26 Chapter 26: The Shadow of the Past

A massive smoke cloud emerged from the training ground. Several ninjas turned in its direction.

"Are we under attack?!" they exclaimed.

After a few seconds, its contents were revealed—a giant white and blue slug.

A small silhouette stood on the worm's head.

"Isn't that Tsunade-sama's summoning?" remarked a woman with black hair and red eyes, bandages adorning her.

"Yes, it seems so. But who is she fighting?" replied a man with black hair, a cigarette in his mouth, staring intently at the summoning.

"Hey! Kurenai, Asuma!"

Both turned towards the caller, a man with black hair, a distinctive haircut, and dressed entirely in green, running towards them.

"What's up, Guy?"

"Tsunade-sama is fighting. Who's her opponent? Don't you want to take a look?" Guy said with a smile, a gleam in his white-toothed grin. Kurenai and Asuma exchanged glances, curious about who compelled Tsunade to use her summoning.

"Isn't it Jiraiya-sama? I think it's very likely," Kurenai responded thoughtfully.

The other two agreed; there were very few ninjas capable of facing Tsunade.

However, soon another smoke cloud appeared.

From it emerged a gigantic blue lion with a massive exoskeleton, its mane looking fierce.

"That's definitely not Jiraiya-sama!"

Observing the strange summoning, both nodded and decided to take a closer look.

---

Leaping backward, Yuki watched as his Ice Lion was melted by acid.

"That's unfair! Summonings are forbidden!" Feeling dismayed by the colossal slug, Yuki couldn't help but complain.

"We never said anything about that. Besides, you want my hand in marriage... Don't complain!"

(Marriage?) Yuki started sweating; he never said he would marry, and he's just 11 years old.

(I guess age is frustrating her.)

*puchi

Having these thoughts, Yuki jumped to dodge the acid shot by the slug.

"For some reason, I feel like you're thinking very rudely of me!"

Tsunade had a somewhat twisted smile as veins bulged on her forehead.

"I-it must be your imagination, big sister Tsunade."

Yuki was now scared; the sensitivity of this woman brought him fear.

"Well then... are you giving up, brat? It's time you accepted your defeat."

"Tch!" Clicking his tongue, Yuki had to admit that without using Zafkiel, beating her was very difficult.

(Can't help it... I'll have to use it.)

Taking a breath, Yuki quickly bit his thumb and formed hand signs, feeling more than half of his chakra being consumed. Yuki looked at Tsunade.

"All right, you asked for it!... Summoning Jutsu: Great Ice Lion."

*Poof

A massive smoke cloud spread across the field.

*Roar

Emerging from it was a giant ice lion, its exoskeleton and mane striking. This was one of Yuki's secret weapons. He had spent a month creating this beast, so he stored it in his shadow dimension, intending to use it only in desperate situations. Who would have thought he would use it to subdue a woman?

(I revealed one of my cards... But those assets are worth it!)

However, Yuki didn't regret it; he saw it as an investment for the future.

Tsunade opened her mouth in shock at the sight of the giant. Truth be told, it looked very intimidating—its aura, large fangs, exoskeleton, mane, claws, all in a deep sapphire blue color. Tsunade had to admit that this summoning was powerful.

(Maybe... more powerful than Jiraiya's toads.)

Tsunade smiled, looked at Yuki, and couldn't help but feel proud. She had trained the kid for two years, and he had become powerful. Yet, she glimpsed a shadow for a moment—a little brown-haired boy with gray eyes, rosy cheeks, and a bright smile, touching his forehead protector.

(Nawaki...)

Yuki looked at Tsunade's smile, unable to prevent his chest from tightening. He knew.

He knew very well that, to Tsunade, he was just a replacement.

Lowering his head, the shadow hid his eyes. He knew Tsunade's gaze wasn't directed at him; it was aimed at someone else in him. That look was what Yuki hated the most.

"Look at me!" Tsunade snapped out of her reverie upon hearing Yuki's shout.

Yuki no longer smiled; his gaze had changed. Seeing him, Tsunade couldn't help but have a bitter look.

"YOU'RE ALWAYS LIKE THIS, TSUNADE! WHY DON'T YOU LOOK AT ME ONCE IN YOUR LIFE?!"

Yuki's Sharingan glowed dangerously.

*Roar

Issuing a mental command, the lion attacked, biting the blue slug, which split into several smaller slugs with each bite.

Tsunade and Yuki stared at each other, neither acting, just locking eyes. One harbored resentment and suspicion, while the other displayed uncertainty and insecurity.

Neither spoke; after some time, Tsunade averted her gaze. She couldn't handle Yuki's stare; she knew he was deeply upset.

"Tsunade-sama," murmured Shizune. Yuki's words had touched her. Tsunade never looked at Yuki; she always sought a replacement to fill the void in her heart, and Yuki was that replacement.

Tiny tears fell from Shizune's eyes. The profound sadness in Yuki's gaze triggered her maternal instinct; she wanted to run and hug the child, to tell him everything was okay.

Tsunade blamed herself for this; she knew Yuki's past, his family. Everyone had left, leaving the child alone. She was the same; everyone had left, leaving her alone.

That's why she sympathized with the boy. However, now she realized how unfair she had been to Yuki by ignoring him. The boy brought her troubles, but he brought her more happiness than ever. Now drowning in alcohol, not to forget, but in happiness, the boy was her light, but at the same time, he was her replacement.

"I'm sorry."

*Roar

With a final attack, the slug's body exploded into small slugs, Tsunade's body falling. However, she didn't care about that; she simply closed her eyes.

Before falling, someone lifted her in their arms.

*Poof, poof

Both summonings disappeared; their purposes had been fulfilled.

Both sides had lost their fighting spirit.

Landing, Yuki gently lowered Tsunade.

Opening her eyes, Tsunade looked at Yuki's face.

"Yuki, I..."

Shaking his head, the dangerous look in Yuki's eyes had disappeared.

"It's okay, big sister Tsunade. I'm not asking you to forget your past, to forget any of your family. I'm not asking you to reject your pain. I don't even care if you hate me. I just want you to look at me, to overcome it." Raising his hand, Yuki touched Tsunade's chest.

"Look at me, big sister. I'll be the same poison if necessary ; I'll crawl and won't stop until I find a place in your heart. My feelings are real, my heart beats very fast, so it doesn't matter if you push me away or despise me. I promise to make you the happiest woman in the world."

Patting Tsunade's head, Yuki responded with a smile, and Tsunade's face blushed for the first time in two years. She was looking at the black-haired boy with a crimson eye and an eye patch.

Wiping away tears, Yuki leaned in, and before closing Tsunade's lips with his own, Tsunade opened her eyes in surprise. Not only her but also Shizune was left dumbfounded.

(I lost.)

After parting their lips, they embraced, thus ending their little fight.

However, no one noticed the small smile that escaped Yuki's face.

(I won.)

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TN : I am uploading the chapters just so I can read it it's not like i am doing for you guys or anything humph!