Inside the inn.
After tossing the unconscious Jiraiya and Shizune aside, Shinichi looked at Tsunade, who was hugging Naruto and refusing to let go. He couldn't resist teasing her. "Lady Tsunade, if you keep holding Naruto like that, he won't be able to breathe."
"What's it to you?"
Tsunade glared at him and snapped, "He's my little brother. What's wrong with giving him a hug?"
Her fiercely protective attitude left Shinichi unsure whether to laugh or cry.
He knew he had achieved his goal. Tsunade truly did see Naruto as her little brother now.
"Fine, as long as you're happy."
Shinichi shrugged and said casually, "Naruto's had a hard life. I've got no objection to one more person loving him. But there's one thing I need to remind you of: Naruto can't just leave Konoha whenever he likes."
"What do you mean?"
Tsunade frowned slightly.
"Isn't it obvious?"
Shinichi smiled faintly. "It means that if you want to see Naruto regularly, you'll have to come back to Konoha with us. You know about Naruto's identity, don't you? Those people in Konoha won't agree to let you take him away."
"What right do those people in Konoha have to interfere in my affairs?"
Tsunade snorted.
She was notorious for her explosive temper. She even dared to confront her teacher, the Third Hokage, to his face, and back in the day, she had left Danzo speechless with her tongue-lashings. If she really threw caution to the wind, Konoha High Command would have little recourse against Princess Tsunade.
"Right, I almost forgot how special your position in Konoha is. You wouldn't be afraid of the Third Hokage and the others."
Shinichi chuckled. "But Naruto is also a child of the Hatake Clan, so I won't agree to let you take him away either."