Amamiya Rei's healing duties did not last long.
After tending to the shinobi in the first ward, Uzumaki Naruto grew restless, crying out in hunger. Not wanting to endure the torment of his piercing cries,Rei carried him out of the hospital, down the quiet streets, and into a small shop where he bought a bottle of warm goat's milk to soothe him.
The infant drank greedily, his tiny lips sucking at the bottle, until at last his belly was full. Bathed in the gentle warmth of the midday sun, he grew drowsy, his little body loosening against Rei's arms as sleep claimed him once more.
Holding him close, Rei returned home, changed into somber black garments, and then made his way to a flower shop. He purchased a simple bouquet of white chrysanthemums—flowers of mourning—and with Naruto still asleep in his arms, he went to attend the funeral of Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina.
Naruto, satiated and warm, had no inkling of the grief unfolding around him. His eyes remained closed in peaceful sleep, his breathing steady, untouched by the tragedy that had stolen away his parents only hours before.
The streets of Konoha were lined with shinobi and civilians alike, all clad in mourning black. In small clusters they walked toward the central square, their steps measured, their faces solemn. No words were spoken; only the sound of countless footsteps pressed against the silence of loss.
When Rei arrived, the square was already filled with rows upon rows of shinobi standing shoulder to shoulder. At the forefront stood the Sandaime Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, his posture heavy beneath invisible weight.
His aged eyes caught sight of Rei, and with a faint gesture of his hand, he beckoned him forward.
Carrying Naruto, Rei stepped through the crowd of mourners, each step echoing in the still air, until at last he stood before the memorial of Minato and Kushina.
Upon the altar stood their portraits—Minato with his boyish brightness, Kushina with her warm, mischievous smile. Even in black and white, their joy seemed to radiate outward, filling the heart with a bittersweet warmth.
Rei laid the chrysanthemums before their altar, then withdrew to Hiruzen's side. His gaze lingered upon Minato and Kushina, his mind drifting.
His chest tightened. He could still recall the wounds he had left upon their bodies in that desperate moment.
Would anyone suspect?
Surely not. Those injuries would be blamed on the Nine-Tails. After all, who else besides the Kyūbi attacked with fangs?
Rei, at least, felt no real fear of suspicion. No one in their right mind would ever believe that a human would feed upon human flesh.
Drawing his gaze away from the portraits, out of the corner of his eyes, he saw a tall, familiar figure: Jiraiya, silent and grave, had appeared beside Hiruzen. His usually boisterous expression was absent, replaced with an emptiness as he stared at the altar of his beloved student and his student's wife.
When the funeral ended and the crowd began to disperse, Jiraiya quietly fell into step beside Rei.
Rei looked up at him and asked quietly, "Jiraiya-sensei… is there something you wish to speak with me about?"
Jiraiya nodded, a faint, fleeting smile tugging at his lips.
"Come with me."
He said nothing more, and Rei followed him through the bustling streets of Konoha's commercial district.
On the way, Jiraiya spoke: "Do you remember what I promised you and Minato before I left last time?"
Rei faltered. Could it be—had he truly brought Tsunade back with him?
In his eyes, a hint of nervous excitement flickered—so precise, so perfectly measured—his lips parted, yet in his tension not a single word would come forth.
Seeing his expression, Jiraiya couldn't help but laugh in helpless amusement. He reassured Rei: "No need to be so tense!"
Rei asked in a low, worried voice,
"Would it be improper of me… to meet her without a gift of courtesy?"
Jiraiya lightly patted his shoulder.
"There's no need for that."
At last, they arrived. Jiraiya's eyes brightened as he lifted the curtain of a bustling izakaya. Turning back, he gestured for Rei to enter.
"Come in."
Rei glanced at the sign—it was an izakaya. His lips twitched ever so slightly, but he followed Jiraiya inside.
There, in a quiet corner, sat Tsunade.
She, too, noticed the young girl at the doorway. And not just her—every patron in the izakaya turned their heads toward the striking figure framed in the entrance.
So beautiful.
The thought escaped unbidden in Tsunade's mind.
Her amber gaze locked on Rei's scarlet eyes, and for a moment her heart jolted. Those eyes… they reminded her all too much of her granduncle, Senju Tobirama.
Mokuton, crimson pupils, accelerated healing…
Tsunade sifted quickly through the details Jiraiya had shared about this mysterious girl named Amamiya Rei.
The possibility was too uncanny to ignore—was she truly a descendant her granduncle had left behind from his indulgences outside the clan. After all, in the entire Senju clan, only her granduncle had borne scarlet eyes.
Jiraiya led Rei to the table and made the introductions.
"This is Tsunade-hime of the Senju clan. And this," he said with a faint smile, "is Amamiya Rei, the one I told you about."
Rei gazed at Tsunade, unable to look away.
Tsunade leaned her cheek against her hand, her lips curving into a teasing smile.
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
Rei's pupils trembled. She quickly bowed her head, heat flooding her cheeks and ears.
"Because… because Tsunade-sama is beautiful."
In her hands, chakra bloomed into life. A single crimson rose unfurled in an instant, its petals burning with color. Rei, voice trembling with nervousness, offered it to her.
Praise and roses—who could refuse such a gift?
Tsunade arched a brow, but accepted the rose with grace. In her eyes glimmered a faint spark of surprise.
Mokuton… truly.
The shy, blushing girl offering her such a passionate flower was impossible not to like.
"You really do look as though you could be my Granduncle's descendant," Tsunade said after a pause. "Would you… consider leaving Konoha to travel the world with me?"
The suddenness of the question struck like a thunderclap. The pace was shockingly fast.
Jiraiya turned to her in surprise.
But seeing the calm certainty in Tsunade's eyes, he smirked inwardly—As expected of Tsunade!
Though she had only just returned to the village, she had already reached the most advantageous decision for Amamiya Rei.
Rei froze. Slowly, her gaze dropped to the infant cradled in her arms.
Both Tsunade and Jiraiya noticed, and their eyes fell to Naruto as well, still sleeping soundly in Rei's embrace.
Jiraiya spoke gently, trying to persuade: "Naruto will be cared for in Konoha by the Sandaime Hokage. You don't need to worry about him."
The truth was clear: Rei's place in Konoha was dangerous.
Naruto, as the Jinchūriki of the Kyūbi, would certainly be watched over and protected by the Hokage in secret.
She, however, was different. The bloodline of Mokuton was far too precious, too tempting a lure. Not even Hiruzen could suppress the greed that would inevitably surface.
That was why Tsunade had extended the offer—because she understood all too well the peril surrounding Rei. She knew that as long as Rei remained bound to Naruto, her life could never truly belong to herself. Thus, Tsunade resolved to take her away from Konoha—far from the hands that would chain her down, far from those who sought to claim her.
Jiraiya's words carried the same intent. He didn't want Rei's chance at freedom stolen away by Naruto's existence.
This was never meant to be her burden to bear. She had no reason to sacrifice her own life for this.
Jiraiya knew, even if Minato were alive, he would advise Rei the same.
In Rei's eyes there was a glimmer of longing, a desire to leave… but stronger still was the weight of worry and attachment to Naruto.
Her hesitation was plain, and both Jiraiya and Tsunade waited in silence, giving her the space to decide.
Rei drew a long, shuddering breath. At last she raised her head, her scarlet eyes shimmering with gratitude and apology. Slowly, she bent forward, bowing deeply to Tsunade.
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