"Minato, is this your first time traveling far?"
From a distance, Haruki could see the faces on the Hokage Rock, giving him a feeling of returning home.
Despite Konoha's many problems, it was the only place in this strange world where Haruki felt he belonged.
"Yes."
As they approached Konoha, the tension on Minato's face eased.
Since he hadn't graduated yet, he rarely left Konoha, let alone traveled to distant countries like the Land of Rain.
"What are your thoughts?"
"Konoha is still better without war," Minato mused.
"That's true."
Apart from the Nine-Tails incident, the major ninja wars hadn't really affected Konoha's homeland.
"Minato, get a good rest when we get back. Training starts officially tomorrow."
"Yes!" Minato responded excitedly.
Haruki smiled.
At this moment, Minato looked like a ten-year-old child.
When he got home, Tsunade wasn't there.
She was probably teaching at the ninja academy.
Haruki checked the time and went out again.
Medical Class.
A newly established class temporarily attached to the ninja school.
The current medical department wasn't fully developed.
Haruki remembered that in the original story, the medical department had multiple branches, such as the Emergency Medical Class, Corpse Disposal Class, and Animal Therapy Class.
But now there was only the Emergency Medical Class.
Tsunade was giving a lecture.
Haruki listened for a while; it was all basic stuff.
"Haruki-sama?"
"Shh."
Haruki put a finger to his lips, lowering his voice as he looked at the gentle, bespectacled young woman.
Nonō Yakushi.
Currently the head of the medical class.
Although young, her medical ninjutsu was very advanced.
Haruki and she were also comrades who had fought together.
"Haruki-sama, when did you get back?"
"Just now."
"Coming to the school right after you arrived shows how deep your feelings are for Tsunade-sama." Nonō looked envious.
"If you wanted, you could have it too. I know you have plenty of admirers from one end of Konoha to the other." Haruki said, still watching Tsunade.
"Haruki-sama, you're teasing me."
Nonō adjusted her glasses and seriously said, "But I'm not planning on falling in love."
"You don't want to fall in love but you like kids? I must thank you for helping me manage the orphanage."
After Haruki finished speaking, his eyes met Tsunade's.
Instantly, a warm spring-like smile blossomed on her face.
The students, noticing Tsunade's reaction, all turned to look at Haruki.
They suddenly understood.
They knew Tsunade was always fierce during lectures and any misstep would lead to an angry outburst and a punch, which she justified as hands-on learning.
Such a moving smile was like a dream.
"Focus!"
Tsunade slapped the lectern, crossing her arms, "Class is not for daydreaming!"
It must have been an illusion.
The students collectively sighed.
Haruki shook his head with a smile.
Yes, he loved how Tsunade was fierce to others but gentle with him.
Nonō sighed softly.
Although she had no plans to fall in love, she had just been fed a huge spoonful of dog food.
So annoying!
"What are you two talking about?"
Tsunade finished her lecture.
She glanced at the gentle-looking Nonō, her eyelashes fluttering, then stepped forward to hold Haruki's right hand.
"We were talking about how serious you are during lectures, like a true teacher."
"Are you saying I'm not serious normally?"
Tsunade glared at him, her eyes full of dangerous intent.
"Well, you're okay."
Haruki shrugged, then leaned down to whisper in her ear, "But I love it when you're not serious."
"Ahem. I'll be going now."
Nonō quickly excused herself.
Even if they whispered, she could hear them since she was a ninja.
So infuriating!
Is being in love so great?
"You need a beating for your nonsense!"
Tsunade's face turned slightly red, and she flicked Haruki's forehead with her finger.
"Wow, I came straight to see you as soon as I returned to Konoha, and this is how you treat me?"
Haruki pulled a pitiful face.
"Who asked you to talk nonsense?"
"I wasn't talking nonsense; it was the truth."
"Say that again?"
Tsunade's face froze, her eyes filled with irritation, "Isn't it all your fault!"
"What? How is this my fault?" Haruki argued.
"Whose fault then?" Tsunade stopped walking, staring at him as if daring him to speak wrongly.
"Blame it on you being overly beautiful."
Tsunade's heart trembled at his words, and her gaze softened as she turned away.
"Hmph, you finally said something right."
"Hey, that's too much!"
Haruki let go of her hand and placed his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer.
He blew gently into her pretty earlobe.
"Tonight, I will punish you."
Tsunade's body stiffened, her ears slowly turning red.
A few seconds later, she snapped out of it, quickly breaking free from his embrace and speeding up her pace.
Haruki chuckled silently.
After dinner.
"Tsunade."
Haruki called out while lying on the sofa.
Tsunade was preparing her lessons, but hearing his voice, she went to the living room and saw his lazy posture, giving her a headache.
"If you're so free, help me think about what to teach tomorrow."
"Of course."
Haruki closed his eyes and extended his hand, "But you need to accept your punishment first."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
She thought he was just teasing her earlier, but he actually meant it.
"What punishment?"
Tsunade ignored his raised hand and asked calmly.
Haruki didn't seem to sense the impending danger.
"Come here first."
He beckoned.
Tsunade walked straight to him.
"My stomach is too full. Help me massage it."
Haruki grabbed her hand and said seriously, "If you don't want to, I can massage you instead."
Before Tsunade could respond, her hand was placed on a very warm spot.
"You..."
Even Tsunade felt shy at this moment.
"It won't work over clothes."
Haruki said seriously, "Tsunade, you're a top medical ninja; you should understand this."
Tsunade gave him a sideways glance.
If his hand wasn't moving around, she might have believed him.
She gently massaged Haruki's stomach.
The atmosphere didn't turn overly suggestive.
"Tsunade, could you move a little lower?"
"Here?"
Tsunade, not suspecting anything, moved her hand half an inch lower.
"You can go even lower."
"..."
Tsunade suddenly smiled sweetly, then pulled back her hand and pinched Haruki's cheek.
"Uh..."
Haruki stiffened, putting on a sad face, "I was just joking, really."
"Really?"
Tsunade leaned in with a cold smile, "You think I'll believe you?"
"Move your hand first, I can explain."
Driven by a strong survival instinct, Haruki patted her iron grip.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow and released him, "Let's see your explanation..."
"Mmm, mmm..."
Suddenly, her breathing quickened.
A soft sensation spread through her mouth.