Regrettably, Diarmuid did not get to conduct his experiment on whether the Strength of a Hundred Technique could regenerate a snapped neck. It turned out that, compared to "Tsunade-sama's" life, Shizune was more than willing to surrender the Spirit Transformation Technique.
"Since you've already stolen the Spirit Transformation Technique, why are you forcing us to stay?" Tsunade asked, looking at Diarmuid with palpable displeasure.
They were no longer in the chaotic streets. Instead, they were in the courtyard residence that formerly belonged to Hanzo of the Salamander and now served as Diarmuid's home. Tsunade wasn't being treated like a prisoner; she wore no handcuffs, and no sealing restraints had been placed upon her. On the tea table before her, a cup of tea sat steaming with a pleasant aroma.
It looked more like she was here as a guest.
Opposite her, Diarmuid sat cross-legged on a cushion, holding the scroll of the Spirit Transformation Technique and reading it with rapt attention. Shizune was there too, huddled next to Tsunade like a little lamb, her eyes darting nervously toward the "Great Demon King" Diarmuid from time to time.
"I believe this should be considered a trade, so it wasn't a forced seizure. What do you think, Shizune-san?" Diarmuid replied without looking up.
"Huh?" Shizune looked at him, bewildered. Why are you asking me?
Because of Diarmuid's overwhelming display of power earlier, she didn't dare contradict him, yet she was unwilling to admit this was a "trade."
"I exchanged your life with Shizune-san for the Spirit Transformation Technique. Since you are currently alive, it proves the transaction is complete and demonstrates my credibility as a businessman. Isn't that wonderful? How could you use a word like 'stolen' to describe such an exchange? It's quite rude, don't you think, Shizune-san?" Diarmuid asked again, still focused on the scroll.
Shizune felt like she was being bullied to the point of tears. Why must you keep asking me? Can't I just be a quiet little nobody?
"Maybe... I suppose..." Shizune stammered out an ambiguous answer.
Evidently, Diarmuid didn't mind. Tsunade, however, glanced helplessly at the trembling little lamb by her side.
She decided not to argue over such trivialities and instead asked, "Fine. Even if it was a trade, the transaction is complete. Why won't you let us leave?"
"Didn't I make it clear from the start? I admire you, Tsunade-sama. I hoped to get to know you properly, to spend time face-to-face, talk, and understand each other. It would be grand if we could become friends. It might sound unbelievable to you, but regarding the Sannin... I have an excellent relationship with Orochimaru, and I'm quite good friends with Jiraiya. Not long ago, he traveled a thousand miles just to have a drink with me, though I didn't join him at the time." Diarmuid calmly talked nonsense while his eyes remained fixed on the scroll.
Hearing this, Tsunade wanted nothing more than to smash his head in with a punch.
Admire me?
Admiring me means nearly slamming me to death with a Liger Bomb and then almost 'accidentally' snapping my neck? Is that what someone who admires you does?
"So, after forcing a 'trade' on us, you have the whimsical idea of being my friend? Don't you think you're being a bit too thick-skinned?" Tsunade said harshly.
After speaking, she grabbed the teacup and downed the contents in one gulp as if it were sake, or rather, as if she were drinking Diarmuid's blood. He looks handsome and distinguished on the outside, but is he really such an unreasonable person underneath? How irritating!
"Is it not allowed?" Diarmuid finally looked up at Tsunade.
His gaze was clear and direct, filled with a sense of appreciation and affection as he looked straight into her eyes. In that instant, despite her lingering anger, seeing Diarmuid express his thoughts and feelings so openly... Tsunade felt a sudden, inexplicable wave of nervousness. Her fury strangely dissipated a little.
It wasn't that she had suddenly developed feelings for him; she wasn't a masochist who awakened to something after being beaten up. But as a woman, being admired, appreciated, and liked by someone was generally a pleasant experience, especially when that someone was an explosively powerful individual.
His personality was a bit troublesome – too forceful, overbearing, and unreasonable – but, to be fair, Diarmuid was exceptionally handsome. Combined with his immense strength, his frank admission of admiration felt genuine.
Tsunade felt a slight stir in her heart and even avoided Diarmuid's gaze out of a sense of bashfulness. Seeing this, a faint smile played on Diarmuid's lips. Good. It seemed he hadn't offended her to the point of no return. If she truly hated him, she wouldn't be acting this awkwardly; she'd be throwing a punch.
