"How are things looking?"
Shigure was the first to speak.
Tsunade smiled faintly. "The operation went very well. No complications. But follow-up treatment will still be needed. For now, she's about eighty percent healed."
Eighty percent wasn't bad at all.
"Tsunade!"
Jiraiya's voice came from the side.
Tsunade turned to glance at him. "You're here."
"You knew I'd come?" Jiraiya asked.
"With all that commotion you caused," she replied dryly, "how could I not?"
At that, Might Guy could only give an awkward laugh.
After all, he was the one responsible for most of that "commotion."
Tsunade's expression turned serious. "What happened to Konoha?"
Jiraiya fell silent for a moment before sighing. He cast a subtle glance at the others around them. Tsunade immediately understood and led him to an empty hospital room. Once the door closed behind them, Jiraiya finally spoke.
"Konoha needs you."
Tsunade frowned. "Can't you handle it?"
Jiraiya shook his head. "You know I'm not suited to be Hokage. With my personality, if I ever took the seat, I'd probably turn Konoha upside down."
Tsunade sighed helplessly. He was right—Jiraiya's temperament was the furthest thing from that of a Hokage.
"So, what's the situation now?" she asked.
Jiraiya's expression darkened. "It's Danzo. He's maneuvering to take the position."
Tsunade chuckled. "Danzo? That man actually wants to be Hokage?"
"There's no one else," Jiraiya said grimly. "Among those strong enough and qualified, only you remain. Kakashi and the others are powerful, but they're still too young to compete with someone like Danzo."
Tsunade's brows furrowed. "How far has it gone?"
Jiraiya exhaled. "He's nearly secured the position."
"No wonder you're in such a hurry," she murmured.
Jiraiya nodded. "There's no time to waste, Tsunade. We have to return to the village immediately."
Tsunade's answer was decisive. "Understood."
Without hesitation, she stepped out of the room. The firmness in her stride was a stark contrast to the hesitant woman Jiraiya had once sought out.
It seemed that after Shigure brought her to the Hidden Mist Village and helped her overcome her hemophobia, the old, confident Tsunade had finally returned.
Had she still been plagued by that phobia, she might never have agreed to go back to Konoha so readily.
Jiraiya silently gave thanks to that kid, Shigure.
But just as they exited the hospital room, he froze at the sight before him—Tsunade had suddenly pulled Shigure into a tight hug.
"Big sister's heading back to Konoha," she said warmly. "You take care of yourself here in the Hidden Mist. And if things ever get rough, you can always come to Konoha. I'll be waiting."
Before Shigure could even respond, Mei Terumī, standing nearby, narrowed her eyes.
Her tone was smooth, but her smile was anything but. "Don't worry, Lady Tsunade. The Hidden Mist takes excellent care of its own. Shigure's one of ours now—I treat him like a younger brother myself."
"Hmph!" Tsunade snorted. "He's my younger brother. If the Mizukage dares mistreat him, I'll come back and drag him to Konoha myself."
"You won't get the chance," Mei countered coolly.
"Oh really?"
The tension between the two women thickened instantly, leaving Kakashi and the others stunned. If this was any indication, relations between Konoha and the Hidden Mist might grow… complicated in the future.
Two proud women. Two leaders. Two villages. It didn't take a sage to see that friendship wasn't going to come easily.
Despite the late hour, the situation in Konoha was urgent. Tsunade refused to wait until morning—she set out immediately with Jiraiya and the others, traveling through the night toward the village.
After seeing them off, Mei glanced sideways at Shigure. "What's wrong? Missing your 'dear big sister' already?"
Shigure could only roll his eyes. Had the vinegar jar completely overturned?
Arguing with women at times like this was pointless. Best to let it go.
He turned and headed for Ringo's hospital room. Inside, he found her trying to get up from her bed, still pale from the operation.
"Your body's not fully recovered yet," Shigure said firmly. "Rest for a few more days before getting up."
Ringo froze, then obediently lay back down. She knew very well—if not for Shigure's efforts, the legendary Sannin Tsunade would never have treated a Hidden Mist kunoichi like her.
She owed her new lease on life entirely to Lord Shigure.
"Your illness hasn't completely healed yet," Shigure said softly. "You'll still need regular follow-up treatment. But Konoha is facing a special situation right now, so Lady Tsunade has already returned."
He paused before continuing, "It's been arranged. Once things settle down in Konoha, I'll take you there to finish your treatment. By then, you'll be completely cured."
Ringo smiled faintly, her voice tinged with gratitude. "Thank you, Lord Shigure. Even now, I already feel much lighter. Perhaps I haven't fully recovered, but… my body can already serve Lord Shigure—"
"Don't push yourself," Shigure interrupted gently. "I have other plans for you. I intend to rebuild the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. You're one of the people I'm counting on."
He paused, then added, "However, the blade I want you to inherit isn't in the village right now."
Ringo blinked in surprise. "Lord Shigure, do you mean… the Lightning Blade Kiba?"
Shigure raised a brow. "You know about it?"
"Mm!" Ringo nodded earnestly. "Actually, if you hadn't suddenly decided to treat me, I would have already set out to find the Lightning Blade Kiba. Even if I had to die, I wanted to see it with my own eyes!"
Shigure couldn't help but smile faintly. No wonder this woman would later become the second wielder of the Lightning Blade Kiba—her ambition for it was already burning in her heart.
"For now, don't worry about it," he said, his tone calm but resolute. "Focus on resting. I'll find every one of the Seven Swords."
After leaving Ringo's hospital room, Shigure instructed Chōjūrō and the others to return to their duties.
As he walked home, Mei Terumī caught up beside him.
"Do you know where the Lightning Blade Kiba or the great sword Samehada are?" she asked.
Shigure shook his head. "Not yet."
"Then it won't be easy," Mei replied thoughtfully. "Tracking down those blades won't be simple."
"I already know who holds them," Shigure said, cutting in. "The hard part is finding where they are. Once I locate them, the rest will be simple."
The Lightning Blade Kiba could wait. What mattered most right now was the great sword Samehada. Hoshigaki Kisame wouldn't be easy to find. In truth, none of the Akatsuki's members were.
Still, Shigure reasoned, if he could find Kisame, there was a real chance of bringing him back to the Hidden Mist.
After all, every member of Akatsuki had their own reasons for leaving their village. Kisame's reason was simple—he was just looking for a cause to serve.
And now, the Hidden Mist was no longer the blood-soaked "Village of the Bloody Mist" it once was. Perhaps that change alone would be enough to persuade Kisame to return home.
Kisame had once been a shinobi who worked from the shadows to protect the village he loved.
Shigure's gaze turned distant as he pondered.
In the original story, shortly after the Third Hokage's death, Kisame appeared in Konoha alongside Itachi. If that timing still holds true… then perhaps…
...
TN:
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