Anya lay on the ground and said calmly, "Perhaps you really should have killed me. But before I die, can I say a few words from my heart?"
Tsunade scoffed coldly, "Hmph, don't play games with me, Anya. I know you too well."
"How about this?" Anya casually pointed into empty space. The Supreme Blade flew forth, arcing through the air before hurtling toward his chest.
Instinctively, Tsunade reached out to block it.
But the blade, as if alive, suddenly sped up and narrowly avoided Tsunade's hand.
"Thump..."
The blade accurately pierced flesh, striking straight into his heart. Deep crimson blood immediately soaked Anya's clothes, a sight that stunned Tsunade.
Tsunade stood frozen at this scene, then suddenly cried out in anguish, "No...!"
Reacting swiftly, Tsunade used Medical Ninjutsu with both hands, pressing them against Anya's chest wound.
Unfortunately, her hands were stopped just before they could make contact.
"You're out of your mind! If this keeps up, you'll die!" At that moment, Tsunade didn't even realize she couldn't break free from Anya's grip despite her Monstrous Strength.
Anya spoke, his face pale, "Now will you listen properly?"
"I'm listening, I'm listening! Just let go quickly," Tsunade became anxious.
"Okay."
Anya released her hands and said emotionally, "Ever since we parted at Mount Hakuto, I've often seen you in my dreams. Somehow, I always felt our reunion wouldn't be far off, but my body simply won't hold out until that day. Even without this blade, my time is short."
"How can this be happening?" While performing the healing technique, Tsunade clearly sensed Anya's life force rapidly fading—growing weaker and weaker. Her medical ninjutsu proved entirely ineffective.
"No way! I won't let you die. How could you possibly die?" A diamond-shaped Mark began glowing on Tsunade's forehead as chakra gathered toward it.
[Yin Seal]
Anya immediately understood it. Once activated, it stimulates rapid cell division to enhance chakra, but at the cost of the user's life—a costly trade-off. It was time to end the act.
"Don't bother. Even if it's for you, I must survive." Suddenly opening his tightly shut eyes, Anya's gaze shone with divine light. The surrounding air thickened abruptly as time, which had been swiftly passing, reversed its course. The blade withdrew from Anya's chest and returned to empty space, while his bloodstained clothing became spotless once more.
"What is this?"
Tsunade was utterly shocked, seeing such a phenomenon for the first time.
"This is my Mangekyō ability—time reversal," explained Anya. "Just like your [Yin Seal], it's a Ninjutsu that costs a life to use."
"So stabbing yourself was just to scare me!" Tsunade realized it now, her previous anxiety transforming instantly into boundless anger.
"I'm sorry..."
Tsunade froze, hesitated, and remained silent without any response.
Anya spoke softly, "I've actually wanted to tell you this for a long time. Back then, when I learned you had left Konoha, my heart sank into despair. My feelings for you were complicated—I felt like breaking everything off with you, but at the same time, I couldn't bear the thought of losing you. That uncontrollable feeling left me confused, so I just let things take their natural course. Later, my hidden condition flared up and I was constantly teetering between life and death. It became even harder for me to come see you."
Hearing this, Tsunade's nose tingled with emotion. She forced herself to stay calm and said, "Why are you apologizing? Why say all this to me? You're just acting pitiful so I'll forgive you."
Anya paused briefly before honestly replying, "I won't deny it—I do want your forgiveness. No matter how I look at it, I owe you far more than you owe me. Maybe I'm not even worthy of your affection. But seeing you again this time, if I don't explain clearly, there will always be regrets in my heart. The reason I'm saying all this is because we've been through so much together. The longer we stay together, the better I understand you. Although I've never shown it outwardly, I know exactly what actions would upset or anger you. That battle at Mount Hakuto—believe me, I had no other choice."
These words had stayed locked inside Anya for a long time. Before, he thought there was no need to speak them out loud, maybe believing there was no future between him and Tsunade. However, with the existence of their daughter Hakuto and her earlier words, Anya finally realized that emotions left unaddressed only grew into bigger problems. Whether things worked out or not after confessing, at least there would be no lingering regrets.
This was also the first time in Anya's life he'd ever revealed true feelings toward a woman. From that moment when she stabbed his own heart earlier, he understood Tsunade's heart—this deep emotional bond between them had always existed.
"I believe these words needed to be spoken plainly, Tsunade. My feelings for you are real. Everything I said before still stands—I truly love you, and I would even be willing to die to win you back. I don't care about others' opinions of me, but yours matters deeply. I hope our past doesn't become an emotional barrier between us. Let's start anew, shall we?"
Lying on the ground, Anya sat up and wrapped his arms around Tsunade, leaning his cheek against her neck, breathing in the sweet scent of each other. Time seemed to stop in this moment.
Tears streamed down Tsunade's face—she'd never imagined hearing such words from Anya. In this dreamy moment, it felt as if she was reliving the day they first gave in to their emotions—it all happened so suddenly and without thinking.
After wiping away her tears, Tsunade haughtily stated, "Don't think you can get off the hook with just a few sweet words. In the future, once I become Hokage, you, as a Konoha ninja, must obey every single order I give!"
All those years of grievance, frustration, and bitterness slowly melted away at this moment. The heavy stone weighing on Tsunade's heart lifted, giving her that sweet sensation of yueming (moonlight after clouds part)—a feeling so blissful it intoxicated her soul.
Right after finishing her words, Tsunade felt her hands suddenly taken by his. Gazing into each other's eyes, she saw appreciation in his gaze—and unmistakable fiery passion burning behind them.
In this moment, Tsunade felt like a young girl again, shy and bashful. Her face flushed red; wanting to lower her head, her nervous eyelashes trembled continuously.
There could hardly be a more captivating scene than a beautiful woman blushing with tender shyness.
Leaning forward, Anya gently tilted her chin upward, lifting that eternally youthful face toward him. He leaned in and softly pressed his lips against hers.
Tsunade couldn't help squeezing her eyes shut. Her hands weakly pushed against him, though she barely had any strength left. As Anya deepened the kiss, her breathing grew heavier and her face flushed deeper.
After a moment of kissing, Anya finally released her lips—because he realized that Tsunade had become so flustered she'd forgotten to breathe. If he had continued, she might have suffocated.
Amused, Anya teased with a smirk, "What's wrong? Not used to this?"
Still regaining her senses from the dizziness, Tsunade reflexively snapped back, "Liar! I haven't forgiven you yet, so don't come near me."
Suddenly, Anya scooped Tsunade forcefully into his arms. Like a prince claiming his princess, he gazed down at her and said, "Whether you've forgiven me or not doesn't matter—I won't let go anymore. For this lifetime, you're mine."
Seeing the intense desire in Anya's eyes, Tsunade's whole body went weak. Helpless to resist, she could only shout in defiance, "What do you think you're doing? I'm the Fifth Hokage!"
In response, Anya rudely smacked her shapely butt. "Exactly the Hokage I'm doing."
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