"How...how did you know today is my birthday?" Shizune asked softly, her face flushed as she accepted the gift from the fourteen or fifteen-year-old Shishou.
"Because it's Shizune's birthday, of course," Shishou replied cryptically, then began to wander around the house as if he owned the place.
"Tsunade-sama isn't here right now," Shizune said, thinking Shishou was looking for her mentor. She followed him closely, offering a gentle reminder.
"Heh, she's probably out searching for me," Shishou chuckled softly.
"Yes, she is. We haven't found any leads yet, but you really seem to enjoy using this face to meet people," Shizune commented, observing Shishou's appearance.
This face is indeed my original one, so naturally, I like it. But I make a point to always use this face and emphasize that I can use transformation techniques. That way, people will instinctively believe my real face is actually a disguise. It's a tactic of misdirection.
Shishou mused to himself, then looked at Shizune and concocted a reason, "Because this face is handsome!"
"So, you're saying your original face isn't as handsome. Maybe that's a clue," Shizune noted internally, storing the information.
Suddenly, Shishou transformed his face into Tsunade's, adopting her stern demeanor, "Shizune, how has your training been today? Let me check your progress."
The transformation was flawless, making it hard to tell the difference. If it weren't for his unchanged clothing, Shizune might not have recognized him.
"Stop it! Tsunade-sama would never be that harsh with me!" Shizune raised the gift in her hand as if to swat him, glaring at Shishou.
Taking her words in stride, Shishou softened his expression, maintaining Tsunade's face, "Oh? Then tell me, Shizune, how would you like Tsunade-sama to treat you? Tell me, and I'll mimic it for you."
As he spoke, he reached out to scratch under Shizune's chin as if she were a pet.
Feeling Tsunade's face so close and the tickling sensation under her chin, Shizune's face turned beet red, and she felt a strange thrill.
What the...? Shizune, do you harbor some unspeakable feelings for Tsunade?
Seeing her reaction, Shishou felt as if he had stumbled upon something extraordinary, his eyes sparkling with interest.
Watching two beauties interact...this could be exciting. And if I get involved, it would be even better...
With these thoughts, Shishou, still in Tsunade's guise, brought his lips close to Shizune's ear and whispered, "Shizune, what are you thinking? Tell big sister, won't you? You can ask big sister to do anything for you..."
Instantly, Shizune's face and ears turned bright red, and she seemed to turn into a steam engine, with steam metaphorically blowing out of her ears.
Her reaction left Shishou wide-eyed in astonishment.
Wow, she's just too cute. Now I understand why those strange old men and women love teasing young boys and girls. It feels amazing!
At that moment, the front door opened, and Tsunade entered, holding a jug of sake. She kicked off her shoes, which flew off to some unknown corner.
"Where could that rascal be hiding?" she muttered, taking a swig of sake. Suddenly, she froze, seeing 'herself' standing with a red-faced Shizune.
Both Shishou, still disguised as Tsunade, and Shizune turned to face the real Tsunade.
Shishou: "..."
Tsunade: "..."
Shizune: "..."
For a moment, the room was silent enough to hear a pin drop.
"Tsunade-sama..." Shizune stammered, her face turning even redder before she bolted from the room.
Realizing who the imposter was, Tsunade's anger flared up. She had been searching for him for days, only to find him here, trying to seduce Shizune.
"You little bastard! Using my face like that, I'll show you!" she roared, charging at Shishou with her fist raised.
With a jolt, Shishou activated the Flying Thunder God technique and disappeared. No way was he sticking around to get punched by Tsunade, whose strength could take down even the Three-Tails.
"Coward!" Tsunade spat, turning to head towards Shizune's room. She needed to find out what that rascal had been up to with her assistant.
Shizune was still a pure maiden, and Tsunade couldn't let Shishou lead her astray.
Later, after hearing from a flustered Shizune that Shishou had only come to give her a birthday present, Tsunade felt a twinge of guilt.
"Uh, I just remembered something I left at the store. Wait here, Shizune," Tsunade said hastily, leaving the house in a rush.
"Damn it, I forgot today was Shizune's birthday!" she cursed under her breath as she hurried towards Konoha's shopping district.
Shizune watched her mentor dash off, shaking her head. She knew Tsunade's personality well enough not to be fooled.
Meanwhile...
"Phew, that was close!" Shishou emerged from the shadows onto a bustling street, stretching casually.
A passing Konoha ninja spotted him and hurried over, saluting, "Tsunade-sama!"
Shishou: "..."
"Ahem," Shishou coughed, waving the ninja off. "Carry on with your duties."
"Yes, ma'am!" The ninja, too excited to notice anything off, disappeared in a flash.
Too caught up in his excitement, the ninja failed to register any discrepancies in Tsunade's appearance or height. Even if he had noticed, he would have rationalized them away. That's the leniency of the weak towards the strong...
Just as Shishou began to relax, another Konoha ninja approached to pay respects.
"Tsunade-sama..."
Shishou: "..."
Not far away, Yamanaka Ino, out shopping with Hinata Hyuga, saw the gathering crowd around 'Tsunade' and ran over to ask for an autograph.
"You again!" Tsunade, back with a gift in hand, shouted angrily as she saw her imposter surrounded by admirers. With so many people around, she refrained from charging at him.
"Hehe, sorry, sorry," Shishou laughed, pulling out a camera to snap a picture. "The real one's here now! Time for me to go."
Pushing through the crowd, Shishou made a quick escape, leaving Tsunade fuming.
"Two...two Tsunade-samas..." Ino and Hinata stared, dumbfounded, at Shishou running away and then back at the real Tsunade holding a gift.
"It's that idiot Naruto again!" Ino shouted after the fleeing Shishou. "How dare you impersonate Tsunade-sama! I'll deal with you next time!"
Since Naruto had a history of pulling pranks like this, Ino instantly blamed him.
"Naruto, that troublemaker! Always pulling these stunts," the nearby villagers muttered, joining in the chorus of disapproval.
Sacrificing a friend to save himself. Naruto, I'll buy you ramen sometime.
With this thought, Shishou, still in Tsunade's guise, disappeared into the distance.
Ino grabbed Hinata's hand, rushing over to the real Tsunade with a beaming smile, "Tsunade-sama, can I have your autograph?"
Tsunade glanced at Ino and Hinata, waved her hand dismissively, and vanished with the Body Flicker technique, "Not now, too many people. Maybe next time."
Land of Fields, Sound Village Laboratory
"Hahahahaha...haa!" Orochimaru laughed maniacally, a glint of triumph in his eyes as he held a vial of shimmering liquid.
He had finally succeeded!