Chương 30: Tsunade

Having made up his mind, Shuji first discussed his plans with Hiroyama Makoto. Although Makoto was displeased that Shuji intended to leave and pleaded with him repeatedly, Shuji's expression remained unmoved. Moreover, Shuji was leaving two ninja behind, so Makoto had no choice but to agree. Before long, Wasabi Jirocho came to visit once again, inviting Shuji to the Wasabi estate. The Wasabi family was both the name of a faction and the name of its estate.

It could hardly be called luxurious, but several dozen core members of the family lived there, along with their relatives. The estate was heavily guarded, with firearms and bows in evidence. Before entering the rear courtyard, one could even see several watchtowers, each manned by a number of sentries. Jirocho was deeply respected by the members of his family, and Shuji, whom he personally escorted inside, was treated with considerable respect as well.

After passing through an exquisite paper door decorated with a painting of pine trees and cranes, the surroundings became even more secluded and elegant. A covered walkway encircled a small dry landscape garden and connected to several more private tea rooms and residences. Shuji slowed slightly and asked, "This appears to be the inner residence?" Jirocho did not stop walking. He merely replied, "Indeed. There is someone here whom you may wish to meet, Shuji-sama."

At those words, Shuji's instincts warned him of danger, and he prepared himself. They arrived before an especially quiet private courtyard, partially concealed by several carefully cultivated bamboo stalks. Jirocho stopped and bowed toward the entrance.

"The Konoha jōnin, Shuji, has arrived." The courtyard gate slid open silently. A young woman with neat, short black hair and dressed in dark-blue casual clothes appeared from within. She looked to be around seventeen or eighteen. Her features were delicate, and her gentle eyes possessed the distinctive composure of a physician. The moment she saw Shuji, a trace of surprise flickered through her eyes before transforming into polite scrutiny. Shizune…? Shuji suddenly understood.

If Shizune was here, then the identity of the person inside was obvious. The heightened alertness he had felt eased once more.

"Please come in." Shizune stepped aside, her voice calm. Jirocho did not follow them inside. He simply bowed deeply to Shuji before quietly retreating to the corridor outside the courtyard, where he waited on guard. Shuji followed Shizune into the small courtyard, and his gaze was immediately drawn to the figure seated beside the stone table in the garden. Sunlight filtered through the sparse bamboo leaves, casting mottled shadows across the carefully raked white gravel.

A woman in a green haori sat casually on a stone stool. Her dazzling golden hair was unbound, spilling freely over her shoulders and back like molten gold in motion, gleaming brilliantly in the light. Several bottles of sake sat before her, some already empty. She held a thick, rough earthenware cup in one hand and tilted her head back, pouring the clear liquor into her throat. Her movements carried an almost greedy relish.

The sharp contours of her profile were strikingly defined by the interplay of light and shadow. Her skin was smooth and firm, and there was not the slightest trace of age in her lively brows and eyes. She looked no more than twenty years old. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. As expected, it was Tsunade.

"Hm?" Tsunade lowered the cup and casually wiped the liquor spilling from the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand. Only then did she slowly turn her head, her movements sluggish with drunkenness. Her amber eyes were hazy with alcohol, and her unfocused gaze swept over Shuji from head to toe.

"Lady Tsunade, you've had too much," Shizune reminded her quietly.

"Shuji has arrived."

"Ohhh…" Tsunade drawled, her voice thick and hoarse, with a heavy nasal quality.

"That little brat?"

"Granny Momoka isn't dead yet, is she?" Shuji's face twitched. He held the old woman in great respect. She was someone who had treated him with genuine sincerity.

"Granny's in excellent health," Shuji replied.

"Her spirits are still vigorous. Compared with your current condition, she may actually be healthier."

"Heh… Good." The last princess of the Senju clan seemed entirely unconcerned by Shuji's remark. Or perhaps her current state filtered out most of the emotions coming from the outside world. Swaying slightly, she raised her right hand and casually pressed it against the stone table beside her, using it to support herself as she stood. Her body wobbled. Then she leaned forward and took a step closer. Her breath, thick with the pungent scent of alcohol, nearly washed over Shuji's face.

