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JST Chapter 227: A Farewell in Disguise
🕑 Added 2025-03-26 20:39:16 +0000 UTCKazuki gently embraced Tsunade.
Though the gesture carried a hint of ambiguity, his touch remained respectful, never straying into inappropriate territory.
Even so, Tsunade felt a tingling warmth spread through her, her body temperature rising involuntarily...
Just before Kazuki entered the barracks, Tsunade had been thinking about him.
Her student had gradually taken on more and more responsibility as his abilities grew. Not only did he have to counter Kirigakure’s offensives, but he also had to act as a firefighter, rushing between battlefields, like providing reinforcements on the Iwagakure front.
Not to mention, he was solely responsible for managing Konoha’s aerial bombardment squad and overseeing Root’s operations.
Tsunade couldn’t imagine how Kazuki, single-handedly carrying Konoha on his back, had managed to suppress the Allied Shinobi Forces in battle.
But those were the obvious matters—the ones concerning the village, duty, and the greater good.
When night fell and silence took over, Tsunade’s thoughts drifted toward her future with Kazuki.
Technically, they were master and student, but their relationship had never truly fit that mold.
Reflecting on it, Tsunade realized she had never actually taught Kazuki any significant ninjutsu. Instead, it was Kazuki who had been like a guiding light, shining into her life when she was at her lowest—starting with a simple bowl of soup, then covering her retreat during the battle against Kakuzu, and ultimately becoming an integral part of her everyday life, like family.
He didn’t just heal her hemophobia; he mended her broken spirit.
She, the so-called sensei, had been the one guided, the one deeply captivated by his unwavering charm.
Recalling the words of Uzumaki Mito—When the time is right, if you have any doubts, just deal with your great-uncle first. Then, you can enjoy your time with Kazuki—Tsunade often pondered what the future would hold.
Once the war ended, Kazuki would be fully grown, and by then, perhaps their relationship could take a different turn.
But she also had concerns—she couldn’t be sure if Kazuki saw her the same way.
Kazuki was always kind to his friends, helping everyone equally within his power. Tsunade wasn’t sure if she held a special place in his heart.
Thinking back on all their moments together, she realized he had never truly expressed emotions that crossed the boundaries of a student-teacher relationship. Nor had he ever made a move that could be considered inappropriate.
That realization left her feeling disappointed.
But today, something changed!
No matter how respectful Kazuki’s embrace was, the fact remained—what kind of student hugs their sensei from behind? There was no reasonable explanation for it!
Tsunade’s face turned red as she anxiously turned around, unsure of how to react.
Kazuki still had Tobirama in his mental space. If things got out of hand, Tsunade might feel uncomfortable...
A conflicting set of emotions swirled inside her.
She worried that their relationship wouldn’t progress in the future, yet she also didn’t want things to move too fast while Tobirama’s chakra still lingered.
After some contemplation, Tsunade gently took hold of Kazuki’s hands, giving them a light squeeze in response. Pretending as if nothing had happened, she teased: "We only saw each other not long ago… Did you miss me already?"
Feeling the noticeable rise in her body temperature and hearing the slight tremor in her voice, Kazuki smirked.
He let go of her without hesitation, nodded, and said matter-of-factly: "Yes, I missed you, Tsunade-sensei."
Hearing those words, Tsunade’s heart leaped with joy, but at the same time, she grew uneasy.
Why was he so straightforward?!
No hesitation? No teasing back and forth?!
If he had insisted on continuing to hold her, well… it wasn’t like she could overpower him anyway…
Her emotions were a whirlwind as she turned to look at Kazuki once more.
Her eyes trembled.
It had only been a month or so, yet Kazuki had changed profoundly.
If before, he had been a handsome young man with a well-built physique but still a touch of boyishness, now he was unmistakably a young man—a man.
After his Ōtsutsuki bloodline awakened, combined with his constant refinement using Lightning Release and medical ninjutsu, his body had been reshaped, optimizing his physique into perfect proportions.
His striking white hair, coupled with his chiseled form, exuded an inexplicable regal aura.
Like a celestial being descending to earth.
Due to the talent [Ocean Confusion], Tsunade was stunned for a moment.
Added to that was the talent he had gained from Terumi Mei, Kazuki watched her without blinking, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes.
Kazuki almost thought he saw Tsunade's eyes transform into hearts...
"Tsunade-sensei, Tsunade-sensei?"
Kazuki’s gentle voice snapped her out of her daze. Realizing her slip-up, she coughed lightly, quickly masking her expression with feigned curiosity.
"Kazuki, what’s with your hair?"
"It’s nothing to worry about, Tsunade-sensei. It’s just a side effect of my Sage Mode training."
