Konoha Light

In the Washroom

Shimizu stood motionless before the mirror, deep in thought.

"The previous resonance therapy had some effect, but it couldn't break through the final defense. This time, I'll switch to emotional disclosure therapy… but expressing anger isn't easy."

He rubbed his forehead, his eyelids lowering slightly. "Anger is the hardest emotion to fake. Deceiving a child is simple, but dealing with someone like Tsunade… there's a risk of exposing my secret. I have no choice but to use temporary hypnosis."

splash—

A handful of cold water hit his face. He looked up at his reflection in the mirror and let out a faint smile.

"Alright, from now on, I am the perfect class leader that Mizuki trusts."

He stepped out of the washroom.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Mute shook her head gently. "It's alright."

Mizuki, leaning on his walking stick, struggled to speak. His lips trembled slightly before he finally managed, "Thank you… thank you!"

Inside the Room

"No… I can't keep gambling. If I lose again, I'll even lose the tuition money for Shizune… But if I win this time? After so many losses, it's about time I win!"

A voice muttered frantically, as if caught in an internal struggle.

Bang!

The door swung open with force.

Shizune stormed in, her face flushed with anger.

"Tsunade-sama! Didn't you promise not to gamble anymore?!"

Tsunade looked startled, forcing out an awkward laugh. "I… didn't I already stop?"

Shizune puffed her cheeks, placing both hands on her waist as she scolded, "If I hadn't come back today, you definitely would have gone to the casino!"

Tsunade, clearly embarrassed, quickly diverted the topic upon noticing two more figures standing at the entrance.

"Shizune, did you invite your classmates over for a meal today?"

Only then did Shizune recall Shimizu's presence. Quickly lowering her arms, she hesitated, her face heating up. She wanted to introduce him properly, but her mind suddenly went blank, leaving her standing stiffly in place.

Seeing Shizune freeze up, Tsunade sighed helplessly. "Come in."

"Tsunade-sama, I apologize for disturbing your rest," Shimizu said politely.

Tsunade waved a hand dismissively but soon fixed her gaze on Mizuki. "You came today… for him?"

Noticing Mizuki's breathing quicken, Shimizu didn't hesitate. "Yes. Mizuki was severely injured by some upperclassmen yesterday. Today, the hospital told us… he might never be able to become a ninja again."

Tsunade's brows furrowed deeply. She had heard about Mizuki's condition from Shizune yesterday, but she hadn't expected it to be this serious.

"The Hidden Leaf Academy… has it really fallen into such chaos?" she muttered.

But now wasn't the time to assign blame. She stepped forward, placing her hand on Mizuki's shoulder, letting her chakra flow through him.

One second.

Two seconds.

Each moment felt like an eternity.

Finally, Tsunade spoke. "It's… very serious."

Mizuki trembled. "Do I still have a chance?"

"There is a possibility of recovery," Tsunade admitted.

Mizuki's face lit up with joy—only for his expression to freeze as Tsunade continued.

"But the surgery is extremely risky. As a medical ninja, my professional advice is that you should give up on becoming a ninja."

Mizuki's face went pale. His head snapped up. "Even if the chance is only 10%, I won't give up!"

Tsunade raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised by his determination.

"You're just an ordinary kid… and yet, you have such conviction."

At this moment, Shimizu interjected, "Tsunade-sama, how high is the success rate of the surgery?"

Tsunade hesitated for a moment. "...If I were to perform it, the success rate would be around 80%."

"Then please, Tsunade-sama—"

"But I won't do it."

Mizuki's excitement turned to despair. He opened his mouth but couldn't find the words. He didn't dare question the authority of someone like Tsunade. His head lowered, his eyes filled with hopelessness.

To Tsunade, this was simply the truth. Ever since the last great war, she had developed a severe phobia of blood. She couldn't perform surgery anymore.

But Mizuki didn't know this.

In his mind, this great woman was merely toying with his emotions.

"Why is this happening to me? Why is everyone so cruel?"

At that moment, Shimizu suddenly shouted, "Tsunade-sama, please wait! Mizuki truly wants to become a ninja. Please… give him a chance!"

Mizuki's body stiffened.

Shimizu's words were like a beam of light piercing through the darkness in his heart. He had never dared to challenge a superior, yet Shimizu—his class leader—was arguing with this powerful person for his sake!

"I always resented those who seemed better than me," Mizuki thought. "Maybe… it wasn't them I hated. Maybe I just hated myself for not being like them, for being trapped in darkness while they shined so brightly."

Tsunade remained silent for a long moment before finally saying, "Come with me."

She led Shimizu into the guest room.

Once inside, she sighed, "It's not that I don't want to help him. I truly can't. After the last war… I developed a severe phobia of blood."

She let out a bitter laugh. "It's ridiculous, isn't it? A medical ninja… afraid of blood."

But before she could say more, Shimizu suddenly spoke.

"When I was a child, I once heard a wandering warrior tell a story."

"A story?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow.

"He said that in a distant land, there was a country called Sound, known for its fierce musicians. Among them, the most legendary was a man named Beethoven."

"Beethoven?" Tsunade murmured. "What a strange name."

"At the peak of his career, he began to lose his hearing," Shimizu continued.

Tsunade's brows furrowed slightly. "Then what?"

"He didn't give in to fate. Even after losing his hearing, he continued composing countless masterpieces. In the end, he became the greatest musician in the land. He said he would grab fate by the throat."

"Grab… fate by the throat…" Tsunade echoed, visibly shaken.

A long silence followed. She couldn't bring herself to meet Shimizu's determined gaze.

"You told me this story to encourage me?" she finally asked. "It's useless. I'm not as brave as that Beethoven in your story…"

Before she could finish, Shimizu shouted, "I know this is difficult! But if you don't even try, if you decide you can't do it without even making the attempt—then that's just too disappointing!"

Tsunade remained silent.

Her fear of blood… the trauma it brought back… it wasn't something she could easily overcome.

Outside the room, Mizuki could hear the heated voices arguing inside. He trembled, tears streaming down his face.

"He… he's actually fighting for me," Mizuki whispered.

His voice shook.

"Class leader… he's arguing with that great person… just for me!"