Tsunade-hime walked alone along the long road under the evening sky.
She was in an unusually good mood today. After all, she'd gone gambling that afternoon—and for once, she'd won. Big time.
Heh. Maybe my luck's finally changing. Maybe I'm getting better at this...
And on top of that, the brat from the Uchiha clan who'd been living under her roof was finally about to graduate from her care. Life had been oddly peaceful lately. She could afford to be lazy again—at least for a little while.
Some say someone else's misfortune balances out a win... well, that's not my problem.
Whether it was Jiraiya, Orochimaru, or that punk Uchiha Tatsumi, what happened to them wasn't her concern.
If someone's cursed, then so be it. As long as it's not me.
Humming to herself, Tsunade pushed open the gate to her house.
She narrowed her eyes slightly. There were figures outside—masked Anbu operatives stationed in the shadows.
Tsunade recognized them instantly. They were clearly here to monitor and protect Kushina Uzumaki. Although she still didn't fully understand why Hiruzen and the higher-ups were so invested in the red-haired girl, she had her suspicions. After all, Kushina was from the Uzumaki clan—the same blood as her grandmother, Mito, the First Hokage's wife.
The Anbu weren't allowed on the premises. Their job was external surveillance and perimeter defense. No one wanted masked watchdogs creeping around their living room.
Tsunade stepped into the house, her thoughts drifting toward the girl in question.
Kushina...
Even though the girl had only just arrived in Konoha today, Tsunade had taken a liking to her almost immediately. Despite her own rough demeanor, Tsunade had sensed the deep loneliness and fear hidden behind Kushina's bold personality and bright red hair.
A gentle and kind girl... even if she tries not to show it.
It was natural for a six-year-old to be nervous after being uprooted and dropped into a completely unfamiliar village.
I wonder if she's asleep already.
Tsunade decided to check on her.
She walked quietly toward Kushina's room, only to notice it was dark inside.
Asleep?
She gently slid the door open.
But there was no sign of Kushina's presence. No warmth, no scent. The bed was cold to the touch.
Tsunade's eyes widened.
Don't tell me—Kushina's been taken?!
She turned on her heel, heading quickly toward the backyard, intending to consult her grandmother.
On the way, she passed Uchiha Tatsumi's room.
The lights inside were still on.
Then she heard it—the faint sound of someone crying. A girl's voice.
Her expression darkened.
What the hell...?
She crept closer and pressed her ear to the door.
Inside, a voice came through—muffled, disjointed, but familiar.
"Ye... yes... up..." It was Tatsumi's voice.
"That... I... I didn't mean to..."
Tsunade's brow furrowed. He sounded like he was... apologizing?
What is going on in there?
"Just now... it was only for a moment... it shouldn't hurt..."
Shouldn't hurt?!
Tsunade's brain immediately leapt to the worst possible conclusion. Her imagination—fueled by countless medical training scenarios and Jiraiya's novels—ran wild.
What kind of thing only hurts for a moment?!
The sounds from inside were vague, fragmented. But her instincts were blaring alarms.
"I... I'll take responsibility..."
Her expression turned grim.
Tatsumi... what did you do...?
Kushina wasn't in her room. Now she was here—with him. He was talking about responsibility. Even Tsunade couldn't pretend not to understand what that implied.
No choice... I have to act now!
Though he was an Uchiha, and her first student, she had a duty to protect the girl.
If she reported this, Anbu would surely take Tatsumi into custody—maybe worse. But if she stayed silent, she'd be failing Kushina.
Dammit. No time to hesitate!
With no warning, Tsunade launched a powerful flying kick straight at the door.
BANG!
The door exploded open, and she charged into the room—only for her brain to short-circuit at the scene before her.
Kushina was sitting on the bed in her pajamas, hair messy, eyes red from crying. A kunai lay near the edge of the bed—clearly tossed aside at the last moment.
She'd been on the verge of doing something desperate.
Tatsumi was kneeling beside her, gently holding a tissue to her face, wiping her tears. He looked alarmed, but not guilty.
Kushina's face was flushed—out of embarrassment or fear, Tsunade couldn't tell.
"Kushina, don't be afraid! I'm here! Close your eyes!" Tsunade shouted, assuming the worst.
She stepped in front of the girl protectively.
No way I'm letting her see what comes next. This kind of trauma causes lasting damage!
Tatsumi looked up, completely stunned by the sudden intrusion.
Tsunade's long golden ponytail swayed behind her, the scent of shampoo trailing faintly in the air.
Looking at the shattered door, Tatsumi's eye twitched.
Another sneak attack? This is ridiculous. Can't she ask questions first?!
"Sister Tsunade, wait—" Kushina tried to speak, but Tsunade had already drawn her conclusion.
"Uchiha Tatsumi! Grit your teeth—and prepare to die!!"
"Huh?! Wait! You've got it all wrong—AHHHHH!"
Tatsumi had never felt such intense killing intent—not even from Orochimaru during sparring.
Tsunade moved like lightning—fast, furious, focused. Her eyes narrowed with righteous fury. Her strength, befitting a Sannin, made it impossible for Tatsumi to dodge.
He barely had time to register the incoming punch.
Wait, why is her fist right in front of me? Why can't I move?
And then—SMACK!
Tsunade's fist collided not with his jaw, but... his lips?
Their faces brushed for a split second, and then—
Tatsumi flew.
Not metaphorically. Literally. He flew across the room.
So this... is what flying feels like...
Pain exploded across his cheek. It was blinding, absolute.
Feel the pain. Understand the pain. Only through pain can one know the meaning of fear.
In that moment, Uchiha Tatsumi realized something profound:
He was utterly, completely insignificant in the grand scheme of the universe.
As he drifted through the air, he caught one last sight—Tsunade's furious expression, and Kushina rushing toward him, crying and trying to explain.
It was, oddly, a beautiful scene.
Then—
Darkness.
Uchiha Tatsumi lost consciousness.