Her unfocused eyes studied his young yet composed features carefully.

"I heard you were about to die before… Granny Momoka even sent me a letter asking me to save your life…" She gave a small drunken hiccup.

"But now that I look at you… you're lively enough… Guess you're fine after all." She extended a finger, seemingly intending to poke him in the chest, but withdrew it halfway. Her speech became even more indistinct.

"Since you survived… wouldn't it be better to stay in the village and live quietly? She's already… seventy-eight… She can't keep worrying about so many things…" The heavy scent of alcohol, mixed with a faint fragrance, assailed his nose. Shuji frowned slightly and took a step back.

"The village has assigned us a mission. It has to be completed."

"The village, the village… You people still can't let go. Even Grandfather…" Tsunade muttered under her breath, as though chewing over the words.

"One after another… And what meaning does it all have in the end?" Without warning, she suddenly moved toward him again. She was so fast that she did not look like a drunk at all. A slender, fair hand containing terrifying strength slammed onto Shuji's shoulder.

"Urgh!" Shuji grunted. A force as overwhelming as a landslide abruptly bore down upon him. The bluestone beneath his feet let out a groan under the unbearable pressure, and spiderweb cracks spread outward from where he stood. The drunken haze vanished from Tsunade's eyes like a receding tide, leaving behind only sharp, blade-like clarity and scrutiny. Her gaze locked onto Shuji's.

"You! Granny Momoka used that on you, didn't she?!" Under the suppression of her monstrous strength, Shuji had no choice but to refine his chakra. A concentrated blue radiance, almost solid in appearance and brimming with vigorous vitality, suddenly erupted from every pore of his body. Boom! The bluestone beneath his feet shattered completely, sending fragments flying in every direction.

An invisible shockwave burst outward from the two of them, sending the white sand in the garden rolling and making the bamboo leaves thrash violently. The explosive force forcibly straightened Shuji's body as he resisted the terrifying pressure. The depression beneath his feet, however, grew even deeper.

"Hmph!" Tsunade gave a derisive laugh filled with understanding, and some other complicated emotion. The hand pressing on Shuji's shoulder withdrew instantly, and the mountain-like pressure vanished.

"So, what kind of important mission is it?" Tsunade asked. She folded her arms and leaned back against the stone table once more, looking completely at ease, as though the thunderous attack just now had never occurred. She picked up her cup and took another sip. Her amber eyes had once again become languid, but her scrutinizing gaze remained almost tangible.

"What could possibly make the old man willing to send you out?"

"You misunderstand." Shuji brushed at the nonexistent dust on his shoulder. His voice remained steady, as though he had not nearly been driven into the ground moments earlier.

"Granny Momoka's attempt was merely an accident, and it was never announced publicly. The Third Hokage may have guessed something, but that is all it was... a guess."

"As for the details of this mission, Mr. Jirocho should already have told you." Tsunade's beautiful amber eyes narrowed slightly, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow beneath them. For a moment, the only sound in the courtyard was the rustling of bamboo leaves in the wind. Shizune stood to one side, her brows faintly furrowed as her gaze shifted between Tsunade and Shuji. There was a trace of worry in her eyes that was difficult to detect.

Tsunade drained the last of the liquor in her cup, then tossed it onto the stone table. It landed with a soft clatter. Without looking at Shuji again, she waved her hand somewhat listlessly and picked up another bottle of sake.

"Enough. Go do whatever you came to do." Her voice had once again become thick and slurred. Shuji said nothing more. He bowed slightly.

"Yes, Lady Tsunade." He turned and prepared to leave with Shizune. When he reached the courtyard gate, he paused. Without turning around, he spoke clearly.

"Granny… misses you very much. If you have the time, it would be good for you to return to the village and see her."