Kazuki smiled warmly, reassuring her in a calm tone: "Everything is under my control. There’s nothing to be concerned about."
Tsunade nodded thoughtfully.
She had been slightly worried that Kazuki’s white hair might be connected to her great-uncle…
But since Kazuki said it was under control and related to Sage Mode, there shouldn’t be any real problem.
Even so, just to be safe, she would need to start working on sealing Tobirama as soon as the war ended…
Tsunade and Kazuki sat across from each other, talking.
"Kazuki, did you visit those sage lands? What’s the deal with this ‘Child of Prophecy’ that Jiraiya keeps talking about?"
Tsunade spoke softly, "Honestly, you don’t need to take it too seriously. The Great Toad Sage may have said it, but only Jiraiya truly believes in it. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself over it…"
The truth was, Tsunade and Orochimaru had supported Kazuki’s investigation into the prophecy mostly to distract him.
At the time, Kazuki had started having extreme thoughts—questioning whether wiping out the entire shinobi world might be the only path to peace…
Rather than letting him dwell on such dark ideas, they figured giving him something vague and uncertain to focus on would be better.
But looking at Kazuki’s white hair and hearing him say it was linked to Sage Mode… Could the prophecy actually hold some truth?
"Tsunade-sensei, let’s not talk about that for now. Trust me, I have everything under control."
Kazuki shook his head, clearly unwilling to continue the conversation. Then, crossing his arms, he locked eyes with Tsunade, his gaze intense and unwavering—so direct it felt as if he were trying to etch her image into his memory.
Tsunade was taken aback. Why was Kazuki being so forward today?
She felt a bit flustered.
Still, she gathered her courage and met his gaze. Neither of them spoke. They simply sat there, staring at each other in silence.
The air grew thick with an unspoken tension, a quiet warmth spreading through the room.
Deep inside Kazuki, Tobirama watched the scene unfold, unsure of what to say…
The Senju and Uchiha had been at odds for a thousand years due to the Six Paths Sage’s scheme…
If Kazuki and Tsunade were to unite, that conflict would finally come to an end.
They would be family.
Unfortunately…
It was too late.
Kazuki wasn’t here to confess his feelings—he was here to say goodbye.
"This will probably be the most unforgettable meeting between Tsunade and Kazuki… and also their last."
Tobirama looked away, unable to bear watching any longer. His head lowered in sorrow.
Kazuki’s time was running out. So were the shinobi world’s.
After deciphering the Sage of Six Paths’ stone tablet, Tobirama finally confirmed the truth.
The ancient Uchiha chakra residing in Kazuki’s body belonged to none other than Indra, the elder son of the Sage of Six Paths—the one who had helped seal their father alongside Asura.
To Tobirama, it was clear now.
The Sage of Six Paths had planted himself inside Kazuki long ago.
Jiraiya had started searching for the Child of Prophecy around the time Kazuki was born…
It all lined up.
Neither Kazuki nor Tobirama had noticed the Sage’s deep concealment at first.
But Indra had.
Tobirama recalled the moment Kazuki obtained Susanoo's sacred weapon. That was when Indra’s chakra had first entered him.
Back then, Tobirama hadn’t fully understood…
Why would Indra’s chakra attach itself to Kazuki?
Now, the truth was clear.
The struggle for dominance between father and son inside Kazuki’s body mirrored the battles Tobirama had once fought against Uchiha Izuna.
It made sense.
Indra’s chakra had gone berserk before, forcing Kazuki into isolation. Now, Tobirama understood…
Indra had been trying to take over Kazuki’s body to eliminate the Sage of Six Paths once and for all.
But at the time, both Kazuki and Tobirama had mistaken him for an enemy…
Tobirama didn’t regret it.
Whether it was Indra or the Sage of Six Paths, he wouldn’t allow either of them to take over Kazuki’s body.
No matter their motives—good or bad—they would all be sealed away at the bottom of the ocean.
For the sake of the shinobi world, to rid it of the Sage’s corruption, someone had to make sacrifices.
The problem was, every time Kazuki used his power, he suffered further corruption from within.
So, he had to say his goodbyes now, before it was too late.
The day Konoha’s war ended… would be the day Kazuki vanished.
By then, if everything went according to plan, the Sage of Six Paths would be sealed. But Kazuki wouldn’t have the strength left to resist his body’s complete deterioration. There would be no time for quiet conversations like this with Tsunade.
Tobirama knew this would make Tsunade suffer even more after Kazuki disappeared. She might never truly move on.
But did Kazuki feel any less pain?
He had already given everything for peace in the shinobi world. If this farewell hurts Tsunade, so be it.
At least it gave Kazuki some sense of closure.
