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"Here we are. This should be a good place. Although the environment is harsh, no one will come here," Tobi said to Nagato and Konan. The location was found by Zetsu, situated in a coastal area in the southeast of the Land of Earth.
Not only was the place devoid of human presence, but reaching the nearest town required traversing over a hundred kilometers. The barren rocky cliffs had nothing but a cave entrance. Inside, the space was vast, but even the beds were just piles of stones.
"You'll have to handle living supplies on your own. If you need anything for creating the Six Paths of Pain, Zetsu can help you. I need to gather more information," Tobi said before leaving via Kamui. He had already instructed Zetsu to find six corpses for Nagato, which he could use to create the Six Paths of Pain.
The pursuit from Konoha was no joke. After leaving, Nagato and Konan learned that Amegakure and Konoha had started a joint operation to hunt down Akatsuki members within the Land of Rain, forcing them to leave quickly.
Only by mastering the Rinnegan's power and gathering enough strength could Nagato return to rescue the remaining Akatsuki members. Returning now would be walking into a trap.
Seeing the desolation around, Konan said, "Nagato, I'll go to the nearest town to buy some supplies."
"Alright. I'll start creating the Six Paths of Pain," Nagato replied. He had decided on the name Pain for his Rinnegan avatars, intending to make others understand the suffering of small nations by inflicting pain. He believed in Tobi's plan to collect the tailed beasts and create the Ten-Tails, using Pain to intimidate the ninja world.
...
"Yoichi-sama, are you going away for a while?" Mina asked, watching Yoichi play with Karin and inquire about the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques.
"There's a place rich in energy. Absorbing it would greatly aid my training, so I plan to leave a clone there while handling some affairs outside," Yoichi explained, teasing Karin by pulling her pacifier out and putting it back just as she was about to cry. "I'll be back before Mikoto gives birth, and I'll leave a clone in the village."
Mikoto, standing nearby, smiled warmly, "Take care, Yoichi."
"Don't worry," Yoichi reassured her. He spent some more time with Karin and the others before preparing to leave.
He left enough chakra-filled wood clones to accompany Rin in the alchemy room, gathered Kurenai, Rumi, and three other students, along with Haku, Kimimaro, and Itachi, and provided them with the improved Six Styles.
Thanks to the Research Assistant, the techniques now used chakra, making them more effective.
Yoichi also intended to teach them Armament Haki and Observation Haki once he mastered them himself. The clones would last four days, enough for the students to learn the basics, though the younger ones like Haku, Kimimaro, and Itachi might struggle with prolonged use.
After arranging everything and informing Sakumo, Yoichi left the village, planning to return every few days with a wood clone to handle village affairs. The clones, though not as powerful as his main body, could fool most enemies.
"Dragon Vein is here, and approaching from the Land of Tea is better. Tsunade might also be in the Land of Tea," Yoichi recalled. A recent report mentioned someone withdrawing three million ryo from the local trade association, likely Tsunade.
"Might as well find her while I'm there."
The Land of Tea was a peaceful peninsula nation with thriving fisheries and tea plantations, famous for its tea baths, which attracted many visitors.
Tsunade and Shizune, having heard about the tea baths, decided to try them. After soaking, they emerged feeling refreshed.
"That was wonderful. Feels just as good as the hot springs in the Land of Hot Water. Do you think the tea bath will wash away my bad luck, Shizune?" Tsunade asked, her face relaxed and glowing, her skin radiant with a slight flush. Her partially exposed cleavage looked enticingly rosy.
Shizune, wary of Tsunade's gambling habit, clutched her purse tightly, "Don't even think about it, Tsunade-sama. The travel funds are off-limits, and I just gave you a million ryo."
"A million isn't enough to gamble with. Trust me, I'll win it back this time. The tea bath washed away all my bad luck," Tsunade pleaded, pulling Shizune's head towards her chest. The relaxing bath made her eager to gamble.
"Tsunade-sama's bad luck can't be washed away so easily..."
Before Shizune could finish, someone interrupted, "What tea bath can do that?"
