Gaining a Little Admirer: Uchiha Mikoto

A dozen or so minutes later.

Tsunade emerged from the women's changing room, shielding a group of women.

Thanks to Tsunade's fearsome display earlier, there wasn't a soul outside now.

"Lady Tsunade, we owe you so much today..."

"That's right. Without you, we wouldn't have known what to do..."

"You truly are the guardian of us women in Konoha!"

"..."

The women looked at Tsunade with gratitude.

Tsunade kept a straight face and nodded solemnly.

"I only did what I should."

"You've had a fright today. Hurry on home."

The women thanked her repeatedly, then hurried off without daring to linger.

Tsunade watched them go in silence.

She hadn't managed to take a bath today.

But back in the changing room, she'd used helping out as an excuse.

And she'd certainly made the most of it.

She'd helped several girls whose hands and legs had gone weak with fright get dressed and tie their sashes.

After all that close contact, she could call the day a success.

Tsunade felt thoroughly pleased with herself.

Watching the women scatter, Tsunade dusted off her hands and prepared to make her own escape.

Just then, a young girl appeared behind the changing room curtain.

She cautiously poked half her head out.

Tsunade's eyes lit up at once.

There she was!

The girl looked about twelve.

Her skin was fair and soft, her features delicate.

Her eyes were big and bright.

She was a beauty in the making.

She wore a pale purple bathrobe.

Her wet hair hung over her shoulders, water still dripping from the ends.

"Lady Tsunade..."

The girl spoke softly, her voice sweet.

"Thank you so much for earlier."

She stepped forward and bowed deeply to Tsunade.

"If you hadn't stepped up and directed everyone in time, I don't know what would have happened."

Tsunade immediately put on a kind smile and walked over.

Quite naturally, she reached out and ruffled the girl's still-damp hair.

"Don't be scared, little sister. With your big bro... Ahem, your big sister here, nobody can push us women around!"

Hearing those bold words, the girl looked up, her eyes shining.

"Lady Tsunade, having you in Konoha makes me feel so safe."

"Hahaha, oh, it was nothing. Just what I should do, what I should do~"

Tsunade waved a hand, delighted inside, and took the opportunity to ask.

"By the way, little sister, what's your name? I don't think I've seen you at the bathhouse before."

The girl blushed faintly and answered shyly:

"My name is Uchiha Mikoto."

Mikoto~

"Huh?"

Tsunade froze for a moment.

Uchiha Mikoto?

The wife of Uchiha Fugaku, the Uchiha clan's next head?

The mother of Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke?

The most beautiful woman in the Uchiha clan?!

No wonder she was so pretty!

"Lady Tsunade? Do you know me?"

Mikoto tilted her head and looked at her curiously.

Tsunade came back to herself and laughed.

"Of course I've heard of you! How could I not know the prettiest girl in the Uchiha clan?"

Mikoto's face went bright red.

"N-no... Lady Tsunade is much more womanly than I am."

"Womanly?"

Tsunade scrunched up her nose and sniffed twice.

There was no womanly scent.

She reeked of sweat, though.

But she caught Mikoto sneaking glances at her chest.

Oh, I see.

That's the kind of womanly she meant~!

Tsunade's eyes darted.

She threw an arm around Uchiha Mikoto's shoulders.

And pulled her into an embrace.

"Oh, don't compare that. You're still young. You've got plenty of room to grow!"

As she spoke, she secretly took several deep breaths of Uchiha Mikoto's sweet scent.

It helped cancel out the smell of sweat on her.

"Mmph—!"

Mikoto bumped into Tsunade's chest and could barely breathe.

But she didn't struggle.

Lady Tsunade is so soft, so warm, so comfortable. I feel so safe with her...

She looked up at Tsunade, her eyes full of admiration.

"Lady Tsunade, you were amazing back there!"

"You sent that peeping creep flying with one punch... I didn't even see how you threw it!"

"Oh? That..."

Tsunade scratched the back of her head, a little embarrassed.

After all, the one she'd sent flying had been her "accomplice" and "scapegoat."

