Hyuga Shin and Tsunade Hime

Before long, Tsunade's rapidly moving figure appeared in Hyuga Shin's sight. She was already very close.

"Is that little Tsunade?" Hyuga Shin looked at the airborne Tsunade Hime and asked, his tone carrying a trace of uncertainty.

"You are? From the Hyuga Main Family? I don't think I've ever seen you before." Tsunade Hime landed nearby.

Tsunade Hime knew nearly every member of the Hyuga Main Family, but she was certain she had never met this old man. Still, she found it strange that he felt so familiar.

As for why she knew every member of the main family, aside from her status, there was another reason.

Having inherited her grandfather Hashirama Senju's gambling habit, Tsunade Hime was practically the biggest pauper in Leaf. If she didn't lose tens or even hundreds of thousands of ryo every month, she felt uncomfortable all over.

Her two teammates, Orochimaru and Jiraiya, were often fleeced bald by her.

This was also why, after leaving Leaf, she gained the nickname Big Fat Sheep.

But if she did not fleece people, where would the money come from?

Even the wealthy Senju Clan could not withstand such reckless spending, especially since the Senju were far less influential and powerful than before.

That brought up Tsunade's exceptional Medical Ninjutsu. To make money, she specifically provided regular medical examinations and treatment services to the major shinobi clans, and her fees were not low.

The Hyuga were not only a wealthy clan but also a major Taijutsu clan. It was inevitable for members of the main family to suffer bumps and bruises during training, while the elderly also placed great importance on their health. Naturally, demand was high, making them one of Tsunade's biggest clients.

Thus, Tsunade knew the Hyuga Clan's main family like the back of her hand.

Yet although she had never met the old man before her, she could not shake that inexplicable sense of familiarity. It seemed as though she had seen him somewhere, but she simply could not remember.

"It seems too much time has passed, and you've forgotten me. I held you when you were little. And you still owe me the three thousand ryo you lost to me." Hyuga Shin teased her with a hint of regret in his voice.

"You are! You're Grandpa Shin! You're still alive!"

Tsunade's sealed memories instantly awakened, and scenes began surfacing in her mind.

There were memories of Hyuga Shin holding her and teasing her, as well as memories of Hyuga Shin gambling with her.

There were also memories of her shamelessly refusing to pay Hyuga Shin.

As those memories surfaced one after another, they triggered a chain reaction, making Tsunade recall her grandparents and many painful events from the past.

Her tears instantly slipped out of control.

Sometimes, meeting an old acquaintance could bring back beautiful memories in an instant, and when those memories mingled with the painful experiences one had endured, even the strongest person could become sentimental.

"You're a grown woman now, yet you're still crying! You've become an outstanding ninja. Even in the village and throughout the Shinobi World, I've heard of the Sannin's fame!"

Hyuga Shin stepped forward and used his aged, withered hand to wipe away Tsunade's uncontrolled tears, treating her as though she were his own granddaughter.

He had never married in his life, but it was not because no women liked him. On the contrary, he had countless admirers!

During the Warring States Period, he had been the dream lover of every unmarried woman in the Hyuga Clan. After the village was founded, women from all the major shinobi clans had pursued him relentlessly!

It was not only because he possessed great strength, but also because of his handsome appearance and remarkable charisma.

Hashirama had once worried himself sick over his and Madara's marriages.

For a time, neither he nor Madara had dared to return home. They stayed in the administrative department every day because Hashirama constantly arranged for beauties from every clan to come to their homes for blind dates.

But one of them was as cold as ice, while the other was too slippery to pin down. Neither had any intention of getting married.

In the end, the matter simply faded away.

Thinking back on it now, it was rather amusing.

So after Hashirama had a granddaughter, both Madara and Shin had doted on Tsunade.

Influenced by his previous life, Hyuga Shin especially liked this gambling-loving girl. After all, she had once been his fantasy goddess. He often went to tease her and told her that she would definitely grow into a beauty.

Once Tsunade was old enough to understand, she often followed Hyuga Shin around, because he truly knew how to make her happy.

It made Hashirama terribly jealous for a time.

