Tsunade: Fail to Block This Punch, and You'll Die!

He didn't spend long catching up with the two women, one older and one younger.

That was because Shinji asked a question that made Tsunade frown. "Tsunade, may I look through the Senju Clan's books and archives?"

"The archives?"

Tsunade hesitated.

Shinji took the clean gauze Shizune thoughtfully handed him and thanked her.

Then he looked at Tsunade.

"Is that inconvenient? I was too presumptuous. An Uchiha asking to read the Senju Clan's books..."

"No."

Tsunade's expression turned peculiar. "Come with me."

With that, she turned and headed into the courtyard.

Shinji glanced at Shizune in confusion. She looked just as puzzled...

Mu, the two of them could only follow Tsunade.

A little later, all three stared at a warehouse piled high with clutter, coated in dust, and draped in spiderwebs like some monstrous spider's lair.

"Well... help yourself! It's all sorts of miscellaneous records. There aren't any ninjutsu or secret techniques, so read whatever you like for as long as you like!"

Tsunade turned and fled as soon as she finished speaking...

Shizune and Shinji stared in shock.

"This... is Lady Tsunade's house, right?"

"Uh..."

Shinji thought fast. "Well, you two haven't been back to the village in ages."

"Right, right!"

Shizune's eyes lit up. At last, she seemed to have found a reasonable excuse for Tsunade, even if the clutter before them looked as though no one had sorted it in a hundred years.

"Phew!"

Covered in dust, Shinji Uchiha gazed at the spotless warehouse and smiled with satisfaction.

Shizune hurried over with a tray. "Shinji, it's almost dark. Take a break. Lady Tsunade asked me to bring you some tea."

Shinji grabbed the teapot and drank straight from the spout.

"Ahh! I'm alive again!"

Shizune hid a giggle behind her hand. "Looks like you worked for