Yamanaka Sora, Ria Nara, and Lola Akimichi

A few days later.

Tsunade attended Mrs. Yamanaka's tea party.

It was held at her flower shop.

There weren't many guests, only three.

They were the wives of the three Ino–Shika–Cho families.

Yamanaka Sora.

Ria Nara.

Lola Akimichi.

Their weekly gathering was a rare chance to relax amid their busy family duties.

"Lady Tsunade, I'm so glad you could come!"

Yamanaka Sora welcomed Tsunade inside.

"This is Mrs. Lola of the Akimichi family, and this is Mrs. Ria of the Nara family."

Lola Akimichi was a full-figured woman with a warm smile.

She looked to be in her early thirties and wore a loose kimono bearing the Akimichi Crest.

Mrs. Akimichi.

Ria Nara had a more androgynous air.

She wore a simple, pale-purple kimono.

She looked sharp and capable.

Mrs. Nara.

"Lady Tsunade, it's been a long time."

Lola Akimichi and Ria Nara both rose and dipped their heads in greeting.

Tsunade was no stranger to them.

As the Konoha Princess, she had met them at various events.

The three Ino–Shika–Cho families had always been fiercely loyal to Konoha.

They felt a natural warmth toward Tsunade, the First Hokage's granddaughter.

And word that Tsunade had saved Hoshina Hyuga and her daughter had spread among the wives of Konoha's senior figures.

Their affection for her had gained a measure of admiration.

Even a desire to win her favor.

After all, who could guarantee that a woman in their family would never face a difficult birth?

Tsunade had never seemed interested in these gatherings of wives before and rarely attended.

Now was a perfect chance to get to know her better.

"Don't be so formal. Just call me Tsunade."

Tsunade waved a hand and plopped down on an empty cushion.

"All this 'Lady' business sounds awkward."

Her easygoing manner helped Lola Akimichi and Ria Nara relax.

The tea party soon got underway.

Yamanaka Sora brewed the flower tea herself.

Lola Akimichi had brought homemade sweets.

Ria Nara shared a few things she knew about herbs and keeping healthy.

Tsunade quickly joined in.

She talked with Ria Nara about deer and medicinal herbs.

Drawing on the experience of two lifetimes, Tsunade spoke with such knowledge that she surprised Ria Nara.

Then she talked food with Lola Akimichi.

That was even more Tsunade's specialty.

From the right heat for grilling meat to pairing desserts,

she had Lola Akimichi's eyes shining as she nodded along.

It felt as though they should have met years ago.

As they chatted, the conversation drifted toward recent events.

Hoshina Hyuga's difficult birth.

"Mrs. Hoshina was incredibly lucky."

Ria Nara sighed softly, her voice full of sympathy and concern.

"She went through so much. I wonder if it'll leave her with any lasting problems."

Lola Akimichi nodded and touched her lower back.

"Yes. After I had my boy, my back hurt for ages. It still acts up when it rains."

Tsunade waved a hand without thinking.

"It won't. I've treated Mrs. Hoshina thoroughly. She won't have any lingering problems."

"I guarantee she'll recover to better health than she had before giving birth."

She took a sip of tea, then went on.

"Actually, a lot of the postpartum problems you're talking about can be eased or even cured."

"Back pain, feeling cold, low energy from poor circulation—things like that."

"Specific massage techniques combined with Chakra treatment work very well."

"Massage?"

Yamanaka Sora's eyes lit up.

"Like what you mentioned last time, using Chakra to treat the body?"

"More or less, but this targets problems left over from childbirth."

Tsunade set down her teacup and flexed her fingers.

"What do you say? Want to try it?"

"I'm free today, so I can examine you and give it a go."

"No charge. Call it... a tea-party special?"

The women exchanged glances. They were tempted, but a little embarrassed.

"Wouldn't that be too much trouble for you?"

Lola Akimichi hesitated.

"Not at all. We're friends. We help each other."

Tsunade gave her a thoroughly "sincere" smile.

"Besides, I'm one of Konoha's best medical ninja. Helping you feel better is easy."

In the end, Yamanaka Sora, who knew Tsunade best, spoke first.

"Then... sorry for the trouble, Lady Tsunade! I'll try it first!"

They moved to a room beside the shop that had more space and padded mats.

A little nervous, Yamanaka Sora lay facedown.

She slowly slipped off her top,

revealing her smooth, flawless back.

Tsunade rubbed her hands together and grinned.

"Relax, Mrs. Sora. I'll be gentle..."

A faint green Chakra glow spread across her palm.

She placed it against Yamanaka Sora's prominent collarbone.

Then she began working along specific pathways.

"Mmm..."

Yamanaka Sora trembled slightly.

A short, low moan escaped her.

