Tsunade's lips trembled slightly as she took a deep breath, summoning her courage to ask, "Like what?"
Tōshirō's grin widened mischievously. "Oh, something about how you seem to like me."
In an instant, Tsunade's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
"You said that ever since I saved you last time, you've secretly admired me, couldn't get me out of your mind, and that I've been living rent-free in your head." Tōshirō crossed his arms over his chest, feigning hurt as he added, "And when I wouldn't reciprocate, you were even planning to force yourself on me…"
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
Tsunade shot to her feet, her face flushed as red as a tomato. Waving her hands frantically, she vehemently denied it, looking as if she'd rather die than admit it.
This scene quickly attracted the attention of the other diners, who turned to watch with curiosity, their faces full of intrigue.
Tōshirō raised an eyebrow lazily. "Why are you getting so worked up?"
How could she not be?
Tsunade's entire body was trembling—whether from embarrassment or frustration was unclear. Her shoulders shook, and her chest rose and fell with her rapid breathing.
For a moment, she was overwhelmed with regret. She'd always heard that people tend to speak without restraint when drunk, but she hadn't expected it to be so true…
If Tōshirō believed her drunken words, fine, but if he didn't…
How was she supposed to face him from now on?
Opening his eyes lazily, Tōshirō continued, "Relax. I was just joking."
Tsunade froze, her brain short-circuiting for a second before rapidly cooling down. Sitting back down, she let out a long sigh of relief, feeling as though a massive weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
She took a sip of water to calm herself, glared at him with feigned annoyance, and muttered, "Don't joke about stuff like that."
"Got it. But why were you so flustered? Could it be that you actually… Huh, Tsunade, you're a good person."
After that, he added casually, "Please, let me go."
Hearing the "good person" comment, Tsunade's face darkened. "Oh, shut up. I just didn't want my reputation tarnished, that's all. As if I'd be interested in a lazy, perverted guy like you. Only a dog would like someone like you… uh…"
Tōshirō let out a dramatic sigh of relief. "Now that you've said that, I feel much better. If you really had feelings for me, I'd be doomed."
Tsunade: …
"With your temper, if I didn't agree, you'd probably beat me into submission. Sure, you look decent enough, but your figure… well, let's just say I don't play cards when the hand is all Aces."
Crack!
The glass in Tsunade's hand shattered instantly.
A dark aura began to emanate from her, and Tōshirō, sensing the incoming danger, immediately bolted.
"AO-KI-JI!!!"
Tsunade roared like thunder and dashed after him.
The two moved so quickly that by the time the breakfast shop owner realized what had happened, they were long gone. Dropping his shoulders in defeat, the owner muttered helplessly, "Hey, wait! You haven't paid yet!"
...
They darted through the streets, Tsunade chasing relentlessly while Tōshirō leaped and dodged. No one knew how long this game of cat and mouse went on.
Eventually, Tōshirō leaned against a wall, sweating profusely and panting heavily. Internally, he marveled, As expected of a Senju and Uzumaki hybrid—her stamina is insane.
In terms of endurance, there was no way Tōshirō, even as a Uchiha, could outlast Tsunade.
Just as he was catching his breath, he saw a figure approach at lightning speed. It was Tsunade, her face still burning with fury.
She clenched her fist, and the sheer force of her punch felt suffocating even before it landed.
I'm done for… Tōshirō shut his eyes in despair.
Bang.
The expected blow didn't come.
Opening his eyes cautiously, Tōshirō's brows relaxed as he caught sight of Tsunade's arm braced against the wall just beside his head.
He stared blankly for a moment, his gaze drifting forward.
Tsunade's hand was planted on the wall to the right of his head.
From a third-party perspective, the two looked exactly like a classic kabedon scene straight out of a romantic drama.
"Uh…"
Tōshirō tried to shuffle to the right, but Tsunade's other arm quickly shot up, blocking his escape. Her hand pressed firmly against the wall on the other side of his head.
Still visibly angry, Tsunade glared at him, her eyes burning with a fury that could almost devour him whole. He was fortunate she hadn't already smashed his head into pieces.
"Don't even think about running away."
It didn't take long for Tsunade to realize something was off.
This pose… wasn't this the classic double kabedon scene straight out of the Romance Guidebook?
The two were about the same height, around 150 centimeters, and their eyes met perfectly at the same level.
Ba-dump. Ba-dump.
Tsunade's heart pounded furiously, her whole body radiating heat.
