Naruto: Manipulation-Chapter 121: Meeting Tsunade Again

One Chapter today because I need a chance to catch up to the release of this fic.

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The night in Konoha was quiet.

Streetlights illuminated the roads, and the number of pedestrians dwindled.

Shigen walked slowly with Naruto Uzumaki along the street, letting the boy digest his meal. It felt as though he were reliving a memory from forty years ago, when he had walked with another child just like this.

Tap... tap...

Naruto kicked at a small stone on the ground.

Hiruzen Sarutobi followed them from the shadows. He knew Shigen meant no harm—he was simply watching over the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.

"Who's that kid?"

A woman's voice suddenly spoke beside Hiruzen.

The Third Hokage was startled. He turned sharply and found himself facing Tsunade, her fist clenched, and beside her stood Jiraiya, looking slightly embarrassed.

"You two are back?"

Hiruzen was visibly surprised to see his students.

"Didn't you send someone to inform us that he had returned to Konoha?"

Tsunade frowned, also confused by Hiruzen's reaction. As soon as she received news of Shigen's presence in the village, she had rushed back.

Even Jiraiya had come along.

But now...

Tsunade arrived only to witness a scene all too familiar.

The moment on the street mirrored her own childhood.

"That's Minato's child—Naruto."

Hiruzen's words left both Tsunade and Jiraiya visibly stunned. He added another piece of information, "He is also Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchūriki."

Shigen's history with the Nine-Tails wasn't widely known, but Tsunade, who had heard stories about him since childhood, certainly understood.

Given that—

It was only natural for Shigen to feel something special toward Naruto.

"Minato's son... Naruto?"

Jiraiya, now in his prime, looked conflicted.

He had spent years wandering in search of the prophesied child spoken of by the Great Toad Sage, leaving him little time to check on what had happened in Konoha.

"That's right."

Hiruzen recounted the past. "When Minato sacrificed himself, he sealed the Nine-Tails inside Naruto."

While the master and students discussed the late Fourth Hokage, Shigen finished escorting Naruto home. He then turned back and looked toward the three figures lingering at the street's corner.

"..."

Hiruzen sighed. He couldn't keep hiding.

"I think I saw him when I was a kid..."

Jiraiya muttered quietly.

But...

Neither Hiruzen nor Tsunade paid attention to him.

Tsunade stepped forward without hesitation.

Her golden eyes locked onto Shigen as her fingers curled into a fist, then slowly relaxed.

Finally, she greeted him.

"Long time no see, Lord Shigen."

Even though she had known she would see him again—

The moment she stood before him, forty years after their last true meeting, her mind felt disoriented.

This moment...

Felt like something from another lifetime.

Even though Shigen had left indelible marks on her life, nothing could compare to the emotions surging within her as she stood before him now.

This was her childhood.

As people grow and endure hardships, they become more nostalgic for the carefree days of their youth.

Tsunade's childhood was one that anyone would envy.

Even her older self.

"Has it been that long?"

Shigen, upon seeing Tsunade, felt no particular waves of emotion. His brows merely furrowed slightly. "The last time we met wasn't that long ago."

"Forty years is a long time."

Tsunade sighed, the weight of those years pressing down on her.

Forty years was enough for her to transform from a naïve girl into a woman seasoned by life's trials.

"No, it hasn't been forty years."

"Our last meeting was in the Land of Hot Water."

Shigen reminded her, completely unreserved, "You were dead drunk in a tavern. I had gone to visit Kakuzu's orphanage and accompanied him to collect your debts."

"That doesn't count!"

Tsunade's forehead twitched.

Her expression turned slightly awkward—because that moment had been truly embarrassing.

There was something deeply shameful about having one's foolish behavior witnessed by a respected elder.

But—

Shigen hadn't scolded her for it.

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In fact, he had even patted her head like he used to when she was a child, just like a kind guardian who accepted her flaws.

That realization only deepened her embarrassment.

Because she knew Shigen wasn't like her reckless grandfather.

He was someone who truly led by example.

The moonlight grew brighter.

Shadows on the street shrank beneath its glow.

Tsunade walked alongside Shigen, escorting him back to the guest residence set aside for important visitors in Konoha.

Along the way, she spoke of the events that had transpired in his absence.

"After you left..."

"A lot happened in this world..."

"The Shinobi World Wars erupted, Sakumo Hatake took his own life..."

"Grandmother passed away. Nawaki died in the war, too..."

"I met Katsuyu..."

"And from Katsuyu, I received the second crystal coffin you left behind..."

"When I left Konoha to travel, I thought Orochimaru was reliable enough, so I entrusted the coffin to him for safekeeping. But that bastard stole it—and used the Impure World Reincarnation to bring you back."

Just like a child who, after enduring storms, finally sees a comforting presence—

Tsunade found herself speaking freely, unburdening herself of years of suppressed emotions.

The weight on her chest slowly lifted.

Years of repressed sorrow...

Dissolved as she spoke.

But Shigen's expression remained unchanged.

He did not appear moved by her story.

It was as though...

He had no emotions at all.

Jiraiya, silently listening from behind, felt an ache in his heart.

He knew all too well the pain Tsunade had endured—

Much of which he had shared.

But...

He had never been by her side to listen.

Perhaps he had always assumed Tsunade was as strong as he was.

Yet—

That man, Shigen...

He seemed utterly indifferent.

Was it because those resurrected by the Impure World Reincarnation had no emotions?

As Jiraiya wrestled with these conflicting feelings, he noticed something strange—

Neither Hiruzen nor Tsunade seemed at all surprised by Shigen's cold demeanor.

That was odd.

Given their history, shouldn't they share a deeper bond?

Shigen calmly listened to Tsunade's words before suddenly pausing.

"The dessert shop is probably closed by now."

"But Ichiraku Ramen is still open."

"Do you want me to take you for some ramen?"

"Ha... hahaha!"

Tsunade burst into laughter, recalling her childhood and the times she had been rewarded with food.

"I'm not a kid anymore!"

"Then let's go for grilled meat."

Shigen nodded, acknowledging her statement.

"Alright—hahahaha!"

Tsunade laughed heartily, her joy genuine.

Yet as she laughed, two silent tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Lord Shigen really hasn't changed at all..."

"And yet Tsunade has."

Shigen handed her a tissue, then placed a hand on her forehead, ruffling her hair.

"There's something you didn't mention."

"Tsunade has become the greatest medical ninja in this world."

"Lord Shigen..."

Tsunade's sobs turned into deep, shuddering cries.

In the stillness of the night, she wept openly—

Her hands clutching Shigen's outstretched arm as her head bowed, allowing his hand to shield her tear-streaked face.

She wanted to let out all the pain she had buried over the years.

"..."

Jiraiya's gaze softened.

Now he understood—

Beneath Shigen's cold exterior, there was something indescribably warm.

It made sense why Tsunade always longed for him.

Even Jiraiya...

Felt like a child in this moment.

"..."

Hiruzen exhaled a cloud of smoke, his expression filled with nostalgia.

Forty years ago...

There had been no war.

He had still been a student, following Shigen's guidance—

Listening to the wisdom of a man who had once shaped an era.

How could someone like him...

Ever be a threat to the world?

If even Shigen acknowledged Madara's plan—

Could it really be that dangerous?

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