Both women turned to see a familiar face, their expressions shifting from surprise to joy. Tsunade's smile faded quickly into a frown as she muttered, "Looks like the tea bath's effects are exaggerated. No bad luck removed here."
Confused, Shizune said, "But we ran into Yoichi-sama. Isn't that good luck?"
"Shizune!" Tsunade snapped, frustrated with her student's habit of siding with outsiders. Despite teaching Shizune medical ninjutsu with great effort, this perverted brat was always trying to take advantage of her.
"You dare show your face, brat? How do you explain that advertisement?" Tsunade's angry rant was cut short by Yoichi's laugh, "That was my fault. I've taken it down. I'm here to apologize and invite you for a drink."
"A drink, huh?" Tsunade's eyes lit up as she instinctively licked her lips. Nothing beat a drink after a bath.
After a few seconds of pretending to think, Tsunade agreed, "Alright, I know a good pub nearby."
Shizune didn't object, knowing Tsunade couldn't resist a drink. Normally, she would try to dissuade her, but Yoichi's presence made it easier.
Walking side by side, Yoichi and Tsunade maintained a close distance despite her feigned annoyance. On the way, Yoichi shared updates about Konoha, which she pretended not to hear but couldn't help but be intrigued by.
Following the guide from his Strategy Guide, Yoichi's every word and action increased Tsunade's favorability.
At the pub, Tsunade ordered several bottles of the local specialty sake while Yoichi and Shizune opted for food. They sat in a corner and began to drink.
Once Tsunade started drinking, her personality shifted, becoming more open. Despite her initial wariness, a few drinks in, her guard lowered, and she became more receptive to Yoichi's stories about Konoha.
Hearing about the village's prosperity, stability, and ongoing infrastructure projects, Tsunade and Shizune were visibly shocked. The bustling village, with new buildings replacing old ones, a ninja amusement park, and new factories, painted a picture of growth and opportunity.
The thought of Konoha possibly reaching a population of 200,000 in the next decade stunned them. Though they had noticed changes during their last visit, they hadn't stayed long enough to grasp the full extent.
Both women felt a strong urge to return and see the changes firsthand. Shizune's desire was even stronger.
"...And some merchants and nobles even proposed tearing down the Senju compound to build a high-end residential area. Ridiculous, right? I didn't even need to use genjutsu to scare them off; just a few threats sufficed," Yoichi laughed.
Tsunade chuckled, her face flushed from the alcohol, "Oh? I thought the Uchiha would enjoy seeing the Senju humiliated. Our clans never got along."
"That's other Uchiha, not me. I've even had disagreements with our former clan leader. And that rivalry is ancient history. Do you dislike me, Tsunade?"
"I can't stand you, brat. And call me Tsunade-sama!" she huffed, turning away to hide her slight blush. His concern for the Senju compound warmed her heart unexpectedly.
As the evening went on, Tsunade's mood improved, especially after downing about ten bottles of sake. She was tipsy and needed Shizune's support to walk.
"She overdid it again," Shizune sighed.
"I'll help you get her back," Yoichi offered.
"Thanks, Yoichi-sama."
Tsunade, too drunk to resist, allowed Yoichi to carry her. Despite her initial protest, she settled comfortably against his back, her chest pressed against him.
Back at the inn, Shizune instructed Yoichi to lay Tsunade on the bed. But as they arrived, the pig, Tonton, started grunting, reminding Shizune she had forgotten its food.
"Can you watch Tsunade-sama for a bit, Yoichi-sama? I'll be back soon," Shizune said, leaving with Tonton.
'Good job, Tonton,' Yoichi thought, thanking the pig for the opportunity. With Shizune gone, he could make his move.
"Tsunade, I've heard massages can help with hangovers. I'll help you out... Silence means consent," he teased, noticing her toes curling as he grasped her foot.
"Mmh..." Tsunade couldn't help but moan softly as he began massaging her feet. The sensation sent warmth through her body, making her face flush even more.
"Kid, you..."
"I've found a way to potentially bring people back to life, Tsunade-sama."
(End of Chapter)