was a reckless, impulsive move. Orochimaru and Tsunade tried to stop him, but just then, a thunderous roar erupted, followed by a mushroom cloud of fire. A necklace was blown out by the shockwave of the explosion, landing right at Tsunade's feet.

The charging Nawaki had triggered a trap of Explosive Tags in the depression.

"Nawaki!"

Tsunade was horrified and immediately rushed into the explosive trap.

"Tsunade, don't be reckless!"

The calm Orochimaru could not stop her impulsiveness; Tsunade had already charged in. Despite the sudden accident, Orochimaru did not lose his cool, shouting loudly in hopes of calling her back.

Tsunade ignored him, using a few Body Flicker techniques to reach the crater.

She saw Nawaki lying on the ground, covered in blood and unconscious. His injuries were severe; he needed emergency treatment.

Facing this situation, Tsunade had no time to think and could not afford to worry about her hemophobia. Casting aside her fear of blood, she stepped forward to save Nawaki.

"Nawaki! Hold on!"

Nawaki's previously unconscious body opened its eyes slightly. A smile even appeared on his face as he struggled to raise his hand to make a peace sign, saying intermittently, "I'm... okay... Big Sister... I didn't... disgrace... the Senju clan's... reputation, did I..."

"Don't talk! Don't talk!"

Seeing Nawaki's bravado, Tsunade was already weeping, ordering him to stop talking and stay quiet.

In her anxiety and focus on Nawaki, Tsunade overlooked the inconsistencies in the environment. Despite such a massive explosion, Nawaki's limbs were intact, and his body was whole.

He was merely covered in blood, his skin torn and lacerated.

Tsunade had no time to ponder these things. She poured out her chakra continuously, using the Mystical Palm Technique to repair the lacerations and wounds all over Nawaki's body.

After over half an hour of emergency treatment by Tsunade, Nawaki's injuries were healed, though he remained mentally exhausted.

Tsunade knew this was a symptom of recovering from a serious illness; as long as he returned to the village to recuperate for a while, he would recover his state.

Tsunade, tireless and with tears streaming down her face, finally revealed a smile. The smile in this scene was quite ugly, looking almost like a mix of crying and laughing, somewhat comical.

Tsunade pulled the young Nawaki into her arms.

"You fool! You are not allowed to do this again. You are not allowed to do this again. You are not allowed to do this again..."]

"You don't need to inherit the heroism of the Senju Clan; I will carry the Senju name to new heights."

"You fool, you absolute fool..."

Tsunade was incoherent, and by the end, she could only sob while scolding Nawaki.

Though Nawaki had recovered, he remained visibly exhausted.

"I'm fine, Sister. I was just careless. I'm the man who's going to become Hokage! How could I ever stand behind you?"

Nawaki had regained some strength; although he was still weak, his speech was no longer fragmented.

"The Senju Clan has already retired from the front lines. You don't need to carry on our traditions or heroism—I just need you to stay alive!"

"I know, I know. Why are you being so long-winded today, Sister?"

"Send Nawaki back to Konoha to recuperate." Orochimaru walked over at this moment. Seeing this scene, even his heart was not at peace, but Nawaki, having just clawed his way back from the brink of death, truly needed rest.

"I'm fine, I can continue the mission. Don't worry, Orochimaru-sensei!"

Nawaki flashed a smile, though he could not hide the fatigue on his face.

"If I tell you to go back, you go back! Stop with all this nonsense!"

Tsunade slapped Nawaki on the forehead and scolded him fiercely.

"Alright, alright, I'm going, I'm going."

"The situation on the front lines is tense, and I cannot have you leave, Tsunade. I will take Nawaki back to Konoha, and you must continue toward the front."

The Second Shinobi World War was in full swing, and they could not afford to delay here for too long. The calm Orochimaru offered the most practical suggestion.

"Mm, I'll leave it to you, Orochimaru."

"I'm heading back, Sister. Take care of yourself, and make sure you live a long life."

Nawaki seemed strange at this moment. His usually sunny face was uncharacteristically filled with reluctance and sorrow, as if this ordinary parting were a final farewell.

"Sister, don't miss me. Carry on the glory of the Senju Clan and live on..."

After standing up, Nawaki looked at Tsunade and headed toward Konoha. He moved with incredible speed, not at all like someone who had just recovered from a grave illness; he was even faster than his usual peak, glowing as he raced toward the village.

Tsunade finally realized what was happening.

"Nawaki! Come back, Nawaki!"

Sweat poured down Uchiha Nara's forehead like rain. Tsunade, one of the Sannin, possessed immense chakra; trying to control her with genjutsu was no easy task.