Naruto Birdcage

After leaving the Biotechnology Research Institute, only the two Tsunades remained.

Earlier, Makoto had made arrangements for the Tsunade who came from another world—the one who had once been the Fifth Hokage—to continue living in the house of this world's Tsunade.

"Are you afraid of him?" Hokage Tsunade suddenly asked.

The way the other had behaved inside, appearing meek and submissive, made Hokage Tsunade feel irritated.

But then she reminded herself that this person was also her—a strange feeling indeed.

At first, she had assumed that this world's Tsunade had willingly compromised with Hyuga Makoto.

But after what she had just witnessed, she now suspected that this version of herself had likely endured something terrible, which ultimately led to her current state.

"We have lived through different experiences. Why judge one another?" Tsunade responded calmly.

Hokage Tsunade opened her mouth, trying to explain, "I wasn't trying to judge you."

Tsunade lowered her gaze and said, "In this world, just being able to survive is already difficult enough. You live for yourself, which is why you can afford to be so reckless."

"..."

"Let's go back. Shizune still doesn't know about this."

Hokage Tsunade watched the other's retreating figure in silence before choosing to follow.

Surviving truly was no easy feat.

There were many in this world who never even got the chance.

Having witnessed too much death, she understood this all too well.

Even so, did that mean she had to accept her fate and compromise?

No way!

When they returned home, Shizune was utterly shocked to see two Tsunades standing at the door.

Sitting on the couch in the living room, Tsunade briefly explained the situation to Shizune.

Hokage Tsunade then said, "I don't have anywhere else to go right now. You're not going to turn me away, are you?"

Shizune quickly responded, "Of course not! Even if you're from a different world, you're still Lady Tsunade!"

However, she then hesitated, looking a bit troubled. "But… since you're both Lady Tsunade, how should I address you to tell you apart?"

Although the two Tsunades looked nearly identical, Hokage Tsunade was clearly younger and lacked the diamond-shaped seal on her forehead, making it possible to differentiate them.

Tsunade said, "Just call me Shishou (Master)."

Shizune was momentarily stunned before her face lit up with joy. "Y-Yes! Master!"

Hokage Tsunade chuckled at the reaction. "You were already my… her disciple, weren't you? Is it really something to be that excited about?"

But Shizune simply stood there, grinning from ear to ear.

She and Tsunade had always shared a master-disciple bond in name, but it was an unspoken understanding between them.

Tsunade had always kept Shizune by her side, carefully guiding her—not just as a disciple but also as if she were her own child.

Yet, they had never formally conducted a master-disciple ceremony.

With just that one sentence from Tsunade, Shizune suddenly felt a deep sense of recognition and acknowledgment.

Seeing how happy she was, Hokage Tsunade gradually realized what was happening.

It made her think of the Shizune from her own world—perhaps she, too, needed this kind of recognition, but Tsunade had never given it much thought before.

Tsunade then asked Shizune to tidy up the guest room.

The house they lived in had three bedrooms, which now happened to be just the right amount of space for them.

Hokage Tsunade suddenly sighed, "Living with myself… this is such a strange feeling."

Tsunade agreed. "It really is."

Shizune muttered under her breath, "I have to serve two Lady Tsunade's. That's what's really strange."

Her words immediately drew Tsunade's displeasure. "Sounds like you've been holding a lot of grudges against me, huh?"

Shizune quickly waved her hands. "No, no! Not at all!"

Meanwhile, Hokage Tsunade burst into laughter at the exchange.

While tidying up the room, Hokage Tsunade suddenly found two dice cups.

Holding them in her hands, she gazed at them thoughtfully.

With her luck that always guaranteed losses in gambling, Hokage Tsunade wondered—if she were to gamble against herself, what would happen?

Hmm… she really couldn't figure it out.

She really wanted to try it.

Tsunade also noticed what was in her counterpart's hands.

She froze for a moment, then met Hokage Tsunade's gaze.

"How about…"

"How about…"

They spoke at the same time, then nodded vigorously in unison.

"Mm!"

"Mm!"

Meanwhile, Shizune was busy tidying up the guest room, moving things back and forth.

When she returned to the living room, she suddenly saw the two Tsunades sitting at the table, dice cups set up and ready.

She couldn't help but groan inwardly.

Serving two Tsunades is definitely not a good thing.

First, two gamblers… and tomorrow, probably two drunks!

Sigh… please, heavens, send over another version of me, too!

At the gambling table, the two Tsunades engaged in an intense match, reveling in the thrill of competition.

To their surprise, they were evenly matched—victories and losses balanced out, and even several rounds ended in ties.

For once, the two women who were used to always losing in gambling felt an exhilarating rush.

The last time they had won so comfortably was when they gambled against Grandpa—his luck was even worse than theirs.

As she shook the dice cup, Hokage Tsunade suddenly spoke. "I have something I want to ask you."

Tsunade hesitated for a moment before responding, "Mm."

"It's about Jiraiya… What exactly happened?"

Tsunade lightly pinched the dice between her fingers, falling silent for a moment before sighing softly. "So, you still don't know."

She tossed the dice into the cup and slowly spoke. "You said that in your world, he doesn't exist, right?"

He, referring to Hyuga Makoto.

Hokage Tsunade nodded slightly.

Most of what she knew about this world came from Shizune, but that was only the surface—there were many hidden truths that only those directly involved would ever know.

Tsunade continued, "Hyuga Makoto… during the Third Great Ninja War, he nearly died on the battlefield."

"Ever since I learned about your world, I kept thinking about this event, comparing the differences. Perhaps, in your world, Hyuga Makoto actually did die back then."

"But in this world, he survived and returned—rising rapidly to become the head of the Hyuga clan. He helped Orochimaru ascend to the position of Hokage and, in a short time, went from an ordinary Chunin to a Konoha hero with power over the entire village."

Tsunade grinned. "Unbelievable, right? I don't even know all the twists and turns behind it. But back then, when the Fourth Hokage was being chosen, the strongest candidate was Namikaze Minato. Orochimaru becoming Hokage meant that they became enemies."

"The conflict between them grew deeper and deeper, with neither side willing to reconcile. Eventually, when their final confrontation erupted, Hyuga Makoto—who had been secretly accumulating power and consolidating his influence—became the ultimate victor."

"Orochimaru died. Sarutobi-sensei also died. Minato became a criminal, and Jiraiya… became a rogue ninja trying to save him."

Tsunade recounted everything in detail, laying it all out plainly—including how she had once begged Hyuga Makoto to spare Jiraiya.

There was nothing to hide between them now.

Of course, there was no need to mention the humiliation and torment Hyuga Makoto had subjected her to.

After listening to everything Tsunade had said, Hokage Tsunade finally understood the full picture.

Opposing positions—victors and vanquished.

Jiraiya had done so much that went against Hyuga Makoto's will; the fact that he was even still alive was already remarkable.

And then… there was the question of why the other her had ended up like this.

Tsunade continued, "Don't think of him as just some scheming, deceitful manipulator. You've seen his strength for yourself…"

Hokage Tsunade spoke slowly, "I know."

Tsunade lowered her gaze and added, "And now, he's set his sights on you as well."

Crack!

The dice in Hokage Tsunade's hand suddenly shattered between her fingers.

Her expression was icy cold, and she remained silent.

Seeing this, Tsunade sighed inwardly. If one couldn't defeat Hyuga Makoto in sheer strength, then everything else was meaningless.

Then, Hokage Tsunade suddenly spoke.

"In my world, I've faced enemies far stronger than me, countless times."

"I have no ties in this world—nothing to hold me back. Even if I can't drag him down with me, I will make sure he pays dearly!"

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