Just as Kawaki couldn't bear to watch any longer, something went horribly wrong.
With a deafening bang, the reinforced operating table was contorted into a spiral shape by an immense force.
"Get back!"
Orochimaru shouted and yanked Kawaki away with him.
Tsunade stood barefoot, her eyes bloodshot, clearly in a frenzied state.
It was impossible to tell if she was still in her right mind.
As soon as Orochimaru and Kawaki reached Misaki's side, they watched as countless wooden spines erupted outward from where Tsunade stood at the center.
There was no mistaking it!!
This was an expression of [Wood Release]!!
[Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall]!
Orochimaru immediately activated his technique, instantly raising a thick earthen wall in front of the three of them.
One after another, the wooden spikes pierced through the earth wall's defense, nearly striking the people behind.
Orochimaru had clearly underestimated the power of these trees.
"Did it succeed?"
Kawaki didn't care about the ruined operating room still being ravaged by Tsunade.
He grabbed Orochimaru's shoulders, his face alight with excitement.
"I think so... maybe."
Orochimaru hesitated slightly. He himself wasn't entirely certain.
After all, this was only the second time he had undergone the Hashirama cell fusion experiment—it was far too early to claim mastery.
"What do you mean 'I think so'?"
"You better take a closer look," Kawaki urged impatiently at the vague answer.
"I'll check."
Orochimaru cautiously peeked out—and instantly grew another head on top of his own.
"Has she passed out?"
Kawaki observed Tsunade hanging midair, supported by the tree limbs lodged into the wall, her head tilted backward—seemingly unconscious.
"It seems so."
This time, Orochimaru responded with much more certainty.
The attacks from the trees were already rapidly diminishing and soon fell silent altogether.
Fine dust from the disintegrating wood filled the entire laboratory.
Without support, Tsunade began to fall downward.
In an instant, Kawaki disappeared from his spot and reappeared holding Tsunade safely in his arms.
He gently reached out to check if she was still breathing.
Good, she's alive!
"Hurry over here and see what's going on now!"
Kawaki didn't even glance away from Tsunade's face.
Her previously twisted expression had now calmed.
Her body temperature seemed normal too, although her face looked somewhat pale.
"On my way."
Orochimaru canceled the [Earth Release] technique and quickly walked toward Kawaki.
Misaki silently followed behind him without uttering a word.
All the instruments had been completely destroyed; there was nothing left for her to do.
"Preliminary investigation indicates the fusion has likely succeeded."
Orochimaru placed his hand over Tsunade's abdomen, channeling his chakra throughout her body.
He could feel the tremendous chakra reserves within her, along with highly active cells.
The tension in his nerves finally eased at that moment.
"That's great. That's really great."
Kawaki let out a long breath, the weight in his chest finally lifting.
"Let's get out first."
"Let Tsunade sleep a little longer."
Orochimaru looked around. This place was definitely not suitable for staying any longer.
The floor was covered in dust, and the walls were full of holes.
Damaged equipment occasionally spat out sparks.
Once everything was over, repairing this place would cost a fortune.
But he wasn't the least bit worried—he'd never be the one footing the bill anyway.
"Alright."
Kawaki said and carried Tsunade outside.
To him, Tsunade was the most important thing right now.
"Teacher, is Sister Tsunade really going to be okay?"
After Kawaki had gone some distance away, Misaki carefully asked.
If something happened to Tsunade, aside from everything else, she'd have a hard time facing Nawaki.
"Don't worry. I didn't lie to Kawaki."
"We shouldn't stand around here breathing in dust. Let's go."
Orochimaru smiled slightly. Girls always overthought things.
"Mm."
Misaki patted her chest, trying to look confident—though she was genuinely anxious.
Then she followed Orochimaru outside.
When they reached the outside, Kawaki had already settled Tsunade down.
He had gently placed Tsunade onto the sofa in the outer room and even covered her with a small blanket.
He crouched beside her quietly, just being there with her.
"Why did you put her there? We still need to do more tests."
Orochimaru felt equal parts annoyed and exasperated. Tsunade's condition wasn't like Kawaki's—he needed to dig deeper.
"Huh?"
Kawaki turned his head toward Orochimaru, clearly showing nervousness on his face.
"It's not what you're thinking."
"Not worth explaining. Just bring her over."
Orochimaru didn't even bother trying to explain to Kawaki, who clearly didn't understand medical matters.
"Oh."
Surprisingly obedient, Kawaki didn't ask further questions and just scooped Tsunade into his arms again, following Orochimaru's instructions to another room.
"Just set her here."
"Misaki, prepare for blood draw."
Orochimaru pointed at the operating table inside, directing both Kawaki and Misaki around busily.
Soon after, Misaki returned with the blood-drawing tools.
Kawaki stood right beside the operating table without moving an inch.
"It's just a simple blood draw, not like we're trying to kill her."
Orochimaru feigned scolding as he nudged Kawaki aside, really just trying to ease his tension.
"No, I just want to stay close to her."
Kawaki scratched his head. He never once suspected Orochimaru wanted to harm Tsunade.
Oh right!
"If you enjoy Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade, please bookmark!"
If Orochimaru wanted to become Hokage, Tsunade might gladly step down.
After all, those endless piles of paperwork were nothing but a constant headache for her.
They weren't anything like the thrill she'd felt when Kawaki first gave her that fire-in-the-belly kind of pep talk.
Even the spark of novelty had long burned out.
"Brother-in-law, don't worry."
"Sister Tsunade will be fine."
While drawing Tsunade's blood, Misaki comforted him with a sentence.
Kawaki gave a forced smile but remained silent.
Without knowing the final results, he couldn't truly relax yet.
The thought of informing Sakumo didn't even cross his mind now.
"I'll go run the tests. You two wait here."
Orochimaru accepted the blood sample from Misaki and left without looking back.
The room was empty except for Kawaki and Misaki.
"Brother-in-law."
Misaki softly called out to Kawaki.
"Hmm?"
Kawaki glanced slightly at her.
"You clearly know this is dangerous. Why didn't you stop Sister Tsunade?"
Misaki couldn't understand—Kawaki obviously cared deeply for Tsunade. So how could he allow her to take such a huge risk?
If it were Nawaki instead, she wasn't sure she could accept that.
"Tsunade makes her own decisions—she isn't just an extension of me."
"That's all?!"
Kawaki summarized his thoughts in one sentence.
If Tsunade agreed to it, he wouldn't stand in her way.
But if she refused, even the Sage of Six Paths himself would have to step over his corpse to make her do it.
Hearing Kawaki's response, Misaki fell into thought.
It was a point of view she'd never considered before.
"You'll understand someday. Nawaki is a good child."
A faint smile tugged at Kawaki's lips.
Distracted by Misaki, his mood unexpectedly lightened.
Please bookmark this novel: [Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade]