Orochimaru ignored Shizune's sudden attack, his golden eyes fixed on Tsunade. "Well, Tsunade," he said in that silken, dangerous voice of his. "If you agree, I can restore Dan and Nawaki's consciousness right now. They can be alive again."
"Lord Tsunade!" Shizune gritted her teeth, preparing another strike, but Tsunade raised a trembling hand to stop her.
"Stop, Shizune."
"Tsunade-sama?!" Shizune turned in disbelief only to see tears already streaming down Tsunade's face.
"Even if it's just once," Tsunade whispered, voice breaking, "I want to hear them speak again."
Shizune fell silent. She understood exactly what that kind of longing felt like.
Orochimaru's lips curved into a smug, serpentine smile. "So… you agree, Tsunade?"
Tsunade nodded wordlessly.
"Excellent. Then allow me to bring them back to their senses."
He raised one pale hand. Instantly, Dan and Nawaki whose eyes had been lifeless and shut slowly opened them again.
Aside from the inky black sclera and faint cracks running along their skin, they looked almost human, almost alive.
"Why am I here?" Nawaki asked, blinking as he looked around in confusion.
"Tsunade?" Dan's gaze found her instantly. His voice softened. "You're… crying?"
"Lord Orochimaru?" Nawaki turned to the man beside him and gasped. "You're here too?!"
A genuine smile flickered across Orochimaru's face for the first time in years. "Long time no see, Nawaki."
"But… wasn't I dead? How can I be here?" Nawaki asked, utterly bewildered.
"It's my jutsu," Orochimaru explained with casual pride. "I brought you and Dan back from the realm of the dead. Go on now reunite with your sister."
"Sister?" Nawaki turned downward and saw Tsunade, tears gleaming on her cheeks under the pale light.
"Big sister!" he cried, leaping down with boyish excitement, Dan following quietly behind.
From the sidelines, Kabuto adjusted his glasses and frowned. "Lord Orochimaru… is this really wise? What if Tsunade changes her mind afterward?"
Orochimaru chuckled, his voice smooth as venom. "I know Tsunade. Once she gives her word, she won't take it back. Besides… do you really think she'll let go of the chance to see them again?"
As long as the Reanimation Jutsu existed, Tsunade would be within his grasp.
Turning slightly, he placed a hand on Kimimaro's shoulder. "Don't worry, Kimimaro. With Tsunade's medical skill, your illness can be cured."
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru. Thank you," Kimimaro replied, bowing respectfully.
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed with quiet calculation. If Sasuke hadn't rejected him, he never would have transferred into Kimimaro's body.
A pity. The boy was loyal perhaps too loyal.
Nawaki landed lightly, just like he had when he was younger, bounding straight into Tsunade's arms. He wrapped his arms around her waist, beaming up at her through the faint cracks on his pale skin. "Sis! It's really you! Why are you crying?"
He reached up awkwardly to wipe her tears away, but the coldness of his touch reminded her all too painfully of what he truly was.
"Lord Orochimaru's jutsu is amazing," he said, marveling. "Just a moment ago I was thinking about the battlefield… wasn't I already gone?"
Dan stepped forward slowly, his gaze never leaving Tsunade.
He didn't rush like Nawaki he simply looked at her, taking in the woman who had always stood tall but now looked so fragile.
"Tsunade," he said softly. His voice was low and gentle, like the wind brushing through memories.
He placed a hand on her shoulder. There was no warmth. No heartbeat. Just the faint echo of what once was.
"Don't cry," he murmured. His fingertips traced the path of her tears with aching tenderness. "Tell me… how long has it been? Are you still chasing your dream?"
In that quiet moment, Dan understood her weakness.
It was born from their deaths his and Nawaki's.
That wound had never truly healed.
Before Tsunade could speak, Nawaki suddenly smacked Dan's hand off her shoulder.
"Hey! You jerk! What do you think you're doing, touching my sister like that?!"
The emotional silence shattered instantly.
Tsunade and Dan both froze, wide-eyed.
Dan blinked, then realized what had happened. When he and Tsunade had fallen in love, Nawaki had already died he'd never met him.
Dan scratched his head awkwardly. "Uh, right… I'm Dan Kato. Your sister's boyfriend."
"Boyfriend?" Nawaki's eyes widened. He turned sharply toward Tsunade, who nodded with teary eyes.
Nawaki stared at Dan for a long moment, then broke into a grin. "Wow. You've got guts! Dating my sister? I'm surprised she didn't beat you to death!"
A vein popped on Tsunade's forehead. Her expression darkened dangerously.
Dan swallowed hard, waving his hands in panic. "N-no! Tsunade's not that kind of person!"
Nawaki sighed like an old man. "You clearly don't know her well enough. My sister's got a temper worse than an exploding tag and a gambling problem that could bankrupt a daimyo. I seriously worry about her future."
Tsunade's fists clenched, muscles twitching under her skin. If he weren't a reanimated corpse, Dan would probably be sweating bullets by now.
Off to the side, Shizune stared at Nawaki in awe. So brave! she thought. He's saying everything I've always wanted to say!
"You idiot!" Tsunade finally yelled, though her voice trembled between anger and affection. She hesitated, then pulled Nawaki into a crushing embrace.
Tears fell, one by one, onto Nawaki's cold, unfeeling face.
He couldn't feel her warmth but he could sense her pain, her love, her endless regret.
And so, being the mischievous little brother he was, Nawaki decided to keep joking, hoping his silly words could lighten her heart, even just a little.
He hugged her back, quietly, letting the moment last.
Dan watched the scene with a faint, wistful smile before turning to Shizune. "And you are…?"
Shizune blinked, then gasped. "It's me, Uncle Dan Shizune!"
Dan's eyes widened. "Shizune? You've grown so much! When I died, you were just a little girl!"
"Yes. I can hardly believe I'm seeing you again," she said, her voice shaking with emotion. To her, Dan had always been like a second father.
"How long has it been since I died?" he asked quietly.
"About twenty-three years," Shizune replied.
"Twenty-three… so long already."
He smiled softly, placing a hand on her head. "The little girl I remember has become a strong woman."
Shizune smiled back, tears glistening in her eyes.
Dan looked back at Tsunade, who still clung to Nawaki. "You've followed her all this time, haven't you?"
Shizune nodded. "Yes. After you were gone, I never left her side."
Dan's expression softened even further. "Thank you," he whispered. "For staying with her when I couldn't."
The night fell silent again. Only the quiet sobs of a woman who had lost too much and the laughter of a boy who'd missed her too deeply echoed under the fading moonlight.
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