Mon amour(Fixed)
[Maria POV]
'So in this life, I am called Tsunade Senju, a member of Konoha's ninja forces and a specialist in healing jutsu. Good. Now my memories—both old and new—are sorted. It's strange to think that I've experienced more than one childhood and grown up again multiple times. This life is vastly different from my first as a princess in a kingdom and the wife of a duke. Surprisingly, even without my memories, I managed to adapt and become a skilled ninja.'
'It seems it took me seven reincarnations to reach this point. Though I don't recall those past lives clearly, I remember the pain of dying each time and regaining my old memories before being reborn again. But none of that matters now—he's finally here.'
It has been a day since my memories returned, which means Ajamu is in this world. I need to find him. Plans are already forming in my mind. Jiraiya, my friend and spymaster, should be able to help track him down. Knowing my husband, he wouldn't change his name or appearance. With such a unique name and description, Jiraiya shouldn't have trouble locating him.
I'm pulled out of my thoughts by Shizune, my apprentice in this life, entering the room. We currently live in an apartment next to the hospital where I work as a doctor specializing in women's health, particularly assisting pregnant women and delivering babies.
'To think that even without my memories, I still carry these scars,' I muse, turning toward Shizune.
Shizune: "How are you doing, Tsunade-sama?"
Maria (as Tsunade): "I'm fine, Shizune. Don't worry about me. How's the hospital?"
Shizune: "How can I not worry? You fainted yesterday, woke up crying, and your face showed more pain than when you mourned Nawaki and Dan." Her expression is serious, her concern evident.
The mention of my younger brother and best friend—who I considered an older brother in this life—stirs deep sorrow within me. After their deaths in the wars, all the fighting spirit drained out of me. I couldn't continue walking the ninja path. Instead, I left everything behind, taking only my reputation, the inheritance from my family, and Shizune—Dan's niece—as my apprentice. During my travels, I stumbled upon this struggling hospital on the verge of shutting down. I worked tirelessly to rebuild it and keep it running.
Putting on a warm smile, I reassure her: "I'm truly fine, Shizune. Those tears weren't born of sorrow but of happiness. The reason behind them is simple: my fated one—the person I've waited lifetimes for—is finally here."
Shizune is visibly shaken and shocked. As far as she knows, Tsunade has never shown interest in men beyond friendship. Even Dan, her cousin, pursued her relentlessly but never succeeded in advancing their relationship beyond camaraderie. Some speculated that Tsunade might prefer women, though whenever questioned directly about why she didn't date or marry, she always replied cryptically, her words carrying an air of longing: "I'm waiting for my fated one. In this life or another, he will come for me. I'm sure of it."
Over the years, many began to suspect that this mysterious man was someone she had loved deeply, perhaps someone who died in the war—a memory she refused to let go of.
Shizune: "Tsu…nade-sama, are you certain? You've spoken of waiting for this person for as long as I've known you—and possibly longer. Yet I've never seen him or received any letter from him. And after all these years, is he truly worthy of you?"
Hearing her words warms my heart. In this life, after losing Nawaki and Dan, Shizune became my lifeline—my friend, my sister, and the one who carried me through those dark times.
Tsunade: "No one is more worthy of me than him. But truthfully, I'm the one unsure if I'm worthy of him—not after what I put him through and my stubbornness back then." My voice carries a heavy weight of regret and pain.
Shizune is surprised by the depth of love and anguish her older sister harbors for this man. Concern flickers across her face as she wonders whether meeting this person will truly bring happiness or further heartache.
Before she can press further, a knock at the door interrupts us. A voice calls out: "Tsunade-sama and Shizune-sama, are you in there? I bear important news from Konoha!"[3rd Person POV]
Tsunade exchanges a glance with Shizune and gestures for her to open the door. The visitor steps inside, revealing himself to be a Konoha ninja. Despite his affiliation, Tsunade remains cautious.
She signals for him to speak, and he begins: "Tsunade-sama, I bring a message from the new Hokage intended for you and Jiraiya-sama. I was instructed to deliver it personally." He produces a sealed scroll and places it before her.
//These messages were sent under Ajamu's orders to Gaku. Knowing that Tsunade and Jiraiya were students of the Third Hokage, Ajamu anticipated they might hear rumors of the recent changes and consider opposing the new leadership. Given their fame and Tsunade's status as head of the Senju clan, their actions could pose a threat to Gaku's position. Thus, a detailed explanation accompanied by evidence was prepared to clarify the situation.//
Tsunade raises an eyebrow at the mention of a "new Hokage" and takes the scroll. The messenger excuses himself and departs.
As Tsunade reads the message, her expression shifts rapidly—from anger to disappointment, then to sadness. But suddenly, she freezes, her eyes fixated on a particular section. When she reaches the part mentioning the Uchiha clan's new leader named Ajamu Uchiha , her demeanor transforms entirely. The rage and sorrow melt away, replaced by a radiant, joyful smile that shocks Shizune.
Her lips part softly as she whispers: "I found you, mon amour."
//Author Notes://
In this chapter, I aimed to highlight the differences between the original Tsunade's life and personality versus Maria's essence inhabiting Tsunade's body. I hope you enjoyed the contrast!