Alone with Tsunade

"This time, you rendered great merit."

Tsunade snapped back to her senses and quickly pulled her hand away as though shocked. She deliberately turned her head aside, not daring to look at him again, while hurriedly changing the subject.

"Really? Then I'm one step closer to my dream!"

Yūske stopped joking around with Tsunade as well. He cared greatly about his accomplishments too. Ever since speaking with Kurenai Yūhi and the others, the passion in his heart had been ignited.

"What is your dream?"

Only then did Tsunade realize how little she actually knew about Yūske. Though they had known each other for nearly half a year, they had spent more than half that time apart.

"To become the Fourth Hokage!"

Yūske stared intently at Tsunade and spoke solemnly. Then, he silently muttered to himself, Sorry, Minato. If possible, I'll leave the Fifth for you.

After Yūske said that, Tsunade's lips moved slightly, and she softly uttered two words: "Nawaki."

She stared straight at Yūske. In that instant, it was as if she saw her younger brother.

A trace of sorrow and longing flashed through Tsunade's eyes. Nawaki, the younger brother she had loved dearly, had once also dreamed of becoming Hokage.

Looking at Yūske before her, she could not help recalling those bygone days. Yet she quickly composed herself, refusing to let herself sink into the whirlpool of memories.

"That really is a great dream. Then you'll have to work hard."

At this moment, Tsunade showed no disdain for the Hokage position. In her heart, Hokage represented her grandfather, her second grandfather, and even the grown-up Nawaki. The Hokage was not only the village's protector, but also the spiritual pillar of Konoha in the Land of Fire.

"Mm."

Yūske sensed Tsunade's sadness. He shifted his body with effort and quickly asked, "How long have I been asleep?"

"One day. Your body is mostly fine, but the muscle strain in your left leg is serious, and the bone was injured too. It'll probably take half a month to fully recover. For the next half month, don't go anywhere. Stay here and rest properly."

Tsunade spoke sternly to Yūske. She felt helpless toward someone who had to come to the Medical Department for treatment every other day.

"Mm. Then how's the battle going?"

Yūske knew the extent of his injuries and understood his priorities. Still, he cared more about the current situation.

"Because you defeated Chiyo, Sunagakure retreated. Sakumo led the ninja forces in pursuit. After capturing over a thousand Sunagakure ninja, Chiyo took the remaining ninja back to the Land of Wind."

That fast?! Yūske looked at Tsunade in disbelief. It seemed his appearance had already begun affecting the original course of events.

"Mm," Tsunade analyzed. "Sakumo is now waiting for the old man to send people to the Front Lines to negotiate war reparations with Sunagakure. They're probably preparing for it already."

"Are you going back to the village?" Yūske suddenly asked.

"I'll probably still have to go to the Stone Ninja battlefield. After all, the war isn't over yet."

Disgust appeared on Tsunade's face. Perhaps she simply hated war.

"The Stone Ninja battlefield... can I come with you?" Yūske looked at Tsunade expectantly.

"Don't even think about it!" Tsunade habitually raised her fist and smacked him on the head.

"You defeated Chiyo yesterday. Your information is probably already sitting on the desks of the leaders of every major ninja village, including details on your unusual Kekkei Genkai!

"And you were only able to defeat Chiyo because she knew very little about your Kekkei Genkai. Once your abilities are thoroughly analyzed, I'm sure your weaknesses will be exposed as well."

"My weaknesses?" Yūske asked in surprise.

"That's right. Your methods of attack are too limited. You lack ninjutsu and genjutsu abilities, and even your taijutsu isn't top-tier.

"If you hadn't learned the Eight Inner Gates this time and strengthened your body, the outcome would still have been uncertain."

Tsunade hit the nail on the head regarding Yūske's shortcomings.

Yūske awkwardly scratched his head. Half a year ago, he had only just been promoted to Special Jonin.

"After we return, I'll have the old man increase your training regimen! No arguments!"

Tsunade gave Yūske no chance to argue. She opened the door, turned back to glare at him, then slammed it shut and left.

Yūske looked at the tightly closed door and helplessly shook his head with a bitter smile.

No one came to visit him. He lay in bed for a while, but still could not fall asleep.

Yūske's heart involuntarily cried out, Phone, phone, give me a phone. I'm so bored.

Inside the commander's tent.

"Lord Sakumo, Lord Luzhen. We captured a total of 1,083 Sunagakure ninja. Their chakra has all been sealed, and they have been placed inside temporary fenced enclosures," a ninja reported to the two men.

"Settle them properly. Make sure they don't starve to death. They're bargaining chips!" Nara Shikamaru listened to his subordinate's report and issued orders in an orderly manner.

..."Whew, it's finally over." Nara Shikamaru stretched. He had not slept all night and had worked the entire day; he was utterly exhausted. I really want to go home soon.

"How is Yūske doing?"

Hatake Sakumo was somewhat tired as well. Fortunately, Nara Shikamaru was there to help, or he could never have finished so much work alone.

"Pfft."

Nara Shikamaru, who had just lifted his teacup and taken a sip, suddenly sprayed tea everywhere.

"What's wrong?"

Hatake Sakumo looked at him in surprise.

"Fine. Better than fine."

Nara Shikamaru spoke in a strange, teasing tone.

"You mean he and Tsunade...?"

Sure enough, Hatake Sakumo grew curious too.

"Don't tell anyone, or Tsunade will chop me alive!"

Nara Shikamaru did not forget to remind Hatake Sakumo to keep the secret.

"Mm!"

To preserve his image, something like this truly could not come from his mouth.

"This is a good thing too. Tsunade isn't getting any younger, and Yūske is quite a good man."

Having finished their work, the two began chatting and gossiping.

"But Yūske is a full six years younger than Tsunade."

"Age isn't a problem. As long as they think it's suitable, that's enough."

"Come on, let's go see Yūske." Hatake Sakumo stood and called for Nara Shikamaru to head out with him.

Knock, knock, knock!

This time, Nara Shikamaru had learned to knock. After receiving permission, the two entered Yūske's hospital room empty-handed.

"Lord Sakumo, Lord Luzhen." Unable to get up and greet them, Yūske could only prop himself up with his arms and sit up.

Hatake Mōsō hurried forward to stop him, afraid that he would strain his wound by exerting too much force.

"I'm a few years older than you, so call me big brother." Sakumo Mōsō spoke warmly to Yūske.

"That can't be right. I remember Big Brother Mōsō, you're already over thirty, aren't you?" Seeing Hatake Sakumo acting like an elder brother, Yūske could not help teasing him.

"Where's Tsunade?" Yūske looked at Nara Shikamaru's cautious expression and immediately laughed.

"Tsunade doesn't know. She just left me here and went off."

"The Medical Department has been especially busy these past two days. As the head of the Medical Department, Tsunade surely has many matters to handle." Hatake Sakumo explained on Tsunade's behalf.

Yūske did not really mind. He simply felt that lying in the camp's Medical Department was unbearably boring.

"Big Brother Sakumo, are we heading to the Sunagakure battlefield next?"