Chapter 55

The next day

After breakfast, Hiro waited for the right moment. Tsunade, now fully recovered from last night's drinking, was back to her usual sharp and composed self. 

He approached her, catching her attention as she leaned against a windowsill, gazing out at the small town.

"Tsunade," Hiro began, his voice steady, "I think it's time i should start."

Tsunade arched an eyebrow, turning to face him. "What are you talking about?"

"Your phobia. the deal."

Her expression darkened immediately, the light mood fading. "You.. Are you serious about curing i thought you were just boosting you could cure..."

"I think I can help," Hiro said calmly. "With my Mangekyō."

Tsunade's eyes widened, then narrowed in suspicion. "You think you can use that Genjutsu to cure me? Don't be ridiculous. That's not how it works."

"It's worth a try, isn't it? You can't keep running from this forever. If I can create a controlled environment, somewhere just the two of us—away from distractions and others—maybe we can get to the root of it."

Tsunade crossed her arms, her skepticism clear. "You really think you can break through something that's haunted me for decades?"

Hiro stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. "I do."

Tsunade studied his face for a long moment, then let out a frustrated sigh. "Fine. We'll do it your way."

Later that afternoon, Hiro and Tsunade traveled to a secluded spot on the outskirts of the town, a quiet place hidden away from the noise of daily life. 

It was just the two of them, as Hiro had planned. Tsunade's posture was tense, and her usual confidence was shaken by the thought of what they were about to attempt.

Hiro turned to face her. "Are you ready?"

Tsunade's eyes flickered with uncertainty, but she nodded. "Let's just get this over with."

Hiro could sense her reluctance but didn't push her further. 

Activating his Mangekyō Sharingan, he locked eyes with her, letting his chakra flow into the Genjutsu. 

The illusion took shape slowly, creating a version of reality where Tsunade could confront her fear in small doses. He knew this wouldn't be a one-time fix, but it had to start somewhere.

In the illusion, Tsunade stood on a battlefield, similar to those from her past. But Hiro kept the blood to a minimum—small streaks on the ground, distant and faint, meant to ease her into it.

Tsunade's breath quickened, her fists clenching as her body reacted to the familiar sights. Her muscles tensed, and Hiro could see her starting to shut down, just as the first drops of blood appeared in the distance.

"i think You can do this, Tsunade," Hiro's voice echoed through the illusion, calm and firm. "Breathe. Focus."

But Tsunade's gaze locked onto the blood, and her body froze. Her breath hitched, and she took a shaky step back, her voice tight. "I can't—I can't do this."

Hiro narrowed his eyes, knowing he had to push her further. This wasn't just about the phobia anymore; it was about her pride. He softened the illusion slightly, but instead of retreating, he took a different approach.

"What would your grandfather think, Tsunade?" His voice cut through her spiraling panic. "The granddaughter of Hashirama Senju—one of the strongest shinobi to ever live—terrified of blood?"

Tsunade flinched at the mention of her grandfather. Her eyes flickered with something else now—pride, anger, perhaps both. She gritted her teeth. "Don't you dare..."

Hiro pressed on, his tone sharp yet steady. "The legacy of the Senju Clan rests on your shoulders. You think Hashirama would be proud to see you paralyzed like this? Afraid of something that's part of every battle, every life you've ever saved?"

Tsunade's fists tightened, her knuckles white, but she wasn't retreating anymore. Her breathing, while still shallow, had steadied. "Shut up... you don't understand—"

"I understand more than you think," Hiro cut in, stepping closer to her in the illusion. "You're a medic, a warrior, and the granddaughter of the First Hokage. Blood shouldn't make you run. It should remind you of why you fight, why you heal."

For a long moment, Tsunade didn't move, her eyes locked on the blood at her feet. Her legs trembled, and Hiro watched as she fought to push through the wave of fear.

Slowly, painfully, she took a step forward. Her breath came in uneven bursts, but she didn't stop.

"That's it," Hiro encouraged, his voice softening. "You can face this."

Tsunade took another step, her entire body shaking as she forced herself to walk through the battlefield. The blood was still there, but it didn't have the same control over her. She didn't look away.

Hiro could see the strain on her face, the battle raging within her, but she wasn't retreating. Not this time.

When he finally released the Genjutsu, Tsunade's eyes flew open, her chest heaving with heavy breaths. Her hands shook, and for a moment, she looked like she might collapse.

But she didn't. Instead, she clenched her fists, her eyes burning with determination.

"That was..." Tsunade's voice wavered, but there was strength behind it. "That was harder than I expected."

Hiro gave a small nod, his tone gentle. "You didn't back down."

Tsunade swallowed hard, still catching her breath, but she didn't argue. For the first time, there was no sarcasm, no dismissive words. Just silence, as though she was coming to terms with her own strength.

"Tomorrow," Hiro said, his gaze steady. "We'll push a little further. Step by step."

Tsunade met his eyes, her expression unreadable, but she nodded. She was still scared.