After comforting Kushina, Uchiha Ling left home.
He didn't head to the Military Police Force or the training grounds. Instead, he made his way toward Konoha Hospital.
He needed to see someone—his teacher, Tsunade.
Since returning from the battlefield, he hadn't yet paid Tsunade a proper visit.
Partly, it was because one thing after another had kept him busy. He also wanted to see how his teacher would react after hearing about his various "accomplishments."
At Konoha Hospital, his status as a jōnin and Tsunade's student made it easy for him to find out that she was in her private office and research lab.
He knocked. From inside came Tsunade's slightly languid, faintly impatient voice. "Come in."
Uchiha Ling pushed open the door and entered. The office was filled with the faint smell of disinfectant, along with a hint of alcohol.
Tsunade sat behind her desk, several medical scrolls piled in front of her. She seemed somewhat distracted, resting her chin on one hand while absently twirling a pen with the other.
She was still wearing her iconic tea-green jacket with black trim. Her golden twin ponytails fell over her shoulders, and her features were beautiful, though a trace of weariness and complicated emotion lingered between her brows.
When she saw Uchiha Ling enter, Tsunade visibly froze for a moment. Then a remarkably complicated look flashed through her amber eyes: surprise, relief, worry, and even a subtle stir of emotion she herself was unwilling to acknowledge.
"Well, well, if it isn't our great hero, famous throughout the Shinobi World. What brings you to my humble corner?"
Tsunade set down her pen. Her tone carried its usual teasing lilt, as if to hide the turmoil inside.
But Uchiha Ling keenly noticed her eyes carefully scanning him, with a trace of concern