6 Prolouge: The ring won't enter the finger on its own

Tsunade had the greatest shock in her entire life, and that in a good way. Dan was romantic, yes. But at the end of the day, he was also a shinobi and soldier, just like her. Both of their life was embroiled with war and killing. But the last 6 months of her life managed to make her experience what love of a normal couple is. Not that she had a big regret for not being able to experience that, but it felt sweet nonetheless.

But this is way beyond her expectation. First, that idiot started in a tone as if he is rejecting her and rejection of a man hurts the woman more than the rejection of a woman hurts the man. Then it just took a 180-degree turn and *Boom*, he was proposing. How is that fair? I mean they haven't even started dating. They only took hint they have feelings for each other. And looking at the past, though she and Dan were dating, due to all that war and what not they only manage to go to dinner date 3 times. Though they truly loved each other, war cut their relation short before it could advance further. So, she doesn't have any personal experience at all.

Seeing her freeze like, Ashborn on the other hand took it as a negative signal. He awkwardly said,

-Did I mess things up? It's my first time proposing someone so I don't really understand these things very well. Or is it that you don't think of me that way? Oh man, that would be embarrassing... Because I totally thought you wanted me to take the step first and I internally panicked and...

Hearing such awkwardness from him for the first time, she regained her sense and lightly chuckled and said,

-Looks like the super-smooth Ash can be awkward at sometimes.

Hearing such answer, Ashborn regain quite a bit of courage,

-Ahaha (awkward laugh), I guess no one in the world is invincible. So...

Ash felt quite nervous now as his voice trailed off, unable to ask what's her answer. Tsunade looked at him directly and asked,

-Originally I just wanted to start dating and give you time. But looks like you are more serious than I thought. Are you sure about it? There is nothing to hide from you. You do know what my physical condition is, right? Just to remind you, I won't be able to have chil...?

Ashborn didn't let her finish the sentence as he pressed his lips against hers. Due to happiness or sorrow, which no one knows, a drop of tear escaped her eyes but she relished the moment none the less. After around 20 odd seconds, they parted with a little deep breath.

Ashborn said with a light smile,

-Do you really think, those things really matter to me? I love you because you are a strong woman who has a genuine and clear heart. Why anything else matters?

Hearing that Tsunade just released a sigh. Because she knows, maybe he won't feel the same way if she released her transformation Jutsu. But then again why does it matter? It is not as if he is totally in the dark. Lastly, after all that she faced in life, she too deserves happiness in her life... or what is left of it.

Looking sideways, she extended her left hand towards Ashborn, saying,

-What are you waiting for then? The ring won't enter the finger on its own.

This time Ashborn became stupified. That easily, he was inwardly preparing for a long debate with her to convince but it really came out of the blue. Firstly, there is that age gap. Secondly, the cultural difference. Thirdly, she is stranded in a foreign world. Lastly, her deteriorating age and physique. But looks like he underestimated his own charm.

Seeing him, standing like a fool from the corner of the eye, she said,

-My hand is aching you know. Should I just take my hand back? Or are you hesitating now and want to back off?

Hearing such comment he had the sense back. He hastily said,

-No no... I... I am just shocked. That's all.

Saying that he took her palm and slowly slid the blue diamond ring on it. Releasing a big sigh of relief he said,

-Take care of me, in the rest of our life, My love.

-You too take care of me, my future husband...

Tsunade answered with a smile. Hearing that Ashborn's smile got bigger as he said,

-Then with respect and love, let us take care of each other in this life and the life that comes after this one.

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Both of them laid on the hood and windshield of the car for over an hour holding each other's hand and watching the stars. They didn't talk much, just simply enjoying each others company.

Then Tsunade looked at her wristwatch and said,

-It is already past 1 am. We really need to get back now or Shizune will be worried. Besides, you have your flight in the morning.

-Well, I can extend the vacation if you want! Besides, it would be a very sorrowful matter if I have to leave behind my fiancée right after getting engaged.

-Haha, if you think you can get in my pants now, forget even thinking about it before marriage.

Ashborn's face turned a shade of red hearing that. He quickly replied in denial.

-I was absolutely not thinking along those lines. Absolutely not.

Tsunade burst out giggling while getting up.

-Ya right, kiddo. All your dirty thoughts are written all over your face. Who are you trying to fool? The strongest kunoichi of the elemental nations.

As she got on the ground and went get on the driver's seat, Ashborn got up saying...

-Did you just call me "Kiddo"? I am your "soon to be husband", you do realize that right? What would people think if they hear you calling me that?

-To me, you shall always be kiddo. And I am not calling you that in front of others, am I? Now get in the car before I leave you behind.

-You wouldn't...

-Try me...

Releasing a deep sigh, he got in the car and said in a small voice,

-Looks like I am going to have the fortune of becoming a henpecked husband.

-Did you say something dear?

Tsunade asked in a not-so-friendly smile,

-No no... absolutely not. It must be the wind. hehe(scared laugh)...

