Naruto Birdcage

Splash—

Cold water poured over Tsunade's body, creating a dense, continuous sound in the shower.

"Lady Tsunade, I've placed your clothes outside," Shizune's voice came from outside the bathroom.

Tsunade braced one hand against the wall, standing motionless under the cold water.

Her entire body tensed as the icy stream caused her pores to contract, making her skin tighten and stiffen.

Gradually, the water temperature shifted from cold to hot, and thick white steam filled the shower room.

Shizune waited outside for a long time but didn't hear any movement.

Concerned, she approached the door and asked, "Lady Tsunade, are you done yet?"

Only the sound of running water responded.

After a brief hesitation, Shizune pushed open the glass door—only to find Tsunade slumped on the floor, leaning weakly against the wall.

"Lady Tsunade!"

Shizune was startled.

She quickly reached for the shower controls, turning off the water.

Ignoring the droplets soaking her own clothes, she crouched down to support Tsunade.

"Lady Tsunade, what's wrong?"

But as she got a clearer look at Tsunade's body, Shizune's pupils widened slightly in shock.

"Lady Tsunade, you…"

"Shizune?" Tsunade's weak voice interrupted her thoughts.

"I'm so tired… I don't think I can stand up."

"Lady Tsunade, are you sick?"

Shizune instinctively reached out to check her forehead but quickly realized that a temperature check would be useless after a hot shower.

Instead, she grabbed a towel, wrapped it around Tsunade, quickly wiped her down, and then carried her back to the bedroom.

After carefully checking Tsunade's body, Shizune confirmed her condition.

"You have a fever. I'll get you some medicine."

"..."

After settling Tsunade in bed and covering her with a blanket, Shizune went to the living room to find the fever medicine from their household supply.

She also poured a cup of hot water.

"Lady Tsunade, please take the medicine first."

Tsunade obediently complied, swallowing the medicine under Shizune's care.

Holding the now-empty glass, Shizune hesitated as she stood by the window before finally asking, "Lady Tsunade, those red marks on your body..."

Tsunade turned her head away, facing the other side.

"Shizune, I'm tired."

Shizune immediately dropped the subject and said, "Then please rest. I'll leave some dinner in the pot for you—if you wake up hungry later, you can eat. Call me if you need anything."

"Mm."

Shizune walked out of Tsunade's bedroom and gently closed the door behind her.

However, her thoughts were far from calm.

She had seen it clearly—those red marks on Tsunade's body were unmistakably... bruises, as if someone had beaten her.

And in such private areas...

Shizune couldn't bring herself to imagine what Tsunade had been through.

She had been working as an assistant to the Hokage, constantly distressed over Lord Jiraiya's situation.

Could it be that... Lady Tsunade had willingly...

Shizune was startled by her own sudden thought and quickly shook her head, trying to drive away such an unbearable notion.

But once the idea had taken root, it refused to leave her mind.

No, Lady Tsunade isn't that kind of person...

It might not have been voluntary.

She could have been forced, coerced...

Shizune kept trying to convince herself, attempting to calm down.

Although the outcome was just as tragic and humiliating, she found it easier to accept the idea that Lady Tsunade had been coerced rather than acting on her own will.

The Lady Tsunade in her heart would never willingly do something like that.

...........

Execution Day

On the surface, Konoha remained as usual—everyone attending to their own duties.

The appointed time had yet to arrive, but ninja guards were already stationed at the execution platform in advance.

Nagato, having altered his appearance, arrived in Konoha under the guise of a traveling merchant.

As he entered through the main gate and underwent inspection, he felt a force sweep over his body.

It came from that tower.

However, nothing unusual happened.

The Konoha guards politely let him through, even briefly introducing some of the developments in the new district.

Once inside the village, Nagato glanced up at the distant tower before pulling his cloak tighter around himself and making his way towards the bustling streets.

He had arrived quite early—it was only eight in the morning.

Nagato wandered around Konoha, observing his surroundings.

The public execution of a rogue ninja like Jiraiya was significant, but not enough of a spectacle for people to travel great distances just to witness it.

It wasn't a grand event.

When he arrived at the execution platform, only a few people were scattered around.

The execution itself was scheduled for noon, still a long way off.

Continuing to familiarize himself with the village, Nagato walked through various areas, memorizing the layout as much as possible.

Eventually, he found a restaurant near the execution site and sat down to wait.

Time passed little by little, and the sun in the sky slowly climbed higher.

By eleven o'clock, Nagato suddenly heard a commotion from the crowd outside.

Looking out, he saw several ninja escorting a prisoner down the street toward the execution platform.

Without hesitation, Nagato vanished from his seat in an instant.

.........

Inside the Hokage's Office

Makoto glanced at the clock on the wall and noted that the time was nearly up.

Tsunade hadn't come today.

It didn't matter whether she came or not.

A knock on the door sounded before Hakumen stepped inside.

"Lord Hokage, the prisoner Jiraiya has been escorted to the site."

"Mm."

Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, Makoto gazed out into the distance.

Hakumen added, "So far, no suspicious individuals have entered the village."

Makoto, however, replied, "Those lurking in the shadows wouldn't be so easily discovered."

Hakumen hesitated. "Could they have a way to evade the Solarity Tower's detection?"

Makoto remained silent, quietly standing there.

"Hakumen, don't underestimate the enemy."

"I understand, sir."

"Just because you defeated Minato last time doesn't mean you'll win this time. The enemy is prepared."

Hakumen bowed deeply. "I will not fail you, Lord Hokage!"

After Hakumen left, Samui quietly approached.

"What are you doing with that?"

Makoto noticed her holding his black cloak.

Samui tilted her head slightly. "Aren't you going outside?"

"There's no need," Makoto replied.

Though he was curious about how the enemy planned to break through his defenses, speculating before it happened was pointless.

As he turned to return to his desk, a sharp, piercing screech suddenly echoed across the entire village!

"Lord Hokage!" Samui couldn't help but exclaim.

Makoto looked back out the window and saw a massive creature circling in the sky—a monstrous bird, part eagle, part hawk, with a fierce appearance and incredible speed.

And its target was none other than the Tower of Solarity on the cliff!

"They've come," Makoto murmured.

"As expected... it's you."

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