Precise Positioning

Could I truly be a pervert?

Watching Kushina's retreating back, Tsunade fell deep into self-doubt.

At this moment, two tiny figures, one black and one white, seemed to appear in her mind.

The white figure looked on with utter disdain: "You actually shoved your feet into your disciple's lap, Tsunade—have you no shame?"

The black figure scoffed: "So what? A disciple helping his teacher warm her feet, is that not allowed?"

An argument erupted instantly. The white figure pointed at the black one, filled with righteous indignation: "Is that what you call warming feet? That was clearly... in any case, you are base!"

"Then let me ask you, did Minato push you away?"

"He's only five! What does he know?"

"To simply warm one's feet, what is there to know? At most, I just didn't let him leave, right? Was there any inappropriate behavior?"

The black figure spread its hands: "As expected, those with dirty hearts see filth in everything~"

"You, you, you..."

The white figure was so angry its chest heaved violently as it pointed at the black one: "Self-deception! This is pure self-deception!!"

With that, in a fit of rage, it self-destructed.

The black figure vanished along with it, leaving only Tsunade lying motionless under the kotatsu.

After a long while, she gently touched her burning cheeks, a trace of bewilderment flashing in her eyes.

"I'm back!"

Soon, Nawaki returned home carrying bags of groceries.

"Thanks for your hard work."

Minato set down his teacup and whispered to himself: "Well, I should get started on lunch."

As the words fell, the pair of white snakes in his lap stirred reluctantly.

Minato reached his hand under the kotatsu and grasped them gently; they felt as smooth and delicate as peeled hard-boiled eggs.

He calmly squeezed those round, adorable toes, then let his fingertips lightly trace the curve of the arch. The two little white snakes were startled, scurrying off his lap in a hurry.

Stinking brat!

Seeing Minato stand up, Tsunade hurriedly buried her head in her arms, unable to stop herself from muttering.

The mutton hot pot was delicious.

Nawaki and Kushina acted like bandits, their chopsticks sweeping through the pot in a frenzy, but Tsunade ate absent-mindedly, her mind filled with that subtle sensation that had seemed to touch the depths of her soul.

No, I can't go on like this!

Stealing a glance at Minato's youthful face, Tsunade forced herself to perk up and set down her chopsticks.

"I have something to say."

She suddenly spoke, interrupting the atmosphere of frantic eating at the table: "I've been refining an important ninjutsu lately, so I need to head out for a while to find some inspiration."

"Eh? How long will you be gone?" Nawaki asked, sounding reluctant.

"It's uncertain."

Tsunade pursed her lips, secretly observing Minato's reaction.

Seeing that Minato didn't show much of a reaction, she couldn't help but feel a wave of disappointment.

"Are you leaving the village?" Kushina asked.

"Mm, likely." Tsunade nodded.

"Then, Teacher, please take these with you."

Minato reached out, holding a handful of seeds: "These are seeds from my mutated cells. As long as you inject chakra into them, you can sprout my Wood Clones, which will make it easier to stay in touch with home."

"Stay in touch..."

Tsunade's tone was unreadable.

She was planning to leave the village and go train for a while precisely to cut off contact.

However, just in case, she took the seeds and placed them in her ninja pouch.

After a moment's thought, she stood up, returned to her room, and retrieved a massive scroll.

"Is this... the ninjutsu you're going to train with, Sister?"

"No, this is the summoning scroll for the Katsuyu Sage of Shikkotsu Forest, one of the three great sage regions."

Tsunade spread the scroll open and pointed to her own name on it: "I intend for you all to sign a Summoning Contract with Katsuyu. If you write your names in blood, you will be able to summon a portion of the Katsuyu Sage's clones."

"Katsuyu, huh..."

Nawaki's mouth twitched. As Tsunade's younger brother, he had naturally seen Katsuyu before.

"Katsuyu?"

Kushina's eyelids twitched; thinking of the wet, slimy appearance of a slug, she couldn't help but feel it was a bit hard to accept.

"This is a skill you must master."

Tsunade was also worried that Minato might encounter danger while she was away.

Although she knew that with Minato's current strength, it was basically impossible for him to encounter danger within the village, she still couldn't control her anxiety.

"All the slugs you summon are clones of the Katsuyu Sage. In the event of danger, you can summon a slug; even if it's just a tiny one, it can still relay messages for you."

Hearing this, the three of them didn't hesitate, each biting their fingers to sign their names on the scroll.

"Eh... what were the hand signs for the Summoning Jutsu again?"

Nawaki tilted his head, trying to recall; he remembered this being taught in class.

"It's Boar, Dog, Bird, Monkey, Ram!"

Taking advantage of the fresh blood, Kushina performed the Summoning Jutsu.

With a poof, a palm-sized slug appeared before everyone.

"Oh?"

As soon as the slug appeared, it tilted its head with a human-like gesture: "You are..."

"She is Kushina Uzumaki, this is Minato Namikaze, and this is my younger brother, Nawaki, whom you have met before."

Tsunade introduced them: "I have matters to attend to outside the village, so I had them sign the Summoning Contract for Shikkotsu Forest."

"Ah, so that's how it is~"

The slug's antennae bobbed slightly: "I understand, little Tsunade. I will take good care of them! If you need help, feel free to summon me~"

With that, it vanished with a poof.

Nawaki looked at Kushina in astonishment: "Why is a first-year student like you so proficient at using the Summoning Jutsu?"

"Kushina is from the Uzumaki Clan, you know."

Minato explained: "That clan excels at Sealing Jutsu, so related summoning techniques are practically their specialty."

"Since that's settled, I'll be heading out."

Tsunade said, rising to leave.

"Eh? So soon?"

"Isn't this too rushed? Can't you leave after eating?"

"No, there is no time to lose. The sooner I perfect this, the sooner I can return. Don't worry, I won't be gone for long."

Tsunade waved her hand, ignoring their attempts to make her stay, and left after grabbing her ninja tool pouch.

She had worked hard to steel her resolve, and she feared that if she stayed any longer, she wouldn't want to leave at all.

"My sister... she's been acting a bit strange lately."

After Tsunade left, the three returned to the table, and Nawaki said with some concern: "I don't know why, but her mood swings have been quite intense."

Kushina's eyes lit up: "Could it be that she's in love?"

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Nawaki waved his hand: "My sister has very high standards. I've never seen her look at any boy differently—well, except for Minato, but that guy's talent is truly explosive."

Kushina looked at Minato: "Does Minato know what's going on?"

"I don't."

Minato shook his head, a faint, imperceptible smile flashing in his eyes. He had sensed the aura of a Wood Clone Seed in the courtyard.

The Wood Clone Seed had a tracking function, but looking at the situation, Tsunade was clearly unaware of this...