Not Allowed!

Ye Ning had honestly been tempted to splash a glass of water in Tsunade's face to wake her up. But he was afraid that once her fiery temper fully awakened, she'd grab him and beat him to a pulp. After thinking it over, he decided it was better not to tempt fate.

Ye Ning vaguely remembered meeting her once many years ago. He'd only just crossed over at the time, and while still a little out of it, he'd casually muttered "Benbo'erba." Tsunade had chased him for three whole streets!

In the end, he ran out of strength and she caught him. Tsunade hadn't gone all out, seeing as he was still young, but he'd still gotten a few knocks on the head.

After a glass of cold water, Tsunade finally came around. Her eyes naturally settled on Ye Ning, surprise in her expression.

"Ye Ning?"

There was a hint of uncertainty in her voice.

Her impression of Ye Ning was still from the last time she'd visited the Capital of the Land of Fire. Back then, that lecherous little brat had done nothing but stare at her big melons, leaving a deep impression on her. And yet, after just a few years, his appearance had changed so much.

Even with her discerning eye, Tsunade had to admit that the little brat had grown into a rather handsome young man.

And without her even noticing, he'd grown taller than her...

"Come on, Tsunade, you finally remembered me. I was about to turn around and leave if you didn't."

Ye Ning pursed his lips, clearly unhappy with how she'd acted earlier.

"You little brat! You should call me big sister!"

Tsunade clenched her teeth, looking thoroughly annoyed as Ye Ning scolded her. She instinctively wanted to settle things with her fists.

But the moment she raised her hand, Ye Ning stepped back twice as if he'd seen it coming, giving her no chance to hit him.

"Tch. You almost forgot who I was, and you still expect me to call you big sister? Dream on!"

"You little brat! Do you have any idea how to respect your elders?"

"An elder I've only seen twice since I was born? Oh, right. This is the third time."

"Even if you've only seen me three times, I'm still your big sister!"

"Sure thing, Tsunade."

"Argh! You little punk, are you trying to drive me crazy?!"

The punk in front of her seemed to know exactly how to get under her skin. Just a sentence or two was enough to make her lose it. Now she was grabbing at her own hair in frustration, as if it were Ye Ning's head.

Her golden hair was a complete mess from all the tugging, and Ye Ning watched with a mixture of awe and alarm.

Ninja really are something else. Their hair's so strong. She's yanking on it that hard, and there isn't even a sign she's going bald.

Though Tsunade was conscious now, the aftereffects of her hangover still weighed heavily on her. Her whole body was limp, and she couldn't muster any strength. After venting her frustration, she slumped lazily onto the ground, arms and legs spread wide.

Normally, those two big melons would surely have sagged at least a little in that position. But Tsunade's defied all known laws of nature, still standing firm. They even swayed after her large movements.

A wave of dizziness washed over him.

Ye Ning's gaze clearly lingered for a moment. He quickly looked away, then, as if possessed, let his eyes drift back before turning away again.

Tsunade didn't notice the change in Ye Ning's gaze at all. She closed her eyes and composed herself.

"Why aren't you staying in the Capital of the Land of Fire? What are you doing here? The Daimyo actually let you leave? Wait, don't tell me you snuck out."

Ye Ning's mouth twitched again, and he suddenly felt an urge to slap Tsunade.

Why was she always so infuriating?!

He really wanted to smack her.

Is this really what you think of me?

Ye Ning grumpily pulled the ninja Forehead Protector he'd just received from his pouch and tossed it down at her.

The Forehead Protector landed squarely on target.

Tsunade, who had been looking completely relaxed, sat bolt upright. Her eyes flew open, but when she saw the Forehead Protector, she froze in place, her expression slowly turning strange.

"Forgot to tell you, I'm a Konoha ninja now. Father knows about it too. I didn't sneak out."

Ye Ning hadn't noticed Tsunade's expression. He was busy weighing how to bring up what was on his mind.

The strange behavior of that Senju ninja from earlier still lingered in his thoughts. On top of that, the only Senju he'd seen along the way was that one. He was burning with curiosity and wanted to ask Tsunade what was going on, but was afraid that bringing it up out of the blue would touch a sore spot.

Huh? Why wasn't Tsunade reacting?

Ye Ning looked up, puzzled, and immediately noticed that something was off with her.

What was going on...?

Had he said something wrong?

He didn't think so.

Why did she look so flushed and pained, like she was about to cry?

Ye Ning hurriedly bent down and raised a hand.

"Did I say something wrong?"

"Hey, Tsunade, are you actually crying...?"

"Absolutely not!"

Her sudden shout startled Ye Ning. Confusion spread across his face. "What's absolutely not?"

"I said I don't agree to you becoming a ninja! Absolutely not!"

Tsunade's emotions collapsed in an instant. In her panic, she yelled right at Ye Ning.

"You little brat, you've lived in the Capital of the Land of Fire since you were born, surrounded by every luxury! What do you think being a ninja is? Playing pretend? Ninjas die! You don't understand a thing!"

So that was it...

Ye Ning sighed inwardly.

After losing her younger brother, her lover, and so many members of her clan, she couldn't hold back her feelings. She didn't want him to become a ninja too.

Or maybe Tsunade had come to see him as someone dear to her, and didn't want him to meet the same fate as Nawaki.

But if he didn't become a ninja, he'd never be able to protect himself.

In that moment, Ye Ning had no idea how to comfort her. He edged closer and tried to pat her back, but his hand met nothing but softness. He snatched it back as if shocked.

"Becoming a ninja was a decision I thought through carefully, and Father agreed. I know that ninjas can't avoid facing death..."

"You don't know a damn thing!"

Tsunade lifted her flushed face. A few glistening tears seemed to cling to her fair cheeks. "You have no idea what a ninja has to face. Nawaki is dead! He's dead! He didn't even leave behind an intact body, and I didn't even get to see him one last time! You should be waiting to inherit the title of Daimyo instead of coming here to fool around!"

Ye Ning opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

Any words he could offer now seemed woefully inadequate.

Tsunade was cutting open the most painful scars in her heart, one by one. They were raw and bleeding, impossible to look away from.