The Yakuza's Heir

Part 15

Tsunade stood in the hallway, just outside the door that led down to the basement where Nawaki had been held since his betrayal. The passageway was dimly lit, with only a few flickering lights casting long shadows on the walls. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself before she confronted her brother. Despite the anger and hurt he had caused, a part of her still saw the young, eager boy who had once idolized her, who had dreamed of making a name for himself within the family.

But now, that boy was gone, replaced by someone Tsunade barely recognized. Someone who had made choices that had torn their family apart.

She pushed open the heavy door, the sound of its creaking hinges echoing down the stairs. The cold air hit her as she descended, each step feeling heavier than the last. She could hear the faint sound of water dripping from the ceiling, the occasional clink of metal as the guards shifted their positions. They didn't speak as she passed by, merely nodding in acknowledgment before resuming their watchful stances.

At the end of the hallway, in a small, sparsely furnished room, sat Nawaki. He was seated on a simple wooden chair, his hands cuffed in front of him. The weeks of confinement had changed him; he was no longer the bright-eyed, hopeful young man she remembered. His hair was already longer, his face gaunt, and his eyes were hollow, a far cry from the enthusiastic boy who once clung to her every word.

When he saw her, something flickered in his gaze—recognition, perhaps even regret—but it was quickly buried beneath a layer of defiance.

"Tsunade," he greeted her with a voice that was rough and weary, but with a hint of bitterness. "Finally decided to visit your little brother?"

Tsunade ignored the sarcasm, pulling up a chair and sitting down in front of him. The silence between them was thick, the weight of their shared past hanging in the air like a dark cloud.

"I'm here because I need answers, Nawaki," Tsunade said, her tone firm yet tinged with a softness that only a sister could have. "I need to know if Orochimaru had anything to do with your betrayal."

Nawaki scoffed, leaning back in his chair as far as the cuffs would allow. "Why should I tell you anything? You're just going to do what you want with the information, twist it to fit your narrative."

Tsunade's eyes narrowed, a flash of anger breaking through her controlled exterior. "This isn't about twisting anything, Nawaki. This is about preventing further bloodshed. Orochimaru is a threat to all of us, and if you're involved with him in any way, you need to tell me now."

He looked away, his gaze settling on the damp walls, as if finding them more interesting than the conversation. "Maybe I don't want to help. Maybe I've had enough of this family and all its secrets."

Tsunade clenched her fists, struggling to keep her voice even. "Nawaki, whatever grudges you hold, they're nothing compared to what's at stake here. Sakura and Sasuke are about to get married, and Orochimaru is trying to destroy that alliance. If you have any information that could help us stop him, you owe it to them—to us—to speak up."

At the mention of Sakura, Nawaki's expression faltered slightly, a flicker of something resembling guilt crossing his features. But it was gone as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by the same stubborn defiance.

"Do you really think you can stop him?" he asked, his voice quieter, almost resigned. "Orochimaru... he's not someone you can just outmaneuver. He's always one step ahead, always playing a game you can't win."

"We can and we will," Tsunade replied, her voice resolute. "But we need your help. You may have made mistakes, but you're still part of this family. You still have a chance to make things right."