Chapter 15

The tension in the room was palpable.

Just moments ago, there had been bravado—now, there was silence. The presence of the real power, Tsunade, had transformed the room. The parents, who were so demanding earlier, now cowered.

Tsunade finished speaking with Old Honda and waved for Kushina to join her.

"Sister Tsunade," Kushina said, her voice small and guilty.

I'll deal with you later.

As they left the teacher's office, Kushina clung to Tsunade's arm and pleaded, "I'm sorry, Tsunade-sister. They called me 'hot pepper' because of my red hair. I couldn't help it—I had to fight back."

Tsunade sighed, the weight of her frustration evident. "I should've known hanging out with Shinki would be trouble. That boy has a sharp tongue. You shouldn't listen to him so much."

She paused and then said, "Forget it for today. Go home and rest. Be ready for class tomorrow, and next time, don't fight during lessons, understand?"

This isn't how you handle things, Kushina. Fighting in front of the teacher and the whole class, or sneak attacks—it's not a good look.

Kushina nodded quickly. "Yes, yes."

"And can I go to Shinki's house? He moved into his new place today, and I want to visit."

"Go ahead, as long as you don't mind. But he won't be back until after work."

Tsunade didn't refuse. Playing was better than sitting through the rest of today's chaos.

"Thank you, Sister Tsunade! You're the best!"

"Don't butter me up. I nearly died of anger today. That Shinki even said that you listen to him more than me, and that it's more effective than anything I say as your sister. He had the nerve to make fun of me, saying, 'Tsunade-sister, you're not her real sister,' and it drove me mad."

Those words were like a dagger to her pride.

Tsunade clenched her fists.

Am I that bad?

"Really?" Kushina's eyes widened with disbelief. She couldn't imagine Shinki speaking like that to Tsunade.

"It's true! That boy had the audacity to lecture me."

Tsunade rapped Kushina lightly on the forehead.

"Ah~ That hurts," Kushina pouted, covering her forehead.

"Don't act like it hurt. I didn't even use force."

"Wait, where are you going now?" Tsunade asked.

"To the market," Kushina said with her hands clasped behind her back. "Shinki is busy with work and won't have time to shop. Since you won't do it, I'm going to buy groceries."

"..."

Tsunade's face darkened. That made her sound like a freeloader.

Well, it was true. She was freeloading.

Out of habit, she checked her pockets. Finding only a few coins, she gave up on the idea of contributing to dinner.

Her pockets were emptier than her pride, so freeloading would continue.

"Be careful out there. I have work at the medical department and a lot to handle."

Kushina was always under the watch of the Anbu, so Tsunade knew she'd be safe. With that, Tsunade left for the medical department.

As for Konoha Hospital, she wasn't going there today. She might lose her temper and punch Shinki if she did. The nerve of that kid still irked her.

---

"Didn't I tell you not to shop? We have enough at home; I would've bought more myself."

Shinki was met with several bags on the floor when he returned from work.

"Tsunade-sister picked me up from school, so I went shopping," Kushina said, raising her fist in triumph. "One of the boys called me a 'hot pepper' today, so I knocked out his front tooth."

"Aren't I awesome?"

Shinki laughed heartily, giving her a thumbs-up. "Fantastic! That's the way to handle it. Don't worry about any consequences. You should know that in Konoha, you're doing well just by not bullying others. Letting them push you around? Not an option."

"By the way, did Tsunade scold you?"

"Nope. But she told me not to listen to you anymore."

"Not listen... Ahem, Kushina, what do you want for dinner? How about noodles?"

Shinki started to say more but stopped when he noticed someone approaching.

"Dinner isn't ready yet?" Tsunade walked in, looking utterly exhausted. She dropped onto the sofa with no regard for appearances.

"Uh... Kushina and I were just planning to make ramen."

Is teaching that exhausting?

"Make it three portions. I need a proper meal."

Tsunade's voice was weak.

Kushina looked concerned. "Sister Tsunade, are you okay?"

"Don't ask." Tsunade sighed, eyes filled with frustration. "I've never met a student so dense. I spent the whole day teaching, and he didn't learn a thing. I'm beyond frustrated!"

Tsunade was not known for her patience. In fact, she was known for the opposite—short-tempered and quick to anger.

Teaching was only manageable when things went smoothly. If not, her irritation took over.

Poor Tsunade.

After a moment of sympathy for her, Shinki grabbed the grocery bags and headed to the kitchen. Kushina followed, thinking it best to give Tsunade some space.

Approaching her now seemed risky.

Among the legendary Sannin, Jiraiya was the most patient when it came to teaching. It was ironic that someone so often seen as unreliable could turn out to be a great mentor.

Orochimaru also had teaching talent, though his methods were as intimidating as his reputation. But that came after Nawaki's death. Before that, Orochimaru hadn't fully embraced the darkness.

The three of them shared a meal at the Jing household, slurping their noodles with enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, at the Senju compound, Uzumaki Mito looked at the empty table and sighed.

"Grandma, what's wrong?" Nawaki paused mid-bite, looking at his grandmother in confusion.

"Nawaki, don't you feel a little lonely eating alone?" Despite her age, Uzumaki Mito cherished having her grandchildren around. But lately, Tsunade rarely came home for dinner, and Kushina was the same.

"Lonely?" Nawaki took a bite of chicken and grinned. "Nope! When my sister's not here, no one steals my food."

Uzumaki Mito: "..."

Your sister calls you foolish and hits you for a reason.

If Uzumaki Mito were just a few years younger, she'd have given her grandson a scolding herself.

"Kushina didn't come home for dinner either. She said Shinki's cooking is amazing. I'll have to try it someday," Nawaki continued.

Uzumaki Mito's heart sank further.

I feel lonely without my granddaughter, and now my grandson wants to leave too?

It's time to have a word with Tsunade.

---

Night fell.

A worn-out Tsunade returned home, dragging her feet. To her surprise, Uzumaki Mito was still up.

"Grandma, you're not asleep yet?"

Uzumaki Mito cast a look at her granddaughter. "It's hard to sleep when the only one keeping me company is this foolish boy, Nawaki."

"Uh…"

Was it because I came home late?

"Grandma, I promise I'll come back earlier tomorrow to keep you company."

"No, that's not necessary. Just have Shinki come over tomorrow."

Uzumaki Mito's voice was firm.

You two like freeloading so much? Fine, I'll cut off your source and make sure you come back home.

Without Shinki's cooking, Kushina will have no choice but to stay home. And as for Tsunade… with no money left from her salary, she'll come home hungry if she doesn't. Uzumaki Mito was confident her granddaughter would return for dinner.

Tsunade watched her grandmother walk away, confused.

"Did I say something wrong?"

>>>>>

Gimme power stones 😈