As the year 40 of the Konoha era arrived, major battles between the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning ceased, though skirmishes continued incessantly. After persisting for over half a year, the Third Raikage finally realized that he could do nothing against the Land of Earth and resolved to withdraw his forces.
With the retreat of the Land of Lightning, the Second Great Shinobi War gradually drew to a close. As the curtain fell on the conflict, the Shinobi World returned once more to an illusion of peace. Yet, Tsunade's lover, Kato Dan—an Elite Jonin of only twenty-seven years old—met a tragic fate near the end of the war. While engaged in battle using the Spirit Transformation Technique, his physical body lacked adequate protection, leaving him vulnerable to an enemy ambush. He sustained critical injuries, and despite Tsunade's desperate efforts to save him, he ultimately succumbed to his wounds.
The Second Great Shinobi War claimed the lives of the two most important people in Tsunade's life. Though she was the finest physician in the Shinobi World, she proved powerless to save her own flesh and blood or the man she loved most. Having witnessed the gruesome reality of Dan's death, Tsunade suffered a devastating blow; the brilliant medical ninja developed a severe and debilitating case of hemophobia. It was a cruel and supreme irony. Aside from Tsunade, even Orochimaru's worldview was utterly transformed by the war. Overwhelmed by the fragility of life, he entered an…
Chapter 61