NARUTO- CH-129. The Other Side of Tsunade

Tsunade crossed her arms over her chest, her bright brown eyes filled with determination. "I said I won't lose!"

"That's fine," Shiki replied, satisfied that his goal had been achieved. "Shall we start now?"

Tsunade gritted her teeth, feeling cornered. Why did it seem like agreeing or refusing both led to her losing?

"Damn kid!" She muttered in frustration and reached out.

"Wait!" Shiki tried to stop her, but it was too late.

His neatly combed hair was instantly a mess again.

Shizune couldn't hold back her laughter, though this time it was filled with genuine relief. Tsunade had agreed to the treatment, and that was the best news she'd heard in ages. Still, seeing Shiki suffer had its own entertainment value.

Shiki glared at Shizune.

'What are you laughing at? You didn't even help.'

He sighed inwardly, 'Useless senior sister.'

Feeling refreshed, Tsunade finally let go of Shiki's head. Her expression softened, and the resistance she'd shown earlier was replaced with calm resolve.

After all, she was one of the legendary Sannin. She couldn't afford to act cowardly in front of her students, even if hemophobia haunted her.

"How are we doing this?" Tsunade asked, sitting up straight. She was ready to take her role as a patient seriously now.

"I plan to do it in two phases," Shiki explained, holding up two fingers. During the past month, he had taken systematic desensitization therapy seriously, reviewing every detail carefully.

"We'll start with sessions every three days, gradually increasing the frequency once you're more accustomed to it."

Tsunade nodded, feeling slightly relieved. Once every three days didn't sound so bad. If she could grit her teeth and get through it, it wouldn't be so embarrassing.

"One month," She said after a moment's thought, raising her index finger. "If there's no progress within a month, we stop."

Shiki hesitated briefly but then agreed. One month was more than enough time. If the therapy failed, it wouldn't make sense to keep forcing it on her.

Still, Shiki had a backup plan.

If it came down to it, he would stage a dangerous situation—just like in the original story, where Naruto's bravery accidentally cured Tsunade's hemophobia.

The challenge was finding actors who could convincingly play their roles. Orochimaru had played his part in the original timeline, but now... convincing someone else to act as a threat would be tricky. Worse, if Tsunade saw through the charade, it could backfire entirely.

For now, Shiki decided to focus on the therapy and hope it worked.

"Before we start, try to relax as much as possible," Shiki said, recalling what he had read in the medical books.

Tsunade stood up. "To my room, then."

She walked inside, lay down on the bed without removing her clothes, and stared at the familiar ceiling. Her body relaxed, though the lingering anxiety still gnawed at her.

Shiki stood by the bed, his gaze steady as he prepared the next step.

"I want a drink," Tsunade said suddenly.

Shiki blinked. "What for? This isn't a farewell ceremony."

Ignoring his skepticism, Tsunade insisted. "It'll help me relax."

Resigned, Shiki fetched a bottle of nectar wine and handed it to her. "Fine, but don't get drunk."

Tsunade rolled her eyes. "Since when do you, the student, give orders to the teacher?"

"You're not the teacher right now," Shiki replied firmly. "You're the patient, so you have to listen to me."

Tsunade shot him a glare but refrained from arguing. She opened the bottle, took a swig, and let the sweet liquid soothe her nerves. Droplets of wine escaped the corners of her mouth, trailing down her neck before disappearing into her top.

Handing the bottle back to Shiki, she exhaled deeply. "Alright, let's get this over with."

With her slightly flushed face and confident demeanor, Tsunade looked as bold as ever.

Shiki sat on the edge of the bed, placed the bottle aside, and took out a kunai.

"Ready?"

Tsunade hesitated but finally nodded.

Shiki pricked his palm lightly with the kunai, creating a faint line of blood.

Tsunade's body stiffened instantly. Her pupils contracted, and she began to tremble. Within seconds, her arms crossed over her chest, and she curled up defensively, trembling uncontrollably.

Shizune's heart ached as she rushed to Tsunade's side.

Despite witnessing this reaction before, it was always painful to see her beloved teacher so consumed by fear.

Shiki frowned deeply.

Watching this up close was far more impactful than seeing it in an anime. Tsunade's terror was palpable. Her trembling wasn't just physical—it radiated a profound psychological trauma.

"Teacher," Shiki called softly, grasping her wrist gently. "Please think of something happy."

Tsunade seemed lost in her own world, her dull eyes staring blankly ahead. She was trapped in a vivid replay of her most painful memories.

"Teacher!"

Shiki raised his voice, trying to break through her daze.

After several attempts, Tsunade turned her head slightly, her eyes meeting his.

"Happy things!" Shiki urged her. "Think about happy memories!"

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