The next day, Lin Ze woke from a light sleep just as dawn was breaking.
He extended his senses toward the Travelers' Inn across the street. Tsunade's chakra signature was still inside, though there was a trace of hangover-like murkiness to it.
Just as I thought... she probably drank quite a bit last night.
Lin Ze was at a loss for words.
It seemed drowning her sorrows in drink after losing money was already Tsunade's standard routine. Disturbing her now would only be asking for trouble.
He patiently went through his daily training in his room while keeping part of his attention on the movements across the street.
Time ticked by. Only when the sun was high in the sky, late enough to shine on a sleeping person's backside, did the sluggish chakra in the opposite inn begin to circulate slowly and grow active.
Quite a while passed before the inn's front door finally opened.
Tsunade walked out yawning, her face still visibly tired and carrying a lingering trace of alcohol. Her golden ponytails were a little loose, too.
Shizune followed behind her, holding Tonton, her face full of worry and resignation.
Finally awake... it's almost noon.
Lin Ze stopped training and stood up.
Tsunade and Shizune checked their bearings, then headed toward the road out of town, apparently intending to leave for their next destination.
After watching them briefly, Lin Ze silently left the inn and followed at a distance.
He made no particular effort to conceal his movements. With Tsunade's abilities, she had probably long since noticed the little tagalong who had been trailing her on and off since yesterday.
She was simply in a bad mood and could not be bothered with him.
Sure enough, after they left town and entered a secluded stretch of woodland road,