31: A Token of Love

Tsunade reached into her clothes and pulled out a scroll that carried a faint milky fragrance. She held it out to Watanabe.

"This scroll contains every jutsu my second granduncle developed during his lifetime. Take it and train with them."

Watanabe's heart stirred. He realized the scroll was no less valuable than the three jutsu Tsunade had given him before—in fact, it was worth even more.

Tsunade's second granduncle was the Second of Konoha. Like Hashirama, he had stood at the pinnacle of the entire Shinobi World. He had developed countless advanced jutsu in his lifetime. If this scroll ever got out, who knew how many ninja would go wild for it?

Tsunade cautioned him, "A wave of early graduations is about to sweep through the Academy. With your strength, you could probably graduate, but don't join the crowd. Stay in school and keep your head down. Graduating now won't do you any good."

"Your Taijutsu is terrible. We've sparred for so long, and I still haven't seen it improve. You'll have to make up for that weakness by learning more jutsu. When I'm not around, study the jutsu in the scroll on your own. It'll be good if you can master even one more."

Watanabe was deeply moved. Tsunade truly had his best interests at heart. She had even planned out his path ahead, and no one had ever made him feel so warm before.

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

Watanabe accepted the scroll with a sigh of emotion.

Since Tsunade had taken the initiative to make their relationship clear, he had no need to be coy or awkward. They didn't need to stand on ceremony with each other, and he really did need to improve his strength with jutsu.

He would prove through his actions that everything she had done for him had been worth it.

"Good. You'd better know it." Tsunade gave a nasal huff.

She trusted her own judgment. She had made up her mind about Watanabe, and that was that.

Then she took off the necklace she always wore around her neck.

"This necklace was left to me by my grandfather. It holds some of his Chakra from when he was alive. You can have it, too."

"..."

Watanabe hesitated. Tsunade had given him the scroll to help him grow stronger, but the necklace meant something different. It could practically be called a token of their love.

"It's your grandfather's keepsake. Shouldn't you talk it over with your grandmother?"

Tsunade shot back boldly, "If Grandma doesn't let me give it to you, does that mean I won't give it to you?"

"..."

Watanabe was at a loss for words, his heart filled with nothing but warmth.

So, during all the time they had spent together, Tsunade had fallen for him this much without him even realizing it.

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

Tsunade ordered him, leaning forward to carefully fasten the First's Necklace around Watanabe's neck, her arms encircling him.

It was the first time they had ever been this close. Tsunade's pleasant milky scent filled his nose, and the brush of her hair against his face sent a shiver through him. Watanabe stared at her lovely face, close enough to count every one of her eyelashes if he wanted to.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Tsunade's face flushed faintly. His stare made her uncomfortable.

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

"Tsunade."

Watanabe interrupted her, his voice full of remorse.

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

As he spoke, he put an arm around Tsunade's waist and drew her closer.

"Then give me something another time."

Tsunade said, blushing as she turned her head away. She didn't resist Watanabe's advances.

This was the cutest side of Tsunade Watanabe had ever seen, and his mouth went dry before he knew it.

Now that they were a couple, there was nothing wrong with doing the things couples did, right?

With that in mind, Watanabe slowly pressed his lips to Tsunade's, sipping gently as if he were drinking milk tea.

Tsunade's mind went blank. She even forgot how to breathe, her pretty face so red it looked ready to drip blood.

As Watanabe kissed her, he gently laid Tsunade down on the stone. She didn't understand what he was going to do. Her eyes were hazy as she let him lead her.

Watanabe slipped a hand inside her clothes.

"Ahem. Ahem."

A fit of dry coughing jolted them both awake.

The two of them turned toward the sound. Mito stood before them in a white robe.

"Grandma! What are you doing here?"

Tsunade was shocked. She quickly pushed Watanabe away, her face scarlet as she straightened her clothes.

"Senior Mito."

Watanabe was mortified, like a wild boar caught red-handed by a farmer while rooting around in the cabbage patch.

"Am I not supposed to be here?" Mito asked, her tone deeply displeased.

If I'd shown up a minute later, you'd have been eaten alive!

She knew Tsunade liked Watanabe, but she hadn't expected her to be so lovestruck that she'd throw herself at him. Did she have no dignity or pride as a member of the Senju Clan?

"That's not what I meant. I, I..."

Tsunade was so embarrassed she wanted the ground to swallow her whole.

"Go to the Hokage's office. Hiruzen is waiting for you." Mito sighed. Her granddaughter had grown up, after all. The only thing to do was talk it through with her and reason with her.

Tsunade hesitated, looking from Watanabe to her grandmother. She didn't trust them alone together.

Mito's anger, which had only just begun to fade, flared right back up. She said coolly, "Aren't you leaving?"

Tsunade bit her lip and was about to speak, but Watanabe took her hand.

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

"Mm... Okay."

Tsunade nodded, trusting Watanabe, then turned and left the little grove.

A gust of wind swept through, stirring up the fallen leaves.

Watanabe had always thought of Mito as elegant and approachable, but right now she felt full of authority and pressure.

Well, I did steal her granddaughter. No wonder she's acting so imposing.

"Senior Mito, I'll always treat Tsunade well."

Watanabe said it through gritted teeth, making no attempt to explain what had just happened.

Mito watched him without replying.

Watanabe steeled himself, took off the necklace, and held it out along with the scroll. "I'm willing to return these things to you, Senior Mito. Please don't blame Tsunade!"

At the sight of the necklace and scroll, Mito's cold expression finally softened a little.

At least he's got a sense of responsibility.

The scroll held every jutsu Tobirama had developed, a treasure beyond the dreams of countless ninja. Watanabe had the courage to hand it over, and that alone was enough to earn him respect.

"Tsunade gave them to you. I have no right to take them back on her behalf," Mito replied.

"I only hope you'll remember what you just said and not let Tsunade down."

"Besides, not just anyone is worthy of Hashirama's necklace. If I ever decide you're not worthy of it, I'll tell Tsunade to take it back herself."

If that day ever came, Mito wouldn't allow them to see each other anymore, either.

Watanabe breathed a sigh of relief. His first impression hadn't been wrong. Mito really was approachable and reasonable. At the very least, she wasn't like those rich families on TV who would slap five million ryo in his face and order him to leave Tsunade.

"Don't worry, Senior Mito. I'll keep my word!"

Watanabe promised solemnly.

Mito left without another word. She had said all she could; now all she could do was wait and see.

But would she have enough time left to witness Tsunade's future?