Token of Affection

Tsunade reached into her chest and felt around, pulling out a scroll with a milky scent and handing it to Watanabe:

"This scroll seals all the Ninjutsu developed by my great-granduncle during his lifetime. Take it and train."

Watanabe's heart tightened. He realized this scroll was far more significant than the three Ninjutsu Tsunade had given him before.

Tsunade's great-granduncle was the Second Hokage of Konoha, and like Hashirama, he was a being at the pinnacle of the entire ninja world. He had developed countless high-level Ninjutsu during his life. If this scroll were to fall into the wrong hands, it would drive countless ninja mad.

Tsunade warned, "The academy is about to experience a wave of early graduations. Although your strength is barely enough to graduate, don't get caught up in the excitement. Stay in school and behave yourself. Graduating now won't benefit you."

"Your Taijutsu is too poor. I've sparred with you for so long, and I haven't seen any improvement. You can only learn more Ninjutsu to compensate for your weaknesses. When I'm not around, you'll study the Ninjutsu on the scroll yourself. The more you master, the better."

Watanabe was deeply moved. Tsunade truly cared for him with all her heart, even planning his future. No one had ever made him feel so warm.

"Tsunade, you're too good to me."

Watanabe accepted the scroll with emotion.

Since Tsunade had openly acknowledged their relationship, he didn't need to be coy or hesitant. They didn't need to stand on ceremony between them, and he genuinely needed to improve his strength through Ninjutsu.

He would prove to Tsunade with his actions in the future that all her efforts for him were worthwhile.

"It's good that you know," Tsunade hummed softly through her nose.

She believed she hadn't misjudged him. She was determined to have Watanabe.

Then, she unclasped the necklace she always wore around her neck.

"This necklace is a memento from my grandfather. It contains his Chakra from when he was alive. I'm giving it to you too."

"..."

Watanabe hesitated. Tsunade giving him the scroll was solely to help him improve his strength, but the necklace had a different significance. It could even be called a token of their love.

"Since it's your grandfather's memento, should you discuss it with your grandmother?"

Tsunade retorted domineeringly, "If Grandma doesn't allow me to give it to you, then I won't give it to you?"

"..."

Watanabe was speechless, his heart filled with nothing but warmth.

He realized that during their time together, Tsunade had unknowingly fallen for him so deeply.

"Don't move, I'll put it on for you."

Tsunade commanded, leaning over and carefully fastening the First Hokage's necklace onto Watanabe. Her arms wrapped around his neck.

This was their first time being so close. The pleasant milky scent from Tsunade's body filled his nostrils, and her hair brushing against his face tickled him, making his heart flutter. Watanabe stared intently at Tsunade's beautiful face, realizing he could even count her eyelashes if he wanted to.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Tsunade's face flushed slightly, feeling uncomfortable under his gaze.

"The necklace is on. From this moment on, you're not allowed to take it off without my permission..."

"Tsunade."

Watanabe interrupted, his tone filled with shame.

"I'm sorry, I don't have anything to give you today."

As he spoke, he reached out and put his arm around Tsunade's waist, pulling her closer.

"Then you can give it to me later,"

Tsunade said, turning her head away with a blush, not resisting Watanabe's intimate gesture.

This was the cutest Tsunade Watanabe had ever seen. He felt his mouth go dry.

Since they were a couple now, doing couple-like things was perfectly acceptable, right?

With that thought, Watanabe slowly leaned in and kissed Tsunade's lips, taking small sips like he was drinking bubble tea.

Tsunade's mind went blank. She even forgot how to breathe, her face flushing so deeply it looked like it could bleed.

While sipping bubble tea, Watanabe gently laid Tsunade down on a rock. Tsunade didn't understand what he was doing, her eyes hazy as she followed his lead.

Watanabe reached inside her clothes.

"Cough. Cough."

A series of dry coughs startled them.

The two on the rock turned their heads. Mito, dressed in a white robe, appeared before them.

"Grandma! Why are you here?"

Tsunade exclaimed in shock, quickly pushing Watanabe away and tidying her clothes with a crimson face.

"Senior Mito."

Watanabe was also extremely embarrassed, feeling like a wild boar caught by a farmer while trying to steal a cabbage.

"Shouldn't I be here?" Mito asked, her tone displeased.

If I had shown up a minute later, you would have already eaten her up and spat out the bones!

She knew Tsunade liked Watanabe, but she hadn't expected her to be so infatuated that she'd throw herself at him so recklessly. Where was the dignity and pride of the Senju Clan?

"I didn't mean it like that, I, I…"

Tsunade was so embarrassed she wished she could disappear into a crack in the ground.

"You should go to the Hokage Building first. Hiruzen is waiting for you," Mito sighed. Her granddaughter had finally grown up; these things could only be discussed and reasoned through with her slowly.

Tsunade hesitated, looking at Watanabe, then at her grandmother, not wanting to leave them alone together.

Seeing this, the little bit of anger Mito had just calmed down flared up again. She said faintly, "Aren't you leaving?"

Tsunade bit her lip, about to speak, when Watanabe took her hand.

"It's okay, I'll wait for you to come back."

"Mhm… Mhm."

Tsunade nodded. Trusting Watanabe, she turned and left the small grove.

The wind blew, stirring up the fallen leaves in the woods.

Watanabe's initial impression of Mito was of elegance and kindness, but at this moment, he felt a majestic pressure emanating from her.

It made sense. He had taken liberties with her granddaughter; it would be strange if she wasn't imposing.

"Senior Mito, I will always treat Tsunade well."

Watanabe said, bracing himself, offering no excuse for his earlier actions.

Mito watched him, offering no response.

Watanabe steeled himself, took off the necklace around his neck, and offered it along with a scroll. "I am willing to return these items to you, Senior Mito. Please do not blame Tsunade!"

Looking at the necklace and scroll before her, Mito's cold expression finally softened slightly.

He was indeed responsible.

The scroll containing all the techniques developed by Tobirama was a treasure countless ninjas dreamed of. Watanabe had the courage to hand it over, which earned him a measure of respect.

"I am not in a position to take back something Tsunade gave you," Mito replied.

"I only hope you will remember your words just now and not let Tsunade down."

"Furthermore, Hashirama's necklace is not something anyone can possess. If I ever find that you are unworthy of it, I will have Tsunade take it back herself."

If such a day truly came, Mito would no longer permit them to associate.

Watanabe breathed a sigh of relief. His initial impression had been correct; Mito was indeed kind and reasonable. At the very least, she wasn't like the wealthy elites on television who would throw five million Ryo in his face and force him to leave Tsunade.

"Senior Mito, please rest assured, I will definitely keep my word!"

Watanabe promised earnestly.

Mito left without another word. Her point had been made, and now she could only wait and see.

She just didn't know if she had enough time left to witness Tsunade's future.