Late at night.
Konoha Hospital, seventh basement level, abandoned records room.
The air smelled stale with rotting paper and dust. Tsunade ran a fingertip across the dusty seal on the door. Under the faint Chakra in her palm, the Sealing Formula dissolved without a sound.
The metal door scraped as she slowly pushed it open a crack.
She left the lights off and slipped into the thick darkness. Everything remained as it had been when Orochimaru defected. Rows of metal filing cabinets stood like silent tombstones.
Baishi's confidentiality regulations had closed off every official route to the records. But he had overlooked something: some things had never entered the official system.
Tsunade went straight to a cabinet in the farthest corner and tapped an inconspicuous scratch on its surface three times in a precise rhythm. A mechanism clicked inside, and a hidden compartment disguised as part of the base sprang open.
Just as she bent to retrieve the data Scroll inside, footsteps sounded in the corridor.
They approached at an unhurried pace and stopped outside the records room.
Tsunade went rigid. She drew her Chakra in so tightly that she became a statue lost in shadow.
"Lady Tsunade, your late-night meal."
A young ninja spoke from outside, respectful but coolly professional. He was the ANBU assigned by the Hokage's Office to "assist" her work.
Tsunade frowned.
She had ordered nothing.
The door eased open. The ANBU held a tray bearing a steaming bowl of Ichiraku Ramen. He stayed at the threshold and set the tray on the floor.
"Lord Jiraiya specifically asked us to bring this. He said you've been working hard lately and should eat it while it's hot."
With a bow, the ANBU turned and left. His footsteps faded.
Tsunade remained motionless in the dark for a full