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Morning.
Neji stumbled out of Tsunade's room, clutching the wall for support. His legs were jelly.
He hadn't even made it ten steps when Tsunade leaned casually against the doorframe behind him, stretching like a cat and watching him with amusement.
"Hyuga boy," she called out, voice teasing. "Gotta say you held up better than I expected. Shizune's out cold, and you're still standing?"
Neji's face darkened.
Last night was a nightmare.
No more faking injuries. Never again. He'd underestimated the physical and mental toll that kind of "treatment" would take.
Tsunade and Shizune had been relentless expert hands, yes, but merciless in their precision. His body had been pushed to its limit, chakra drained by techniques like [Life Return] as he synchronized his internal flow, adjusted bone fractures, minimized ocular strain…
It had been nonstop.
All. Night. Long.
By the end of it, they'd healed nearly every inch of him except one area he'd firmly vetoed, and even then, he wasn't sure they hadn't found a loophole.
He was exhausted. Mind, body, and… dignity.
At least, he thought grimly, there's nothing for them to uncover. My past is clean. My resolve is intact.
But still, he had a bad feeling.
Tsunade didn't let up.
"Your eyes are fine now," she said, folding her arms. "But don't overdo it. The chakra channels in your occipital nerve were unusually thick."
Neji tensed.
"I once experimented with artificial eyes," he explained. "Tried rerouting chakra to restore vision. It worked, but the energy drain was too high. I abandoned it."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow but nodded. "That explains the scarring and chakra buildup. Good call dropping the project. Still, your recovery rate is off the charts. You'll be back to full strength within a week."
She yawned. "Alright. Go on, get some rest."
As she turned to shut the door, Neji spoke.
"…Lady Tsunade."
She paused.
"Please… come back to the village. Become Hokage."
Her fingers froze on the door handle. Her gaze cut back to him, dry as sand.
"You want me to be that idiot?"
Neji's response was immediate.
"Aren't you already that idiot?"
A vein bulged on her forehead. "You've got a really annoying way of making a point, kid."
Neji smiled faintly. "Forgive my rudeness, Lady Tsunade. But… I think you're exactly the kind of fool we need."
With that, he began limping back to his room.
He knew her heart wasn't as heavy anymore his Observation Haki could sense it. That single comment was all she needed.
At least, that's what he thought… until a shadow loomed behind him.
"W-Wait… Lady Tsunade?"
She was smiling too sweetly.
"You sure you're all healed? Sounds like your joints could still use an adjustment."
Oh no.
"L-Lady Tsunade, please, let's talk—!"
"Talk is for after-realignment therapy."
Before he could escape, she yanked him back inside and slammed the door with a BANG.
---
Meanwhile, in the room next door…
Two pairs of eyes, one low, one high, peered through the cracked door.
Naruto shivered. "Pervy Sage… is Neji gonna be okay?"
Yesterday, Naruto had been furious nothing could hold him back.
Today, he watched the indomitable "Neji the Demon King" get dragged off without a fight.
It sent a chill down his spine.
Jiraiya scratched his head awkwardly. "Tsunade's always been a little… intense. He'll probably be fine. Maybe."
Naruto frowned. "Aren't you gonna help him?"
Jiraiya turned and began whistling. "Beautiful weather today. Perfect for training!"
"Hey! Don't change the subject!"
"I mean today's the day you master the [Rasengan]! Just think of how proud the Fourth Hokage would be!"
"What about Neji?!"
But Jiraiya was already walking away.
Naruto hesitated… looked toward the door… then back at Jiraiya.
"…He's Neji," he mumbled. "He'll be fine. I believe in him!"
And off he ran to join Jiraiya. Faith: confirmed.
'If Neji ever found out' Naruto thought with a shiver, he'd probably jab me with a nerve block and toss me into a hot spring.
---
Back inside Tsunade's room…
Neji sat on the floor, facing her again. She was radiating pressure.
She's terrifying, he thought. And she's not even trying.
Tsunade's eyes sharpened.
"Alright, Hyuga. While Shizune sleeps, let's get real."
Neji stiffened. Had she figured him out?
But her next words eased his anxiety.
"Tell me everything. What happened to the village? How did Sarutobi-sensei die?"
Ah, Neji exhaled. So that's it.
He nodded and began to explain starting from the Chunin Exams, through Orochimaru's ambush, the death of the Third Hokage, and the aftermath.
By the end of it, his throat was dry, and his body swayed with fatigue.
"…So that's everything," he murmured. "May I return to my room now…?"
He collapsed mid-sentence face-first into Tsunade's lap.
For a moment, she looked down, surprised.
Then her expression softened.
This kid… has been through hell.
Blinded young. Mutilated. Still climbed his way to the top of his generation.
Even compared to the Raikage's warriors, his physique and discipline were exceptional.
She gently brushed a hand over his cheek.
"You've done well," she whispered. "Rest now."
She shifted him gently onto her bed.
Looking down at the sleeping boy, Tsunade's smile faded into something more serious.
It's time, she thought. Time to stop running.
---
Elsewhere…
Jiraiya's stomach rumbled.
"…Was it the sake last night? That ramen shop? Something feels off…"
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