Beside her, Shizune watched Tsunade's behavior in shock. Tsunade-sama, what are you doing?! This guy almost killed you!
Furthermore... she felt a bit like her uncle's memory was being betrayed. Although Dan Kato had been dead for many years, Shizune understood Tsunade's emotional state well. At first, Tsunade's attachment to Dan was a form of psychological anchor because he was gone.
The dead don't cause conflict, and distance creates a certain perfection; since they are separated by the veil of life and death, memories tend to focus only on the good. Over time, that image becomes idealized. However, such perfection is ultimately a hollow illusion.
Shizune could feel that after all these years, Tsunade had actually moved on quite a bit from that painful phantom. Despite being Dan's niece, Shizune believed Tsunade shouldn't spend her life in mourning. If she could find a new relationship, it might even cure her hemophobia.
Of course, in Shizune's mind, the ideal partner was Jiraiya. She felt Jiraiya-sama and Tsunade-sama were a perfect match. In the original timeline, Tsunade had indeed moved on from Dan's death long before Jiraiya went to Amegakure to investigate the Akatsuki; they simply never had the right opportunity to take the next step.
Now, however, Diarmuid intended to see if he could "poach" her.
Once he was sure Tsunade didn't harbor a bone-deep hatred for him, Diarmuid decided to build up some favor. First, he needed to properly wrap up the fallout from seizing the Spirit Transformation Technique. Delaying would only make it a permanent hurdle between them.
Closing the scroll, Diarmuid said, "Ahem... My previous actions were a desperate measure to obtain the Spirit Transformation Technique. I had to resort to such crude methods, but fundamentally, I wish to be friends with both you and Shizune-san. I truly hoped to obtain it through a friendly trade..."
Seeing him bring up the topic again, Tsunade snapped, "Now that you have it in your hands, of course you can say whatever you like."
"It seems you still harbor great resentment and misunderstanding toward me," Diarmuid lamented with feigned sorrow. He turned to Shizune. "Shizune-san, do you hate me as well?"
Shizune froze. Well, obviously!
But meeting Diarmuid's gaze, she felt that familiar trepidation. She saw him as a Great Demon King she shouldn't provoke. After a moment of hesitation, she gave a tiny, cautious, guilt-ridden shake of her head.
"I'm glad Shizune-san understands," Diarmuid smiled. He knew she was just scared, but he didn't care. He turned back to Tsunade. "To apologize for my previous rudeness, the trade I mentioned before still stands. I have already memorized the Spirit Transformation Technique, so I can't 'return' it to you, but if there is anything you two need, I am willing to exchange for it."
He added, "I hope this thick-skinned gesture helps you both feel a bit better."
Tsunade glanced at him. At least he knows he's thick-skinned...
To rob someone, memorize the secret, and then claim you want to complete the trade was shameless. Yet, coming from Diarmuid's mouth with such openness, it felt oddly sincere. For a man of his power to adopt such a posture was, in itself, a significant gesture of sincerity.
Tsunade's expression became a bit unnatural. She realized that despite his superior position and strength, Diarmuid was willing to lower his stance to express these thoughts. At the end of the day, there was only one reason: her.
This realization made her feel inexplicably embarrassed. Shyness? How many years had it been since such a girlish emotion had surfaced in her?
Diarmuid watched her with a bit of confusion. I've said my piece, aren't you going to give an answer? "Tsunade-sama?"
That call seemed to set her off. Tsunade whipped her head around and glared at him. "A condition! I can't think of what trade I want right now, so let's make it a promise. In the future, if there is something I need you to do, you must agree to my request."
Diarmuid blinked, then seeing her wavering expression, he smiled warmly. With a look that was almost 'doting,' he beamed at her. "Fine. I promise you."
Tsunade's face flushed slightly. "Then this matter is settled. You have no reason to keep us here, right? Shizune, let's go!"
Tsunade stood up, ready to lead Shizune out. Diarmuid didn't stop them, knowing when to quit while he was ahead. As she reached the door, he asked, "Don't you want to see Orochimaru? He's been away a long time. He might have time once he's done with his work..."
At the mention of Orochimaru, Tsunade's anger flared again. If not for that bastard, none of this would have happened. "No! I'm afraid I won't be able to control the urge to kill him!"
She slammed the door shut and left.
"Hahahaha..." Watching her go, Diarmuid burst into laughter as if he had just thought of something hilarious.
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