"Tsunade-sama has finally found happiness. I'm sure Dan Kato-san would feel relieved seeing this from Paradise."
Shizune thought to herself in the corridor.
Tsunade finally stepped out of her room in the evening, her face flushed with embarrassment, unsure how to explain things to her disciple Shizune.
Master Heiyan noticed Tsunade's shyness and confidently wrapped his arm around her slim waist, then gave Shizune a knowing look.
Shizune immediately caught on and quickly congratulated Tsunade-sama on finding love, easing her master's embarrassment.
The night was perfect, so the three of them headed out together and strolled through the night market on Tanukichou Street.
In a corner of a small shop, a slot machine kept flashing colorful lights.
"Woah!"
A loud clatter rang out as Tsunade stared at the slot machine's dispenser in disbelief. A pile of coins spilled out, quickly forming a small mountain.
"What are the odds? My luck..."
She instinctively turned her head toward Master Heiyan.
Tsunade was certain she had operated the slot machine entirely by herself while Master Heiyan had simply watched beside her without interfering. So this amazing scene had nothing to do with him.
"Don't you remember? I once told you your bad luck needed someone to counteract it. Now I've shared my good fortune with you, so naturally you're no longer the old jinx or a big sucker at the gambling table."
Master Heiyan slung an arm around Tsunade's shoulders and said with a smile.
Hearing this, Tsunade couldn't help but feel delighted. She originally thought Master Heiyan had made up that ridiculous theory just to get her into bed, but never imagined it would actually be true.
However, amid her surprise, Tsunade also felt a bit guilty. With concern in her eyes, she looked up at Master Heiyan and asked lovingly:
"What about you then? After being infected by my bad luck, will you encounter something unfortunate?"
"Don't worry," Master Heiyan reassured her with a gesture. "I'm the chosen one after all. My good fortune is endless and will replenish itself soon enough."
"Hmph, conceited guy." Tsunade shot Master Heiyan a glance, though her eyes were full of affection, like a schoolgirl swept off her feet by love.
"Is it really that amazing?"
Beside them, Shizune also felt extremely curious. After listening to what Master Heiyan said, she hesitated for a moment before hopefully asking him:
"Master Heiyan, um... Could you possibly share some of that good fortune with me too? Don't misunderstand—I'm not greedy, I just want a tiny bit, like this much..."
Shizune smiled pleadingly while showing the tiniest gesture with her fingers.
"No way!" Before Master Heiyan could even respond, Tsunade firmly shouted, scaring Shizune.
"Erm..." Master Heiyan cleared his throat awkwardly to cover the moment.
Looking at the embarrassed Master Heiyan and the blushing Tsunade, Shizune suddenly understood.
Could it be that when Master Heiyan mentioned 'luck neutralization,' he meant... intimate contact like that?
"Ah!" Realizing this, Shizune blushed deeply and ran away in shame, unable to bear the situation any longer.
That's how it went for over half a month.
During this time, Heiyan and his companions U and Nagare had been staying at Tanukichou Street. Heiyan and Tsunade were like a newlywed couple, madly in love and inseparable.
As for Shizune, she happily played the role of the third wheel. Seeing that Tsunade-sama had finally found happiness, she felt genuinely joyful too.
Inside a lively izakaya, the trio was enjoying their dinner together.
At one point, Heiyan excused himself to use the restroom.
Hmm?
Tsunade was eating yakiniku when suddenly she felt a chilling, sinister presence behind her—like cold, poisonous serpents coiling around her.
Her brow furrowed as she turned—and saw two hooded figures stepping through the doorway.
"Tsunade, long time no see. I've finally found you."
Orochimaru approached Tsunade and plopped himself down right into Heiyan's seat. Kabuto Yakushi stood beside him, looking around cautiously.
"Y-you're…"
Shizune's face paled, her eyes widening in shock, nearly gasping aloud.
Tsunade pressed a calming hand on Shizune's shoulder, signaling her to stay calm. Then, with piercing eyes locked onto Orochimaru, she coldly spat,
"How dare you show your face here after killing our sensei?"
"Oh come now, don't get so worked up."
Seeing Tsunade clench her fists, Orochimaru's heart skipped a beat. He smirked without warmth and threatened,
"You know what happens if you cause trouble here—these innocent people will die too. Besides…"
He rolled up his sleeves, revealing his pitch-black arms. "As you can see, my hands have been sealed. I can't perform ninjutsu anymore. I'm practically useless now. You can kill me anytime you want—but won't you hear me out first?"
"You want… me to heal your arms?"
Tsunade cut in sharply, instantly deciphering his intent. She flatly refused,
"Don't even think about it. That's impossible."
"What if I offered to bring your lover and little brother back to life?"
Knowing Tsunade's temper well, Orochimaru wasted no time. He immediately laid out his trump card—a condition she absolutely could not refuse.
And indeed—
"What?!"
