Summoning Jutsu

Sakumo and Nayuki treated it like gossip, their eyes distant and their ears pricked.

"How should I address you?"

The Slug Sage sensed Kawafune's extraordinary Cellular Activity. She had only ever felt such vitality in Hashirama.

"His name is Hatake Kawafune. He is my, um~ good friend."

Tsunade introduced him, nearly blurting out that he was her future husband.

She immediately flushed guiltily. She already blushed easily, and now her face looked as though it had been painted red.

"May I ask what guidance the Slug Sage has for me?"

It was also Kawafune's first time meeting such a remarkable Summoning Slug as a slug. It could not only heal injuries, but fight as well.

"I sense Cellular Activity in you as powerful as Hashirama's."

"If it is you, then perhaps my Shikkotsu Forest Sage Art may be recreated."

The Slug Sage voiced her speculation.

"Then learn it."

Before Kawafune could speak, Tsunade summoned a massive scroll from who knew where. It was the Summoning Contract Scroll.

She spread it across the ground. It was several meters long.

Kawafune looked over and saw that it was filled with contractors from the Senju Clan.

Tsunade's name was clearly written at the very end.

"Use your blood as the contract, Kawafune-kun. Sign your full name."

Tsunade did not hesitate in the slightest. The Senju Clan was already gone, so having the slug become a hereditary Summoning Slug of the Hatake Clan in the future would not be bad.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony."

The Slug Sage did not stop him. Tsunade could make the decision on such a minor matter herself.

Sakumo, however, looked utterly envious. This was one of the Three Great Summoning Animals of the Ninja World. Tsunade truly was generous.

Kawafune bit his finger and wrote his full name beside Tsunade's.

In the darkness, he sensed a tremor from the depths of his soul, as though he had formed a connection with some mysterious place.

"Alright. At first, you'll need hand seals. Once you become familiar with the Slug Sage, you can skip them."

Tsunade put away the scroll and performed a technique, making it vanish from her hand.

After telling Kawafune the hand seals, the Summoning Jutsu was complete.

"If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."

The Slug Sage vanished from the dining table again amid a puff of smoke, without even eating a single piece of meat.

Compared to that, the snakes of Ryūchi Cave were simply detestable.

"Kawafune, are you really going to learn Sage Art?"

Sakumo's mind was still stuck on the Slug Sage's words: "No one survived."

He could not help worrying. He only had this one younger brother. Though Kawafune was usually unreliable, he was still his own little brother.

"If I get the chance, I want to try."

Kawafune did not hide it. Sakumo did not know how incredible Hashirama's Sage Art was.

But Kawafune did. Combined with Wood Style, all he had to do was clap his hands, and whatever he wanted would appear.

And with Fahai's BGM playing alongside it, he would be practically invincible.

Great Mighty Heavenly Dragon, World Honored Ksitigarbha, Prajna Buddhas, Prajna Hum.

Just imagining it made Kawafune's blood boil. He was determined to learn Sage Art.

"You should still be careful. Your safety comes first."

Nayuki also offered a timely warning. "No one survived" sounded terrifying enough.

"Kawafune-kun, make your own decision. I'll support you no matter what."

Tsunade raised her cup and drank another toast with the handsome man before her.

The banquet continued, and everyone began swaying drunkenly.

Having learned her lesson from getting drunk at the Hatake Clan residence last time, Tsunade put down her cup before she completely lost control. She had eaten her fill as well.

If the same thing happened again tonight, who knew what the consequences would be.

Sakumo still tried to pull her into drinking more, but Nayuki slapped him twice until he behaved, then took him back to his room to rest.

"It's so late. Why not stay at my place for the night?"

Kawafune meant well. Still fighting off his drunkenness, he tried to keep Tsunade there.

"No, Kawafune-kun. I'm afraid you won't be able to control yourself."

As she spoke, Tsunade swayed to her feet and headed outside.

Kawafune hurried over to support her, wrapping one arm around her waist and placing her hand over his shoulder with the other.

