Only when she reached the topic of the person who was once the most important to Yuki did Tsunade calm her emotions.
She never knew Yuki's mother, but from what Yuki told her about her, she knew Yuki's mother was a retired Jonin and a good mother - kind, caring, and deeply loving.
While she pondered what she would do if she were in Yuki's shoes, she also wondered...
What happened? What did Yuki experience?
Why is he unconscious?
And above all... Where is his mother? Was he successful?
"Hmmm."
Suddenly, a voice snapped her out of her thoughts...
"Danna-sama."
"Yuki!"
Yuki opened his eyes and saw two familiar silhouettes. Without hesitation, he rushed towards one of them and embraced her tightly.
"Huh?!"
Tsunade, accustomed to Yuki's antics, remained unfazed. She wouldn't fall for these old tricks again. This time, Tsunade was determined to reprimand him.
"Yuki, I won't fall for another of your... Hm?"
But before she could finish her words, she sensed that something was wrong.
Yuki was trembling, his face pressed against her stomach, unwilling to move.
"...."
Tsunade didn't speak for a few seconds, but soon understood. She wrapped her arms around Yuki and gently caressed him.
"It's okay, I'm here, don't worry..."
Tsunade could feel it; Yuki was suffering...
She didn't know what happened during the journey to the past, but she could guess.
(He couldn't help it, huh?)
Sighing, Tsunade shook her head...
"..."
Yuki didn't respond, but his arms around Tsunade's waist tightened.
Simultaneously, tears began to flow from his eyes, dampening Tsunade's clothes...
"Calm down, I'm not going anywhere."
This time, Tsunade's heart couldn't resist, and she began to comfort him. In all the time she had known Yuki, this was the first time she had seen him cry.
Yuki had always been an energetic child, busy with daily activities, never complaining or lamenting.
But now...
So defenseless, so vulnerable, so adorable and weak that it broke her heart.
For the first time, Yuki behaved like someone his age.
"I'm sorry...."
Embracing each other, Tsunade heard a murmur, so faint that if she wasn't paying attention, she wouldn't hear it...
"I'm sorry... It's my fault..."
"It's not your fault..."
"I'm sorry!..."
Whispering, Tsubaki, who was also watching, shed tears...
"Danna-sama..."
Wanting to see her family again, she also wished for it, but in the life she lived in the fragment, she let go of her past. She knew what it felt like to lose that happiness...
But there was no comfort, let alone understanding. This was the nature of the world; you had to let go of loved ones and move forward, create a new life and happiness.
---
That night, Yuki slept in Tsunade's room. He didn't want to let her go, so Tsunade had no choice but to sleep with him.
Tsunade meant so much to him; she was his emotional support.
"Big Sister Tsunade..."
Suddenly, Yuki opened his eyes and whispered. Tsunade, who was not yet asleep, opened her eyes and tilted her head.
"Is something wrong?"
"My mother had a last wish before she died...."
Taking a vial from the shadows, Yuki looked at it for a moment before handing it to Tsunade.
In this special vial were his mother's eyes. It had been four years since he killed that Anbu hunter and took his mother's eyes.
At first, he thought about burying it with his mother, but fearing that Danzo or some other grave robber might steal it, Yuki carried it with him, honoring his mother's last memory.
However, he never considered transplanting his mother's Sharingan, even though he knew from Rasiel that it was necessary if he wanted to awaken the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan.
Yuki never coveted it; there was no need. He would never lose the light in his eyes, as he had Zafkiel.
But now was different...
"My mother wants to see my life with her own eyes, Elder Sister Tsunade. I want you to perform the operation."
"..."
Tsunade was surprised, remaining silent for a few minutes without taking the vial. She knew how important an organ transplant, especially the eyes, was, particularly for the Uchiha, as it was their Kekke Genkai...
"Are you sure? We don't know how the operation will turn out. You might even lose your vision and be unable to activate the Sharingan."
"I'm sure. My mother's eyes are stronger than mine, and above all... My mother would never harm me."
"I understand..."
As there was nothing more to say, Tsunade took the vial and hugged Yuki, closing her eyes.
There were too many things to do and confusions to resolve, especially with that pillar of light that fell from the sky...
---
A month later, Konoha welcomed several influential people for the conclusion of the Chunin exams—an important event happening once a year, and this year, multiple villages were joining for the first time.
"I really wanted to go see Sasuke, but I guess I have no choice."
Sighing in resignation, Yuki lazily reclined on his bed.
Two days had passed since the operation on his eyes, and at this moment, he was in the hospital with a bandage covering his eyes.
Since he handed his mother's eyes to Tsunade, she didn't rush with the operation. She researched and made sure everything was ready for a successful procedure. After all, she was dealing with Yuki's eyes, so she couldn't afford any mistakes.
(TN: huh weak should have plucked out his eyeball and put her xD)
Only when she was prepared did Tsunade proceed with the operation, which happened 28 days after Yuki traveled to the past.
There was no rush for Yuki either; he took it easy and spent this time with Tsubaki, visiting the Hyuga clan.
Neji would fight in the Chunin exams' final, and he also made sure to stop by Ino's shop.
As for Naruto, he wasn't worried; he had made a deal with Jiraiya, and now Naruto had one of the legendary Sannin as his mentor. The future depended on him.
Regarding Sasuke, he had Kakashi, so there were no problems there.
Only the conclusion of the Chunin exams remained...
"You need to recover; you can't go out..."
Tsunade, by his side, crossed her arms and sighed with coldness, knowing Yuki.
This boy would surely do everything possible to escape the hospital and go to the Chunin exams. To ensure he didn't escape, Tsunade stayed to watch over him. He was a patient now and needed to listen to the doctor.
Shrugging, Yuki shook his head, and someone handed him an apple.
"Danna-sama, Tsunade-sama is right. You need to rest. I'm sure Sasuke-kun will understand..."
This person was Tsubaki, who, like Tsunade, stayed by his side to take care of him. Like a loving wife, she remained in the hospital.
"Thank you... But is this necessary? Elder Sister Tsunade, don't you need to be present as the Hokage at this event?"
"No problem. The Third Hokage offered to cover for me."
Puffing out her enormous chest, Tsunade smiled proudly. She couldn't leave Yuki alone without care, and since she didn't trust Tsubaki, believing she wouldn't hesitate to cover for her husband, Tsunade had to supervise him herself.
With this issue on her hands, Tsunade had no choice but to turn to her Master, the Third Hokage. Hiruzen gladly offered to cover for Tsunade.
That Yuki was absent from this important event was the best news. They had to be aware that with so many influential figures in Konoha, if Yuki went crazy and decided to extort them by leaking important information at this event, his Sarutobi Clan would suffer a calamity.
Now that the little monster was in the hospital with Tsunade taking care of him, it was the best possible outcome. Thus, Hiruzen accepted this task.
(Everything is ready...)
However, what Tsunade and Hiruzen didn't know was that they were moving exactly as Yuki had planned.
Today, his plan would enter its final phase, and with Tsunade out of the way, there was no one to stop him.
(Orochimaru... It's all up to you)
---
Author's Note: I've read some reviews, and some have commented on the unnecessary drama, suggesting the protagonist should solve everything with power.
I clarify, this is not a Chinese novel where just because I'm powerful, I can kill everyone who looks at me funny. You need to have some common sense. Moreover, the MC is not all-powerful and knows the consequences of making mistakes. Those who think the protagonist will be saved by the plot because he's the protagonist will truly die if they believe that. I'm sorry for all of them; it's better to stop reading if they don't like it.
TN: Damn he took those complains seriously lol