In the restroom, Seiki-kun stood silently in front of the mirror.
"The previous resonance therapy achieved some effect but still failed to break through the final defense. This time, let's try cathartic therapy instead. However, releasing anger isn't easy."
Seiki-kun gently rubbed his temples and lowered his eyelids. "Compared to other emotions, anger might be the hardest one to fake. It works fine on children, but with someone like Tsunade, there's a risk of being exposed... So for now, I'll have to hypnotize myself!"
Splash—
Cool water splashed onto his face. Seiki-kun lifted his head, gazed at his reflection in the mirror, and smiled slightly. "Then now, I'm completely and utterly the kind president who only has Mizuki's best interest at heart!"
He walked out of the restroom.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Shizune politely shook her head. "I'm fine."
Leaning on crutches, Mizuki slightly opened his lips. After some hesitation, he stammered out a quiet, "Th-thank you..."
...
"No more gambling! If I gamble again, I'll lose even Shizune's tuition fee... But what if I recover my losses this time? I've lost so many times already, it must be my turn to win soon!"
This conversation, as if from a split personality, kept echoing inside the room.
Bang!
The door slammed open. A furious Shizune rushed over to stand in front of a dazed Tsunade.
"Tsunade-sama, didn't you promise you wouldn't go gambling anymore?"
Tsunade hadn't expected Shizune to come back at noon. She smiled awkwardly. "Haha, I haven't gone yet, right?"
Shizune puffed her cheeks and placed her hands on her waist. "You definitely would've gone to the casino if I hadn't come home today."
Just as Tsunade felt embarrassed, she suddenly noticed two people still standing by the doorway and quickly changed the topic. "Hey Shizune, were you hosting students for dinner today?"
At hearing Tsunade's words, Shizune suddenly remembered that Seiki-kun was still here. She immediately put down the hands she had placed on her waist, bowed her overheated head, and stiffened where she stood.
Seeing Shizune freeze up, Tsunade sighed helplessly. "You guys can come in first."
"Tsunade-sama, sorry to bother your rest."
Tsunade lightly shook her head. Her eyes fixed on Mizuki leaning on his crutches. "Is this about him?"
Seiki-kun clearly noticed Mizuki's breathing quickening. Without hesitation, he replied, "Yes. Mizuki was seriously injured yesterday when attacked by some bullies from the third grade. The hospital told us today that Mizuki might no longer be able to continue as a ninja!"
Tsunade frowned tightly as she listened. Although Shizune had mentioned something similar yesterday, she hadn't imagined the situation could be this serious. "Has Konoha Academy really deteriorated to such a state?"
Still, she knew this wasn't the time for blame. She stepped forward and placed her right hand, glowing with chakra, onto Mizuki's shoulder.
One second, two seconds... It seemed like an eternity.
In the oppressive silence, where even the air felt frozen, Tsunade finally spoke slowly, "It's indeed very serious."
"Will I still have a chance?" Mizuki asked, his body trembling.
"It's not impossible to recover," Tsunade replied. Mizuki's face first lit up with wild joy, but then he quickly heard Tsunade continue, "However, this surgery carries tremendous risks. As a medical ninja, I recommend you give up on becoming a ninja."
Mizuki's expression froze for a moment before he suddenly lifted his head defiantly. "Even if there's only a ten percent chance of recovery, I absolutely won't give up!"
Raising her eyebrows, Tsunade looked at him in surprise. "Who would've thought such an ordinary brat would actually possess this kind of determination!"
At this moment, Seiki timely spoke up. "Tsunade-sama, what are the chances of the surgery succeeding?"
After pausing thoughtfully, Tsunade answered, "If I personally perform the surgery, the success rate should be about eighty percent..."
"That's wonderful! Please, Tsunade-sama..."
"But I won't do it."
The joy on Mizuki's face instantly solidified. He opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word. He dared not defy the authority of someone as important as Tsunade, and could only dejectedly lower his head, his eyes filled with despair and resentment.
To Tsunade, she had simply told the truth — she suffered from hemophobia and couldn't perform the surgery herself.
But Mizuki didn't know that. In his eyes, this cruel woman was simply toying with his emotions.
"Why are you doing this to me? Why is everyone so hideous?"
Just then, Seiki suddenly shouted, "Tsunade-sama, please wait a moment! Mizuki truly wants to become a ninja. Please give him a chance!"
Mizuki stiffened when he heard those words. Seiki's voice felt like a ray of light piercing into his heart. Even he himself wouldn't dare oppose this authority, yet here was Seiki arguing with such an important figure on his behalf!
"I never would've imagined that the person I hate the most... is actually the one who truly cared for me all along! Perhaps... perhaps I just fundamentally hate myself — hate the fact that although we both come from darkness, I can never shine as brightly as him."
Tsunade fell silent for a moment. "Come with me."
With that, she led Seiki into the guest room.
"I'm not refusing to help him — I simply cannot do it. Ever since the last Great Ninja World War, I've developed hemophobia." Tsunade gave a self-mocking smile. "Isn't it ridiculous — a medical ninja who fears blood?"
Rather than receiving mockery or comfort from Seiki, she instead heard him speak about something else.
"When I was young, I heard a story from a wandering samurai who came from another village."
"He said that far away in the west, there was a country called the Country of Sound, where many powerful musicians lived. Among them, the greatest was a man named Beethoven."
Tsunade murmured inwardly, "Beethoven? What a strange name."
"But just as he reached the peak of his greatness, he began to lose his hearing — a cruel fate for a musician."
Raising her eyebrow slightly, Tsunade asked, "And then?"
"He didn't yield to fate. Even in such dire circumstances, he created countless musical masterpieces and eventually became the greatest musician in the Country of Sound. He said, 'I will seize fate by the throat!'"
"Seize... fate by the throat!" Tsunade's face paled with shock. She fell silent for a moment, then looked away, unable to meet Seiki's hopeful gaze. "Are you trying to use this story to motivate me? It won't work. I'm not brave like that Beethoven in your tale..."
Before Tsunade could finish speaking, Seiki shouted excitedly, "I know it's difficult, but if you give up before even trying, someone like that—there's nothing sadder!"
Yet Tsunade remained silent.
Even she herself couldn't be sure whether she was afraid of blood itself or the memories it brought.
Outside the door, Mizuki could barely make out the furious shouting coming from inside the room. Tears poured down his face uncontrollably, like he'd been struck by lightning. "Senpai... he's actually going up against someone that important—because of me!"
"So... this is what the warmth of light feels like?"
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>