Back at the inn, Tsunade sat alone on a pale yellow tatami mat.
Shizune brewed a cup of hot tea for Tsunade at the low table beside her.
Tsunade accepted the bluish-gray teacup and slowly drank the tea, gradually recovering from her hemophobia.
Thinking back on what had happened at the Izakaya, Senya's words began replaying in her mind.
"After all, women need to take care of themselves as they get older."
The more Tsunade thought about it, the angrier she became. Her face filled with indignation as she turned and questioned Shizune beside her.
"Shizune, am I really that old?"
Seeing Tsunade like this, Shizune forced a smile onto her face.
"Of course not, Lady Tsunade. Don't listen to that Uchiha brat's nonsense. You look like you're barely in your early twenties. That lecherous kid clearly doesn't know what's good for him."
As she spoke, her words became slightly hesitant.
"Didn't he... didn't he stare at Lady Tsunade a couple more times...?"
After hearing Shizune's explanation, the anger on Tsunade's face gradually faded.
She took small sips from her teacup and began contemplating what Senya had said earlier.
He wants me to return to the village and become the Fifth Hokage? What kind of joke is that? I'm free as a bird now, eating, drinking, and having fun every day. Why would I go back to that rotten, decaying village?
At that thought, Tsunade's heart gradually sank.
That's right. The village is no longer what it was when Second Grandpa was in office. The upper ranks are hopelessly corrupt. I left because I couldn't bear to watch the village wither away any longer.
I left because I was weak, because I didn't have the courage to shoulder Grandpa's and Second Grandpa's will.
*But why did that Uchiha Senya have