Still shaken, Hayate Hoshi collapsed to the ground, not wanting to move a single inch. He lay on the grass like he was starved of oxygen, gulping down huge breaths of air.
The relief of surviving the ordeal and the frustration of letting himself down at the crucial moment tangled together, leaving him unsure what expression he should make.
Tsunade and Orochimaru walked over together to check on Hoshi. Tsunade was clearly frightened by the blood covering his body, so much so that she did not know where to begin examining him.
She gently shook Hoshi's arm. "Hoshi? How are you? Where does it hurt?"
Only when Hoshi heard them calling did he snap out of his daze. He looked at Tsunade and said weakly:
"I'm probably done for. My whole body hurts. I think half my bones are broken. I might not have much time left."
It was Tsunade's first time encountering something like this. Hearing how weak Hoshi sounded, she panicked. No longer caring about the blood all over him, she grabbed his hand and nervously said:
"Don't worry, you won't die. I learned some Medical Ninjutsu from Grandma Mito. I'm really good—I can heal you. Even if I can't, we still have Teacher Torikaze. He can definitely get you to Konoha Hospital."
As she spoke, she lowered her head, trying to listen to Hoshi's heartbeat. Then... she heard his strong, powerful heartbeat.
Uh... that was awkward.
Hoshi coughed to cover his embarrassment and continued acting. "Well, would you believe me if I said it was a final burst of strength?"
"Go die!"
Tsunade kicked Hoshi in the shin and stormed off angrily. No one noticed that her pretty face was flushed crimson as she walked away.
Tsunade's kick hurt so badly that Hoshi sprang straight up from