"Really, I just... hit him pretty hard. There wasn't any technique to it."

Mikoto shook her head repeatedly, her expression earnest.

"It wasn't just strength!"

"You rushed over and smashed the bricks, blocked those men's view, and directed us to take cover."

"You did it all so quickly and decisively!"

"You really were amazing!"

The praise went to Tsunade's head a little, though she kept her answer modest.

"Come on, come on. That was nothing special."

Mikoto couldn't help laughing at how Tsunade pretended to take it all in stride. Then she quickly covered her mouth.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing... I just think you're so interesting, Lady Tsunade."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Interesting?"

"Mm! You're amazing and interesting, and so gentle, too..."

Mikoto lowered her head as she spoke, her voice growing quieter.

"I wish I could be like you."

Seeing the longing on the girl's face left Tsunade feeling even more pleased with herself.

She reached out and patted Mikoto's head again.

"If anyone gives you trouble out there, tell them my name. Got it?"

Mikoto's head shot up, her dark eyes shining with excitement.

"Can I really?"

"When have I ever lied to anyone?"

"Mm! I'll remember that!"

Mikoto nodded firmly. Then, after a moment's thought, she added quietly:

"Then... can I come see you sometime? We could take a bath together."

Uchiha Mikoto looked at Tsunade expectantly.

"Of course! You're welcome anytime!"

Tsunade answered with a perfectly straight face.

Mikoto nodded hard, overjoyed.

She looked just like a little fan whose idol had singled her out.

Tsunade was delighted too.

Heh, I've gained myself a little admirer!

She may be young now, but she has enormous potential!

And bonds like this... you've got to start building them early~ Hehe.

She was lost in her fantasies.

In the distance, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded.

A young man in a Konoha shinobi uniform came running over.

His eyes lit up the moment he saw Tsunade.

"Thank goodness! Lady Tsunade! You really are here!"

Tsunade's heart sank. She had a bad feeling about this.

She let go of Mikoto and turned around.

"What is it? Why the rush?"

"Lord Jiraiya... he's badly hurt!"

The shinobi panted, speaking rapidly.

"It was like someone dropped him out of the sky. He slammed down beside the training ground."

"Several ribs are broken, and so is his arm!"

"The medical shinobi are trying to save him, but his injuries are so severe he's on the verge of dying..."

"Please, come take a look!"

Tsunade's mouth twitched.

At the time, all she'd cared about was saving her own skin at his expense.

Come to think of it... she really hadn't held back much, had she?

She'd only just acquired this monstrous strength, after all.

She hadn't quite mastered the difference between the force needed for a "friendly face-breaking punch" and a fatal blow.

Don't tell me I actually killed Jiraiya...

"Ahem! I'll go right now."

Without explaining, she turned to Mikoto.

"Mikoto, we'll leave it there for today. I've got something to deal with. Let's take a bath together next time~"

Mikoto nodded obediently.

"All right, Lady Tsunade. Take care on your way!"

Tsunade laughed. "Why would I need to be careful? I'm not the one who's hurt."

With that, she took off, sprinting toward the training ground on the village's west side.

Mikoto stood where she was, watching Tsunade disappear into the distance.

Tsunade stood tall and moved with purpose, setting off without a moment's hesitation.

Her long golden hair swept through the sunlight in a beautiful arc.

The hem of her clothes fluttered.

She ran farther and farther away.

Mikoto slowly pressed a hand to her chest.

She could hear her own heartbeat.

One beat after another.

Fast and heavy.

"Lady Tsunade... she's so cool..."

"I want to be a woman like Lady Tsunade."

The wind stirred the hem of her yukata.

Mikoto's little nose twitched.

She sniffed at the scent Tsunade had left on her.

"Lady Tsunade smells so good..."

She whispered it, and a faint blush rose to her cheeks.

But soon she clenched her little fists.

"I'm going to get stronger."

"Just like Lady Tsunade."

"I'll send every stinking man who bullies us flying!"

The setting sun stretched her shadow long.

The young girl's secret wish quietly took root.