"I'm not a shining light, I'm not a light bulb."
Tsunade laughed after a few seconds of silence, her amusement increasing as she saw Haruki's flustered expression.
She found joy in teasing, especially someone she liked, which made it doubly enjoyable.
"You've become bad," Haruki said sadly. "You weren't like this before."
"I learned it from you."
Tsunade pressed her index finger against his lips. "I don't need brilliance; I just want you to see only me."
Haruki was stunned but then smiled.
The diamond by the window shone even brighter, and Hyuga Kasumi's face turned completely red, as if steam would start rising any moment.
Is this what the world of engagement is like?
She didn't understand but was greatly shocked.
"You learn the bad things and ignore the good ones." Haruki removed Tsunade's finger and said with a smile.
"But looking at you, it seems you like it," Tsunade said, "So you like bad women!"
"Yes, I like you, this bad woman," Haruki said, noticing that she looked more lively and natural than usual, with a unique charm in her eyes.
"Bad woman?" Tsunade curled her lips. "Since you say I'm a bad woman, I have to do some bad things."
"Oh?" The different side of her today made Haruki find it very interesting.
"Stand still," Tsunade suddenly said seriously.
"You're not going to hit me without letting me fight back, are you?" Haruki's heart skipped a beat; given her character, she might actually do that.
"As a little lamb in front of a bad woman, you have no right to speak."
Tsunade placed her hands on her hips, raised her head, and wagged her finger in front of him, exuding an inexplicable queenly aura.
"Then… be gentle."
Haruki pretended to tremble.
"No."
Tsunade held his face with both hands and kissed him.
Haruki didn't expect this—was this what being a bad woman meant? He loved it.
The next moment, his eyes widened as she bit his tongue, but it was enveloped, pain mingled with a tingling sensation.
Hyuga Kasumi instinctively covered her eyes but couldn't help peeking through her fingers.
However, after a few minutes, she couldn't bear it anymore, turned around, bumped into the counter, and quickly disappeared.
Hearing the noise, Tsunade stepped back, panting, her face slightly red, adding to her charm.
"Did you do it on purpose?" Haruki glanced at Hyuga Kasumi, "I didn't expect you to have a wicked sense of humor now."
Tsunade laughed, "You were quite cooperative. Honestly, biting you was useless."
"Men aren't afraid of being bitten." Haruki shrugged, "As for cooperating, it's called being of one mind in marriage."
"Where did you get that weird saying?" Tsunade rolled her eyes, "We're not married yet."
"Okay." Haruki thought for a moment, "Then let's call it collusion."
"?" Tsunade's face stiffened, "What did you say? I didn't hear you clearly."
"Ah, nothing." Haruki laughed nervously.
Tsunade pretended to hit him, seeing him instinctively cover his forehead, she couldn't help but laugh.
"Fine, I'll let you off today for the sake of the ring."
"Princess really has a broad mind." Haruki spread his arms, hugging her, "Let me feel it."
Tsunade realized what he meant after a moment.
She opened her mouth and bit his neck.
"Bastard!"
"Hey, who's the bastard now!"
Haruki took a sharp breath, it wasn't very painful, but she wasn't gentle either.
A neat row of teeth marks appeared on his neck, faintly glistening.
"You're not a cat, why are you biting me?"
"Punishing you."
Tsunade squinted, unconsciously finding the most comfortable position in his arms.
"You're really bad!"
"You're unreasonable." Haruki complained.
"Being unreasonable is a woman's right," Tsunade smiled confidently, "Especially in front of the person she likes."
"…" Haruki was speechless.
"Alright, why are you pouting like a child?"
Tsunade noticed the gloominess on his face, stood on her tiptoes, and licked his wound like a kitten.
…
The Land of Rain.
Even in summer, it still rained continuously.
Jiraiya had finished his daily mission of warming a young lady's heart.
Since receiving the royalty check from Haruki, his wealth had skyrocketed.
With a benevolent heart, he brought warmth to the cold world.
Jiraiya casually kept the rain out. He wasn't used to the constant rain and only felt at home in Konoha.
But remembering his mission, he pushed aside these unnecessary worries.
After all, he was destined to be the teacher of the prophesied child.
Jiraiya returned to the wooden house.
"Teacher."
Konan looked up, a paper crane landed on her shoulder.
Under Haruki's influence, she had learned to be cautious.
Even in the deserted hut, she set many traps.
The paper crane symbolized the arrival of Jiraiya, Nagato, and Yahiko.
"Haruki is a medical ninja; you don't need to learn from him."
Jiraiya glanced at her and sat down, "Where are Nagato and Yahiko?"
"Training."
"And you?"
Jiraiya's gaze dropped to the chicken in her hand, "Are we having chicken for lunch?"
"No, it's for practicing medical ninjutsu."
Konan stabbed the chicken, then performed a hand seal, a green chakra enveloped it, and the wound began to heal.
Jiraiya's mouth twitched. A good kid was being corrupted by Haruki.
He still didn't know what Haruki had told them last time, making them all act a bit strange.
After a few seconds, he asked in surprise, "Is this the Mystic Palm Technique?"
"Yeah." Konan nodded and continued to stab the chicken.
"Seems like you have great talent."
Jiraiya sighed. He didn't know medical ninjutsu, but he understood the Mystic Palm Technique.
It was a foundational but challenging medical ninjutsu.
Learning it in such a short time without a teacher showed Konan's talent and diligence.
"Haruki-sensei taught well."
"…"
Damn!
Why Haruki-sensei?
Jiraiya felt like spitting blood. He had just said there was no teacher to guide her in medical ninjutsu, and now he was slapped in the face.
His painstakingly taught student called someone else sensei.
Looking around, he finally poured himself a cup of tea and drank it.
"By the way, teacher, there's a letter for you."
Konan remembered the morning letter, sparing the tortured chicken, and went inside.
"From Haruki?"
Jiraiya took the envelope, guessing.
"Yes." Konan nodded.
"Let's see what he wrote."
Jiraiya smiled as he tore open the envelope, "Just in time, my new book 'Icha-Icha Paradise' can use his help."
Konan blushed.
She had read 'Icha-Icha Paradise.'
In fact, because Jiraiya acted suspiciously, she teamed up with Nagato and Yahiko to find a chance to see the book.
But it turned out to be about close combat between men and women.
"Teacher, what's wrong?"
Konan snapped out of her thoughts, seeing Jiraiya's frustrated face, "Did something happen to Haruki-sensei?"
"…He's fine, but I'm not."
Jiraiya sat slumped, sighing.
"So, the day has come."
"Huh?"
Konan leaned over in confusion, seeing the letter's contents. It was an engagement invitation from Haruki and Tsunade.
"We're having chicken for lunch!"
Jiraiya's eyes glowed with murderous intent towards the chicken Konan used for practice. He was going on a rampage!