The silence returned after Hanzo's abrupt departureor rather, Jin-Woo, as he'd introduced himself.
Tsunade remained frozen in the hall. Raindrops still hammered the windows, and the steam from the bathroom had spread through the air, mingling the floral scent of soap with the worn leather of the couch.
She pinched her arm.
"This… wasn't a dream, right?"
She looked again at the broken window, shards of glass scattered on the floor. No, it wasn't a dream. This boy… wasn't Hanzo of the Salamander. StrangeKonoha didn't have this kind of intel.
She collapsed onto the couch. The fabric clung to her damp skin, but she paid it no mind. Her mind was reeling.
"The Hanzo I know is an old, wrinkled monster… not some young guy with a six-pack."
She flushed violently at the thought.
No! Stop it, Tsunade! You have Dan! You're an adult! You're not… he's barely 17!
Her eyes fell on her wet strand of hair draped over her shoulder. She sighed, then stood to get dressed.
On the other side of the door, Hanzo stood before the mirror. He let his mask fall and examined his own face.
Youthful features, flawless skin, cold gaze.
"Give me five years… and I'll become one hell of an alpha male."
He stepped into the shower in silence.
Meanwhile, Tsunade stared at the window. Outside, darkness was swallowed by rain. Below, children played in a puddle, oblivious to the chaos around them. She sighed. Even in this situation, innocent children always found a way to be joyful.
"I hope I don't stay here long. Ame makes me sick…"
"What? What were you saying, Princess Tsunade?" a mocking voice said behind her.
She turned slowly, eyes wide. And almost stumbled back.
Hanzo had just emerged from the bathroom. Still shirtless. Still that damn towel around his waist. Water droplets still clung to his shoulders. He looked younger than ever. And… attractive.
"W-Wait… Who are you?"
He raised an eyebrow, stepping closer.
"Hanzo of the Salamander died five years ago."
She stared, her heart racing.
"What?"
"He took me in as his adopted son. A war orphan. He taught me everything. His combat art, his summons… everything."
Silence. Then Tsunade slowly nodded.
"I see…"
He quickly pulled on a shirt. As he fastened his bracers, he looked at her coldly.
"You said Ame makes you sick. But for tens of thousands of people, it's their home."
Tsunade lowered her eyes, ashamed.
"Sorry…"
He sighed.
"It's not your fault. It's the brainwashing you get in Konoha. The Will of Fire, huh? Everyone's family… except the others, who are barbarians."
"I said I was sorry, damn it!" she shouted, her face red with anger.
She glared at him. He sighed, then held out a hand.
"Truce?"
Tsunade hesitated, then shook his hand. She was surprised by the firmness of his grip, but also by the warmth that radiated from him, despite his icy demeanor.
"Call me Jin-Woo."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Jin-Woo? Sounds like a foreign name…"
"And you're called Slug Princess. Wanna talk about weird names?"
She couldn't help but smile, sniffling.
But suddenly, his face changed. Hanzo froze. He narrowed his eyes, as if reading something only he could see.
[SYSTEM ALERT: NEW QUEST DETECTED!]
[Sakumo Hatake has killed Chiyo's son. He's taken refuge in Amegakure. Suna is attacking to retrieve him.]
[Objective: Repel Suna's forces.]
[Time Remaining: 30 minutes]
[Failure: Yahiko will die.]
Hanzo's jaw clenched.
"No… not now…"
He straightened abruptly, grabbed his scythe from the corner, and marched toward the door with hurried steps.
Tsunade stood as well.
"What's going on?"
He didn't answer. He just stopped, closed his eyes… and exhaled.
Then he turned back to her, his dark gaze now cold.
"If I don't come back… make sure to create some kind of orphanage or take Nagato and Konan under your wing."
He leaped forward, shattered what remained of the broken window frame, and disappeared into the rain.
Tsunade stood frozen.
"Nagato and Konan, who are they…?"
She ran to the window and saw Jin-Woo's silhouette leaping from rooftop to rooftop, as fast as lightning in the storm.
"What… what is this boy doing?"
A whisper escaped her lips, almost involuntarily.
She shook her head violently.
She clenched her teeth.
"You'd better come back alive."
"Come to think of it. Didn't Jiraiya mention someone named Nagato?"