Chapter 18: Tsunade, You're Robbing the Cradle
Konoha, Hokage Building.
The Jonin meeting lasted for over two hours before it finally ended.
"Tsunade."
Jiraiya began to ask something, but Tsunade, looking slightly lazy, yawned, her face showing a relaxed smile.
It seemed that she had finally let go of the incident with Nawaki.
In the prime of her life, Tsunade's charm was undeniable. Her smile captivated many of the Jonin present—not only was she beautiful, but her power and noble heritage made her one of Konoha's finest.
Lady Tsunade was, after all, the village's true princess.
Observing the reactions of the Jonin around her, Tsunade couldn't help but sneer internally. 'Trying to manipulate me, are you? Well, let's see how disgusted you all are after this.'
"Orochimaru, why don't we go for a drink?"
Jiraiya laughed loudly, throwing an arm around the departing Orochimaru, his gaze also looking toward Tsunade.
"Idiot," Orochimaru muttered coldly, though his actions showed he wasn't entirely opposed. After all, he was glad to see Tsunade moving on and wanted to support her.
But this time, Tsunade only waved lazily, declining with a casual smile.
"Drinks sound great, but let's save it for another time."
Waving her hand, she walked toward the door, her face showing a hint of anticipation.
Watching her leave, Jiraiya's eyes widened in surprise—he had never seen Tsunade act like this before.
"Orochimaru, come on, let's get a drink."
Jiraiya cheered, but was met with a disdainful look from Orochimaru.
"Idiot Jiraiya."
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean, Orochimaru? Are you going or not?"
As Jiraiya made a fuss in the meeting room, Orochimaru had already started heading out.
Outside the Hokage Building.
"In the middle of the night, and she wants me here?"
Under a lamppost, Uchiha Yosuke yawned, a slug perched on his shoulder.
"It's Lady Tsunade's message, so it must be right. She also asked me to tell you to wear your finest attire," the slug said in a soothing voice, though, unfortunately, it was still a slug talking.
Yosuke frowned, looking up at the Hokage Building. What did Tsunade want this late at night? Was it something urgent on the front lines? And why the nice clothes?
In the dead of night, Yosuke stood wearing a pristine white kimono with black pants, his chest slightly exposed, showing off well-defined muscles. His forearms were covered in dark arm guards extending to his hands, a black belt around his waist with a straight ninja blade at his side.
Just then, a group of Jonin exited the Hokage Building, and Yosuke quickly adopted a respectful stance. One should always show enough respect to the strong.
Kato Dan emerged from the building with a warm smile, but hearing quick footsteps behind him, his lips curled into a smirk, his heart racing.
Finally! My efforts have finally caught the attention of Lady Tsunade!
"Yosuke!"
Kato Dan took a deep breath, preparing himself, but the figure that came running from behind him, wearing a blue cloak, was Tsunade. She dashed right past him, calling out affectionately to Yosuke.
""What the…?!""
Kato Dan stood in shock, as did the other Jonin emerging from the building, all staring wide-eyed at the scene in front of them.
Under the streetlight, Tsunade approached with a look of warmth and threw herself into Yosuke's arms.
Yosuke instinctively caught her, and then he heard a whisper in his ear.
"Hold me. Spin me around!"
What?!
Yosuke's young face showed surprise. His mind couldn't quite process what was happening when Tsunade used her Medical Ninjutsu to subtly control his muscles.
In the next instant, with Tsunade smiling radiantly, Yosuke, half a head shorter than her, held her around the waist and spun her under the dim streetlight.
At that moment, Tsunade, glowing with joy, looked like a true princess.
Yosuke's eyes widened in disbelief. Was this really happening?
"Yosuke, did you wait long?"
Up close, with a delicate scent filling the air, Tsunade's playful tone left Yosuke stunned. Farther away, Jiraiya gaped in utter confusion.
"Is… that Tsunade?"
Jiraiya was dumbfounded, rubbing his eyes in disbelief.
When had Tsunade ever shown that kind of expression?
Affection! For a male ninja, no less! And a young Uchiha, at that!
"Kid, just shut up and play along."
Yosuke's ear caught Tsunade's threatening whisper, and she kept smiling at him warmly, visibly pleased with his attire.
'Damn!'
Yosuke finally understood, seeing all the Jonin nearby—he was being used as a decoy!
"Tsu… Tsunade, you, you!"
Jiraiya's wide-eyed stare at the scene was followed by an astonished cry, his finger trembling as he pointed at her.
"Tsunade, what are you doing? Robbing the cradle?!"
"Jiraiya, you're asking to die!"
Tsunade's fist came flying, and Jiraiya, terrified, barely dodged as it hit the ground, leaving a crater.
"Tsunade, you're gonna kill me!"
Cold sweat dripped from Jiraiya's forehead as he avoided the punch, his waist wrapped in a few snakes that hissed as they pulled him out of harm's way.
Behind him, Orochimaru withdrew the snakes, looking on with a hint of amusement.
"Idiot Jiraiya."
Though usually aloof, Orochimaru's golden eyes discreetly glanced at Yosuke.
"Tsunade, isn't this kid a recent graduate from the ninja academy?"
Nawaki had graduated last year under Orochimaru, Minato had joined Jiraiya's team, and Yosuke was placed under Tsunade's supervision.
"A recent graduate?"
Jiraiya looked at the young Yosuke beside her, finally noticing the difference in age.
"Tsunade, are you out of your mind, really…!"
Before he could finish, Tsunade's sharp gaze silenced him, and his face froze, the words dying on his lips.
"Ha ha, yes, yes, very nice, Tsunade."
Yosuke's forced smile made him feel like he truly was being used as a scapegoat.
"Lady… Lady Tsunade."
At the entrance, Kato Dan's face stiffened with an awkward smile.
***
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