Set Off

Go! Set Off!

When Mimi saw Chiri the next day, she sensed the dejection in Chiri's emotions.

It did not seem like she had slept poorly; she was simply troubled by something.

Mimi did not ask. She could tell with her ass that a brat their age would not be worried about romance.

There was an eighty percent chance it was some damn family issue.

Still, since Chiri had not come to discuss it with her, Mimi could not be bothered to ask.

The two of them headed to the Senju Clan Grounds together, where Hinata Hitomi had arrived early.

Besides her, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru were there as well.

It felt strangely like a social mixer.

Mimi hated these kinds of occasions the most.

"You're late, Insect Princess," Mito lightly reproached her.

"Right on time," Mimi said.

"Is that so?" Mito said. "You must not make a habit of cutting it this close. A ninja must not only be punctual, but prepared in advance."

"Whatever. What are we doing today, Grandma Mito?"

"You little brat, at least pretend to fear and respect me," Mito said, rubbing her forehead.

"Isn't this good?" Mimi said. "Doesn't it prove that you're kind and not scary at all?"

Mito threw her head back and laughed, flashing white teeth. "What a sweet talker. I'll forgive you this time."

Tsunade watched Mimi interacting with her grandmother from the side, grinding her teeth resentfully.

Her love had been stolen!

Hinata Hitomi felt that Mimi's ability to say whatever was on her mind was something she could never learn.

She was a little envious.

"Today, you're going on an outing. But I won't be joining you; you can go have fun on your own."

Mito said.

The Third Hokage was not there either.

Behind her mask, Mimi curled her lip. This method of cultivating Bonds was really simple.

But effective.

"Then we'll be off," Mimi spoke first on everyone's behalf, immediately seizing the leadership role.

Tsunade opened her mouth, only to realize she had nothing to say.

Not going? What kind of joke was that!

Going? What kind of joke was that!

It was quite the dilemma.

"Wait." Mito stopped Mimi and asked, "Did you read the books I gave you yesterday?"

Huh!? Didn't you say I could take a day off and have fun?

At those words, Hinata Hitomi's eyes widened abruptly.

"I read them," Mimi said.

"Mm, I read them too," Chiri added.

Hinata Hitomi turned to stare at the two of them in disbelief.

They were lying! She had clearly seen the two of them run off to play yesterday! When had they found time to read?

When Mito's gaze turned toward her, Hinata Hitomi lowered her head awkwardly.

"Really? I'm going to test you," Mito said suspiciously.

"Now? Go ahead," Mimi said. She had started reading as soon as she got home yesterday.

She could not recite all of it, but she had a general impression of the contents.

It was difficult, but still within an acceptable range.

It was the sort of thing one could master through prolonged study, and she was very familiar with rote memorization.

"I've already memorized everything," Chiri said innocently.

Mimi, Mito, and Hitomi all turned to look at Chiri.

Chiri hesitantly asked, "Did I say something wrong?"

"Not at all..." Mito looked at Chiri and said, "Very good. It simply exceeded my expectations."

How long had it taken me to memorize it when I was little?

Then she looked at Tsunade. She remembered this child's case clearly—she had slept soundly the first time she looked at it.

Tsunade looked utterly baffled.

Mito turned to Mimi expectantly and asked, "Are you the same?"

If they were all this smart, it would save her so much trouble. There was no rule saying a teacher couldn't slack off, right?

"Impossible! I can't remember it! I can't do it!" Mimi said bluntly. "I'm stupid!"

You'd better prepare yourself mentally.

"Is that so?" Mito was somewhat doubtful, feeling that the child must be being modest.

Hearing that, Hinata Hitomi let out a huge sigh of relief.

"Absolutely true!" Mimi replied seriously, giving Mito an advance warning to watch her blood pressure.

"All right, everyone, go out and play. Things won't be this easy from now on."

The six children looked at each other. When they turned back again, Mito had already vanished.

For a moment, they had no idea where to go play.

If they simply split up on the spot, there was no way Mito wouldn't know.

Tsunade knew full well just how capable Grandma was.

Mimi knew even better. There was no running away, so she could only play along.

As the leaders of their respective groups, they naturally split into two little factions and faced each other.

Sensing the tension, Hitomi obediently stepped behind Mimi, instantly feeling at ease.

If the sky fell, the monster in front of her would take the lead.

Thinking about it carefully, it didn't feel too bad.

"Bug Girl," Tsunade called out fiercely, arms crossed.

Were they going to fight again?

Hitomi sensitively placed a hand on the hilt of her sword.

"Forehead, where do you want to go play?" Mimi asked.

"Me?" Tsunade thought for a moment, then said, "Shopping Street?"

Tsunade looked to Mimi for her opinion.

"Sounds good. Let's go." Mimi didn't immediately reject Tsunade's suggestion. As far as Tsunade was concerned, Mimi's attitude was simple: as long as she was happy.

"Great!" Tsunade cheered when Mimi agreed.

"Um..." Jiraiya said weakly, "I'm out of money."

"Don't worry, pervert Jiraiya." Tsunade declared grandly, full of spirit, "Princess here is paying for everything today!"

"You too, Bug Girl. Pick whatever you want. Be grateful to me!" Tsunade grinned smugly.

The foolish daughter of a wealthy family had run loose.

Chiri watched the excited Tsunade with a subtle expression, feeling as if she could faintly hear the Slug Sage crying in her ear.

'Help! Lady Tsunade! Lady Tsunade? Lady Tsunade...'

"Thank you very much for Princess Forehead's generosity. I will remember it for the rest of my life," Mimi said politely.

Hitomi felt that Mimi was quite polite, with the bearing of a great clan.

If not for those three words, "Princess Forehead."

"Damn it! I already let you off once, Bug Girl!! Are you looking for a fight?!"

The moment she finished speaking, Tsunade started rolling up her sleeves.

Jiraiya darted forward and grabbed Tsunade, shouting at the top of his lungs.

"Orochimaru! Why are you still just watching?! Hurry up and hold Tsunade down! There are more of them—we can't win!!!"

"Not necessarily," Orochimaru said with a hint of pride.

"Damn it! Tsunade might be fine! But the two of us will be in huge trouble!!! You idiot, Orochimaru!!"

"Only you," Orochimaru said coldly. "Dead last."

If anything, he was looking forward to it.

A fight breaking out, that was.

"Damn it! Calm down, Tsunade!!! I don't want to die yet!!!"

"Jiraiya!" Tsunade said through gritted teeth. "Let go! Stop embarrassing yourself!"

"Promise me first! Don't do anything rash!!" Jiraiya didn't dare let go.

Across from them, Mimi, Chiri, and Hitomi watched the scene with great interest.

"You really are close," Chiri said softly.

Hitomi couldn't help nodding in agreement.

"Let go!" Tsunade shouted, driving a fist straight into Jiraiya's head.

With a mournful cry, Jiraiya squatted on the ground, clutching his head and trembling.

It smelled so good...

No...

It was so soft...

No, it hurt so much!!!

Tsunade glared viciously at Mimi.

Mimi returned her gaze politely.

After a long moment, Tsunade ground her teeth and snorted. "I'll let you off this time!"

"I'm the one letting you off this time," Mimi said.

A vein bulged on Tsunade's forehead.

"Let's go! We're leaving!" After a grief-stricken shout, Tsunade turned and strode away.