Blooming Buttocks

Bold and spirited, they crossed the... pedestrian crossing.

Tsunade led the way while Chishima Chiba followed behind. The two put on the uniquely arrogant and overbearing air of privileged brats as they swept through the stalls one by one.

But neither of them had fully grown into it yet, and their act was far from convincing. It was actually rather funny.

Besides, their methods were terribly crude.

Whenever they took a liking to something at a stall, Chishima Chiba would squat down and ask first, "Princess Tsunade, do you want this?"

Tsunade would decisively shake her head. "Grandpa Hokage said we can't take other people's things for free. That's not good."

Whenever the two had this exchange, the vendors could not help but panic, terrified that these two privileged brats would take all their goods without paying.

After all, Princess Tsunade's status was practically on par with that of the Senju Clan and the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.

What was more, the title "Princess" made people think of the Fire Country Daimyo.

Under such a halo, who would dare raise their voice?

Once the psychological pressure had been applied, it was time for Chishima Chiba to step in. He would say, "You really can't take things for free. We have to pay."

Then he would turn, frown at the vendor, and ask, "How much?"

At that point, as long as the vendor had some sense, they would generally quote a price close to cost. In any case, they could not afford to lose too much.

Of course, some timid vendors would simply offer the goods for free. But Chishima Chiba had principles too, and would carefully give them some money. The amount was difficult to judge, but he never let anyone suffer a loss. Sometimes, they even made a profit.

And so, the two maintained their privileged-brat act all the way from one end of the street to the other. They thoroughly enjoyed throwing their weight around, yet their reputation and public opinion unexpectedly soared.

Because before leaving, they would always add, "This owner is pretty good. We can put in a word with Second Grandfather."

What good people!

Not only did these privileged brats pay for what they bought, they would even put in a good word for them. When had anyone ever received such treatment?

So, everyone on the entire shopping street scrambled to give Tsunade things. Though each gift was not much, there were simply too many vendors. Before long, the two of them were laden with all sorts of items.

But happy shopping trips were always short-lived.

As the evening glow shone upon the earth, the shadows of the two small figures walking side by side stretched long behind them. They met at the midpoint and remained joined all the way to the end.

"Hehehe, hahaha..."

Tsunade's laughter was crisp and clear, like wind chimes, leaving the ears pleasantly enchanted.

Chishima Chiba, however, was having a harder time. The piles of bags in his arms had risen all the way to his chin. Only by using both hands to brace them with all his strength could he keep them obedient enough not to spill all over the ground.

Clicking along in her little black leather shoes, Tsunade leaned forward slightly as she skipped along, always keeping level with Chishima Chiba. Her tender little hands were clasped behind her back, and the corners of her lips curled up as she tilted her head, her bright eyes rolling as she watched him at her side.

The sunset fell over him, making him look so dazzlingly golden!

Tsunade suddenly turned around and walked backward with her hands behind her back. After only a few steps, she had passed Chishima Chiba and moved in front of him, their eyes meeting face-to-face.

"Am I pretty?" Tsunade asked, flicking her ponytail and blinking.

"You're pretty," Chishima Chiba answered very seriously.

At that, Tsunade raised her delicate, jade-like swan neck, lifting her little head high. She looked proud, but also expectant, waiting for Chishima Chiba to say more.

But after waiting a while, she heard nothing further from him.

"That's it?" Tsunade stamped her foot, and her swan neck gradually lowered, just like her mood.

"A thousand words, piled together, become just two words: 'pretty'! Besides, I'm afraid that if I say any more... the bags in my arms will all fall."

"Haha, I'm not helping you carry them!"

A smile bloomed across Tsunade's face. Her dark-golden ponytail swung even higher, faintly revealing the pale blue hair tie securing it.

Chishima Chiba had tied it on for her.

"Chiba, look at me!"

Tsunade turned her back to Chishima Chiba, ran forward several quick steps, then turned around again. She grabbed both sides of her pleated skirt, lifted and flicked it slightly, spun around once, and returned to where she had started.

Chishima Chiba had picked this outfit for her. The little black leather shoes made her calves look fair and round, while the knee-length pleated skirt and Ninja Mesh Stockings wrapped around her legs gave her an entirely different aura.

Watching Tsunade's ponytail swing and her skirt sway, Chishima Chiba was dazed for a moment.

That was just unfair!

Clatter...

The things in his arms still fell all over the ground. Chishima Chiba stood there awkwardly scratching his head, then glared at Tsunade.

"Hahaha..." Tsunade only laughed more happily, even pulling a face at Chishima Chiba.

Seeing Tsunade's adorable, playful appearance, Chishima Chiba lowered his eyes and squatted down to slowly gather everything up.

After dragging it out for a while, perhaps feeling a little embarrassed, Tsunade stepped forward to help, turning Chishima Chiba back into a human-shaped rack.

The next moment, Tsunade began frolicking again.

Chishima Chiba could only smile helplessly and hurry home behind her.

Arriving right at mealtime, the two returned home on schedule.

After setting down their things and taking their seats at the table, Chishima Chiba noticed something off about Senju Tobirama's expression across from him and decided to finish as quickly as possible.

His eating speed suddenly shot up. Beside him, Tsunade, who was leisurely chewing her food, tilted her head and glanced at Chishima Chiba with puzzlement in her eyes.

Why was he in such a hurry?

"I'm done eating."

Chishima Chiba quietly said this, picked up his bowl and chopsticks, and prepared to slip away.

"Chiba." Senju Tobirama called softly.

Pretending not to hear, Chishima Chiba quickened his pace and fled as though escaping for his life.

"I'm done too." Senju Tobirama forcibly suppressed his anger, set down his bowl and chopsticks with a cold expression, and rose to chase after the fleeing Chishima Chiba.

Tsunade lowered her little head, watched her nose and her heart, and silently prayed for Chishima Chiba.

Before long, the people at the table vaguely heard a series of slaps, along with Chishima Chiba's pleas for mercy.

The scene shifted to Chishima Chiba's room. Senju Tobirama had calmed down, but Chishima Chiba's two buttocks burned with pain. He could neither stand nor sit comfortably.

Seeing Chishima Chiba like this, Senju Tobirama's dark side emerged. Pointing at the stool beside him, he said, "Sit."

Chishima Chiba blankly looked at Senju Tobirama, cursing him inwardly but not daring to disobey.

Senju Tobirama had really hit him hard, and he had not gone easy on him at all.

Hiss...

Chishima Chiba sucked in a breath of cold air. Seeing the corner of Senju Tobirama's mouth rise slightly, his heart churned even more violently.

Damn it, their privileged-brat act with Tsunade had somehow become Senju Tobirama's excuse to hit him!

But after beating him, Senju Tobirama did not mention the matter at all. Instead, he brought up what he had asked Chishima Chiba about twice before.

"Chiba, what have you decided?"

"Grandpa Tobirama, I still think Chishima is a very good surname. Thank you for your esteem." Chishima Chiba still refused to change his name and surname.

"Mm."

Senju Tobirama nodded and said nothing further, but his concern over the Senju Clan's future deepened by several degrees.

His elder brother had already been dead for two years...

With a sigh in his heart, Senju Tobirama got up and left. As he went, he thoughtfully closed Chishima Chiba's door for him.

Senju Tobirama looked up at the starry sky, his steps heavy.

Great chaos in the Shinobi World was imminent, and no one knew how many members of the Senju Clan would die or be wounded in the coming turmoil.

There was no one to carry on the line!