The Hokage's office.
Bang.
Danzo pushed the door open and walked in.
"Hiruzen, leave that brat Kihara Nobuhiko to me to train."
At those words, the Third looked at Danzo with a somewhat piercing gaze.
"Danzo, you know Tsunade has already taken that child home to look after him, don't you?"
"So what? As the Hokage's adviser, what's wrong with asking her for someone to train?"
"Then go ahead," the Third said, quite happy to watch the trouble unfold.
"You..."
Danzo was deeply dissatisfied with the Third's answer.
Tsunade was every bit as strong as he was, had a powerful background, and had many friends. The only advantage he had over her was his position as the Hokage's adviser.
What good was that? If Tsunade got angry, she would smash the Hokage's office door or overturn his desk without hesitation. His own office as a mere adviser...
Damn it, that bastard Hiruzen. I wanted him to issue a direct order as Hokage, but he actually refused.
Our bond has faded!
In that case, don't blame me.
Everything is for the village!
The moment the Third saw Danzo sink into thought, he knew he was up to no good.
"Danzo, I'm warning you. Nobuhiko already carries Senju blood, and now Tsunade has taken him in. Don't get any ideas about that child," the Third said sternly.
"Hiruzen, do you want to see the Senju Clan grow powerful again?"
Seeing that appealing to their bond could no longer sway the Third, Danzo decided to change tack.
The Third scoffed at Danzo's words. What could one Kihara Nobuhiko, won over by the Will of Fire, possibly do, no matter how talented or strong he was? Revive the Senju Clan? There was no such provision in the Will of Fire.
He really had no idea what Danzo was thinking.
But he certainly couldn't say that.
"Danzo, to help Konoha develop, our teacher already ordered the Senju Clan to conceal their names and integrate into Konoha."
"Though Kihara Nobuhiko carries Senju blood, his surname is no longer Senju."
"Besides, Danzo, can you not tolerate even a single clansman of our teacher's?!"
As he spoke, the Third suddenly glared, slammed his hands on the desk, and rose to his feet.
The Third's words left Danzo furious as well.
How was he supposed to respond? Say he couldn't tolerate him?
If he really said that, would Konoha still tolerate him? How would he ever become Hokage then?!
Watching Danzo fume, the Third sat back down in the Hokage's seat right in front of him and continued leisurely.
"Don't bother that child. Just let him stay by Tsunade's side."
Danzo clenched his fists in anger.
"Don't forget, I am the Hokage. Follow your orders, Danzo!"
A powerful aura bore down on Danzo, making him uncomfortable.
"Hiruzen, you'll regret this!"
Bang.
Danzo turned and slammed the door behind him.
Watching Danzo leave, the Third sighed.
Do you really think so highly of that child? Do you think he can help you attain the Hokage position?
But the more you do, the less I can hand him over to you!
If I did, Tsunade would tear this office of mine apart.
The Third could only apologize inwardly to his old brother of several decades.
Meanwhile, at Konoha Training Ground 3.
"Brat, what are your chakra natures?" Tsunade asked, rolling her shoulders a couple of times.
"Wind and water. I've already learned the C-rank Wind Release: Breakthrough and Wind Release: Gale Palm, as well as the C-rank Water Release: Wild Water Wave. Right now, I'm learning the B-rank Wind Release: Vacuum Wave and the B-rank Water Release: Water Formation Wall."
Nobuhiko lifted his head and spoke proudly.
Hearing that, Tsunade folded her arms and studied Nobuhiko for a while.
"Really? Knowing so many ninjutsu at your age... Looks like you really are talented, you little pervert," Tsunade said, pursing her lips.
At that, the corner of Nobuhiko's mouth twitched. He scratched his head sheepishly and said, "Hear me out, Sister Tsunade. This morning was purely because I'd never encountered that sort of situation before, so I couldn't react right away. It really had nothing to do with being a pervert!"
"Really?"
"Of course!"
"I don't believe you!" Tsunade curled her lips and rolled her pretty eyes, speaking with a look of disdain.
Good grief. Seeing Tsunade say that with that expression nearly made Nobuhiko expose himself in his anger.
"You're slandering me, Sister Tsunade! I'll sue you for slander!"
Nobuhiko stamped his feet anxiously.
Watching Nobuhiko jump up and down and yell in his desperation to prove his innocence, Tsunade suddenly found the brat a little cute. Then, without warning, she pulled his head into her arms.
Nobuhiko had still been desperately trying to prove his innocence. Now, caught completely off guard, his vision went dark and fragrance filled his nose.
So this was what heaven felt like? This was amazing!
Nobuhiko couldn't help rubbing his left cheek against her. Feeling as though something was missing, he rubbed his right cheek against her too, then breathed in deeply. Wow, my life is complete.
While Nobuhiko was still flushed and lost in bliss.
Tsunade's lovely brows had already drawn tightly together, and a trace of killing intent filled her eyes. Whether from anger or some other reason, her cheeks had taken on a faint pink hue. Her nostrils flared slightly, her chest rose and fell incessantly, and veins bulged on her fist, as though she could kill a tailed beast with one punch.
At last, Nobuhiko, who had been in absolute bliss, sensed a hint of danger. He abruptly looked up and met Tsunade's eyes, her anger already off the charts.
The instant their eyes met, Nobuhiko went deathly pale. It was as though his brain had been hit by Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags. Sparks of thought detonated over and over like explosive tags, burning through the last of his ability to think.
Suddenly, inspiration struck him. Why the hell am I still trying to argue? At a time like this, I should admit my mistake immediately! The instant he realized this, Nobuhiko sat down on the ground and wrapped his arms around Tsunade's thigh. This feeling!
No, there's no time to enjoy it anymore.
Nobuhiko immediately wailed, "Please don't, Sister Tsunade! I know I was wrong! I'll never do it again!"
Even as he wailed, he didn't forget to keep hugging Tsunade's thigh tightly. His approach was to eagerly admit his mistakes and steadfastly refuse to change.
Hearing this, Tsunade didn't believe what Nobuhiko said, but she was no longer as angry as she had been.
After all, she had been the one to pull him into her arms first. But she had only wanted to see him blush and get embarrassed, then expose his lie and tease him a little.
And what happened? This little bastard actually dared-he actually dared... I'm so damn angry!
She had never seen such a young, perverted little bastard. Looking at the little bastard shamelessly clinging to her and making a show of begging for mercy, Tsunade felt that she wasn't all that angry anymore.
But she absolutely couldn't let this slide. Otherwise, this little bastard would definitely take a mile if she gave him an inch, and might even go further than Jiraiya. She had to find a way to teach him a lesson and make him rein himself in.
Tsunade shook her thigh, signaling for him to get up.
Seeing this, Nobuhiko wailed even harder. "Please don't, Sister Tsunade! I really know I was wrong!"