Let's go together

The next morning, I woke up to the sun's rays streaming through the window, hitting me directly in the eyes. My first thought was as follows: What a headache! Just kidding. Knowing that I'd be drinking, I naturally prepared a hangover remedy to prevent this uncomfortable feeling from lasting longer than it took to wake up and drink it.

"Are Tsunade and Shizune not here? I suppose they must be on their way to the village..."

The remedy I prepared is of high quality, so apart from getting rid of the hangover, it allows me to recall clearly what I did while drinking. It's good to know that my behavior while drinking is just being a bit talkative, rather than other less desirable behaviors.

My Mantra is actively employed, and contrary to my thoughts, it turns out that the duo seems to be downstairs having lunch while exchanging laughter.

Has their interaction become much more familiar and close?

It's almost as if, instead of being her apprentice, Shizune is now her little sister.

Although maybe it's just my impression.

Wait, is what Shizune is wearing around her neck the death collar?

Wow, I really changed the dynamics of their relationship with a few words.

Am I worried about the girl's possible death? Not at all.

With the combined research talent of so many prominent characters, I can gather a great deal of information just by examining the collar superficially with a glance and my senses.

And as many fans of the series suspected, the collar actually seems to generate some kind of negative field for men, while with women, it's the opposite.

Furthermore, if Shizune wears the collar for a long time at her age, it's possible that her figure will develop much more due to the direct exposure to the chakra-rich vitality crystal.

The only man who could survive wearing the collar is probably Naruto, but my theory is that it's not because he has plot armor; rather, it's due to the chakra of the son of the Sage of the Six Paths residing in his body from birth. It simply suppresses Hashirama's chakra for obvious reasons.

What he actually obtained, most likely precisely because of the plot armor...

And perhaps Sasuke would also survive for the same reasons.

"Good morning to both of you," I greeted them as I descended the stairs two at a time and crouched to pass through the hallway frame. By now, I'm used to my height, and I don't hit my forehead as often.

"Good morning, Mr. Enel," Shizune greeted with a cheerful smile and a slight blush on her cheeks.

Is she embarrassed because I saw her cry like a little girl? Understandable.

"Hey!" Tsunade, as subtle as always, simply raised her hand while continuing to eat her lunch. "How's the hangover?" she teased.

This made me raise an eyebrow for a second because I don't understand this sudden change in behavior.

Why is she treating me with such familiarity already?

The last thing I remember is tucking Shizune into bed before falling asleep.

"I've already taken care of it," I replied as I sat down next to Shizune casually, not realizing that her blush was increasing. I raised my hand to request a portion of lunch.

Tsunade stopped moving her chopsticks and looked at me in surprise.

"With how strong your drink was, it's hard to believe," she said, raising an eyebrow this time. "Hell, even I still have traces of a hangover, and that's after treating myself with my best medical jutsu," she added. "A pitcher of that liquor could kill an ordinary person."

"Well, I guess that wouldn't be pleasant," I said as I reached into my pocket and took out another dose of the hangover remedy. "Take this, and everything will be fine."

To my surprise, Tsunade downed it in one go without even giving it a second look.

Does she trust her abilities as a medic, or is it trust in me? Quite perplexing.

"How long will it...?" Tsunade's eyes widened as she felt her discomfort completely disappear in just an instant. "You have to give me the recipe for this! If I had this remedy with me, I wouldn't need to worry about a hangover the next day, no matter how much I drank!"

"Perhaps later," I told her as I accepted the tray with breakfast brought by the staff. "So, what's your plan for today?"

"We're heading to Konoha," Tsunade said with an unconcerned expression after chewing and swallowing. "I can't feel at ease until I check things out in person."

"And after verifying everything?" That was the part that personally interested me. Would she kill her teacher, her eye-patched lover, and the two corrupt geezers? Would she forcefully make her way to kill the Shimura clan and the Sarutobi clan to level the score? Essentially, she'd be cutting out the village's cancer, a good job for a medical ninja of her caliber. The possibilities were many, and the consequences even more varied.

Although with her unresolved fear of blood, a violent confrontation might be less likely.

"...Do you still want to come with us or not?"

Wow, it seems like she's not sure if she's avoiding my question by asking me that. Am I giving her some sense of security with my presence?

...

I think I'm overthinking it. Although we've gotten closer and exchanged cups to call it that in a way, I don't think I'm so important to her that I've become someone who gives her that kind of feeling. I mean, just two days ago, she didn't even know me, and true trust is something that can only be earned over time.

I think I'm overthinking it. Although we've gotten a bit closer and exchanged cups, I don't believe I'm that important to her, to have become someone who gives her that kind of feeling.

I mean, just two days ago, she didn't even know me, and true trust is something that can only be earned over time.

"Sure," I shrugged. "Do you mind if I bring someone along? I think they'd like to visit the village for a while."

Tsunade also shrugged, seeming unbothered by it. She took out my den den mushi from my pants and dialed a number.

Yes, I have the snail in my pants. It's a living being, so I can't put it in the Universal Capsules.

Tsunade and Shizune looked perplexed at the snail in my hand, perhaps wondering if it's a distant cousin of Katsuyu.

Puru, puru... puru, puru... Kachak!

"Hey, I'm going to Konoha," I said to the person on the other end. "Would you like to come?"