Konoha: The Honored One

Shizune stood frozen in shock, her eyes wide as she took in the utter destruction around them. The once-beautiful buildings were now nothing more than broken walls and rubble. It was all the result of Tsunade's fury. The legendary Sannin was not known for holding back, and her temper had earned a reputation for being as fierce as her strength.

Tsunade-sama is still as headstrong as ever, Shizune thought to herself, her pulse quickening. When she says something needs to be done, she does it, no hesitation.

Yet, even though Tsunade was an unstoppable force, Shizune couldn't help but worry. She knew better than most that her master's greatest weakness wasn't her strength, but the crippling blood phobia that had haunted her for years. It was the reason Tsunade shied away from battlefields and avoided the title of Hokage—too many painful memories of loss and bloodshed.

"Lady Tsunade, please step back," Shizune said, pulling herself from her thoughts. She swiftly reached for a kunai strapped to her thigh, her movements precise and calculated. Her resolve hardened as she positioned herself in front of Tsunade, her eyes locked on the two enemies before them.

"Leave them to me," she said, her voice strong, despite the fear rising in her chest. I don't know if I can stop them, but I'll do everything I can to protect Lady Tsunade.

Orochimaru, his pale golden eyes gleaming with quiet malice, licked his lips with a long, snake-like flick of his tongue. Despite his calm exterior, there was an edge to his words when he spoke.

"Tsunade, your strength is still as terrifying as ever," he said, his voice laced with amusement but also a flicker of wariness. He was no fool; Tsunade's power was legendary, and he knew it could obliterate him if she chose to unleash it.

Tsunade's reputation as one of the legendary Sannin wasn't earned lightly. Her brute force could split the earth itself, and every punch carried the weight of mountains. But Orochimaru had a far more important reason for wanting to keep her alive: he needed her to heal his damaged hands, the hands that were essential for his survival. Without them, his plans were nothing but fragile dreams.

Kabuto Yakushi, standing at Orochimaru's side, observed with quiet calculation. He was unfazed by the looming tension, but there was a sharpness in his gaze as he assessed the situation.

"One of the legendary Sannin," Kabuto mused under his breath. "She may lack speed, but her power... it's like a natural disaster. If she lands a single blow, it could be the end for us both."

The stillness in the air was thick with impending danger. Shizune knew Tsunade's every weakness—her phobia of blood, her unhealed wounds from the past. And Kabuto, in turn, was aware of Orochimaru's crippled hands. Neither side had an advantage, but both were ready to exploit any opening.

Orochimaru's grin widened, a cold amusement in his voice. "Tsunade, I'm sure you know me well enough by now. Don't make me do something we'll both regret."

Tsunade's face remained impassive as she shrugged off her coat, the material flying to the side with the flick of her wrist. Her golden hair caught the light as it swayed behind her, her body radiating confidence and readiness.

"I'd be more careful if I were you, Orochimaru," Tsunade said calmly, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife. "Don't make me angry." Her eyes narrowed as her fists clenched, the sound of cracking bones filling the air.

She began her countdown. "Five... Four..."

Each number she spoke seemed to shake the ground beneath their feet, the air rippling with the intensity of her chakra. The earth trembled as her power surged to life.

Shizune looked at her with a mixture of awe and concern. Lady Tsunade... please be careful.

Kabuto, his fingers twitching nervously, summoned a chakra scalpel to his hand. The thin, sharp blade flickered with energy as he prepared to strike if necessary.

Tsunade's footsteps were heavy as she approached Orochimaru, her expression unchanging. Her power gathered around her like a storm, but Orochimaru wasn't the least bit intimidated.

Then, just as Tsunade was about to reach him, Orochimaru's voice cut through the air like a dagger.

"Nawaki Senju."

Tsunade's steps faltered, her eyes widening in shock. Her breath caught in her throat as the name echoed in her mind.

"Nawaki..." Tsunade whispered, her heart stopping for a beat. The memories of her young cousin, the dreams he held of becoming Hokage, and the tragedy of his death on the battlefield flooded her mind.

"Nawaki Senju…" Orochimaru's voice was taunting, venomous. "And Dan Kato."

Another painful jolt pierced her heart. Dan...

Her thoughts were spiraling out of control now, memories of the two people she had loved most in her life. Nawaki had dreamed of becoming Hokage, just like her, and Dan—her dear lover—had shared that same ambition. But both had been taken from her far too soon, killed in the chaos of war.

They both died because of this damned title, Tsunade thought bitterly. This is the price of the Hokage's dream. They died for it. And I couldn't save them.

The trauma of their deaths had left Tsunade with a debilitating phobia—blood. Whenever she saw it, her mind would flash back to their brutal, bloody deaths. The images haunted her every time she stepped onto a battlefield.

Orochimaru was relentless, sensing her moment of weakness. He pushed forward, his words like poison.

"If you heal my hands, Tsunade, I'll bring them back. I'll bring back Nawaki. I'll bring back Dan."

Tsunade froze, her eyes wide with horror. Could it be true? The offer was too tempting to ignore. She could see them again, hold them again, but at what cost?

Shizune, ever the protector, sprang into action, her voice ringing with a sense of urgency. "Lady Tsunade, don't fall for his lies! The dead can't be resurrected!"

Orochimaru's voice dropped to a near whisper, his words wrapped in a false sense of comfort. "You know the truth, Tsunade. The Impure World Reincarnation... You understand its potential. You could see them again."

For a moment, Tsunade's resolve seemed to waver. The pain of losing Nawaki and Dan cut deeper than any wound she'd ever sustained. She thought back to the words of Gojo Satoru.

"If you don't have a dream, Tsunade, let me be your dream."

The warmth of his voice, the sincerity of his gaze, pierced through the fog of her grief. Her emotions began to stabilize, and a new sense of clarity washed over her.

Tsunade took a deep breath, and then, with a small, faint smile, she stepped forward. "Orochimaru, your proposal is interesting... but I don't need to wait three days."

Orochimaru's face twisted in confusion. "What?"

"I agree to your terms," Tsunade said smoothly, her voice unwavering. "But there's no need for a delay. Let's get this done now."

Shizune's eyes widened in disbelief. "Lady Tsunade... Are you really going to accept Orochimaru's proposal?"

Tsunade nodded, her expression unreadable. "I'll heal his hands, but he'll revive Nawaki and Dan. That's the deal."

Orochimaru, though surprised by the sudden shift in Tsunade's attitude, nodded in agreement. "Of course." But something still felt off to him. Tsunade's demeanor didn't match her words, and a nagging sense of danger grew within him.

As Tsunade extended her hand, a glowing blue chakra surrounded it, her fingers tingling with power. But before she could make contact with Orochimaru, Kabuto's shout rang out.

"Master Orochimaru, watch out!"

Suddenly, Tsunade's fist shot forward with blinding speed, an eruption of force behind it.

"Die, Orochimaru!" Tsunade screamed as her fist collided with the earth, the ground beneath them splitting wide open.

Orochimaru leaped back, narrowly avoiding the devastating blow. Dust and rubble exploded into the air, sending shockwaves across the battlefield.

Kabuto was flung into the distance by the force of the blast, his body tumbling through the air.

Tsunade stood at the epicenter of the crater, her expression cold and unreadable.

Orochimaru's face twisted with fury as he surveyed the destruction. "What is this, Tsunade?" he snarled, his voice hoarse with anger.

Tsunade wiped the dirt from her hands, her eyes locked on Orochimaru with a chilling determination.

"Orochimaru," she said, her tone steady and resolute. "I've had enough of your games."