Beauty Beneath the Moonlight

Back when he played games in his previous life, Natsume had loved scouring the ground for loot, picking up junk everywhere.

Logically speaking, collecting spoils of war should have been much the same.

But he was rich now. These poor Cloud ninja had nothing worth his attention.

Besides, those two jonin had been beaten so badly by Tsunade's sandbag-sized fists that they were unrecognizable, covered in blood and looking downright revolting.

Kabuto Yakushi, on the other hand, did not mind in the slightest, gathering up everything useful.

Natsume sighed. At this rate, you were really going to become an all-purpose support and an autopilot.

After waiting for a while, Tsunade frowned deeply. She felt uncomfortable all over, and she could even faintly smell blood on herself.

This was no longer a matter of being clean or not. No one could stand it.

She glanced at Kabuto Yakushi and Shizune, who were cleaning up the battlefield, before finally looking at Natsume, who was slacking off.

"Come here."

"Hm?"

Natsume had not wanted to pick things off dead people in the first place. Hearing her call, he immediately ran over.

"I remember we passed a river this afternoon. Come with me and keep watch."

As Tsunade spoke, she pinched his chin and asked with a smile, "Can your big sister trust you?"

"Of course!"

Natsume immediately patted his chest. "I promise I won't let anyone come near!"

Tsunade froze slightly.

What she had actually meant was whether he would sneak a peek.

But when she saw Natsume's clear, sincere eyes, she felt a little guilty.

She really should not have thought that way.

He was such a good boy. How could he be like those men, unable to control his eyes?

The river was not large, but it was fairly long.

Tsunade found a spot where the difference in elevation formed a small waterfall.

Natsume sat on a large rock several meters away.

The moonlight was particularly lovely tonight.

Tsunade glanced at him from afar and felt that he resembled some legendary sprite, brimming with a dreamlike air.

With her strength, she would notice if anyone peeked at her.

And she truly did trust Natsume.

Tsunade stretched out her hand. For some reason, she actually felt a little shy. A faint flush appeared on her face, and her heart began to pound.

For a moment, she could not tell whether she wanted Natsume to peek or not.

Beneath the cold moonlight.

Tsunade's dainty bare feet stepped across the water as she slowly walked to the center of the river. At last, her smooth, jade-like slender body sank beneath the surface.

Light shimmered in her beautiful eyes as she looked at Natsume's back, a trace of disappointment suddenly rising in her heart.

"Do I really have no charm at all?"

Tsunade raised her fair, pristine hand, scooped up river water, and let it slowly flow down her body.

This sight was no less beautiful than the moon in the sky.

But there was no one there to admire it.

Natsume looked into the distance and silently recited Nie Feng's Ice Heart Art.

The heart is as clear as ice; though the heavens fall, it remains unshaken.

What seasoned cadre could withstand a test like this?

It felt as though two little people were fighting inside his head.

To look, or not to look—that was the question.

But in the end, Natsume did not sneak a peek.

First, Tsunade would notice.

Second, it might backfire.

Tsunade had asked him to keep watch because she clearly thought he was a very innocent boy.

He could not ruin his persona.

Before long, Tsunade changed into a fresh set of clothes and came ashore barefoot.

"You did well. Your big sister can reward you. What do you want?"

She looked at Natsume with gentle eyes, paused, and said, "Anything is fine."

What was going on?

Another test?

Was I that kind of person?

Natsume tilted his head and said obediently, "It's what I should do. There's no need for any reward."

A strategic retreat to advance.

Sure enough, Tsunade found him even more sensible.

She bent down and kissed his forehead.

The touch was warm and soft.

Natsume instinctively looked up and saw a sight whiter than moonlight.

Droplets of water slid across the peaks.

Combined with Tsunade's current movements and expression, it tugged at his heartstrings so teasingly.

I'm in love.

Natsume once again reaffirmed his dream.

"Alright, let's head back."

Tsunade rubbed his head, then sat down on the large rock he had just occupied. She raised her long leg, revealing her bare foot.

She was about to put on her shoe.

An idea struck Natsume. "Sis, let me do it."

"That works too."

Tsunade did not suspect anything.

Since Natsume had not peeked earlier, he had completely earned her trust.

Besides, it really was inconvenient for her to put on shoes while seated.

As his adoptive mother, there was no harm in enjoying a little service.

Natsume crouched down. Looking at her cute toes and smooth instep, he suppressed the flutter in his heart and picked up her shoe to put it on for her.

"All done."

Tsunade stood up and bounced twice in front of him, praising, "Not bad at all."

Natsume thought so too. Very bouncy.

The two returned to the temporary camp.

It was not a Kumogakure outpost, but a secluded spot they had found.

Kabuto Yakushi and Shizune had already finished packing and were waiting for them to return.

"Teacher, there's some intelligence."

"Oh?"

Tsunade let go of Natsume's hand, picked up the documents, and quickly scanned them.

They mentioned Kumogakure's recent movements.

Something was off.

They were aggressively eliminating Konoha's outposts.

It could be called a full-scale mobilization.

"Are they preparing for a decisive battle? Doesn't seem like it."

Tsunade fell into thought.

A decisive battle would be difficult with the Fourth Raikage alone.

Unless they brought in the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.

The current situation seemed more like they wanted to win a battle first, then negotiate.

"Tomorrow, we'll reach the place where Shidō Akimichi's team disappeared. If no one is there, we'll return immediately."

Tsunade quickly made her decision. They would complete their current mission first.

With Fugaku Uchiha and Hyuga Hiashi in Konoha, there would not be any major problems in the short term.

"Get some rest."

Tsunade put away the documents and said, "Everyone is tired tonight, and there may be a tough battle tomorrow. Go to sleep. I'll keep watch."

"Yes."

Kabuto Yakushi and Shizune turned and returned to their respective tents.

"You too."

Seeing that Natsume had not left, Tsunade said gently, "You're still young. This is when you need plenty of sleep."

"No."

Natsume shook his head. "It's boring for you to keep watch alone, Sis. I'll stay with you."

"No!"

Tsunade's tone turned stern. "Listen to your sister and go to sleep now. Otherwise, I'm going to get mad and spank you."

"Then let's each compromise a little."

In his haste, Natsume came up with an idea. He took a sleeping bag out of the tent and said, "You keep watch, and I'll sleep beside you."

Tsunade immediately burst into laughter. Putting on a serious expression, she said, "Fine. I've been defeated by that clever little brain of yours."

The reason she agreed was that she genuinely thought it was a pretty good idea.

Natsume had fought until midnight today, so he soon fell fast asleep.

Tsunade turned her head and looked at his profile, faintly visible in the darkness.

A fluttering feeling suddenly rose in her heart, as though a soft cat's paw had scratched at it.

So, like a cat sneaking a bite of stolen food, she lowered her head and took a bite.

The next day.

The four of them set off again.

An hour later, they arrived at their destination.

It was not a small forest, but a valley.

Kabuto Yakushi closed his eyes and used a sensory ninjutsu.

"There's no one here. Wait, there seems to be someone on the north side of the valley, but they feel like they're barely alive."

Thanks to Huosheng Zhuying for the tip. This chapter was a special bonus update.