-Yes, otherwise for a moment I thought my ears are malfunctioning.

As the silence continued, suddenly both of them burst out laughing.

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It was very sweet and refreshing for Tsunade, joking around like that which both of them enjoyed. On the way, they talked about various things. Suddenly she asked,

- I wanted to ask this for a while but this has been skipping out of my mind. Do you remember that drinking bet we had when we first met?

Tsunade asked casually.

-Yeaaaa, about that... I have a confession to make about that day. But ask your question first.

-Okay... do you remember what you last said before you collapsed?

-Not really. That was about seven months ago after all. What did I say?

-You said, "This monarch can go on for two more hours..." or something like that. Ring any bell? (Screech.. sudden brake) What the hell... Don't you have any eyes, stupid? You were just about to get roadkilled.

Tsunade shouted at the suspicious-looking man who just suddenly came in the middle of the road. the man shouted back as moving unstably,

-Shaddap bitch... Mind your own business with your boy toy...

-Son of a...

As she was just about to get out of the car, Ashborn held her back grabbing her shoulder.

-It's not worth it, dear. That man is either drunk or an addict. He doesn't even know what he is saying. So, let it go. He needs help, not a beating.

Hearing such words, she slumped back on her driver's seat. How can a person be so... she doesn't even know what this is. That person swore so bad at him and he thinks that man needs help. She just looked at him and said,

-You know, Ash. You are too good of a person to live in this world. Someday, that goodness is going to get you killed.

-Haha, if that is my fate for being what makes me happy, I am ok with that. But to be honest, I would rather die on your lap though. You know, with a head full of grey hair and wrinkled skins...

-You are hopeless...

Shaking her head Tsunade said.

-Okay, let's not get into these kinds of heavy talks. Let's have the best medicine to improve a sour mood...

-What would that be?

-Vanilla Icecream...

-And where would you get that in this middle of the night.

Pointing at a 24/7 store at the roadside, he said

-There...

-Okay, let's go...

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As they walked towards the shop they continued,

-What were you asking at that time... oh right... the thing I said before collapsing that night. To be honest, it doesn't ring any bell.

-Are you sure? Especially the "monarch" word?

-Maybe I said it at the heat of the moment... I don't even remember it, so nothing we can do, right? Why are you being so tipsy about it?

-In truth, when we first met, I thought you are a strong person and probed your inside...

-And...

-A tremendous power is sealed inside you, waiting to be unleashed. I thought maybe both of them have a connection. What? I am not joking, I am serious.

Seeing the muffled laugh Tsunade said in a serious tone. Ashborn said smiling and while resting his arm on her waist,

-Listen Tsunade, If I am to be some mystical Monarch possessing control over all elements in the world sealed away by some grumpy looking angel... you would be the first person to know... But alas, your beloved fiance was born and raised like any other child, absolutely nothing out of the ordinary.

-Behhh... Who is your beloved? I am just in need of a husband and you are just filling the part. Who in their right mind would love a busybody, snotty brat like you?

Tsunade said while making pout but did nothing to get out of his hold.

-Well, I see one right beside of me at least.

Answered Ashborn while grinning.

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As they reached the store and bought a pair of strawberry topped vanilla ice cream. The middle-aged store lady even said,

-You two look charming, dear. Got together recently?

-Thank you. We just got engaged today.

Tsunade answered.

-Oh my, Congratulations! Let's just put it on the house then.

-Oh you don't need to...

-Come on, I insist. It is not every day I see a lovely couple like you. Maybe it is my good fortune. Who knows? You two, take care, ok?

-You well wish is appreciated.

Answered Tsunade giving a small bow alongside Ashborn.

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As they were just about to reach their parked while eating their ice cream, the silence of the night broke due to a gunshot which came from behind them continued with a scream of a lady. Both of them dropped their ice cream as they looked towards the source which was the store they just came out from.

-the store lady...

Murmured Ashborn before rushing off towards the store. Tsunade tried to stop him, saying,

-Ash, stop, whoever is there has a gun, we need to call the police...

Ash didn't answer and just continued.

-Darn it.....

Swearing, Tsunade continued too. But before she could reach there she heard three more shots in succession. Cold sweat trickled down her back. When she reached there, horrifying scene awaited her. The previous suspicious man which she was about roadkill frantically looted the cash, while the store lady lied in her own blood with three bullet wound around her torso and Ashborn stood clenching his fists. But the bloody scene brought out her haemophobia as she shivered and clenching her shoulder dropped on her knees.

-When I say move, ya move slut... Who cares about your fucking store?

-Hey man you don't look right. Why don't you drop all this while we call for help? It's ok. You are not in your right mind so nothing is going to happen to you. The lady can still be saved if she receives help right now.

The robber looked at Ashborn hearing his voice.

-Well well, look who is here. The boy toy and his shivering bitch. I don't like your babyface, ya piece of trash. My wife ran away with a babyface when I fell into debt by gambling. Since she was ma wife, she should've been obedient and help me clear that debt by offering herself peacefully. Why did she run away with a baby face like ya? So, I am gonna kill ya.

