Chapter 154: Tsunade blood phobia
Intrigued by Fugaku's methods, they placed their trust in him without fully understanding the intricacies. Their night raid on the Suna camp left an indelible mark on their memories.
Following a brief period of ceasefire, the Suna camp agreed to terms, resulting in a pause in hostilities. The absence of new casualties during this time made it possible to manage the number of wounded ninjas.
Recognizing the need for a strategic retreat, Shikaku, the jonin commander, issued orders for the wounded and medical staff to withdraw early the next morning.
As they gathered to discuss their battle plans, Shikaku orchestrated the deployment of a thousand skilled ninjas to forge ahead of them. Surprisingly, they reached the Land of Fire territory before the rest of the group, prompting the need to scout for a suitable campsite.
Among the ninjas, Nono accompanied the wounded, and a sense of regret lingered as she departed. Fugaku, observing her departure, offered a comforting smile, understanding the weight of the situation.
Their interaction caught the attention of a curious onlooker, a woman who observed them keenly. Unable to contain her curiosity, she couldn't help but inquire, "Are you guys really..."
Perplexed, Fugaku turned to Tsunade, who stood behind him, and asked, "Huh? How did you know?"
Tsunade sighed, her eyes closing in silent contemplation. She chose not to speak, letting out a heavy breath that conveyed a mixture of frustration and resignation.
Inwardly, Tsunade harbored a disdain for the kind of person Fugaku represented. Despite her inner turmoil, she refrained from openly criticizing his actions, realizing the complicated relationship.
Reflecting on his charm, she couldn't help but feel sorry for the girl entangled in his web of deceit. The knowledge that he had a wife didn't deter the girl from pursuing him.
Tsunade couldn't shake the memory of that night, the girl's hopeful anticipation starkly contrasting with the bitter recollection of how Kato had once stood her up.
Observing Tsunade's reaction, Fugaku offered a sheepish smile, acknowledging the unspoken tension.
"Let's not talk about this," he suggested, redirecting the conversation. "I have another favor to ask you. I hope you can keep it a secret for me."
Curiosity piqued, and Tsunade responded, "What is it?"
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Inside the commander's tent, three figures occupied the space. Fugaku held the central position, flanked by Tsunade.
On Tsunade's left, an array of pills lay scattered, each containing the promise of strength enhancement.
Saiki, the current focus, stood poised for his turn, a role previously held by Itsuki.
"Take one of Tsunade-sama's strength enhancement pills," Fugaku commanded with simplicity, gesturing toward the pills on the left.
Saiki hesitated for a moment, then decided to gulp down the pill. Soon, he found himself undergoing the same transformative experience that Itsuki had before him.
Perplexed, Saiki questioned, "How?"
Intrigued by the potential of this newfound power, he eagerly volunteered, "Clan head, I'll go test it out!" His impatience was palpable as he yearned to explore the extent of his enhanced abilities.
He had observed Itsuki's newfound strength but lacked an understanding of its origin until now. Fugaku's pills, it seemed, had the power to fortify clan members, raising questions about whether they could alter not only their strength but also their physical attributes.
"Doesn't this make the Uchiha members even more arrogant?" Tsunade asked cautiously, her concern evident.
The extraordinary effects of the pills left her amazed. It seemed almost unbelievable, prompting her to wonder if Fugaku had ingested something miraculous.
Even the revered first Hokage, her own grandfather, had attempted experiments to enhance the clan's abilities through cell transplantation, a venture that ultimately ended in failure.
Yet, here was Fugaku, employing a seemingly unconventional method to empower his clan members. The Uchiha, already known for their pride, now possessed increased strength that had the potential to breed overconfidence. The prospect troubled Tsunade.
Fugaku acknowledged her apprehension with a nod. "That's possible," he admitted cautiously, "but I'm here to keep them in check. Let's focus on the war for now, and we'll deal with it later."
While Fugaku didn't share Tsunade's immediate concern, he believed his presence would act as a deterrent, preventing the Uchiha clan from causing unnecessary trouble.
Despite the uncertainty of the future, he remained unfazed. Aware that he couldn't control events after his death, no matter how well he prepared his descendants, Fugaku accepted the inevitability of unforeseen challenges.
Tsunade hesitated, clutching the test tube containing his blood. The sight of blood was something she despised, and she grappled with her own ability to handle it. Fugaku had entrusted her with a significant secret, and the weight of that responsibility weighed on her.
Before she could voice her internal struggle, Fugaku spoke. "Thank you for keeping this secret for me. I've gathered some clan members, and they'll be here by tonight. So, as I said before, tell them about it. It's hard to keep it a secret with so many people, but it should be fine for a while.
But before you start working, you might want to cure your blood phobia."
"My blood phobia?" Tsunade repeated, caught off guard. Discomfort was etched across her face.
Only her medical colleague and Jiraiya were privy to her fear of blood, and it had never been brought up in front of Fugaku before. His open acknowledgment and offer to help her overcome it left her shocked.
Fugaku nodded slowly. "I don't have a special method. The best way is to use an illusion to help you overcome your psychological barrier. If you have a better idea, let me know. I'm not an expert on this."
His lack of medical expertise didn't deter him; he relied on what he had observed and heard.
He remembered how Tsunade overcame her fear of blood when Naruto was in danger. She had to save him, and she couldn't run away. But that required the main character's plot armor.
Tsunade, overwhelmed by memories, stood up abruptly and shouted at Fugaku, "No. I don't need your help."
In a panic, she rushed out of the tent, her fear of reliving those painful memories evident. Losing her only love had left a profound scar on her heart.
Fugaku, stunned by Tsunade's reaction, realized the depth of her trauma. However, recognizing the potential disadvantage if she didn't overcome her fear, he decided to follow her, understanding the necessity of addressing this issue before it could impact their relationship.
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