Answer

Hokage Tower, Hiruzen's office.

His pipe rested on the corner of the desk, and Sarutobi Hiruzen stood before a map with his hands behind his back.

"Sunagakure has pulled back their entire line, Amegakure has voluntarily withdrawn, and the eastern front has stabilized."

He turned around, sweeping his gaze over the three people standing before him.

"The title of 'Konoha Sannin' bestowed by Hanzo himself has spread across the front lines of every nation."

Jiraiya crossed his arms over his chest and chuckled.

"That's right, that's right, I, Lord Jiraiya—"

"It is primarily because Tsunade broke Chiyo's poisons on the western front, and Hagoromo Kaede held off Hanzo's kusarigama on the eastern front."

Jiraiya's smile froze on his face.

"...Teacher, can you not do that every time?"

The corners of Tsunade's mouth curled up, but she ignored him.

Hiruzen sat back down in his chair and picked up his pipe to light it.

"The Second War is drawing to a close, and every nation is pulling back its forces. The three of you should take this time to rest and recover."

He took a puff, his gaze slowly sweeping back and forth between Kitahara Kaede and Tsunade.

He said nothing more.

"That's all. Go on back."

As the three reached the door, Jiraiya suddenly slapped his forehead, turned around, and shouted at Hiruzen.

"Oh, right, Teacher! The first draft of my novel is almost finished. Can I have you look it over when it's done?"

Hiruzen, pipe in his mouth, frowned.

"Stop wasting your time on that nonsense."

"Heh, I'll just leave it on your desk when it's finished."

Hiruzen coughed, not denying him.

Jiraiya, having gotten his way, winked at Kitahara Kaede and turned to Tsunade.

"Let's go, together?"

"I'm going with Kaede, you go first," Tsunade said.

"Fine, fine. I'll go wander the streets and find some inspiration for my writing."

Tsunade's eyelid twitched.

"Speak like a human."

"I'm going to the bathhouse for research."

A shoe sole flew past the back of Jiraiya's head, thudding into the doorframe.

Jiraiya clutched his head, howling as he scrambled down the stairs, his voice fading into the distance.

Kitahara Kaede glanced at Tsunade.

"Wait for me outside for a moment. I still have something to discuss with the teacher."

Tsunade paused, nodded, and stepped out, closing the door behind her.

Only the master and student remained in the office.

"Teacher, are there any high-paying missions available recently?"

Hiruzen looked up at him.

"Didn't you just finish the war? Don't you want to rest?"

He took a puff of his pipe.

"Are you in dire need of money? With your current mission rating, your savings should be substantial."

Kitahara Kaede did not answer.

Hiruzen stared at him for two seconds.

Then, he suddenly smiled.

"I watched the two of you grow up."

His tone softened as he leaned back in his chair.

"Have you finally reached a conclusion?"

Kitahara Kaede did not deny it.

Hiruzen waved his hand.

"Fine. I'll have the Anbu send the files for recent high-paying missions to your home. With your current strength, just pick whichever you like."

"Thank you, Teacher."

Kitahara Kaede nodded, turned, and pushed the door open to leave.

Hiruzen stared at the closed door for a few seconds.

The smile remained on his lips, but his brow furrowed slightly.

To be in such a rush to take high-paying missions right after the war.

It didn't seem like the boy's style.

But he didn't dwell on it.

Perhaps he really was just short on cash.

Dusk.

Kitahara Kaede led Tsunade around the side path of the Hokage Rock, following a rarely used mountain trail upward.

Tsunade followed behind, saying nothing.

She knew what he was going to do.

She had spent the entire night tossing and turning, thinking about that "I'll prepare myself" from the other night.

But the closer she got to the answer, the more flustered she felt.

What if it wasn't what she thought?

As soon as the thought surfaced, she felt it was absurd.

From becoming playmates in the pavilion at age four, to entering the academy together, graduating together, and heading to the battlefield together.

After all these years, what else could it be?

Yet she was flustered, her palms slick with sweat.

