Spar

After settling the matter, Tsunade left the Construction Company as well.

As she headed for the Hatake Clan, the closer she got, the clearer that lingering, seductive memory from last night became.

When she reached the place where she had parted with Kawafune last night, Tsunade even raised a hand to wipe the corner of her mouth.

Only after calming herself did she arrive at the door and knock.

A moment later, the door opened, and the butler was still the one who greeted her.

"Tsunade-sama, the Second Young Master is in the Training Hall."

With that, he bowed and left, clearly seeing no need to lead the way again.

Upon hearing that, Tsunade entered and headed straight for the Training Ground.

Nawaki had come by this morning and left again, saying that Orochimaru finally had time and had called him over.

Naturally, Kawafune did not stop him. He knew that, in the original story, Orochimaru had genuinely cared for Nawaki as well.

If Nawaki had not died, Orochimaru probably would not have begun researching immortality so soon.

Tsunade entered the Training Hall.

She happened to see Kawafune speaking with the Slug Sage. It seemed he had already mastered the Summoning Jutsu.

"Kawafune-kun."

"You're here."

Kawafune looked up and met Tsunade's gaze as she approached. For some reason, both of them blushed.

"I'll be leaving first. Summon my clone whenever you need it."

"I'll use the Reverse Summoning Jutsu to bring you to Shikkotsu Forest myself."

Sensing the dopamine filling the air, the Slug Sage vanished from the Hatake Clan's Training Hall in a puff of smoke.

"Have you decided to cultivate Sage Art?"

Tsunade looked away before speaking in a sweet voice.

"Yes. Once the hospital officially breaks ground, I'll go to Shikkotsu Forest first and learn about it."

Kawafune did not hide it. He had not told Sakumo about this yet.

"Alright. Be careful in everything you do."

"You have family... people who care about you."

Tsunade's gaze softened as she looked at Kawafune's face.

"I will. I still have you."

Kawafune's magnetic voice instantly brought two red flushes to Tsunade's cheeks, leaving her unsure how to respond.

"Have you found a Construction Team?"

Seeing Tsunade's predicament, Kawafune spoke again to ease the awkwardness.

"Yes, they'll start work this afternoon."

"Want to go together?"

Once they started talking business, Tsunade finally drove the wild thoughts from her mind. If this dragged on any longer, she would have even picked out a name for their child, Hatake whatever.

"We'll go, but we won't."

The corners of Kawafune's mouth lifted as he kept her guessing.

"Let the Construction Team go on their own, while we conceal ourselves and observe?"

Like going to war, Tsunade had that much instinct. After all, she was still an outstanding ninja.

"That's right. This afternoon, you can tell the Construction Team to begin work or conduct surveys, whichever they see fit."

"My brother and I will wait for you at home."

Kawafune laid out his plan, and Tsunade nodded in agreement.

"Interested in exchanging a few moves?"

Tsunade's attention was drawn back to the diligent eldest brother, Sakumo.

Seeing the sweat covering his head reminded Tsunade of her own miserable training. It was practically identical.

She was just short of that bit of insight into the power of space, which was why she could not master the Flying Thunder God.

"Sure."

Hearing Kawafune's voice, she returned to her senses and agreed.

Tsunade would never refuse a chance to spar with a strong opponent, especially when that person was Kawafune.

"I won't go easy on you."

As soon as the words fell, Tsunade clenched her right hand into a fist and smashed it down. The powerful Chakra formed a blasting current that shattered the ground beneath her feet.

What a wasteful woman. We can't spar at home in the future.

Kawafune smiled on the outside, but cursed inwardly.

"Then I won't hold back either."

As he spoke, the two moved apart and took their positions in the middle of the field.

Their auras began to spread across the grounds.

Nayuki watched from the side with the Ghost Mastiff. Even Sakumo stopped training and turned his attention toward them.

The Samurai lurking in every corner began to reveal themselves once more.