There was no need to say more about what happened later. After learning the truth, Hyuga Shin had given up many things in pursuit of the Great Dao.

Although their reunion had been orchestrated by Hyuga Shin, he truly felt heartache for the little girl who had once been so adorable.

"Grandpa Shin, I'm sorry! It's really been so long that I didn't recognize you right away." Tsunade Hime steadied her emotions and spoke with a hint of apology.

"It's not your fault. It's mine. Don't dwell on it," Hyuga Shin replied indifferently.

"You're in such a hurry. Are you rushing to the camp because something urgent happened?"

"It's my younger brother, Nawaki! He secretly ran off to the Rock Battlefield. My companion Orochimaru informed me, so I came to take him back."

"Hashirama's grandson? He's young, but he has guts."

"Why did you come to the battlefield, Grandpa Shin? Shouldn't you be enjoying your retirement in the village?"

"I've reached that age. I just wanted to travel around and leave something behind for the Shinobi World with the time I have left."

"You look so rushed that you must be worried about your brother. Let's get going first. We can catch up once we reach Leaf Camp. It'll only take a few minutes."

Their exchange was smooth and harmonious.

Then, the two set off together toward Leaf Camp.

Since the distance was not great and she was worried about Hyuga Shin's condition, Tsunade slowed down considerably. Hyuga Shin followed at an unhurried pace without falling behind.

The two chatted as they traveled, the atmosphere pleasant. Before long, they could see Konoha's camp in the distance.

Not long after, they reached the vicinity of the main camp, and the patrol ninja immediately sounded an alert.

However, Tsunade Hime's identity was far too obvious, so they were not subjected to any real obstruction.

They were only stopped at the gate and asked for the password.

Naturally, neither of them had it, so they waited at the entrance for word to be sent inside. Even knowing Tsunade's identity did not exempt them from this, since they were in wartime.

Orochimaru was still very meticulous.

Before long, Orochimaru emerged from the camp with Nawaki. He wore a white kimono, his face was deathly pale and his frame thin, yet his presence was imposing.

Seeing that her younger brother was unharmed, Tsunade instantly breathed a sigh of relief, already thinking about how she would deal with him later.

The moment they met, Orochimaru confirmed Tsunade's identity. After all, they had been companions for years and knew each other well. However, he was somewhat puzzled by Hyuga Shin at her side.

Hyuga Shin's forehead was smooth and unmarked, and he wore no Konoha's signature forehead protector anywhere else on his body.

Since when had the Hyuga Main Family become so broad-minded that they sent such an elderly man to the battlefield?

"Orochimaru, this is Hyuga Shin—Grandpa Shin. Like my grandfather, he is an expert from the Warring States Period! One of Konoha's founders!"

As teammates, Tsunade Hime understood Orochimaru's meaning from a single glance and hurriedly stepped forward to introduce him.

"Hyuga Shin? An expert from the Warring States Period, and one of Konoha's founders?" Orochimaru was somewhat surprised.

He did not know much about Hyuga Shin. He had heard of his existence, but had never met him.

Hyuga Shin had truly kept an extremely low profile. Before he had achieved greatness and while the future remained uncertain, he had been incomparably cautious.

Gradually, his name had been buried beneath the currents of time.

Only Konoha's upper ranks and the Hyuga Main Family retained a very clear awareness of his existence.

Even Tsunade had gradually forgotten about him amid the passage of time and her heavy workload.

"Grandpa Shin, this is my companion, Orochimaru, the current commander of the Rock Front," Tsunade Hime introduced Orochimaru to Hyuga Shin as well.

With Tsunade's introductions, the two came to understand one another.

Hyuga Shin's identity as an expert of the Warring States Period and one of Konoha's founders aroused Orochimaru's curiosity and earned his respect. Once they had gotten acquainted, he immediately invited them into the main camp.

As soon as the brief pleasantries ended, Tsunade instantly transformed into a violent dragon and grabbed Nawaki for a thorough beating. She was determined to make him understand just how heavy his sister's love was!

Hyuga Shin could not help smiling as he watched the harmonious scene.

Next, it was time to spar with Orochimaru.

Recommendations, bookmarks, investments, comments. Thank you!