Under the influence of her clear, golden eyes, Tōshirō found himself unable to look away.
The hormones rushing through his system seemed to take over, and he slowly leaned forward…
"Caw, caw!"
The cry of a passing crow snapped them both out of it.
Startled, they sprang apart instantly.
"Ahem. The weather's nice today, huh?"
"Yeah, yeah. Really nice."
.....
As if nothing had happened, the two turned their backs on each other, silently reaching an unspoken understanding.
Tsunade covered her face, which was as red as a freshly boiled crab, her mind in utter chaos.
So sneaky...
He knows I like him and still bullies me about not having a chest.
If this had been the past, she would've punched him to death right then and there.
But judging from his behavior earlier, this idiot doesn't seem completely disinterested in her either…
Hehe…
A sweet smile curved Tsunade's lips.
Meanwhile, Tōshirō took a deep breath, trying to steady his emotions.
He had intentionally teased her earlier, thinking it might cheer up her downcast mood.
He just hadn't expected things to nearly cross a line.
Sigh… Love really is hard to navigate.
After all, he was a healthy, normal guy.
There had been plenty of moments when he wanted to throw reason to the wind and just grab her, claiming her for himself.
Taking another deep breath, Tōshirō resumed his usual nonchalant expression. "Tsunade, let's head back to the village."
"Mm."
....
Back in Konoha.
When Tsunade and Tōshirō returned to the village, they happened to run into Orochimaru and Jiraiya, who were returning from a mission. As their paths crossed, the two groups began to chat.
Jiraiya sidled up. "Tsunade, how'd your mission go?"
"Failed," Tsunade said with a sigh.
"Failed? What kind of mission would be too much for the two of you?" Jiraiya asked, perplexed.
Tsunade huffed and cast an annoyed glance at Tōshirō, blaming him. "It's all because of this guy. He's so lazy that the target got away."
"That was just an accident, an accident!" Tōshirō scratched his head sheepishly.
The two had agreed beforehand that Tōshirō would take all the blame. Given his reputation for being lazy on missions, it fit perfectly with his usual behavior.
"Unbelievable. Not a shred of self-awareness." Tsunade feigned a frustrated expression, as though genuinely upset about the failed mission. "I'm never teaming up with you again."
"Ha, fine by me," Tōshirō shrugged, deliberately playing it cool. "I prefer working solo anyway."
"Good." Tsunade quickened her pace, leaving Tōshirō behind.
Jiraiya hurried to catch up, grinning. "Since you don't want to team up with Tōshirō, why not partner with me next time?"
"No."
"Aw, come on, Tsunade! Give me a chance!"
"The mission failed, and I'm in a bad mood," Tsunade said dismissively before silencing Jiraiya with a single punch.
Tōshirō patted Jiraiya on the shoulder. "Why bother, man? A simp will simp, and in the end, you'll have nothing left."
"Damn it, even you're calling me that, Tōshirō?" Jiraiya sniffled dramatically, his tears streaming onto the ground.
But it wasn't long before Jiraiya bounced back like an unkillable cockroach. "I'm not giving up!"
Tōshirō sighed, exasperated. "You're really something else."
"Of course!" Jiraiya clenched a fist, his eyes gleaming with determination as he glanced between Tōshirō and Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru, Tōshirō , I just thought of the perfect plan. If it works, Tsunade will definitely fall for me!"
Tōshirō looked skeptical. "Oh? What harebrained scheme is it this time?"
He'd heard Jiraiya's grand declarations so many times that he'd lost count. And every single time, the result was the same: Jiraiya got mercilessly beaten by Tsunade.
In the past, Tsunade had no interest in Jiraiya. Now, with Tsunade's feelings leaning toward someone else, Jiraiya's chances seemed even slimmer.
Still, Tōshirō wondered if he should orchestrate an "accidental" scenario where Jiraiya could play the hero saving a damsel in distress. Maybe they could even set up a situation where a woman pursued Jiraiya, flipping the dynamic.
In theory, if a woman chased Jiraiya, the "thin veil" between them could quickly dissolve. Knowing Jiraiya's personality, he wouldn't resist for long.
Such an outcome would work out well for everyone involved: Tsunade, Jiraiya, and himself.
"Please, Tōshirō, Orochimaru, you've got to help me this time."
Jiraiya placed a hand on each of their shoulders, his gaze earnest and imploring.
Tōshirō and Orochimaru exchanged a glance before simultaneously rolling their eyes.
(End of Chapter)
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