A long while later.
Looking at her wreck of an office, Tsunade huffed reproachfully:
"Hmph! Every time you come, you leave my office a complete mess..."
Xuandou chuckled.
He kissed her neck again.
"Then where would you like to do it?"
"Get lost!"
Tsunade pushed him away.
She bent down to pick up the documents on the floor, the red marks on her neck still visible as she moved.
When Shizune pushed the door open and saw the state of the office, she flushed slightly.
But she said nothing and simply began tidying up in silence.
She stacked the scattered documents neatly, her movements so practiced it was almost heartbreaking. Clearly, this was not her first time.
Already dressed, Xuandou stood to one side with Shiwa in his arms, smiling as he watched Shizune work.
The little boy lay against his father's shoulder, sucking on a finger as his large eyes looked around curiously.
"We're off."
Xuandou formed a hand seal with one hand, and father and son vanished from the office, returning to Hidden Xuan Village.
Tsunade leaned back in her chair, let out a long breath, and said to Shizune:
"Make me some tea."
Shizune nodded, set down the documents in her hands, and went to make tea.
Just then, an Anbu member pushed the door open and dropped to one knee:
"Lady Tsunade, Lord Asuma Sarutobi's term as a Guardian Ninja has ended. He has returned from the Daimyo's Residence and has just arrived in the village."
Tsunade accepted the teacup Shizune handed her and took a sip, her brows drawing together slightly.
Deep down, she had no particular dislike for Asuma.
He was not a bad man; he could even be called an upright one.
But because of the earlier embezzlement affair, anything involving the Sarutobi