Tsunade’s eyes narrowed, her expression darkening.
“Someone from the Hidden Mist?” “You haven’t been active in the shinobi world for many years, Tsunade-sama.
Six years ago, there was no longer a Kaguya clan in the Hidden Mist.” Kaguya Shiro retracted the bone, lowered his sleeve, and spoke with calm sincerity.
“I apologize for presumptuously following you tonight.
I have a request.” “I suffer from the hereditary disease caused by the Shikotsumyaku Kekkei Genkai.
I’ve heard that Tsunade-sama’s medical skills are unmatched in the shinobi world, so I came specifically to seek treatment.” The alley fell silent for several seconds.
Tsunade’s gaze first landed on the black cloth covering his eyes, then shifted to his forearm, and finally returned to where his eyes would be.
Even blindfolded, the boy’s gaze was unnervingly precise.
“I won’t treat you.” Her refusal was blunt and absolute.
“The price can be negotiated,” Kaguya Shiro said.
“It’s not about money.” Tsunade turned to leave.
“That bone disease of yours is terminal.
No one can cure it.” The moonlight caught the sharp line of her jaw as she turned.
“Besides, I lose every bet I make.
Tonight I won five consecutive three-of-a-kind sweeps, and you just happened to be there, carrying an air even more ill-omened than a dead person.” “Boy, what are you, some kind of jinx?
Nothing good comes from getting involved with you.
Shizune, let’s go.” “Tsunade-sama!” Shizune couldn’t help speaking up.
She looked at Kaguya Shiro, a healer’s compassion flickering in her eyes.
“At least let me first…” “No.” Tsunade was resolute.
“There’s something wrong with this kid.” “Twelve or thirteen years old, and he can face me and negotiate a deal with perfect composure.” “Either he’s a monster in human skin, or he has something behind him.
A Kaguya orphan?
Who knows if he’s bait from the Hidden Mist or some other faction.” With that, she strode forward, her boot heels clicking against the stone.
Her attention remained fixed on Kaguya Shiro, clearly ready for any sudden moves.
But Kaguya Shiro simply stood his ground and raised his voice.
“What if I could prove I’m just a lone patient seeking treatment?” Tsunade didn’t stop.
“What if I could offer something you’d find interesting?
For instance, an auxiliary approach to suppressing hemophobia attacks?” She stopped.
“Kid.” Tsunade turned slowly, her eyes cold with killing intent in the shadows.
“Where…
did you learn that I have hemophobia?” “In Tanzaku Quarter, I’m fairly well informed.
Your severe reaction to blood is no secret.” Kaguya Shiro’s voice remained steady.
“And I happen to have some ideas about psychological therapy.” “I don’t need it!” Tsunade turned away, her voice sharp.
“And my affairs are none of your concern, brat.” Kaguya Shiro showed no frustration.
He simply bowed slightly.
“The mountains remain and the rivers keep flowing.
If you change your mind, I’ll be waiting at Kichoya.” With that, he turned crisply, tapped his bamboo staff, and walked toward the other end of the alley.
His response caught Tsunade off guard.
She stared at the boy’s silhouette as it disappeared into the darkness, her frown deepening.
“Tsunade-sama…” Shizune said softly.
“If his Kekkei Genkai disease really is in its early stages, perhaps…” “Perhaps what?” Tsunade ran a hand through her hair in frustration.
“Shizune, remember this.
Everyone who’s survived long in the shinobi world has one thing in common.
They trust their instincts.” “My instincts tell me that kid is nothing but trouble.
The ominous aura around him and the timing of his appearance are both too convenient.
Five three-of-a-kind sweeps, hah!” She thought back to the Second Great Ninja War.
After a similarly inexplicable winning streak at the gambling tables, she had received news of Nawaki’s death.
And later, after another small winning streak, she had seen Dan Kato’s face lying in a pool of blood.
Omens of misfortune.
Impossible to put into words, yet they always came true.
“Let’s go!” Tsunade shook her head, as if trying to shake off the bad memories.
“Find a place to drink.
The money I won tonight…
well, I’ll lose it all soon enough anyway.” Their footsteps faded into the distance.
Deep in the alley’s shadows, Kaguya Shiro leaned against the wall, watching them leave.
The Six Eyes registered the lingering wariness and rejection in Tsunade’s chakra, and also picked up Shizune’s hesitation as she glanced back several times.
Refusal, but not without room for maneuver.
He analyzed the situation calmly.
Tsunade had clearly reacted to the mention of hemophobia treatment, indicating that she wasn’t entirely indifferent.
And Shizune’s attitude seemed more open.
He didn’t need to succeed in one attempt.
There were still years before Tsunade would become the Fifth Hokage, and even more time before she would return to practicing medicine.
Tonight’s goal had been to probe the waters, to confirm Tsunade’s character and her level of understanding of Kekkei Genkai diseases.
The outcome was better than expected.
Though she refused, she hadn’t actually expelled him or investigated his background.
That meant her mindset of avoiding unnecessary trouble had won out.
And Shizune might be the breakthrough.
Her medical ninjutsu skills were considerable.
If he couldn’t get an appointment with the specialist, getting one with the specialist’s apprentice would be good enough.
… Tanzaku Quarter sprawled like a splash of colored glass across the central plains of the Land of Fire.
It stretched roughly 2.5 to 3 kilometers from north to south, and nearly 1.5 kilometers at its widest point from east to west.
Nestled against the gentle slope of Mount Tanzaku, it faced the main road to Konoha on the south, bordered a fertile river valley on the north, overlooked the Shizukawa tributary frequented by merchant vessels on the east, and opened onto endless wheat fields on the west.
This open terrain gave the quarter its peculiar structure: not a proper town, but a settlement that had grown in layers.
The outermost ring held warehouses, stables, and budget inns, all gray rammed earth and cobblestone.
Further in, taverns, restaurants, and pleasure houses multiplied.
Wooden buildings were packed tightly together, signs stacked upon signs.
The core district was led by Kichoya, one of the seven grand gambling houses, all of them three-story pavilions with upturned eaves, lacquered in vermilion with gold trim, bright day and night.
Streets wound like spiderwebs between these buildings, dusty on clear days, ankle-deep in mud when it rained.
Despite the chaos, gamblers, travelers, ronin, and even disguised shinobi poured in from all directions.
It was past noon, and the sun blazed mercilessly.
The entire quarter was a giant steamer.
The cobblestones baked white, heat haze distorted the distant rooftops.
Even the most avid gamblers had retreated into the shade.
Only a few stray dogs lay panting under the eaves.
Cicadas droned hoarsely, mingling with the smell of cooking, the tang of sake, and the occasional roll of dice drifting from open windows.
On the edge of the core district, at a lodging house called Fujinoya, in a second-floor room overlooking the street, Tsunade stared at the full spread of dishes before her with a slight frown.
She wore a simple beige yukata, stretched tight across her chest, her blonde hair loose and unkempt.
Her face was pale from a hangover, but her eyes were sharp.
Shizune sat across from her, sipping miso soup, with Tonton in her arms.
The little piglet was energetic, its nose twitching at the aroma of fried tempura.
“So…” Tsunade picked up a piece of grilled fish, her eyes fixed on Shizune.
“What benefits did that kid promise you?”