Traveling Through Multiple Realms: The Supporting Character's Counterattack

On this day, a piece of news swept through the entire Hidden Leaf Village like a silent storm.

On the streets and alleys, people whispered to each other, their faces showing expressions of worry, excitement, or solemnity.

The newspaper's front page headline boldly proclaimed: "Sunagakure in internal strife, the Third Kazekage missing! Kumogakure seizes the opportunity to invade, the two great ninja villages officially go to war!"

The atmosphere at the ninja academy became subtle, with a hint of oppression amidst the usual hustle and bustle.

Sometimes, the teachers would drift off into daydreams during class, their gaze drifting out the window as if they could see through the distance to the flames of war in the distance.

The practical training courses were significantly more demanding, and Professor Funano Daikoku's lectures also carried a heavy tone, emphasizing the possibility of "dedicating oneself to the village at any time."

Genma closed the newspaper in his hand, his fingertips tightening slightly, making the edges of the paper wrinkle.

He stood by the window in the school corridor, looking at the students on the playground who were still dazed and cheering for their swords hitting the bullseye, and felt a chill in his heart.

"The Third Kazekage has disappeared, and the Sand Village and Cloud Village have gone to war! It has begun, and the fuse for the Third Shinobi World War has finally been lit."

The wheels of history are rolling forward along their predetermined course. Perhaps they will be slightly deviated from due to the wings of this little butterfly, but the general trend is irreversible.

Konoha cannot remain unscathed; it's only a matter of time before it's drawn into this war that will engulf the entire ninja world.

If the war intensifies, it will be a certainty that this year's students will graduate early and go to the battlefield. A sense of urgency, like a cold snake, coiled around Genji's heart.

"Genma?"

A gentle, concerned voice sounded behind him.

Genma turned around and saw that Shizune had appeared beside him at some point.

She was wearing light purple casual clothes today, her hair flowing smoothly over her shoulders. Her bright eyes were looking at him with concern as she looked up, and she was carrying a small food box in her hand.

"Are you alright? You haven't looked well since you read the newspaper."

"Silently asked in a low voice."

Genma then remembered that he and Shizune had made plans to go to the newly opened dessert shop together after school today.

He quickly composed himself, a gentle smile returning to his face, and naturally took the food box from Shizune's hands.

"It's nothing, just a bit of a sigh. The ninja world is about to be in turmoil again."

Genma shook his head and walked side by side with Shizune out of the school. "Let's go, don't let bad news ruin our 'date'."

He deliberately used the word "date," and sure enough, he saw two blushes rise on Shizune's fair cheeks. She lowered her head shyly, but couldn't help but smile slightly, temporarily putting her worries about the war outside behind her.

The setting sun cast long shadows of the two people, which intertwined on the street.

The dumplings at the dessert shop were delicious. Jingyin quietly recounted amusing anecdotes from the hospital, trying to dispel the faint gloom between Genma's brows.

Genma listened attentively, occasionally responding with a smile, but as his gaze swept over Shizune's serene profile, the thoughts in his mind became increasingly clear and resolute.

According to the original story, once the war breaks out in full force and Konoha's military strength is strained, Tsunade, who has witnessed the cruelty of war and the pain of losing her loved ones after graduating early, will take Shizune and leave Konoha, this place of sorrow, to go far away and escape the conflict.

That departure lasted for nearly twenty years!

"No... absolutely not!"

Genma silently cried out in his heart, his fingers tightening slightly as he gripped the teacup.

He was born twice; in his first life, he accomplished nothing and died single.

Having finally found such a well-behaved and sensible "child bride" in this life, how could I let Tsunade take her away so easily?

"What do you mean, 'no'?"

Shizune heard his whisper and blinked curiously.

"Oh, I mean, it would be a shame not to finish these three-color dumplings quickly."

Genma quickly changed the subject, handing a dumpling to Shizune's lips. Watching her blush and take a small bite, he had already made up his mind.

"Tsunade, we have to let her stay..."

Genma's mind raced, but his face remained impassive as he continued to share the tricolor dumplings he had just bought from the store with Shizune.

The afterglow of the setting sun stretched the two shadows long, intertwining them on the bluestone path, creating a warm and peaceful atmosphere.

"Mute..."

Genma took a bite of the soft, chewy dumpling and casually asked, "Is the hospital busy lately? I saw on the news that things seem a bit unsettled in the Land of Wind and the Land of Lightning."

Upon hearing this, Jingyin's delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she nodded, her tone tinged with worry: "Yes, the teachers at the hospital said that the pressure on the front lines might increase, and they told us interns to be prepared, as we might receive more wounded."

She paused, then lowered her voice, "Lady Tsunade, you've been in a worse mood lately. You often stare out the window in a daze, and you're drinking more alcohol than usual."

Genma understood that the shadow of war had undoubtedly exacerbated Tsunade's psychological trauma.

He seemingly unintentionally steered the conversation: "Is Lady Tsunade's hemophobia really that severe? I heard she used to be the strongest medical ninja."

"yes!"

Shizune sighed, her eyes filled with regret. "Lady Tsunade actually loves life more than anyone else and longs to save others. But what happened to Uncle Dan and Nawaki-senpai was a huge blow to her. Now, whenever she sees blood, even just a little bit, her face turns pale and she trembles all over. I feel bad just watching her suffer like that."

Her tone was full of heartache and helplessness.

"perhaps……"

Genma stopped and looked at Shizune, his gaze clear and earnest. "Perhaps there is a way to try and help Lady Tsunade overcome this fear."

"What method?"

Shizune suddenly raised her head, a glimmer of hope igniting in her eyes, but it quickly faded. "It's no use. Over the years, I've tried everything, even illusions and hypnosis, but all of them failed. That kind of excruciating pain isn't so easy to erase."

"No, perhaps we've been heading in the wrong direction all along."

Genma spoke slowly, combining his knowledge of psychology from his previous life with his understanding of chakra and spiritual energy in this life, and offered his opinion: "Herophobia is not rooted in blood itself, but in the most painful memories and emotions associated with it. Directly exposing Lady Tsunade to blood is tantamount to repeatedly tearing open her wounds, which will naturally trigger a strong aversion."

He paused, then continued, "Perhaps we could try a gentler, more indirect approach. Instead of 'eliminating' the fear, we could help her 'accept' and 'transcend' that pain."

"A gentler way?" Shizune, intrigued by Genma's words, pressed for details, "How exactly should it be done?"

"First, we need to create an absolutely safe and relaxed environment so that Lady Tsunade is in her most vulnerable state. This may require the use of some calming medications or gentle genjutsu, not forced hypnosis, but rather guiding relaxation."

Genma pondered for a moment before speaking.

"Secondly, the key may not lie in 'looking' at blood, but in redefining the meaning of 'blood.' Lady Tsunade fears blood because blood represents loss."

But could we remind her that blood also represents life, inheritance, and protection? For example, the joy of a new life arriving…”

As Genma spoke, his gaze swept over Shizune almost imperceptibly, hinting at a certain possibility. However, he knew it was too early to bring it up now, so he changed his words and said, "Or, let her come into contact with some things related to 'life creation' rather than 'life passing away' that are associated with the color red, such as the rising sun, a warm fire, or even blooming flowers, to gradually desensitize her."

"Finally, and most importantly,"

Genma looked into Shizune's eyes, his tone incredibly solemn, "She needs a substantial 'anchor,' a powerful reason to pull her back to reality from her painful memories. This 'anchor' might be you, Shizune, and the fact that Konoha needs her now and in the future. Let her understand that someone needs her more than before, and that her power can prevent further 'losses.'"