Hinata's little face was filled with utter confusion.
The scene before her was truly rather strange.
Her teacher, Uchiha Yao, sat calmly in the seat of honor.
Teacher Kurenai sat beside her master, wearing her usual gentle smile.
Meanwhile, Lady Tsunade, one of the legendary Sannin, looked like an elementary school student who had been caught by her teacher.
Tsunade sat stiffly across from them, her beautiful face flushed an unnatural shade of red.
Naruto completely failed to notice the strange atmosphere. He scratched his messy blond hair.
"Huh? Grandma Tsunade, why are you here too?"
he asked loudly in curiosity.
"Are you... having a family meeting?"
"Pfft—"
Tsunade could no longer hold back the mouthful of tea she had just swallowed and sprayed it out.
A family meeting?!
"Cough! Cough, cough, cough..."
Tsunade coughed violently, her pretty face reddening from choking on the tea. It was impossible to tell whether it was from embarrassment or anger.
"Naruto!"
Uchiha Yao barked in a deep voice.
Naruto's neck shrank at once. With an extremely strong instinct for self-preservation, he shut his mouth, though his eyes remained full of question marks.
Seeing this, Kurenai Yuhi hurriedly rose and walked over to Tsunade. She extended a slender hand and gently patted Tsunade's back to help her catch her breath.
"Lady Tsunade, are you all right?"
Kurenai Yuhi's movements were gentle, and her voice was even gentler.
The awkward atmosphere made Tsunade feel as though she were sitting on pins and needles. Every second was torment.
"I... I'm fine!"
Tsunade shoved Kurenai Yuhi's hand away, her movement slightly rough, then abruptly rose from her cushion.
"Well... I just remembered that there's an extremely urgent matter at the Medical Department that needs handling!"
Tsunade babbled out an excuse, her gaze wandering.
"I... I'll be going!"