Weren't you all high and mighty just now?
Keep going!
Get justice for your son! The real deal is here, why did you chicken out?
After dealing with the other parent, Tsunade waved Kushina over to her side.
"Tsunade-sis."
Kushina gave a sheepish smile, clearly feeling guilty.
I'll deal with you later.
As they walked out of the teacher's office, Kushina clung to Tsunade's arm, shaking it as she spoke:
"I'm sorry, Tsunade-sis. They were teasing me about my red hair, calling me a little chili pepper. I just couldn't hold it in and punched that guy."
"Alright, alright." Tsunade said with a headache. "I knew nothing good would come out of you hanging around Takashi. That guy's mouth is like poison. You need to stop listening to him so much."
"I'll let it slide today. Go home and get some rest. Be up early for class tomorrow. And if this ever happens again, don't fight in the classroom, understand?"
If you're going to fight, there's a time and a place for it, Kushina. Attacking someone in front of the teacher and the whole class, in the middle of a lesson, and as a sneak attack, no less—that's really not the way to go about it.
If you did it after class, it wouldn't be so serious.
"Mhm, mhm, mhm," Kushina obediently nodded. "Can I go to Takashi's house? He's moving today, and I want to visit."
"Go ahead, if you don't think it will be boring. He won't be home until after work."
Tsunade didn't refuse Kushina's request.
If she wanted to play, so be it. Considering today's situation, there was no way for her to continue with her classes anyway.
"Yay! Tsunade-sis, you're the best!"
"Stop it. I almost lost my mind today. You listen to Takashi about everything; whatever he says is more effective than what I, your sister, tell you. He even mocked me, saying, 'When there's no problem, it's Tsunade-sis; but when there is, suddenly I'm not her sister anymore.' It drives me crazy!"
That statement was like a knife stabbed straight into Tsunade's lungs.
It left her completely exasperated.
Am I really as bad as he says?
"Really?"
Kushina looked genuinely surprised. She couldn't believe Takashi would roast Tsunade like that.
"Do you think I'm lying? That guy cares about you so much he basically sprayed it in my face."
Tsunade raised her hand and tapped Kushina lightly on the forehead.
"Oww~ that hurts," Kushina whined, rubbing her forehead pitifully.
"Stop pretending." Tsunade wasn't moved, especially since she hadn't used any force at all.
"Wait, where are you going?"
"Grocery shopping."
Kushina put her hands behind her back. "Takashi has to work, and he doesn't have time to go to the market. Tsunade-sis won't help with the groceries either, so I'm going to buy some."
"…"
Tsunade was speechless, her face darkening.
Because that made it sound like she was freeloading.
Fine, Tsunade admitted it—she was indeed freeloading.
Instinctively, she reached into her pocket and realized there were only a few coins. She immediately gave up on the idea of paying for groceries.
Her wallet was as empty as her patience. Might as well continue freeloading.
"Alright, just be careful. I'm heading to the medical department; I've still got a pile of crap to deal with."
There were ANBU protecting Kushina, so her safety was assured. After parting ways with Kushina, Tsunade headed to the medical department.
As for Konoha Hospital, she didn't want to go there right now—afraid that if she did, she wouldn't be able to resist giving Takashi a beating.
That bastard's words were always a direct stab to the heart.
"Didn't I say not to buy groceries? We still have plenty at home, and I was going to go myself."
After work, Takashi returned home to see several large bags sitting on the floor.
"Tsunade-sis went to the school and brought me back, so I dropped by the market on the way."
Kushina proudly raised her little fist. "That kid who mocked me today—he called me a little chili pepper, so I knocked out one of his front teeth."
"Pretty impressive, right?"
"Hahaha, impressive!"
Takashi burst out laughing, giving Kushina a thumbs-up. "You did great. Hitting back was the right move. Don't worry about any serious consequences. Remember, in Konoha, as long as you're not the one bullying others, you're already doing good. There's no room for others to bully you."
"By the way, Tsunade didn't scold you, did she?"
"No, but she did say I shouldn't listen to you."
"Don't listen to… ahem. Kushina, what do you want to eat? How about some noodles for dinner?"
Takashi was about to grumble a bit but noticed someone approaching, so he quickly changed the subject.
"Haven't you started cooking yet?"
Tsunade, feeling half-dead from exhaustion, stumbled into the house and collapsed onto the couch without a shred of decorum.
"Uh, Kushina and I were planning to have ramen."
Does teaching students really take this much out of you?
"Make that three portions. I need a good meal," Tsunade said, still sounding utterly drained.
Kushina looked at her with concern. "Tsunade-sis, are you okay?"
"Don't even mention it." Tsunade held back her anger. "I've never seen students so dumb. I taught them the whole day, and they didn't learn a thing—ugh, I'm so mad!!"
Tsunade was never one for patience.
In fact, her temperament was more irritable, even explosive.
If things went smoothly, fine. But when it didn't, everything would take a turn for the worse.
Poor Tsunade.
After silently mourning for her for three seconds, Takashi picked up the bags on the floor and headed to the kitchen. Kushina, after a moment of hesitation, chose to follow Takashi in.
She figured it was best to let Tsunade cool down.
Approaching her now seemed somewhat risky.
Out of the future Legendary Sannin, the one with the most patience for teaching disciples was Jiraiya. It was hard to imagine that someone so unreliable, who seemed to fail at everything, could become a great teacher.
Orochimaru also had a high aptitude for teaching, though his methods were as intimidating as his personality.
But that was after Nawaki's death; before that, Orochimaru hadn't completely walked down the path of darkness.
In Takashi's home, the three of them sat around eating noodles, chatting warmly.
Meanwhile, back at the Senju Clan's estate, Mito Uzumaki looked at the empty table and sighed.
"Granny, what's wrong?"
Nawaki paused mid-bite, looking at his grandmother in confusion since she hadn't touched her food.
"Nawaki, don't you think it's a bit lonely during dinner?" At her age, Mito still longed for the feeling of being surrounded by her grandchildren.
Lately, however, Tsunade often didn't come home for dinner, and neither did Kushina.
"Really?"
Nawaki picked up a chicken leg and looked at her with innocent eyes. "Not at all. When Sis isn't here, no one fights me for the good stuff."
Mito Uzumaki: "…"
Your sister calls you dumb and beats you up often for good reason.
If she were a few years younger, Mito would guarantee that she'd grab this grandson of hers and give him a good thrashing.
"Kushina hasn't been coming home either. She says Takashi's cooking is really good. I need to try it myself one day." Nawaki continued rambling on.
Mito's heart felt even heavier after hearing that.
Here I am, missing my granddaughter's presence, and now my grandson wants to leave too?
Looks like I need to have a talk with Tsunade.
That night.
Dragging her weary body back home after being forced to work overtime, Tsunade was surprised to see that her grandmother, Mito Uzumaki, was still awake.
"Granny, can't sleep?"
Mito glanced at her granddaughter. "With just Nawaki, the fool, keeping me company in this empty house, how could I sleep?"
"Uh…"
Is it because I got back too late?
"Granny, I promise I'll come back earlier tomorrow."
"No need. Just have Takashi come over tomorrow instead."
Mito's tone grew stiff.
You and Kushina like freeloading, huh?
Alright then, this old lady will cut off your freeloading. Let's see if that makes you come back.
If Takashi's not home, Kushina will definitely stay put.
As for Tsunade—her salary was all gone to gambling, and her pockets were empty. If she didn't come home for food, she'd go hungry. Mito was sure her granddaughter would come back obediently.
Watching her grandmother's back disappear, Tsunade muttered in confusion, "Did I say something wrong?"