Investment in Tsunade

"Xuanhui, I have a small question."

"Hmm? Go ahead, Sister Tsunade!"

With Senju Nawaki on his back, Xuanhui traveled along the forest paths with Tsunade.

"Orochimaru said you're of mixed blood from four clans... so which surname do you use?"

"Hahaha! I thought it was going to be something serious!

I can use all four surnames. Grandpa said they'd already discussed it and decided that 'Xuanhui' could be my given name. Whenever I go out, I can use whichever of the four surnames comes to mind!"

When Xuanhui had first learned that he would become a servant to four surnames, he had instinctively wanted to resist.

But after experiencing the benefits of being a clan member, he couldn't help saying... it really was wonderful!

"Doesn't Sister Tsunade usually go without a surname too? Everyone calls you Princess Tsunade."

"It was just the family's idea. I'm not really the type who likes using a surname anyway!"

As the two chatted, they arrived at Tsunade's home.

"By the way, Sister Tsunade, you're a medical ninja, right?"

Just as Tsunade was about to make him tea and invite him to stay for dinner, Xuanhui asked a question first.

"Yes. Why?"

"I'm planning to give you a meeting gift!"

He bit his finger and, under Tsunade's astonished gaze, performed a summoning technique on the spot.

With a bang, a wooden door appeared, piquing Tsunade's curiosity.

"Sister Tsunade, wait here a moment!"

Xuanhui pushed open the door and entered the library to search through the shelves.

"What brings you to see me so late?"

"I'm not here to see you, Teacher. Sister Tsunade is outside, and I'm picking out two books for her."

"Oh? Tsunade is here?"

Hearing the conversation, Tsunade peered through the doorway.

A dazzling array of books came into view, while the antique, solid-looking bookshelves gave the place an especially grand air.

Orochimaru sat beside a small wooden table, where an open book lay before him.

"Xuanhui! Can I come in?"

"Come in, Tsunade."

When Orochimaru saw Tsunade, he raised a hand and beckoned her inside.

Sounding somewhat resentful, Xuanhui grumbled, "Teacher Orochimaru, you're making it seem like you're the owner here..."

"My disciple's things are my things, aren't they?"

Orochimaru teased him, which surprised Tsunade slightly.

"I never thought even you would joke around with a child, Orochimaru!"

Tsunade walked over to Orochimaru and patted his shoulder approvingly, turning even his fair arm red.

"Tsunade, people always change."

Orochimaru calmly took a sip of water, returning to his usual aloof demeanor.

"How is Jiraiya doing these days?"

"Him? He's still traveling, but he should be back soon. Teacher Sarutobi has already sent him a letter."

"Tsunade, you've had quite a few missions lately too, haven't you?"

Orochimaru abruptly changed the subject, and even the air seemed to grow heavy.

"You mean..."

"Yes. Just as Xuanhui said, war is about to break out...

Recently, someone named Hanzo the Salamander has emerged in the Land of Rain. He's a man of great ambition and strength!"

Tsunade's expression became complicated, and the light in her eyes visibly dimmed.

Whenever war was mentioned, she rejected it from the bottom of her heart.

Her grandfather and granduncle had spent their entire lives protecting peace, yet war had still broken out in later generations!

"Xuanhui understands these things too?"

"He's a child with vast knowledge and great wisdom!"

As they spoke, Xuanhui came running over with seven or eight books in his arms.

Tsunade took the books and looked them over.

"Modern Medicine, Compendium of Materia Medica..."

"Sister Tsunade, these books contain practical medical knowledge, so please keep them at your home for now!

Once you've mastered them, just return them to me."

Xuanhui had considered giving them to her outright. After all, not all these books were useful to him.

But the library's rules only allowed him to lend books out. The moment he said words like "give" or "no need to return," the books would automatically return to their original places.

"Wow! Thank you, Xuanhui!"

After flipping through several pages, Tsunade discovered plenty of medical knowledge she had never encountered before.

She happily accepted the books.

While Xuanhui was still grinning foolishly, Tsunade lowered her head and kissed his forehead.

It was not affection. It was simply encouragement for a child she liked.

Orochimaru had no idea what he ought to say in a situation like this. He felt it was better to say nothing.

"Thank you so much, Xuanhui!"

Xuanhui's cheeks reddened, and his eyes darted away evasively.

"Are you embarrassed?"

Orochimaru asked that.

"A little..."

It was the first time in more than thirty years that he had touched a woman unrelated to him by blood, and it had actually made his heart race...

"Well... would you like to stay for dinner? Nawaki should be waking up soon too."

"I'll pass, Sister Tsunade. I still have school tomorrow, so I'm heading home first!"

Xuanhui dashed out through the wooden door. Tsunade glanced back at Orochimaru, then left as well.

By the time he ran home, it was completely dark.

"Why are you back so late?"

Nara Yamanaka stood before Xuanhui and asked gently.

"I ran into Teacher Orochimaru and one of his old friends. We stayed together for a while, so I got delayed."

"Alright, go wash your hands. Your father has been waiting forever; we're just waiting to start dinner!"

Xuanhui hurriedly changed his shoes, rushed into the bathroom to wash his hands, then rushed into the kitchen and took his seat.

"Let's eat!" ×3

Their warm family dinner finally began.

"Xuanhui graduates tomorrow, right?"

"That's right."

"So, are you looking forward to ninja life?"

"If there's no fighting, I think I'll like it."

"Looks like our Xuanhui is quite smart..."

Nara Yamanaka stroked Xuanhui's head.

"After you graduate, make sure you make good friends! Don't associate with those shady people! If you run into problems with your training, make sure you tell Mom when you get home. Mom will definitely find a way to help! And you must respect your teachers..."

"I know, Mom. It's not my first day being a student!"

"You little brat!"

Nara Yamanaka reached out and twisted his right ear.

"Hey, hey, hey! Mom! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Didn't we agree not to scold the child at the dinner table?"

The moment Uchiha Uzumaki saw this, he did not hesitate for even a second.

"Wife, leave the left ear to me!"

"Dad, don't make things worse!"

Xuanhui slapped away his father's reaching paw, then hugged his mother, making her loosen her grip.

"Mom, I know you love me, but I'm already a big kid. I understand all this!

If you nag less, I'll be able to love you even more."

Nara Yamanaka felt the warmth around her waist, and Xuanhui's words lingered in her mind.

It made her motherly love completely erupt.

She hugged Xuanhui, her palm tousling his hair as though she were kneading a Rasengan.

"Hahaha! Xuanhui! You're so adorable! Let Mommy play with you a little longer!"

"Stop! Mom! Can we eat first? I've been tired all day, and I'm starving!"

"Oh, a little while longer won't hurt. Let Mommy hug you a bit more!"

"Dad, save me!"

Uchiha Uzumaki fell silent at that moment, lowering his head as though he had heard nothing.

"This braised eggplant is really... eggplanty!"