The man said hysterically pointing his revolver at Ashborn as he continued,

-Bitch... are ya the same type? Have ya run away too with this boy toy? Are ya afraid of what ya see? You better be afraid as all the bitches of the world should just drop dead. For now, look at how I kill your precious boy toy.

This time even the good man Ashborn couldn't hold himself back as with his superior strength he grabbed the robber's revolver wielding hand, forcing it upwards and repeatedly punched him in the face for few seconds until the man dropped down releasing his gun, passing out.

Ashborn quickly went towards Tsunade, kneeled down to hold her,

-Don't look at the blood, look at me and take a deep breath.

As he said that Tsunade did as she is told and calmed down a little.

-You okay now?

He asked

-Not really, but been worse.

Said Tsunade taking a deep breath while looking down.

-That would have to do for now. We got a get help fast. I will call 911. Can you call Shizune? We are already close to your house, so if she can rush here and stabilize the lady while the ambulance came, may she has a...

While dialling 911 he said that, but couldn't complete the sentence as another shot was fired. Next second the phone fell from his hand and like a puppet whose string is cut he fell into Tsunade's embrace. Tsunade caught him, unable to believe what just happened. As her hand was on his back, she felt a warm liquid on it. She brought one hand in front of her eyes, her shivering stopped. Instead, warm tears came out of her eyes though any other expression wasn't seen on her face except for disbelief.

-Hahaha, bitch... Did you think I would go down with such pussy punch? Now that I sent the gigolo away, now it is your...

The robber couldn't finish his word as a kunai came in breaking the glass window and lodged in his brain. The man dropped dead with that maniacal laugh still plastered at his face.

As Shizune came in at wind speed, she was horrified seeing what happened,

-Shizune quick, help Ash. Stop the bleeding. I shall bring the bullet out and clean and trim whatever is dead inside.

Tsunade said in an unnatural voice,

-But Tsunade sama...

-This is not the time to feed my fear, Shizune. Otherwise, Ash will die, and I cannot let that happen, not anymore.

-Okay, I shall stop the bleeding.

They laid him on the floor then she tore open his back of the shirt. They took a bottle of liquid disinfectant from the store, though it wasn't for clinical use, it has to be done with what they have on hand. They cleared the blood as Shizune stopped the bleeding with her chakra. Tsunade carefully trimmed whatever on the way to the lodged bullet with her chakra scalpel. When she reached near the bullet, she despaired, as the bullet grazed the side of right atrium right above the inferior vena cava. Though the heart is not punctured, it is beating very erratically and not much time left before he goes into cardiac arrest.

As she carefully took out the lead bullet. Then she released her seal to have a huge supply of regenerative chakra. With that, she started to mend the wounds. First the heart, then other wounds on the way. The best course of action would have been the use of an artificial heart until his heart healed enough, but there was no time to take him to the hospital.

They tried their best. Mend the wound the acceptable limit. And then keep him alive until he reaches the hospital. But his pulse became weaker and weaker... and at last, there was no pulse.

-No, he is not dead. I won't let him die.

Refuse to believe the inevitable, she gave him mild shock on the chest with the electric release, performed CPR. But nothing changed.

At last, Shizune couldn't take it anymore and said with teary eyes,

-Tsunade sama, please... let him go. He is not among us anymore.

Tsunade dropped on her hand as she was already sitting beside Ashborn and continued to cry. She failed. Again she failed. At last, she found happiness and escaped the shackles of her destiny. But the ghost of the past managed to hunt her down. She could have easily killed that robber thousand time over. Only if she was not afraid. Only if she was a little more strong-hearted. Only if she recovered a little bit sooner. Only if... only if... only if...

As such self-punishing thought swirled her mind, she suddenly heard a tremor... No not tremor, but a heartbeat... It is was faint, very faint. But earth-shattering at the same time. And it originated from Ashborn.

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Meanwhile, all the minor and semi-major supernatural members of earth shivered in fright, hearing the tremor, as if it is the declaration of the descent of God's punishment blade on Earth.

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To be continued.

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Author Note:

Peace be upon you all Shinobis and Levelers. I am going to share some thoughts about this new project of mine which have been eating me away for over a year.

Originally I wanted to reincarnate Ashborn as Naruto or Sasuke, but that would force me to not have my prime wife target, Tsunade, in a logical way. So, I had to take this absurd and lengthy prologue approach. Don't worry. Two more chapters and the prologue would be over.

[By the way, if you are only manhwa reader of solo levelling and wondering who is Ashborn and what is his relation with Sung Jin-woo, let me know and I can post a spoiler alert chapter in auxiliary section.]

Now I need a suggestion. When the duo return to the Naruto world, at which point they should return?

A. Before the Uchiha massacre.

B. Childhood of Naruto

C. At the start of cannon.

D. Just before the time Tsunade was supposed to become Hokage.

All right. I hope you are enjoying a good guy MC and his overbearing fiancee.

Peace.