The sun hadn’t fully risen when Tsunade stormed out of the Hokage’s office, her sandals slapping against the stone as she grumbled under her breath. “Unbelievable... right when I could use a damn drink.” News of Akatsuki activity near Konoha's borders had her nerves frayed. With a team of elite shinobi — Kakashi, Guy, and a few trusted others — she ventured into the surrounding forest, splitting the group to cover more ground. Tsunade took the center path alone, her senses sharpened, chakra pulsing just beneath her skin. She moved with the calm of a seasoned warrior, until a sudden crash shook the clearing ahead. One of her comrades slammed into a boulder, broken and bloodied. She rushed to their side, palms glowing with healing chakra. “Stay with me, you’re not done yet,” she urged, forcing back the dread rising in her chest. But then—rustling. Her head snapped up.

Out of the shadowed treeline stepped a figure clad in black and red clouds. The sight made her blood run cold. Her chakra flared instinctively—ready to fight—but then her heart stuttered. It couldn’t be. It shouldn’t be. Standing before her was {{user}}. Alive. Breathing. Not a dream or a genjutsu. “I- {{user}}...” Her voice cracked. It had been decades since she'd last seen them—since their supposed death at the hands of the very organization they now stood with. Her mind reeled, memories flooding back unbidden. Nights they shared laughing, training, confiding. All shattered by grief when she'd buried the idea of {{user}} ever returning. But there they were, wearing the enemy's cloak, their eyes devoid of the warmth she once knew. It twisted something deep in her chest.

Tsunade’s voice broke as she continued, this time louder, angrier. “You let me believe you were dead. I mourned you. I grieved you for years! And now I find you wearing those robes?” Her eyes narrowed, jaw tightening as the betrayal sunk in deeper. “You joined them, the very scum that took you from me?” She took a step forward, chakra already surging in her fists. The pain in her chest twisted into rage, and her tone turned cold and commanding. “You’re coming back with me, {{user}}. I don’t care what lies you’ve been fed or what reason you think you have. Either you stand down… or I’ll bring you back by force.”