The moment those words hit Tsunade, her entire body stiffened. Her pupils shrank.
Pleased with Tsunade's reaction, Orochimaru smiled and continued,
"As you know, I've long been researching resurrection and the revival of the dead. All you need to do is restore my hands, and in return, I'll bring Dan Kato and Nawaki back to life. Then you can return to Konoha with your beloved and your younger brother, living a peaceful and happy life. What do you say? Won't you consider it?"
His voice crept like a serpent's whisper, coaxing her relentlessly.
Tsunade bowed her head, silence stretching between them—clearly torn.
Orochimaru didn't rush her. He simply tapped rhythmically on the table with his fingers, patiently waiting for her response.
After a long pause,
Tsunade lifted her head again, her gaze now resolute. She appeared to have reached a decision.
"So," Orochimaru fixed his longtime friend with an intense stare, full of expectation, "what's your answer?"
Based on how well he knew Tsunade, he was certain there was no way she could turn down such an enticing offer.
However, this time around, Orochimaru was destined to be disappointed.
"I refuse."
Tsunade said coldly while slowly shaking her head. "Once someone dies, they don't come back. Dan and Nawaki should rest peacefully in the Yokai Realm; I don't wish to disturb them any longer."
"Why?"
This time, it was Orochimaru's turn to be shocked. This wasn't the Tsunade he remembered.
"Because she's finally moved on from her past."
A voice answered for Tsunade.
Orochimaru turned toward the sound and saw a man with flowing white hair walking out from the restroom. In no time, the man stood directly before him.
"Step aside. This is my spot."
Heiyan gazed down at Orochimaru with a smirk playing on his lips.
"Don't be rude!"
Kabuto couldn't take it anymore as he reached out to push Heiyan away, but one glance from Heiyan made his entire body tremble uncontrollably.
Crack.
Kabuto's glasses shattered into a thousand fragments under an invisible, crushing force. Shocked and terrified, he quickly staggered backward and fell flat onto the floor.
"Who are you?"
The more Orochimaru looked at Heiyan, the more familiar he felt this person was. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed—recollection struck. He remembered that day in the Forest of Death when this very silver-haired man had snatched Uzumaki Shinrin right from under his nose.
Who exactly was this guy, and why was he here?
At this moment, Orochimaru stared at Heiyan, his mind racing with confusion.
"Heiyan, let's go. I've completely lost my appetite for dinner."
At that moment, Tsunade rose from her seat, walked over, and linked arms with Heiyan.
So this man's name was Heiyan? Wait a second!
Suddenly, Orochimaru noticed that the same Heiyan who had just been spoken of by Tsunade was now holding her waist, while she leaned affectionately into his chest with love shining in her eyes.
Were these two actually lovers?
What kind of joke is this?!
Seeing this scene, Orochimaru nearly dropped his jaw in shock, thinking for a moment he must have been hallucinating.
"Orochimaru, you'd better give up while you still can."
Before leaving, Heiyan kindly reminded him, "There's no cure for hands sealed by [Dead Demon Consuming Seal]. I suggest you stop wasting your energy. If you're determined, maybe try [Living Corpse Reincarnation] and find yourself a new body—it might keep you going for a few more years."
After casually revealing Orochimaru's greatest secret, Heiyan calmly exited the izakaya, arm-in-arm with Tsunade, with Shizune trailing behind.
Left behind in stunned silence were only Orochimaru and Kabuto.
On their way back home.
"Have you met Orochimaru before?"
Tsunade tilted her head curiously, asking Heiyan.
"Yeah, that guy often kidnaps children, so I once ran into him and stopped his plot," Heiyan replied.
"Kidnapping kids? That really sounds like his style," Tsunade nodded, showing clear disdain for Orochimaru.
"Oh, by the way, I came across some interesting information recently. Rumor has it that Konoha's high-ranking elders have asked Jiraiya to return and become the Fifth Hokage, but he declined their offer, claiming there was a more suitable candidate. Guess who he recommended?"
Heiyan suddenly stopped walking and smiled at Tsunade as he asked her.
"Can that guy Jiraiya really become Hokage? Hard to picture."
Hearing the first half of Heiyan's words, Tsunade looked worried. As for the second half, her reaction was more one of curiosity, so she teased him back, "Who is it, could it possibly be me?"
"Congratulations. You guessed right."
Heiyan patted Tsunade on the shoulder and speculated, "I estimate that at the latest in two or three days, Jiraiya should come looking for you right here."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Tsunade standing there in shock, completely caught off guard.
Hokage?
A few days later.
At their usual corner in the familiar izakaya, Jiraiya arrived with Naruto Uzumaki, standing before Tsunade.
"Tsunade, this is..."
Jiraiya was about to catch up with Tsunade when he immediately noticed Heiyan seated beside her. This sight startled him, causing an instinctive sense of immense threat.
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