"I knew it!!"
"Hyuga Shinki! Look at what you've done!"
An irate Tsunade stormed into the lounge, kicking the door open.
"Kushina was mocked by her classmates and ended up beating them up, even knocking out someone's front teeth. The old man told me to handle this, so how do you expect me to deal with it?"
"I've got a mountain of work in the medical department waiting for me. You're no help, and now you've added more trouble!"
Shinki, who was calmly changing into his white coat in the lounge, responded evenly.
"Kushina was taunted by her classmates on her first day of school. Was she wrong to fight back?"
They can laugh at her, but she isn't allowed to defend herself? What kind of world is that?
Shinki wasn't exaggerating. In all of Konoha's academy, only Nawaki could rival Kushina in terms of backing. Everyone else had to step aside, even the children of noble clans.
With support that strong, what did she have to fear?
What baffled Shinki the most was that despite Kushina's powerful connections, she was frequently targeted at school.
Bullied and mocked until she retaliated, only to have the bullies escalate by involving their older siblings. Where did they get the nerve?
Causing trouble.
"..."
Tsunade's blood pressure spiked. "And she even threatened the teacher, saying her sister is Tsunade! Now the teacher doesn't dare touch her."
"Well, isn't that true? Aren't you her sister?" Shinki spread his hands. "When it's convenient, she's your sister, but when things go south, she's not?"
"Damn it…"
Tsunade nearly choked on her own frustration.
"Go to the Ninja Academy right now and deal with this."
"This is your mess, you should handle it yourself."
Tsunade felt like her head was about to explode. While the hospital was manageable, the medical department was in turmoil due to the F4 group's reforms. She barely had time for anything else.
"No, Kushina isn't my sister."
Shinki rejected the assignment outright. It wasn't that he didn't want to help Kushina, but stepping in himself would only provoke more issues. Even with Tsunade's authority behind him, things would escalate.
Parents demanding answers for their son's beating? What next? Beating up the parents too?
"If you don't go, then are you teaching her to solve everything with her fists?"
Tsunade looked ready to lash out.
"If she doesn't fight back, should she just stand by and be bullied?"
Shinki looked at her, puzzled.
What logic was she following? Did she really think that by ignoring it, Kushina would suddenly be embraced by the village?
What Tsunade viewed as childish schoolyard scuffles were far from trivial to others.
When Kushina defended herself and retaliated, her classmates would call on their families, their pride be damned.
"Tsunade-sama, Shinki-san, there's a patient outside…"
A young nurse appeared at the doorway.
Shinki immediately stepped out. "I'm coming, I'll take care of this patient. No one else touch it!"
Arguing at the academy? Not a chance. This was Tsunade's mess, and only she could sort it out properly.
Glaring at Shinki's retreating back, Tsunade tossed the documents she was holding onto a table and left the hospital, heading toward the Ninja Academy.
---
"Whose parents are responsible for this boy? I need to have a word. What did my son do to deserve such rough treatment?"
Honda's father, Old Honda, stormed into the academy, looking for answers.
"Please calm down, this isn't entirely Kushina's fault." Sarutobi Kiyoshi, back from the hospital, looked weary.
When incidents like this happened in his class, the parents always came to him first.
"Kushina, apologize to Honda-san," Kiyoshi said, attempting to mediate.
"No." Kushina lifted her chin defiantly. Shinki was right: bratty kids needed to be put in their place with a strong response.
She felt justified.
Can't they apologize first? Why should she?
Kushina's refusal made Kiyoshi despair. Why did this have to fall on him?
There goes any chance of being recognized as an outstanding teacher this year. And goodbye, year-end bonus.
"Kiyoshi-sensei, you see? This girl has no manners!" Old Honda fumed, his anger making him incoherent.
"Honda-san, please, calm down…"
*Bang!*
Before Sarutobi Kiyoshi could say more, the office door swung open with a loud thud, hitting the wall and startling everyone.
Who would be so bold?
He flinched and turned to the door, irritated, only to feel his annoyance drain away when he recognized who stood there.
"Tsunade-sama! You're here in person?" Kiyoshi hurried to greet her with a smile.
It's over. Tsunade herself had shown up.
Kushina's defiance faded as she bowed her head, guilt written all over her face.
"My sister was bullied on her first day of school. Am I not allowed to seek an explanation?" Tsunade stepped into the room, her expression cold.
An explanation?
Kiyoshi wanted to point out that it was Kushina who had hit someone.
"You said my sister was disrespectful, correct?" Tsunade walked right up to Old Honda, her eyes blazing.
Who are you to judge my sister's behavior?
"No, no, this is a misunderstanding…"
Old Honda had been speechless since Tsunade's entrance.
Everyone in Konoha knew Tsunade, the celebrated disciple of the Third Hokage, the eldest daughter of the Senju clan, and the village's revered princess.
His son had picked on Tsunade's sister?
This boy would get an earful when they got home.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow at Old Honda, who was now drenched in nervous sweat. "So, your son was beaten, and you're here for an apology?"
"No, not at all." Old Honda forced a smile. "This boy has been out of line. He bullied his classmates, but don't worry, Tsunade-sama, he'll be disciplined. This won't happen again."
"Good. I thought I'd have to send my brother to visit the lower grade classrooms to have a word. I'm glad you're sensible."
Very wise.
Sarutobi Kiyoshi stood to the side, watching Old Honda nod and bow repeatedly, unable to resist rolling his eyes.