The warmth of the Chakra mingled with the deep ache of precise pressure.

The fatigue in her neck and shoulders quickly eased.

"How does that feel?"

Tsunade pressed a particular point.

"Ah... it hurts a little, but... it feels so good..."

Yamanaka Sora's voice sounded distant.

Her face was buried in the mat, and the tips of her ears had turned pink.

The Chakra seemed alive as it entered her body.

It drove away years of accumulated strain and chill.

What remained was an almost indescribable feeling of ease and release.

She couldn't help letting out another, longer sound.

"Mmm..."

Outside the door, Lola Akimichi and Ria Nara heard the faint sounds coming from within.

The murmurs quivered with satisfaction.

They looked at each other.

Both their faces grew warm.

Why did those sounds seem a little strange?

While they wondered outside,

Tsunade was having the time of her life.

This was a full-body massage she could give out in the open!

She could massage anywhere she wanted!

And Yamanaka Sora felt wonderful beneath her hands.

Though she'd had a child, she had kept herself in excellent shape.

Her skin was smooth, and her muscles were soft yet firm.

Tsunade used professional techniques to ease the tension along her body

while privately enjoying this "perk" to the fullest.

"Mrs. Sora, ever since you gave birth, have you sometimes felt a chill in your lower abdomen and a deep ache in your lower back after tiring yourself out?"

Tsunade kept massaging as she asked.

"Y-yes... How did you know?"

Yamanaka Sora's reply came out muffled.

"Your circulation is a little sluggish, and your pelvic floor muscles could use some strengthening."

"I'll use Chakra to stimulate the cells here, then teach you a few simple exercises you can do at home."

Tsunade sounded perfectly serious, but her hands never stopped.

Her Chakra penetrated precisely into the area she was treating.

"O-okay... Thank you, Lady Tsunade... Ah... there... a little gentler..."

Yamanaka Sora felt as if she might melt into the mat.

She had never felt so relaxed or comfortable. She was nearly asleep.

Only after a good while did Tsunade stop.

"All done, Mrs. Sora. How do you feel?"

Yamanaka Sora slowly sat up.

Her cheeks were still flushed.

Her eyes looked slightly unfocused.

"S-so good... I feel several pounds lighter... Lady Tsunade, you're amazing!"

Lola Akimichi and Ria Nara came in.

The sight of Yamanaka Sora looking so thoroughly won over

erased their last doubts.

"Me! I'm next!"

Lola Akimichi hurried into the room first.

The Akimichi family had unusual physiques, with fuller figures.

Their muscle and fat layers were thicker than most people's, making them hard to reach with ordinary massage.

Tsunade took it a little more seriously this time and increased her Chakra output.

Her movements became steadier and firmer.

By the time she finished, much of the heaviness and dull ache Lola Akimichi had lived with for years had faded.

Her body felt lighter than it ever had.

"Lady Tsunade!"

Lola Akimichi sat up excitedly and seized Tsunade's hand.

"You must come to our family's barbecue restaurant! I'll treat you to our finest meat!"

"As much as you can eat! What you did was a miracle!"

Tsunade grinned and patted the back of Lola Akimichi's plump hand.

"Deal! I love barbecue!"

Then it was Mrs. Nara's turn.

What exactly happened could wait.

Suffice it to say that when Mrs. Nara emerged, the way she looked at Tsunade was practically lovestruck.

What had begun as an elegant tea party

had turned entirely into a chance to experience Tsunade's massages.

When Tsunade finally said goodbye, the three women walked her all the way to the door, reluctant to see her go.

"Lady Tsunade, you have to come again next week!" Yamanaka Sora said, holding Tsunade's hand.

"Yes, we agreed to keep up the treatment for two months," Ria Nara added gently.

"Barbecue! Don't forget the barbecue!" Lola Akimichi insisted.

"Don't worry. Same time next week. I'll be here."

Tsunade agreed readily.

"Stick with it for two months and do the simple exercises I taught you. I guarantee those little aches and pains will be mostly gone."

The three women watched Tsunade leave, their hearts full.

"I never expected Lady Tsunade to be so approachable—or such an incredible healer."

Lola Akimichi rubbed her lower back, which felt much better now.

"And she has her own training to do, yet she still made time to come here just to give us massages."

Ria Nara sounded touched, and a little embarrassed.

Yamanaka Sora nodded emphatically.

"Lady Tsunade truly cares about us women. Konoha is lucky to have her."

The three women's respect and affection for Tsunade

had reached a new height.

On her way home, Tsunade flexed her slightly aching fingers, delighted.

The wives of the Ino–Shika–Cho clans are the first step taken care of!

Another day well spent~

She could already picture the day she ran for Hokage,

with the votes of the Ino–Shika–Cho clans there for the taking.