Target: Hot Spring Town in the Land of Hot Water.
As they traveled, Kakashi glanced sideways at Kazuhiko beside him, his voice grave:
"You were right not to join Root."
"I don't know why Danzo invited you, but he's always been determined to get what he wants. If he failed to recruit you, he'll probably resort to more extreme measures. You need to be careful."
"Root's ninjas all become twisted."
Kakashi's gaze darkened as he recalled the Root members he had dealt with.
"Them having no sense of camaraderie. They'll do whatever it takes to complete a mission; they're killing machines who know only how to follow orders. I'll report this to Lord Hokage."
Kakashi's heartfelt words made it clear that he considered Kazuhiko a comrade.
Kazuhiko nodded slightly and offered an explanation.
"I suspect he invited me to join Root because I helped a Uchiha ninja awaken the Three-Tomoe Sharingan. The Uchiha Clan classified the matter as top secret, so someone may have leaked it."
The Konoha High Command already knew about this.
Telling Kakashi wouldn't affect Kazuhiko's current situation. If anything, it could bring them closer.
Kakashi's expression turned grave as he immediately grasped the significance of this information.
Helping a Uchiha awaken the Three-Tomoe Sharingan sounded almost unbelievable.
But remembering the Storm Release Kazuhiko had demonstrated, he found it easier to accept.
With Kazuhiko's talent, helping a Uchiha master the Kekkei Genkai they were born with probably wasn't difficult.
Thinking of the situation between Konoha and the Uchiha Clan, he suddenly stopped and looked at Kazuhiko.
"I'll report this to Lord Hokage."
Your Lord Hokage already knew.
I was just telling you, Kakashi.
Kazuhiko nodded. "Of course. This is actually a good thing for the village."
Kakashi gave Kazuhiko a long look, then continued onward.
[Kakashi's favorability toward you increased significantly]
They traveled in silence.
The two picked up the pace and reached Hot Spring Town in the Land of Hot Water before nightfall.
Yuquan Inn was steeped in old-fashioned charm.
A faint fragrance filled the inn, mingling with the sulfurous smell of the hot springs.
After knocking, Kazuhiko and Kakashi pushed open the door to the assigned private room. Tsunade and Shizune were inside.
Shizune wore a black ninja kimono. With delicate, gentle features, she sat respectfully beside Tsunade.
Tsunade, meanwhile, was undoubtedly the center of attention.
Her loose golden hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall, its silky sheen setting off her fair, flawless skin. The years had left no trace on her face, and she was captivating.
In her thirties, she was at the age when a woman was most alluring. Her curvaceous figure, astonishing bust, and full, pert shape radiated the ultimate mature charm.
"What do Anbu Ninjas want?"
Tsunade looked up, impatience in her golden eyes.
Kakashi stepped forward, lowered his head without looking around, and presented the scroll with both hands.
"Lady Tsunade, we're here on Lord Hokage's orders. We hope to help you overcome your Hemophobia. This is our mission scroll."
"Huh?"
Tsunade looked as if she'd just heard the biggest joke in the world. She took the scroll and began reading, then scoffed.
"Heh. The Medical Saint, one of the Legendary Sannin, needs someone else to treat her?"
After reading the mission details, she eyed Kakashi and Kazuhiko sharply, her gaze full of anger.
"A mere psychologist I've never heard of thinks he can cure my Hemophobia? The old man's getting more senile by the day!"
[Tsunade's favorability toward you decreased]
Shizune took the scroll and, after reading it, glanced at Kazuhiko in surprise.
"Lady Tsunade, it wouldn't hurt to give it a try."
She spoke cautiously from the side.
"Your Hemophobia is a psychological problem, and Kazuhiko is a psychologist. Maybe he can help."
"A psychologist?"
Shizune's attempt to persuade her only seemed to fan the flames, and Tsunade's anger flared.
"Konoha has plenty of Medical Ninjas better than him. If he could really treat me, would they have sent him? Besides, this is just a personal problem. I don't need anyone meddling in it!"
Tsunade's chest heaved, and the pale fullness beneath her collar swayed with every movement, making for quite a striking sight.
In front of a Kage Level powerhouse, Kazuhiko maintained his composure and calmly appreciated the view.
But he still couldn't help swallowing as he marveled inwardly:
As expected of Tsunade.
That white is so white!
No, I mean—
That white is so big!
"Leave!" Tsunade waved them away, her tone leaving no room for argument.
"Go back and report to the old man. Tell him my Hemophobia has already cured itself."
Shizune looked at Kakashi's troubled expression and tried to persuade Tsunade again.
"Lady Tsunade, there's no harm in trying. What if—"
"What if what? Could a Uchiha possibly know more about Medical Ninjutsu than I do?"
[Tsunade's favorability toward you decreased]
Tsunade sprang to her feet, her pale fullness swaying. "If you don't want to leave, then stay. I don't want to see you killjoys."
With that, she strode past Kakashi, pushed Kazuhiko aside at the doorway, and left.
Shizune gave them an apologetic smile and spoke gently.
"Lady Tsunade's just like that. Please don't take it personally."
Kazuhiko had been knocked to the side and felt the full impact of Tsunade's figure.
So that's what they mean by a body-check with a ball.
Fine, fine. You're shameless enough to foul right in front of me? Just you wait.
"Lady Tsunade is usually very nice."
Shizune continued explaining.
"But lately, people have been coming to collect her debts one after another. It's left Lady Tsunade in low spirits, so you didn't pick a good day to visit."
"Try again tomorrow. After Lady Tsunade gets back from the casino, things might change."
Kakashi nodded and politely took his leave.
"Sorry to bother you. We'll come by again tomorrow."
Kakashi turned to leave, only to see that Kazuhiko showed no sign of following.
"Kazuhiko?"
Kazuhiko waved to Kakashi. "Shizune and I are old classmates. Since we've run into each other, we might as well catch up."
As he spoke, he winked at him.
Kakashi, you know what I mean!
For a true ladies' man, his heart was like Schrödinger's fish pond: there was always room for one more fish.
He could enjoy the fresh meat buns, but he wasn't about to pass up the little steamed buns either.
Kakashi nodded slightly, understanding Kazuhiko's meaning.
That was the unspoken bond between comrades!
He closed the door behind him and headed to the standard room he'd booked.
Kazuhiko must...
He must be trying to learn more about Lady Tsunade's condition from Shizune.
He truly cared about Konoha and hadn't forgotten the important task Lord Hokage had entrusted to him.
Inside the private room, Shizune smiled and spoke first.
"Kazuhiko, it's been a long time."
"It has. It's been years. Have you been doing well out there?"
Kazuhiko looked into Shizune's eyes, his brow taut as he gave her a model's faint smile.
"I've been well."
Faced with Kazuhiko openly radiating charm, Shizune's cheeks flushed.
Time was like fine wine, making the sweet memories of their school days richer and richer.
They hadn't interacted much at the Ninja Academy, but meeting again after ten years brought a special kind of old-classmate warmth.
"Weren't you here to catch up? Why aren't you saying anything?"
"It's been so many years. I just want to take a good look at you."
[Shizune's favorability toward you increased significantly]
Before you continue