This Snow White Is Truly White!

Target: Hot Spring Town, Land of Hot Water.

While traveling, Kakashi glanced sideways at Kazuhiko, his tone grave:

"You were right not to join Root."

"I don't know why Danzo invited you, but he never stops until he achieves his goals. Since his attempt to recruit you failed, he will likely resort to more extreme measures. You must be careful."

"Ninjas from the Root organization have their personalities twisted."

Kakashi's gaze darkened as he recalled the Root members he had encountered in the past.

"They have no concept of comradeship. They are killing machines who know only how to obey orders and will use any means necessary to complete a mission. I will report this matter to the Hokage."

Kakashi's heartfelt words clearly indicated that he now accepted Kazuhiko as his comrade.

Kazuhiko nodded slightly and offered an explanation.

"I suspect he invited me to join Root because I helped an Uchiha ninja awaken the Three-Tomoe Sharingan. This matter is classified as top secret within the Uchiha clan; perhaps someone leaked it."

This was no secret to the higher-ups in Konoha.

Telling Kakashi would have no negative impact on Kazuhiko's current situation and would instead further strengthen their relationship.

Kakashi's eyes grew solemn as he instantly realized the weight of this intelligence.

Helping an Uchiha awaken the Three-Tomoe Sharingan sounded incredible.

But thinking of the Storm Release the other had displayed, he felt relieved.

With Kazuhiko's talent, helping an Uchiha clansman master their innate Kekkei Genkai did not seem difficult.

Connecting this to the situation between Konoha and the Uchiha clan, he suddenly stopped moving and looked at Kazuhiko.

"I will report this to the Hokage."

Your Hokage already knows.

I'm just saying this for your benefit, Copy Ninja.

Kazuhiko nodded, "Of course, that would be for the best. In fact, this is a good thing for the village."

Kakashi gave Kazuhiko a long, deep look before continuing on their way.

[Kakashi's favorability toward you has increased significantly]

The rest of the journey was silent.

The two picked up their pace and arrived safely at the Hot Spring Town in the Land of Hot Water before nightfall.

The Jade Spring Inn was quaint and elegant.

Inside the inn, a faint fragrance lingered, mingled with the sulfurous scent of the hot springs.

After knocking, Kazuhiko and Kakashi pushed open the door to the target suite, where Tsunade and Shizune were waiting.

Shizune, dressed in a black ninja kimono with delicate and gentle features, sat respectfully beside Tsunade.

Tsunade, meanwhile, was undoubtedly the center of attention.

Her long, golden hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall, smooth and lustrous, accentuating her fair, delicate skin. Time had left no marks on her face, and she remained alluring and moving.

In her thirties, she was at the peak of a woman's charm, her voluptuous figure and ample bosom exuding the ultimate temptation of maturity.

"Anbu ninjas, what are you doing here?"

Tsunade raised her eyes, her golden pupils filled with impatience.

Kakashi stepped forward, lowered his head to avoid eye contact, and presented a scroll with both hands:

"Lady Tsunade, we have come under the orders of the Hokage, hoping to help you resolve your hemophobia. This is our mission scroll."

"Huh?"

Tsunade acted as if she had heard a grand joke. She took the scroll, scanned it, and let out a scoff:

"Hmph, the medical expert among the Legendary Sannin needs someone else to treat her?"

After reading the mission details, her eyes turned sharp, sweeping over Kakashi and Kazuhiko with rising anger:

"A mere, inexplicable 'psychiatrist' is qualified to treat my hemophobia? The old man is getting more senile by the day!"

[Tsunade's favorability toward you has decreased]

Shizune took the scroll, and after seeing the contents, she looked at Kazuhiko with surprise.

"Lady Tsunade, trying it out wouldn't be a bad thing."

She said cautiously from the side:

"Your hemophobia is a psychological issue, and since Kazuhiko happens to be a psychiatrist, perhaps it could be effective."

"A psychiatrist?"

Shizune's persuasion seemed to add fuel to the fire, causing Tsunade's temper to flare up instantly.

"There are plenty of medical ninja in Konoha stronger than him. If he could really cure me, would it even be his turn? Besides, my condition is a mental block; I don't need anyone else meddling in my business!"

Tsunade's chest heaved violently, the snowy white flesh beneath her collar swaying with the movement, creating a scene of immense visual impact.

In the presence of a Kage-level powerhouse, Kazuhiko maintained full restraint, rationally observing the view.

Yet, he couldn't help but swallow hard, sighing inwardly:

As expected of the great Tsunade.

This snowy white is truly white!

Wait, that's wrong.

This snowy white is truly huge!

"You two, leave!" Tsunade waved her hand, her tone brooking no refusal:

"Go back and report to the old man. Tell him my Hemophobia has already healed on its own."

Shizune looked at the troubled Kakashi, wanting to persuade her further:

"Lady Tsunade, there's no harm in trying. What if..."

"What if what? Can an Uchiha possibly understand medical ninjutsu better than I do?"

[Tsunade's favorability toward you has decreased]

Tsunade stood up abruptly, her snowy white swaying, "If you don't want to leave, then stay, but I don't want to see you killjoys."

With that, she brushed past Kakashi, domineeringly shouldered past Kazuhiko at the door, and strode away.

Shizune offered the two a helpless, bitter smile and said softly:

"Lady Tsunade just has this kind of personality; please don't take it to heart."

Kazuhiko had been knocked to the side, personally experiencing the impact of the great Tsunade.

Charging with the ball, are we?

Fine, fine, daring to commit a foul so blatantly—just you wait.

"Lady Tsunade is actually very kind usually."

Shizune continued to explain:

"It's just that she's been hounded by debt collectors recently, which has put her in a very low mood, so your timing today was poor."

"Wait until tomorrow. Once Lady Tsunade returns from the casino tomorrow, things might take a turn for the better."

Kakashi nodded and politely took his leave.

"Sorry for the intrusion. We will pay another visit tomorrow."

Kakashi turned to leave, only to notice that Kazuhiko had no intention of departing.

"Kazuhiko?"

Kazuhiko waved at Kakashi, "Shizune and I are old classmates. Since we ran into each other, it's only right to catch up."

After speaking, he winked at him.

Kakashi, you know what I mean!

For a qualified player, his heart is like Schrödinger's fishpond; there is always room for one more fish.

He wanted the fresh meat, but he couldn't afford to miss out on the petite buns either.

Kakashi nodded slightly, understanding Kazuhiko's intention.

This is the tacit understanding between comrades!

He took the initiative to close the door and headed toward the hotel room they had booked.

Kazuhiko...

He must be trying to learn more about Lady Tsunade's condition through Shizune.

He truly has Konoha at heart, never forgetting the heavy responsibility entrusted to him by the Hokage.

Inside the private room, Shizune smiled and took the initiative:

"Kazuhiko, long time no see."

"Long time no see. It's been so many years; have you been doing well out there?"

Kazuhiko gazed into Shizune's eyes, his forehead taut as he flashed a model-like, shallow smile.

"I've been well~"

Facing the charm actively radiated by Kazuhiko, Shizune's cheeks flushed slightly.

Time is like sake, brewing the beautiful memories of their school days into something incredibly mellow.

The two didn't have much interaction during their time at the Ninja Academy, but meeting again after ten years, there was a unique sense of camaraderie.

"You said you wanted to catch up, so why aren't you saying anything?"

"It's been so many years. I just wanted to take a good look at you."

[Shizune's favorability toward you has significantly increased]