Chapter 13: Tsunade Returns to the Village
The reason for buying Fei Ju, as Shen Mo said, was to alleviate loneliness.
Feeling alone in a different world was not pleasant, even though there were many characters that Shen Mo had liked in the past, they were all strangers now.
As a mature adult, Shen Mo understood that love was best reserved for someone who valued him as much as he valued them.
For example, the little milk cat on his shoulder.
Initial loyalty rating, as high as 90%.
Under these conditions, as long as he treated her well, she would also repay him in kind.
After scratching her chin a few times and receiving a few meows in return, Shen Mo was satisfied with the warm and fuzzy feeling and turned his attention to today's "customer."
In the other families in this town,
A meticulous dress, a mysterious jar merchant, appeared once again.
...
While Shen Mo was making high-profit transactions and earning a lot of money,
After two days and two nights of fast travel, Tsunade finally returned to Konoha.
Looking at this familiar and yet unfamiliar environment, Tsunade unconsciously quickened her pace, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
"Is that... Lady Tsunade?" A cry of surprise came from the village gate.
Even though she hadn't returned to the village in years, she was still recognized by the guards at the gate.
Of course, this was also because her appearance had not changed at all.
"It really is Lady Tsunade!"
"Lady Tsunade has returned!"
"Lady Tsunade!"
"You've finally come back!"
From the guards at the gate, to the passing ninja, and even the ordinary people in the shops, anyone of a certain age was excited to greet Tsunade, showing her immense popularity in Konoha.
Not just because she was one of the legendary Sannin, a war hero, and the granddaughter of the First Hokage.
But also because of her outstanding medical ninjutsu.
During the war, many ninjas, even civilians, were saved by her.
"Lady Tsunade..."
Shizune followed closely behind Tsunade, feeling the warmth of the villagers, her eyes slightly red.
"Hmph, these people are still the same." Tsunade's expression was a little gloomy, but her footsteps quickened involuntarily, and the slightly clenched fist indicated that her heart was not as calm as it appeared on the surface.
Along the way, many people greeted her with surprise.
She arrived at the Hokage's office without any obstacles.
She pushed the door open directly.
Inside, there were the Third Hokage sitting in the Hokage's position and several ninjas who came to deliver missions.
"I heard you came back, and I can hardly believe it." The Third Hokage smiled at Tsunade. "It's good that you're back. You still look so young."
"...You're the old man now." Tsunade opened her mouth and finally said, "Are you already a complete old man now?"
"Hahaha."
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, didn't care about his disciple's words and laughed heartily a few times, waved his hand, and signaled the other ninjas to leave.
"Are you back temporarily, or did something happen?"
In fact, a day earlier, Hiruzen Sarutobi had received news that Tsunade was returning to Konoha.
After all, even if Tsunade left, she still had ninja scouts around her, and even major ninja villages had them.
So Hiruzen Sarutobi vaguely knew some information, but it wasn't very comprehensive.
"Take a look at these."
Tsunade took out a sealing scroll, placed it on the table, opened it, and after a soft sound, many small bottles, herbs, and strange things appeared.
"These are..." Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at these things.
"I bought them from a mysterious merchant." Tsunade looked solemn. "They are very magical. Some of the effects of the potions are even beyond imagination. And that merchant claims to be a merchant from another world."
"Another world?" Hiruzen Sarutobi was stunned.
As the Hokage, he knew many secret arts.
For example, the Dead Demon Seal that summons the god of death.
At least, the world after death exists.
But what Tsunade said was obviously not that.
"He showed me many pictures." Tsunade described what she had seen, "Pictures of completely different worlds. He said he was from a merchant guild called 'All-Knowing All-Powerful Merchant Guild,' and the products he sells—jars—also have all kinds of magical products, some herbs, potions, even I have never heard of them."
"Tell me in detail about your experiences," Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression also became serious.
Although, the ninja world seemed to be in a rare period of peace right now.
However, the storms never really went away.
The Akatsuki organization, the other ninja villages, various threats still existed.
Tsunade recounted her experiences with Shen Mo in detail, and Shizune added some details to the story.
In the end, she took out the badge that Shen Mo had given her.
"You mean when you checked his body, you confirmed that he was just an ordinary person?" Hiruzen Sarutobi keenly discovered the key point.
"I can confirm that, but when he left, he did show some techniques similar to the Flying Thunder God Technique, and... when this pattern appeared on his forehead..." Tsunade frowned when she recalled Shen Mo's appearance when he activated the Agamotto Eye.
That noble feeling.
It was really indescribable.
"I understand, Tsunade."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smoked his pipe, lowered his head in silence, as if he was thinking.
Tsunade's feelings, the magical items in front of her, and the many signs all seemed to point to the mystery of that merchant.
From another world?
Regardless of whether it is true or not, in the face of these magical items, one cannot underestimate them.
After a while.
"Tsunade." Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly smiled, a kind smile on his old face. "You won't leave this time, will you? The position of the medical hospital's director has always been kept for you, and by the way, how's your illness..."
"...It's already healed." Tsunade remained silent for a moment, then took out the cross from her neck. "This was the item that opened from the only Level 2 jar I bought. It's the Cross of Courage. As long as you wear it, you can have courage..."
"Oh?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes, somewhat cloudy, stared at the shining silver necklace.
"It suits you very well."
The cross also has a medical meaning in this world.
Tsunade took a deep breath and looked at her teacher, slowly saying, "He said there is a treasure in the Level 3 jar that can bring people back to life."
The scene suddenly quieted down.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff of smoke, and soon the office of the Hokage was shrouded in smoke.
"Tsunade."
In the end, Hiruzen Sarutobi broke the silence. His voice was full of a sense of age, but it seemed to carry some kind of power.
"I understand your feelings, but Tsunade, both Hashirama and Tobirama burned themselves to protect Konoha. Even if they really come back to life, they wouldn't want your love to be used, or even... to harm the village."