The trail ended.

The cliff top was wide, with the entire Konoha Village spread out beneath their feet.

The setting sun dyed the rooftops, streets, and moats a deep gold.

The wind blew up from the valley floor.

Kitahara Kaede stopped and turned around.

Tsunade stood three steps away.

The sunset light fell upon her.

Her long, pale-gold hair was scattered by the wind, a few strands clinging to her cheeks.

Her amber eyes were rendered translucent by the afterglow, hiding nervousness, anticipation, and a tiny bit of fear she refused to admit.

Kitahara Kaede opened his mouth.

Suddenly, he didn't quite know how to begin.

There was a silence that lasted several seconds.

Tsunade grew even more nervous from the quiet.

Kitahara Kaede looked into her eyes.

"The answer hasn't changed since the day I taught you how to roll dice."

Tsunade's breath hitched.

The mountain wind rushed in, and all other sounds faded away.

"I love you."

"From then until now, every single day."

Tsunade's tears fell instantly.

She bit her lip and punched him in the chest.

Then she grabbed his collar and pulled him toward her with force.

Pressing her forehead against his chest, she spoke in a muffled voice.

"Do you know how long I've waited to hear that—"

Her voice was trembling.

"You jerk."

Kitahara Kaede reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist.

The person in his arms was shaking.

Her shoulders, her back, the fingers clutching his collar—everything was trembling.

He tightened his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head.

After a long while, the trembling slowly ceased.

Kitahara Kaede loosened his arms and cupped her face in his hands.

His thumbs wiped away the tear tracks at the corners of her eyes.

Tsunade tried to turn her head away.

He gently stopped her.

The two just looked at each other.

Her eyelashes were wet, the tip of her nose was red, and her lips were slightly pursed.

Her eyes were filled with all the grievances and joys of these past years.

Kitahara Kaede's head leaned forward instinctively.

Tsunade felt his breath drawing closer.

She closed her eyes.

His lips touched hers.

It was very light.

Soft, warm, and trembling slightly.

Tsunade's hands, which had been clutching his collar, loosened, then slowly tightened again.

Her entire weight leaned into him.

The wind blew from the edge of the cliff, whipping up their hair and clothes.

When they parted, Kitahara Kaede looked down at her.

Her flushed cheeks, her slightly parted lips...

Kitahara Kaede tightened the arm around her waist even further.

Tsunade let out a muffled sound as she was squeezed.

"Do you like me that much? Holding me so tight."

"Yes."

Tsunade looked up to glare at him, her eyes rimmed with red, but she couldn't suppress the smile on her lips.

She struggled in his arms, but when she couldn't break free, she stopped trying.

After another moment.

"Let go."

Kitahara Kaede didn't move.

"Let go, I have something for you."

Kitahara Kaede was curious.

"What is it?"

"How can I get it if you don't let go?"

He released her and took half a step back.

Tsunade lowered her head and fished something out of her pocket.

A necklace.

A dark green crystal pendant; as the sunset light passed through it, the green looked incredibly deep.

The necklace left behind by the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.

Tsunade looked up at him.

Then she wrapped her arms around his neck and hung the necklace on him.

They were very close.

Her fingers fumbled with the clasp at the back of his neck, her fingertips brushing his skin, causing her to pause for a second.

She fastened it, but didn't pull her hands away.

Her arms remained draped around his neck as she looked up at him.

There were still dried tear tracks in her eyes, but her lips held a smile.

"Grandfather left it behind."

Her voice was very soft.

"Now it's yours."

Kitahara Kaede looked down, his fingertips touching the green crystal.

He didn't speak, remaining silent for a beat.

Then, he looked into Tsunade's eyes.

"I will wear it always."

Tsunade smiled.

Her eyes curved into crescents as she buried her face back against his chest.

The setting sun dipped below the ridgeline.

The lights of Konoha Village flickered on, one by one.

The shadows of the two figures atop the cliff stretched out long, overlapping into one.