Chapter 30

The standoff was between members of the same family.

The Daimyo family and the Senju clan were related, making Tsunade's visit seem natural and expected as the New Year approached. No one could find fault with it.

Moreover, it was under the recommendation of Mito Uzumaki.

The next day, Tsunade, maintaining a casual demeanor, visited the Hokage's office before leaving the village to head to the Daimyo's residence.

The Third Hokage supported this visit wholeheartedly. He even hoped Tsunade would stay with the Daimyo to celebrate the New Year, strengthening ties between the village and the Daimyo's family. A stronger relationship would make future financial requests more favorable.

After reaching the Daimyo's mansion, Tsunade paid her respects and truly spent time there as expected. 

Then, after a few days of sightseeing and buying supplies, she discreetly left the Daimyo's residence and made her way to the border camp.

Ninjas were on guard around the clock at the camp, but even seasoned shinobi would find it difficult to detect Tsunade's infiltration.

Slipping into the camp undetected, Tsunade moved silently.

Due to the cold weather, the Land of Rain and its surrounding regions were blanketed with sleet, and the rain carried shards of ice. The harsh conditions coated everything in a layer of frost.

The temperature had dropped significantly, forcing all but the on-duty ninjas to huddle inside for warmth.

The medical room was Shinki's designated space, and other ninjas rarely came there unless necessary.

Inside the wooden cabin, Shinki lay on his bed, reading a book he'd brought from the village.

Hearing someone approach, he put down his book and glanced at the window as it was pried open and someone climbed inside.

This wasn't the first time someone had done this so smoothly. Had they practiced it?

Tsunade, now inside, looked at Shinki with a slight smirk. "You really did it, sending that message so I'd come running under the guise of visiting the Daimyo. And here you are, reading a book without a care in the world."

"What else am I supposed to do?" Shinki replied dryly. "Panic all day? If that's the case, I'd be dead from fear before anyone could even get to me."

"You should come in and warm up quickly."

It was winter, and the cold was relentless. While ninjas had strong constitutions, even they weren't immune to freezing temperatures after such a journey.

Shinki shifted to make room, motioning for Tsunade to warm herself under the blanket.

Tsunade's expression softened. This brat did have some decency.

Sensing her need for privacy, Shinki left the room to give Tsunade space to change.

Once he left, Tsunade quickly removed her wet clothing and threw them into a corner before slipping into the blanket.

Wait.

Curled up, warming herself, Tsunade instinctively reached for dry clothes—only to remember she wasn't at home, where she kept spare clothes by her bed. Her discarded clothing was soaked and unusable.

Just then, Shinki returned, holding a plate. He noticed the wet clothes in the corner but thought nothing of it. Walking up to her, he extended the plate.

"Here. There are only two portions today. The conditions here aren't as good as back in the village. This meat came from the captain's patrol hunt."

He waited for over ten seconds, but Tsunade didn't move. She was usually quick to grab food. Why was she hesitating?

Was the fearless Tsunade actually being shy?

Under the blanket, Tsunade's embarrassment made her toes curl. In all her planning, she had overlooked bringing spare clothes. Despite her tough exterior, she was still a woman, and this was one of those rare moments of awkwardness.

Seeing no response, Shinki felt something was off. Then he glanced at the corner and pieced it together.

Is she... not dressed?

"What are you smirking at?!"

Tsunade's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. Seeing Shinki's half-smile made her want to leap out and smack him.

"Hahaha…"

Tsunade's angry outburst only made Shinki laugh harder.

No matter how composed she usually was, Tsunade couldn't handle this. Her cheeks turned pink for the first time. Without thinking, she grabbed Shinki's shirt, yanked him into the bed, covered him with the blanket, and raised her fist to punch him.

"Wait! The plate!!"

He still held the plate of freshly fried meat. If it fell, it would make a mess of the bed.

Noticing it was about to tip, Shinki used a burst of repulsive force to push the blanket away just in time.

Tsunade froze, her fist mid-air. The force of the chakra had torn the blanket into pieces. Both stared at each other, stunned.

This... wasn't something kids should see.

After a few moments, Shinki handed Tsunade the plate, tossed her a sealing scroll, and bolted out of the room.

"The scroll has some spare clothes of mine. They're men's clothes but unworn. Use them for now."

What was that? A new jutsu?

No, it felt more like a sudden burst of repulsive force centered on Shinki.

Tsunade's mind raced as she replayed what just happened. She was sure she'd uncovered one of Shinki's secrets by accident.

Looking down at herself, she laughed wryly, "You're something else, Shinki. We'll settle this later."

While most would be embarrassed, Tsunade was made of sterner stuff. If Shinki had been sneaking a peek or causing trouble, she'd have been furious—Jiraiya was proof of what could happen when she lost her temper.

Picking out a set of clothes from the scroll, Tsunade started eating.

Listening at the door, Shinki heard her chewing and felt a wave of relief. Tsunade eating meant the situation wasn't as dire as he feared.

Although he had unintentionally witnessed something, the worst seemed to have passed.

Gently opening the door and peeking inside, he confirmed she was dressed before stepping in.

Tsunade shot him a side glance. "Grandma and I suspect there's an insider involved. Otherwise, the Hokage wouldn't have sent anyone to protect you. As for who's targeting you, I think you have a good idea."

"It's likely Shimura Danzo. If the Hokage wanted me out of the way, he wouldn't go to such lengths, nor would he send someone to guard me."

Pulling a chair over, Shinki sat down to discuss.

"Danzo is the only one in the village who would target me this way. The Hokage's move to place a guard means Danzo can't use village resources against me. That leaves external forces."

"A bounty assassination is unlikely, given I'm in the camp and difficult to reach. Offering a high bounty would attract attention and trouble, so using an outside force makes more sense."

"If anything, the Rain Village is the most probable."

"You're saying Danzo could convince the Rain Village to send someone after you?"

Tsunade's fork paused mid-air.

"Hanzo of the Salamander wouldn't be reckless enough to attack the camp directly. That would mean war with Konoha, and the Rain Village wouldn't take that risk."

"No, the Rain Village won't attack the camp. But what about Hanzo himself?"

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