The two drunkards staggered out through the gates of the Hatake Clan residence.

The night was deep, and the moon hung high overhead.

"Go back. I can manage."

Tsunade tried to free herself from Kawafune's hold. If he kept holding her like this, she was afraid she truly would not want to leave.

"Then I'll watch you go."

Their hazy gazes met.

Kawafune's breathing grew uneven, and his heart began to race.

Tsunade looked even more captivating beneath the moonlight.

He suddenly moved closer, cupping Tsunade's face in both hands.

Then he lowered his head and kissed those rosy lips.

The instant he touched their softness, Kawafune closed his eyes.

Tsunade's dazed pupils abruptly widened, and her hands pressed against Kawafune's chest.

She wanted to speak, but all that came out were muffled "mmph" sounds.

Kawafune grew more intoxicated by the moment. His hands slid past her cheeks and held Tsunade's head even more tightly.

He savored the lively softness of her fragrant tongue.

The hands Tsunade had pressed against his chest fell limply, naturally settling around Kawafune's waist.

After a long while, their lips parted.

Glistening threads still stretched between the corners of their mouths.

Both of them panted heavily.

A moment later, Kawafune wanted to do it again.

Just as he leaned in, Tsunade suddenly shoved him away and ran off without looking back.

Already drunk and now overwhelmed with emotion, she nearly tripped over a stone. She staggered before regaining her balance, then disappeared after several leaps.

Kawafune stood where he was and licked his lips. Alcohol really was a wonderful thing.

The corner of his mouth curled up slightly as he turned around and swayed back inside.

The next day, Tsunade woke from her sleep.

Her mind was still a mess, but she vaguely remembered kissing Kawafune.

A shy smile appeared on her lips.

Then she suddenly caught the unpleasant odor on her body, a mixture of smoke, alcohol, and sweat.

She frowned. It really had not been easy for Kawafune to kiss her.

She got up and went to the bathroom to wash up. After breakfast, it was time to handle serious business.

She headed out toward the Konoha Name Construction Company.

Most of Konoha's infrastructure had been built by this company.

Its quality was guaranteed, and its construction speed was fast.

That was because the company had a group of Chunin and Genin proficient in Earth Style, all excellent material for construction work.

When she arrived at the company's reception desk, she saw that the receptionist was a short, dark-skinned middle-aged man.

It was clear that he recognized the renowned Senju Princess.

His manner became humble as he hurried over to Tsunade and bowed slightly.

"Tsunade-sama, what brings you here today?"

Tsunade was not surprised. Too many people in Konoha knew her, whether for her reputation as a ninja or as a gambler.

"I have a major project to discuss with you."

"Oh, please come inside, my lady."

The dark-skinned man's eyes lit up. A major project coming from Tsunade could not possibly be small.

He brought Tsunade to an office and eagerly poured her some tea.

"I'm on duty today. Please tell me all about this major project."

"I'm not bragging, but there isn't a more capable Construction Company in Konoha than ours."

The dark-skinned man fully displayed the eloquence of an outstanding salesman.

"A six-thousand-square-meter hospital. Would you call that a major project?"

Tsunade sat elegantly, raised her cup, and slowly took a sip.

The sight nearly made the man's eyes pop out. He quickly lowered his head. A woman like this was not someone he could afford to provoke.

"Of course it is. When would you like construction to begin?"

"Will it be paid daily, or contracted as a whole?"

The man eagerly asked about the start date and payment method.

After half an hour of discussion, Tsunade hired ten construction workers on a daily-pay basis under the pretext of a trial job, setting the work to begin that afternoon.

She would use this construction team as bait and wait for the fish to bite.

Fortunately, the enemy was also from Konoha. They would not openly attack construction workers in broad daylight. At most, they would drive them away.

Otherwise, Tsunade would not have carried out Kawafune's plan. The Senju Clan's purpose was to protect the village.

At least for now, Tsunade still agreed with Grandfather's ideals.