Kawafune still wore a gentle smile, yet he gave Tsunade immense pressure.

He pushed off with his feet, shattering the ground. There went more money again.

White light flickered around Tsunade's right fist. With a shout, she charged straight at Kawafune.

Kawafune's eyes sharpened. She was very fast, but only relatively speaking.

If he kept dodging, Tsunade probably would not even be able to touch the hem of his clothes.

In an instant, he covered his entire body in Lightning-nature Chakra. His silver short hair began to dance, and his whole aura turned violent.

Their fists collided, cracking the ground in a circle behind them. The powerful shockwave blew far into the distance, making the trees sway as leaves rained down.

"That was satisfying."

Tsunade smiled and stepped back.

Kawafune followed close behind. Their fists and kicks clashed as they engaged in pure close-quarters combat.

It was the style Tsunade liked.

The heavy sounds of their powerful blows echoed without end across the field.

Their sweeping kicks collided once more, and they landed apart from each other.

"It seems we won't determine a winner like this. I'm going to show my real skills now."

Kawafune spoke as a sword appeared in his hand.

The pressure Kawafune gave off now was on an entirely different level from before, and Tsunade's expression grew solemn.

"Strength of a Hundred Seal."

Centered on the diamond mark on Tsunade's forehead, the seal markings spread from her face across her entire body.

She had brought out her trump card as well.

Kawafune used Flying Thunder God to appear directly behind Tsunade. His blade swept across her shoulder and sleeve, but she avoided the vital point.

Tsunade had become faster.

Bang.

Her right fist made intimate contact with Kawafune's body, sending him flying backward.

It really isn't easy to go easy on this wife.

Sakumo saw his younger brother holding back, and his expression shifted unpredictably.

Why had he never gone easy on me? Didn't I deserve some dignity as the older brother?

Kawafune's injuries healed on their own, while Tsunade's strength had risen to another level.

The Strength of a Hundred Seal truly deserved to be called an S-rank Forbidden Jutsu.

With that monstrous strength and Creation Rebirth, it was no wonder Tsunade could still land a blow when facing Uchiha Madara.

"Tsunade-chan, let me show you my Sword Art."

Kawafune assumed the opening stance of a quick-draw slash. Tsunade's gaze grew even more serious as she guarded herself with her full attention.

"Lightning Flash, Sixfold Strike."

In Tsunade's eyes, Kawafune seemed to transform into a bolt of lightning. His speed was on a completely different level from before, and she could not react at all.

In the span of a breath, two zigzagging flashes passed through Tsunade.

Kawafune appeared behind Tsunade. The lightning faded, and the Eight-Faced Han Sword was sheathed.

A faint crimson line appeared on Tsunade's neck—a fatal wound.

The victor had been decided. PS: There was no need to use Creation Rebirth in a spar, so don't argue with me.

Tsunade raised a hand and wiped across her neck. The sword mark vanished, and the seal markings on her face receded as well.

"Kawafune-kun, I've never met anyone faster than you."

"Cough, cough."

Kawafune had been standing there coolly, but Tsunade's words instantly broke his composure.

He could not even keep acting cool anymore.

"Could you use a different way to phrase that?"

"For example, how I..."

Kawafune ran out of words himself. He really was fast.

"Forget it. Say whatever you want."

Kawafune covered his face. Even with a mouth, he could not explain himself. He would let her learn how formidable he was someday.

As a Medical Ninja, Tsunade's familiarity with the human body was not to be underestimated.

She immediately understood and secretly spat in embarrassment.

What was the point of being handsome when his mind was full of dirty thoughts?

"Kawafune-kun, what are you thinking about all day?"

Rolling her eyes at Kawafune, Tsunade walked toward the stone table.

Sakumo and Nao, who had been watching the show, were already drinking tea. Even the Ghost Mastiff had received some pastries.

After Kawafune walked over, the Ghost Mastiff could not resist the temptation of the food. It shrank behind Nayuki and continued waiting to be fed.