Hinata felt helpless and could only explain the basic principles to Tsunade again. However, Tsunade still didn't understand. Hinata wasn't surprised; after all, Spiritual Energy was very foreign to Tsunade, and it would take some time to grasp it.
"Cough, anyway, the first step to resurrecting them is to collect their Genes."
"And how do we collect them?"
Tsunade froze for a moment. She had a bad premonition; she felt like she had asked this question not too long ago.
Hinata blinked.
"Grave digging."
Tsunade:... The expression on Tsunade's face was quite a sight, a mix of resistance, embarrassment, and a strange feeling of 'this method is direct, but why does it sound so wrong?'
Let her personally dig up the graves of her brother and lover? Even if it was to resurrect them, this was too... "...Is there a more dignified way?" Tsunade tried to struggle.
"Uh... I don't think so. Of course, if you don't want to dig personally, you can let Kabuto do it as your proxy. He's probably dug quite a few lately and has accumulated a lot of experience. He can guarantee that your brother and lover will be dug out safely."
"..."
Tsunade held her forehead, feeling her temples start to throb again. Talking to this young girl always felt like her values were being repeatedly rubbed the wrong way.
"Let me... think about it for a moment," Tsunade finally said somewhat weakly. Grave digging required a bit of mental preparation.
She changed the subject to another heavy weight on her heart.
"About Konoha, since I've left with Orochimaru, the Old Man is probably furious. I might... not be able to go back."
Her tone carried a hint of self-deprecation and a faint sense of loss. She hadn't wanted to go back before, but now she couldn't even if she wanted to.
"Even if I did go back, I'd definitely be controlled and monitored. I wouldn't be able to leave."
Tsunade curled her lip. "I might even be labeled a collaborator with a Rogue Ninja and locked up for interrogation. After all, I'm hanging out with Orochimaru and getting involved in this kind of taboo research."
"It's fine. If you want to go back to Konoha for a look, I can teleport you there."
Hinata's tone was casual.
Tsunade was stunned: "Teleport? You have that kind of ability too?"
"Something like that. If you go back, just use a Transformation Jutsu to look like a random passerby. You can go back, handle some personal business, or even go to the Hokage Office to chat with the Third."
Tsunade: "..."
"You..." Tsunade pointed at Hinata, unable to speak for a long while. Finally, it turned into a long sigh, mixed with emotions of not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
"You leave me speechless. Even if I go back, my identity can never see the light of day."
Tsunade leaned back in her chair, looking up at the ceiling, her heart in turmoil.
"I need time to process this, Hinata," Tsunade finally said, her voice regaining its usual steadiness, though a long-absent fire burned deep in her eyes.
Seeing this, Hinata stopped talking and transferred a bit of Spiritual Energy to Haku.
Half a minute later, Orochimaru pushed open the door and walked in with a smile, his gaze sweeping over the two of them.
"It seems you two have had a pleasant conversation." Orochimaru's voice had a satisfied rasp.
Tsunade gave a soft snort and said nothing.
Hinata looked at Orochimaru: "Get ready."
"Naturally." Orochimaru knew what Hinata was talking about; he couldn't break his promise to Tsunade.
Tsunade spoke up then, picking up the cup of tea in front of her that had long since gone cold, a look of disgust on her face.
"The tea here is terrible—bitter and astringent, just as unpleasant as you are. Don't you have any Sake or something?"
Orochimaru didn't mind Tsunade's bluntness at all and answered slowly.
"Heh heh, this tea is for refreshing the mind. While the taste may not be great, it keeps one clear-headed. Alcohol numbs the nerves; how could I have such a thing here?"
Tsunade had an 'I knew it' expression and rolled her eyes.
Orochimaru smiled again and added.
"However, high-purity medical alcohol or certain nutrient solutions are available in plenty. If you don't mind that pure, burning sensation, it's not undrinkable if you dilute it with water. Want some?"
Tsunade: "..."
She was momentarily choked up by Orochimaru's bizarre sense of humor, and it took a while before she waved her hand irritably.
"Forget it! I wouldn't dare drink anything coming out of your lab. Hurry up and order someone to go to the nearby town and buy some proper Sake! Get the good stuff! Don't try to fool me with inferior goods! Research is research, but one needs something decent to drink during a break, right?"
Hinata, listening from the side, couldn't help but laugh out loud. Who knew Uncle Snake could be so humorous?
Orochimaru shrugged, seemingly unsurprised by Tsunade's request.
"The Sake will be delivered." Orochimaru looked back at Hinata and Tsunade. "Well then, I'll go prepare first."
Hinata nodded, then glanced at Tsunade, who still had a slight frown, clearly still struggling with the 'grave digging' mental conflict. She added,
"She probably needs some personal space and time to digest and decide. There should be a lounge prepared in the base, right?"
"Of course."
Tsunade waved her hand, sounding a bit agitated.
"Leave me alone for a bit. Remember to call me when the Sake arrives!"
She indeed needed some time to settle her chaotic thoughts and build herself up mentally.
Hinata stood up. "Lady Tsunade, whenever you're ready, you can have Orochimaru contact me."
"Mm," Tsunade responded somewhat absentmindedly.
Hinata said no more. Her figure flickered slightly like a reflection in water and vanished.
Tsunade looked at the spot where Hinata had disappeared, admiration and curiosity flashing in her eyes, before continuing her internal struggle.
Time passed quickly. Tsunade didn't sleep all night, sitting and thinking the whole time.
In her mind, her brother Nawaki's bright and cheerful smile and her lover Kato Dan's gentle and firm gaze repeatedly intertwined with their cold, pale faces in death.
Grave digging... personally, or having someone else do it, to unearth their place of rest.
"Dammit... how annoying!" Tsunade suddenly snapped her eyes open and slammed her fist on the table. "Why hasn't the Sake arrived yet!"
She needed alcohol. She needed that burning liquid to temporarily numb her overactive and painful nerves, even if only for a moment.
Just then, there was a soft knock on the door, and a voice came through: "Lady Tsunade, the Sake you requested has been bought."
Tsunade's eyes lit up: "Come in!"
The door opened, and an Otogakure ninja entered carrying an exquisite wooden food box. Inside were two flasks of Sake that looked expensive, along with a few simple but refreshing side dishes.
"This was bought from the best Sake house in the nearby town." The Otogakure ninja placed the food box on the small table in front of Tsunade and then left.
Looking at the clear liquid and the familiar flasks, a smile finally appeared on Tsunade's tense face.
She impatiently grabbed a flask and, without using a cup, tilted her head back and took a large gulp directly from the mouth.
The crisp, pungent liquid slid down her throat, bringing a familiar burning sensation that made her let out a sigh of relief.
"Ha... that's more like it."
She took several more gulps, set down the flask, and wiped the corner of her mouth. Her eyes gradually became hazy under the influence of the alcohol, but they also became more determined.
"Whatever... we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. If grave digging is what it takes, then grave digging it is!"
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