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 clans.

Yamanaka Sora.

Ria Nara.

Lola Akimichi.

Their weekly gathering was a rare chance to relax amid the demands of clan affairs.

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

Yamanaka Sora welcomed Tsunade warmly.

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

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, by contrast, had a more androgynous look.

She wore a simple, pale-purple kimono.

She looked remarkably capable.

Mrs. Nara~

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

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

They knew Tsunade well enough.

As the Konoha Princess, she had crossed paths with them on all sorts of occasions.

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

And as the First's granddaughter, Tsunade naturally inspired a sense of closeness and affection in them.

Word that Tsunade had saved Hoshina Hyuga and her daughter had also spread among the women of Konoha's upper circles.

That affection now carried a measure of admiration.

And even a hint of a desire to get on her good side.

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

In the past, though, Tsunade had seemed uninterested in these "wives' gatherings" and rarely attended.

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

"No need to 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 attitude helped Lola Akimichi and Ria Nara relax.

The tea party soon got underway.

Yamanaka Sora brewed flower tea herself.

Lola Akimichi brought homemade sweets.

Ria Nara shared a few tips on herbs and keeping healthy.

Tsunade soon fit right in.

She talked with Ria Nara about deer and medicinal ingredients.

Drawing on experience from two lifetimes, Tsunade spoke with impressive authority.

Ria Nara was quite surprised.

Then Tsunade talked food with Lola Akimichi.

That was even more her specialty.

From how long to grill meat to which desserts went together best,

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 to recent events.

Hoshina Hyuga's difficult childbirth.

"Mrs. Hoshina was incredibly lucky this time."

Ria Nara sighed softly, sympathy and concern in her voice.

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

Lola Akimichi nodded and touched her waist.

"Yes. After I had my boy, my lower back hurt for ages. It still bothers me when the weather turns damp."

At that, Tsunade waved a hand without thinking.

"No. I've taken good care of Mrs. Hoshina. She won't have any lasting 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 mentioned can be eased or even cured."

"Lower back pain, sensitivity to cold, poor circulation and low vitality—that sort of thing."

"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 focuses on problems left over from childbirth."

Tsunade set down her cup and flexed her fingers.

"What do you think? Want to give it a try?"

"I'm free today anyway. I can check you over and give you a massage while I'm at it."

"For free. Think of it as... a special tea-party service?"

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

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

Lola Akimichi hesitated.

"What trouble? We're all friends. We should help each other."

Tsunade smiled with complete "sincerity."

"Besides, I'm one of Konoha's strongest medical ninja. Helping you get back into shape will be a piece of cake."

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

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

They moved to a room nearby that was more spacious and lined with cushions.

Yamanaka Sora lay facedown, a little nervous.

She slowly slipped off her top.

Her smooth, flawless back was exposed.

Tsunade rubbed her hands together and grinned.

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

A faint green Chakra glow rose from her palm.

She placed it on Yamanaka Sora's prominent collarbone.

Then she began working along specific meridians.

"Mmm..."

Yamanaka Sora shivered slightly.

A short, low moan escaped her.

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

The fatigue in her neck and shoulders quickly eased.

"How does that feel?"

Tsunade pressed a particular pressure point.

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

Yamanaka Sora's voice sounded faint.

Her face was buried in the cushion, and the tips of her ears reddened.

The Chakra seemed to have a life of its own as it slipped into her body.

It dispelled years of accumulated strain and cold.

It brought a sense of release and ease she could hardly describe.

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

"Mmm..."

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

The little moans trembled with satisfaction.

They looked at each other.

Both their faces grew warm.

Why did those sounds seem a little... strange?

While they puzzled over it outside,

Tsunade was having the time of her life inside.

This was a full-body massage she could give openly!

She could massage anywhere she wanted!

And her hands had never felt better!

Yamanaka Sora had given birth, but she had kept her figure remarkably well.

Her skin was smooth, her muscles soft yet springy.

Tsunade used professional techniques to ease her meridians.

All the while, she happily enjoyed this little "perk."

"Mrs. Sora, since having your child, do you sometimes feel a chill in your lower abdomen? Does your lower back ache badly when you've been working hard?"

Tsunade asked as she worked.

"Yes... yes, I do. How did you know?"

Yamanaka Sora's voice was muffled.

"Your blood and energy aren't flowing smoothly, and your pelvic floor muscles need strengthening."

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

Tsunade sounded perfectly serious, but her hands never stopped moving.

Her Chakra seeped precisely... into the area she was treating.

"O-okay... thank you, Lady Tsunade... ah... there... a little gentler..."

Yamanaka Sora felt as though she were melting into the cushion.

The unprecedented comfort and relaxation nearly lulled her to sleep.

It was quite a while before Tsunade finally stopped.

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

Yamanaka Sora slowly pushed herself up.

Her cheeks were still flushed.

Her eyes looked a little dazed.

"That... that felt wonderful. I feel several pounds lighter... Lady Tsunade, you're incredible!"

Lola Akimichi and Ria Nara came in.

They saw Yamanaka Sora looking as though she had been thoroughly "conquered."

Their last doubts vanished.

"Me! I'm next!"

Lola Akimichi hurried into the room ahead of Ria.

The Akimichi clan had unusual physiques and fuller figures.

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

This time Tsunade put in a little more effort and increased her Chakra output.

Her touch grew steadier and firmer.

By the time Tsunade finished, much of the heaviness and dull pain 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 the best grilled meat we have!"

"As much as you can eat! What you just did was nothing short of miraculous!"

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

"You've got a deal! I love barbecue!"

Then came Mrs. Nara's turn.

What happened exactly could wait.

Suffice it to say, when Mrs. Nara came out, she gazed at Tsunade with stars in her eyes.

What had begun as an elegant tea party

had turned into a full-blown Tsunade massage session.

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

"Lady Tsunade, you must come back next week!" Yamanaka Sora said, holding Tsunade's hand.

"Yes, you promised to keep treating us 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.

"Keep it up for two months, and do the simple exercises I taught you. I guarantee those little ailments of yours will be mostly gone."

As they watched Tsunade leave, the three women were full of emotion.

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

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

"And she has her own training to do, yet she still made time to come and 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 aching fingers, delighted.

The wives of the Ino–Shika–Cho clans are on my side—for now!

Another day well spent!

She could already picture her future campaign for Hokage.

The Ino–Shika–Cho vote is practically beckoning to me.