Just as Shin Uchiha and Nonō were about to get affectionate, Tsunade, who had been standing nearby the whole time, gave a pointed cough to remind the lovey-dovey pair that someone else was still there.
Nonō knew Lady Tsunade very well. A substantial part of her proficiency in Medical Ninjutsu came from Lady Tsunade's instruction. At her reminder, Nonō stuck out her tongue sheepishly and said,
"Sorry you had to see that, Lady Tsunade."
Tsunade shook her head. Looking at Nonō's visibly pregnant belly, she said with exasperation,
"I told you ages ago to watch out for a certain someone. How did you still end up letting him have his way?"
Nonō lowered her head in embarrassment. Lady Tsunade had indeed warned her, and she had readily agreed. But feelings were not something reason could control. The longer she spent with Shin, the more she realized she was drawn to him, until she eventually found herself hopelessly in love.
Then Shin had made his move. With her resolve already wavering, Nonō had fallen straight into his arms.
That had left Nonō feeling too embarrassed to face Lady Tsunade. After all, in her eyes, she had stolen Lady Tsunade's man. So she had chosen a remote spot on the Island, asked Shin to build her a small villa, and moved in.
Besides, she still had the Orphanage to keep her busy, so her days were not particularly lonely.
Seeing Nonō standing silently with her head lowered, Tsunade stepped forward, tucked the loose strands of hair by her forehead behind her ear, and said in a mildly reproachful tone,
"Why are you still treating me like an outsider? Have you forgotten that you were the one helping me when I gave birth?
"You know Shin has plenty of women in his life,