She closed her eyes, her features marked by ancient pain. "I lost the two most important people in my life. My little brother, Nawaki... and Dan. They both had dreams, ambitions... and they died before my eyes. Since then, blood... I can't bear it. Every time I see it, it's like I'm losing them all over again."
Shikai remained silent, absorbing her words.
Tsunade continued, a tear rolling down her cheek. "And you... you're all I have left. I'm not afraid of much, but the thought of losing you... that, I couldn't bear."
Shikai, despite his weakness, raised a trembling hand and gently touched Tsunade's cheek. His smile, though faint, was filled with kindness. "Aunt Tsunade... Seeing you like this... It makes me sad. So please, smile. You're much more beautiful when you smile."
He tried to joke, but his voice was so weak that it sounded more like a breath than a sentence. Yet, these words seemed to reach Tsunade in a way she herself didn't understand. She wiped her tears with a quick, almost feverish gesture, and forced a smile onto her face.
"You're truly perfect, Shikai," she murmured, her voice trembling with emotion. She leaned towards him and hugged him gently, her arms encircling his frail body with a tenderness that was almost painful. "I don't deserve you... I don't deserve you... I don't deserve you..."
She repeated these words over and over, her voice becoming weaker as her strength left her. Her hands trembled as she caressed Shikai's hair, her tears falling on his face. "I don't deserve you... But I'll protect you. I'll always protect you. I promise."
Finally, exhausted by her emotions, her madness, and her obsession, Tsunade fell asleep, still hugging Shikai. Her last words, whispered in a breath, echoed in the room like a broken promise: "Never again... Never again..."
A few minutes passed, and Shikai was there, caressing Tsunade's hair as if petting a cat.
"I didn't know my acting skills were that good," he murmured to himself with a slight smile.
During those six months, he had put most of his plans into motion. Initially, he had planned for three months, but it had taken longer than expected. He had taken complete control of the area, sealing it with a powerful fuinjutsu he had developed himself, building his laboratory, and even traveling to Kumogakure for another matter. He had then used the ultimate Uzumaki technique, enhanced for specific needs, *The Soul Chains*. He had taken a few ninjas here and there and forced them with his new technique. Then, he had paid a guy to play the role of Orochimaru's underling. The rest was in his hands, or rather, his acting skills.
In the end, everything had gone according to plan. Shikai had no remorse about putting Orochimaru in a tight spot. Anyway, he had the perfect look for the job. It was too easy to frame him, and Shikai was a man without scruples who wouldn't hesitate to take down a pedophile on the loose.
"Plus, I've got a hot MILF who'd commit suicide at my command. And there's a perverted hermit eager to teach me the Sennin Mode."
A slight smile appeared on his face.
"First, I have to convince her to let me go."
...
Shikai thought, "It seems I underestimated her obsession." A slight smile appeared on his face as he made a discreet sign to Tsunade, who was observing them from a distance.
He had simply told her he'd be sad not to spend some time with her, but that he also needed to protect her, it was his manly ego. That had been enough. She had agreed to let Jiraiya take him, although she had been uncharacteristically indulgent these past few days. Shikai savored this victory. She dances in the palm of my hand, he thought, staring at the necklace she had given him before leaving. She had even promised to become stronger herself to protect him.
'Am I now a MILF hunter? Mikoto, watch out. She'll probably be the second in a long line,' he thought, laughing inwardly.
As they walked away, Shikai broke the silence. "Master Hermit, where are we headed?"
Jiraiya, arms crossed, replied with a serious tone: "You were my disciple's disciple. Just call me sensei."
Shikai nodded, observing this man who seemed so different from the character he had imagined.
"We're going towards the Land of Rivers," Jiraiya added.
"Alright, sensei."
Jiraiya gave him a sideways smile. "They say you're truly talented. I can't wait to see it."
Shikai replied modestly: "Ah ah, you flatter me. And thank you for saving me."
Jiraiya burst into laughter. "Kid, with Tsunade's boobs, do you think I could have refused?"
"Huh?!"
"Ha ha! Don't tell her, especially!"