By the time Tsunade emerged from the space and tiptoed back to her room, dawn was already breaking.
In fact, when Shin Uchiha finished copying Tsunade's Senju Clan bloodline and merging it into himself to obtain a sage body, it had only just reached midnight.
If Tsunade had returned then, she could still have enjoyed a good night's sleep without disrupting anything she had to do the next day.
But after Shin Uchiha obtained a sage body with Tsunade's help, they were both so excited that they did a few things they simply couldn't help themselves from doing.
Besides, both of them had physiques that were practically inhuman. Shin Uchiha now even possessed a sage body; he probably wouldn't tire even if he fought for three days and nights.
They were evenly matched, each having found a worthy opponent, and their battle was too fierce for either to pull away. They fought many more rounds after that. If Tsunade hadn't reluctantly returned out of concern that she wouldn't be able to explain herself to Shizune, there was no telling when either of them would have left the space.
When Tsunade slipped quietly into her room, she found Shizune asleep at her table, just as she had expected.
Not daring to disturb her, Tsunade crept over to the bed and slipped under the covers.
Just then, Shizune groggily lifted her head and looked at Tsunade, who had only just climbed into bed. "Mm, Lady Tsunade, you're back?"
Tsunade's heart leaped into her throat the moment Shizune woke. At Shizune's words, she pretended she had just been roused from sleep and said impatiently, "I've been back for ages. You were sleeping so soundly that I didn't disturb you. Hurry up and go back to bed."
Shizune's hand paused as she rubbed her