In the dimly lit living room with all the doors and windows tightly shut, Shinki sat quietly on a chair, a scarf covering his eyes. The second phase of the Tenseigan's awakening had come unexpectedly, forcing him to send a letter to Tsunade requesting a leave of absence. He needed to stay home until this phase ended.
The knock at the door broke Shinki's concentration, bringing him back to the present. He stood up and opened the door.
Even though his eyes were covered, Shinki's strong mental prowess and keen perception made it easy for him to function without sight.
Tsunade stood outside, not alone but accompanied by a young girl. The chakra signature was powerful, unlike that of ordinary people. Shinki quickly deduced who the visitor was.
Uzumaki Kushina.
Shinki opened the door, and Tsunade's eyes widened in mild surprise.
"I thought you were completely bedridden. Didn't expect you to be moving around," she remarked.
"I can't see, but using my other senses—smell, hearing, and perception—I can manage a normal life," Shinki explained. "I've had to stop my work at Konoha Hospital temporarily, though."
Tsunade entered the house, guiding Kushina in as well. The young girl looked around, eyes wide with curiosity.
"I'll handle your hospital work for now. Just focus on resting," Tsunade said, waving off his concerns. "But, how are your eyes?"
"It's just a side effect. They'll be fine in time," Shinki reassured her, nodding to acknowledge Kushina.
"Hi, I'm Kushina. Uzumaki Kushina," she introduced herself, a hint of shyness in her voice.
"Hyuga Shinki. Nice to meet you," Shinki replied.
The village's policy at this time was to restrict contact with Kushina, but with Tsunade's presence, it was permitted.
"My little Kushina here is quite the adorable girl," Tsunade teased, stretching out the words in a playful manner.
Kushina flushed a deep red, stomping her foot. "Sister Tsunade! Stop saying weird stuff!"
Even without seeing, Shinki could tell from Tsunade's tone that she was in one of her light-hearted moods.
"Ahaha," Tsunade chuckled, but noticing Kushina's increasing embarrassment, she changed the subject.
"Anyway, since you can't go out shopping, I brought some food: rice balls, dumplings, and a few other snacks."
Shinki's smile stiffened. He appreciated the gesture but wasn't a fan of such foods. "Thank you, but if you really want to help, I'd prefer some vegetables so I can cook for myself."
"You can cook?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow, recalling the delicious bento Shinki often brought and suddenly feeling a pang of hunger.
"It's passable. The taste shouldn't be compromised. Would you like to try?" Shinki offered.
"Yes!" Tsunade said eagerly.
Kushina, watching the scene unfold, covered her face in disbelief. How could Tsunade make such requests from someone who could barely see?
Half an hour later, a dish of beef brisket stewed with potatoes was ready. The aroma filled the room, making Kushina's mouth water despite her initial embarrassment. She ended up eating three bowls, almost tearful from how good it was.
"Burp!" Tsunade leaned back on the sofa, unbothered by appearances. She knew she'd overindulged.
Even with his impaired vision, Shinki had managed to cook an extraordinary meal, leaving Kushina staring at him with newfound admiration.
Once she had rested, Tsunade sat up and rubbed her belly. "Shinki, can you tell me more about your eyes? If there's anything you need, let me know."
"For now, everything's manageable, but going out to buy things is difficult," Shinki admitted. He knew he could always rely on Tsunade when needed. Today, he needed her help; tomorrow, she might need his.
"I'll handle your grocery shopping from now on," Tsunade said with a confident nod.
"It's fine. I need to rest a while. Kushina, could you wake me when it's time to leave? I'm going to take a nap."
Without further ado, Tsunade turned on her side and fell asleep on Shinki's sofa.
"You really don't hold back, do you?" Shinki chuckled.
Kushina, mortified, tried to explain. "Shinki, Tsunade-sama drank a lot earlier today. She rushed over as soon as she got your letter, so…"
What a kind-hearted girl, Shinki thought. He was reminded of Kushina's fierce nickname—blood-red pepper. It originated as a teasing remark from classmates, but her fiery punches soon turned it into a well-earned title.
"I was wondering, how do you feel about living in Konoha? When will you start attending the ninja academy?" Shinki asked, changing the subject.
"It's been tough," Kushina said, her face falling. "I'm always with Grandma Mito, but I'm not allowed to go anywhere else. There's no one here I know."
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, threatening to spill over.
Tsunade, half-asleep, twitched at Shinki's question. Really? You brought that up? Let's see how you handle this.
"Feeling lost in a new place is normal," Shinki said after a moment. "Especially when you don't have anyone close by."
"But I do have people around," Kushina whispered, confused.
"Yes, but sometimes people around us can feel more distant than strangers," Shinki pointed to his own eyes, which were still covered. "To my clan, I'm just someone with a defective bloodline, a disappointment who lost the clan's prized Byakugan."
"You're not a disappointment, Shinki-kun! You're amazing!" Kushina burst out, eyes wide. "Tsunade-sama said you're so talented. You learn medical ninjutsu in days that others take months to master. Your clan doesn't see what's in front of them."
"Maybe," Shinki said, his voice serious. "But it doesn't matter. I don't care about their treatment or their opinions. If no one accepts me, I'll move forward and make my own path. We can't live trapped in past hurts; we need to look ahead."
Kushina's eyes softened, his words echoing in her heart.
We can't live trapped in past hurts; we need to look ahead.
The message resonated deeply within her.
>>>>>
Gimme Power Stones or give me death, or something like that