The Bad Woman Who Plays with Emotions

Morning.

Tsunade woke up.

She pressed her forehead, feeling a dull ache.

Though she was a ninja, she never used Chakra to sober up when she drank, so she was left with a hangover.

Tsunade glanced down at herself.

Her clothes were half-open, revealing large swaths of pale skin.

Her skin rose and fell gently with each breath.

She thought back—last night, she'd fallen asleep halfway through undressing.

Tsunade didn't mind. She casually pulled her clothes back on.

After all, she was alone at home. No risk of an accidental exposure.

"Hm?"

Tsunade suddenly caught a scent.

It was coming from the living room.

Her body tensed slightly, readying for an attack.

"What are you doing here?"

When she pushed open the door, she saw Hikawa.

"Good morning, Tsunade-sama."

Hikawa waved at her and said, "I came to bring you breakfast, and a gift too."

Tsunade swept her eyes over the rice balls on the table, then at the large bag of gifts on the floor, a puzzled look on her face.

"Salmon Rice Ball."

Hikawa said casually, "A bit pricey, but the taste is really good."

"What's going on?"

Tsunade picked up a rice ball from the table, took a bite, and asked.

"It's from the six hundred thousand ryo you gave me yesterday."

Hikawa explained. "Since it was the first big sum of money in my life, I wanted to buy something meaningful as a gift."

"Then why give it to me?"

Tsunade chewed the rice ball, her pink tongue licking her lips as she asked.

Because I'm kind.

Hikawa made up a reason. "In Konoha, there are only four people I'm close to—the director, Uncle Shinko, Kurenai, and you."

He'd spent about three hundred thousand ryo on gifts for Tsunade, Yuhi Shinko, and Yuhi Kurenai.

As for the remaining three hundred thousand, he planned to give it to Yakushi Nonō and the Orphanage.

Tsunade's movements paused slightly. For the first time in a while, she felt a strange twinge.

She'd been right yesterday—this little brat was definitely going to trick a lot of little girls in the future.

"Did you use up all your money?"

Tsunade swallowed a few bites and picked up a second rice ball.

"Yeah."

Hikawa nodded, then added, "But Tsunade-sama doesn't need to give me any more money."

"I didn't say I was going to give you money."

Tsunade's lips curled into a smile. "I meant, after we finish eating, we're going to the Casino."

Give me back my emotions!

Hikawa was furious.

What a bad woman, toying with his feelings!

"I have to go to school. You go gamble by yourself."

Hikawa stood up and said.

"See you later, little one."

Tsunade said with a smile on her face.

Ten minutes later, at the school gate.

"Morning."

Hikawa had just arrived when he ran into Sarutobi Asuma.

"It's not morning anymore!"

Sarutobi Asuma gave a light snort and spoke.

"Still just a kid, after all."

Hikawa bore him no ill will.

After all, Sarutobi Asuma was merely rebellious, not a true villain like Obito Uchiha.

As for Yuhi Kurenai, that was a matter of mutual consent.

Hikawa had always been a Pure Love Warrior.

"I'll challenge you in the Final Exam!"

Sarutobi Asuma's gaze sharpened, his face full of determination as he spoke.

"You're welcome anytime."

Hikawa said with genuine sincerity.

This guy was delivering talent right to his doorstep.

What a good person.

"...?"

Sarutobi Asuma couldn't make sense of Hikawa's reaction at all. "Just you wait!"

He left behind a harsh parting remark and turned to walk away.

Just as Hikawa was about to follow him into the classroom, he suddenly heard someone calling his name.

He looked back and saw Hatake Kakashi.

"Morning."

Hikawa greeted him as usual.

"I'm planning to take Early Graduation."

Kakashi got straight to the point.

Hikawa found it strange. Graduating was one thing, but why tell him?

"Before I graduate, I want to spar with you once."

Kakashi stated his purpose.

Hikawa was a bit surprised.

The genius Kakashi was actually challenging him?

"Of course."

Hikawa agreed without hesitation. "I'm looking forward to it."

For him, winning meant profit, and losing meant no loss.

Why would he refuse?

"Yeah."

Kakashi kept his hands in his pockets and walked off coolly.

The bell for class rang.

Hikawa pulled out a Medical Text as usual.

But this time, he didn't bother hiding it behind a textbook; he was completely open about it.

Eiichirō immediately noticed Hikawa slacking off.

He opened his mouth to say something, then stopped, and ultimately let it go.

There was no helping it—Hikawa had connections now, and a heavyweight one at that: one of the Konoha Three Ninjas, Tsunade.

"How... how do you do that?"

His deskmate, Shizune, asked like a curious child.

"Maybe it's just the bond between men."

Hikawa made up an excuse.

The truth was, he'd pulled some strings.

"..."

Shizune naturally didn't believe him.

When class ended, Hikawa closed his Medical Text. Staring too long meant it was time to rest his eyes.

"Hikawa!"

The next moment, Obito Uchiha appeared in front of him.

He'd taken advantage of Rin Nohara stepping out to use the restroom and rushed over specifically.

Lately, they'd been explaining problems to each other every day, and it had become utterly unbearable for him.

"Something?"

Hikawa blinked and asked.

"I challenge you!"

Obito Uchiha declared firmly. "At the Final Exam!"

Again?

Are you people taking turns?

No big deal. Three strikes in one sword.

"Fine."

Hikawa nodded slightly.

"I'll definitely knock you flat then!"

Obito's face lit up with pride.

He lacked confidence in theory, but in practical combat, he was absolutely sure.

Few students could use ninjutsu by their first year, and he was one of them.

"Good luck."

Hikawa didn't take it seriously and said casually.

Obito huffed, turned his head, and went back to his seat.

After school, Hikawa went to the Orphanage.

"Where did you get this money?"

Yakushi Nonō's heart jolted as she looked at the neatly stacked three hundred thousand ryo.

"Tsunade-sama won it."

Hikawa explained.

"Huh?"

Yakushi Nonō paused, then said softly, "If you don't want to tell me the reason, you don't have to lie to the director."

It was like Garen building Last Whisper.

Silent and devastating.

Of course, Hikawa only stayed silent.

For a moment, he didn't know how to refute that.

"Please take it, Director."

Hikawa said in his most sincere tone. "It really was from Tsunade-sama."

Yakushi Nonō hesitated for a few seconds, then nodded.

The Orphanage really did need the money.

A long time ago, the funding from Konoha had been seized by Shimura Danzō.

Yakushi Nonō had to work for him to get the money and safety needed to keep the Orphanage running.

Time flew by, and before they knew it, it was the end of March.

The Ninja Academy entered its busiest week.

The Final Exams for all grades would be completed within this week.

Of course, for the sixth-years, it wasn't a Final Exam but a graduation exam.

The Final Exams for the other grades were split into two days.

Day one was theory, day two was practical combat.