Tsunade returned to the village

"Tsunade has developed some psychological problems. In three days, she'll return to the village with Dan Katō's body."

"Nobuhiko, tell Kushina about this while you're at it. Come to the Hokage Building at noon that day and walk Tsunade home. Talk to her and help her through this!"

The Third Hokage offered no explanation. His eyes were forlorn as he gave Nobuhiko these instructions weakly.

"Rest assured, Lord Hokage. We'll take good care of Sister Tsunade!"

After saying this, Nobuhiko saw that the Third Hokage said nothing more and merely waved him away, so he bowed and quietly left.

After Nobuhiko left, the Third Hokage took a pipe out of his drawer, lit it, and drew deeply before slowly exhaling.

"Teacher, am I really living up to the trust you placed in me?"

At that moment, the Third Hokage felt regret for the first time.

His teacher had entrusted the village to him, yet Nawaki, the Senju Clan's only male direct descendant, had died in battle. Over these past few years, Tsunade had suffered one blow after another: her grandmother's death, her younger brother's death in battle, and her lover's death in battle. Now she had even developed a fear of blood.

It could be said that, during his time in office, the Senju Clan's only two direct descendants had ended up dead or broken.

At that thought, the Third Hokage took another deep drag and held it in for a long time.

Meanwhile, Nobuhiko had returned home and lay on his bed, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

Although he had been looking forward to this happening, now that it really had happened, he felt no excitement at all.

No matter what, Dan Katō was a hero of the village. Nobuhiko had never met him and bore him no grudge. He simply could not rejoice at his death, even if this man had been his greatest romantic rival.

This probably counts as what little conscience I have left.

Everything else can wait until Tsunade returns!

Early the next morning, Nobuhiko went to Kushina's home.

"Sister Kushina, something's happened!"

Sitting on the sofa, Nobuhiko looked at Kushina with a grave expression.

"What happened, Little Brother Nobuhiko?"

Nobuhiko's serious expression startled Kushina.

"Sister Tsunade's lover died in the line of duty!"

"How could this happen!"

Seeing Kushina's eyes grow wet, looking ready to spill little pearls at any moment, Nobuhiko suddenly realized that she had probably met Dan Katō.

That made sense. Dan Katō was both an elite Jōnin of the village and Tsunade's lover. He was qualified to meet Kushina.

"Lord Hokage said Sister Tsunade will return to the village in two days. He wants us to stay with her and help her get through this."

"I understand, Little Brother Nobuhiko."

"Big Brother Dan was such an outstanding man. He was handsome, powerful, gentle, considerate, and so supportive of Sister Tsunade. Now that he's died, she must be devastated!"

Still worrying about Tsunade, Kushina failed to notice Nobuhiko's expression darkening with every word of praise she lavished on Dan Katō.

Come on, worry about Tsunade all you want, but why the hell are you praising my romantic rival?

Nobuhiko inwardly ranted at the silly girl.

Wait, my romantic rival seems to be dead.

Never mind, then.

Nobuhiko declared himself a broad-minded person. Praise away!

"Ahem, Sister Kushina, let's not tell Sister Tsunade about Senior Kurama yet. Let her get some proper rest for now!"

"You're right, Little Brother Nobuhiko. Let's not tell Sister Tsunade about anything for now, so she won't worry. We can tell her later, once she's gotten over Big Brother Dan's death!"

"All right!"

At noon two days later.

Nobuhiko and Kushina arrived outside the Hokage Building early, waiting for Tsunade to come out.

After an unknown length of time, Tsunade finally emerged.

"Oh, what a coincidence. You two are here too!"

Nobuhiko looked into Tsunade's eyes. Though she was greeting them, her eyes were utterly hollow, without a trace of life.

"Sister Tsunade!"

The two greeted Tsunade in unison, then neither dared say another word.

There was clearly something wrong with Tsunade.

"Come on. What are you still standing here for? Let's go home."

"All right."

And so, the two followed Tsunade home.

Along the way, Kushina kept making faces at Nobuhiko, asking him what they should do. Nobuhiko blinked and pursed his lips in response, indicating that he did not know either.

The afternoon passed. Even after coming out of her bath, Tsunade remained as still as an ancient well.

Kushina merely felt that something was wrong, but Nobuhiko understood that this was a sign of grief taken to its extreme. As the saying went, no sorrow was greater than a dead heart. She might already have lost hope in life.

By evening, Tsunade was still the same. Nobuhiko felt it was time to do something, so he found an excuse to send the deeply worried Kushina home early.

After Kushina left, Nobuhiko went into the bathroom, brought out a basin of hot water, and returned to his old trade.

He performed the whole sequence smoothly, in one seamless motion.

When Nobuhiko placed Tsunade's feet in the hot water, a faint ripple finally stirred in her hollow eyes.

Nobuhiko was fully focused on recalling the pressure points on the soles that he had learned about in his previous life, matching them to Tsunade's soles and cautiously testing them with very gentle pressure.

After massaging for a while, Nobuhiko noticed that Tsunade had closed her eyes and felt that these pressure points must be having some effect.

He would wait until Tsunade was in a better mood before pressing harder and letting her experience that aching pleasure.

For now, the priority was to help Tsunade relax.

After checking the water temperature, Nobuhiko judged that it would take quite a while to cool, so he washed his hands and began massaging Tsunade's shoulders.

After massaging for a while, Nobuhiko took a deep breath, then began kneading along Tsunade's cervical spine with both thumbs, his other fingers resting against her neck.

"Hiss."

Smack.

Nobuhiko suddenly slapped himself. Hearing the sound, Tsunade turned to look at him.

"There was a mosquito just now, Sister Tsunade! I slapped it dead!"

Tsunade clearly did not believe him. Suspicion appeared in her hollow eyes.

"Really, Sister Tsunade! Don't you know me? How could I lie to you!"

Seeing Nobuhiko hopping about anxiously, Tsunade found the sight somewhat familiar.

She remembered now. This brat was always well-behaved in front of her.

But whenever he had lecherous thoughts or did something lecherous and got exposed, he would spout lies, swear all sorts of oaths, and hop about in agitation, exactly as he was doing now.

Tsunade felt a little angry, but also a little reassured.

This was why she could tolerate the brat. Lecherous though he was, he knew what he could and could not do.

Lechery was merely his nature, not a deep-rooted vice!

Unlike the old man and Jiraiya, who were already beyond saving!

At that thought, she even felt a little proud. The little pervert she had raised really was different!

But immediately afterward, all those emotions turned into guilt and reluctance to part.

After glancing at Nobuhiko, she turned her head back.

Nobuhiko thought Tsunade must have believed his nonsense, so this time he continued kneading her neck without any stray thoughts.

Enjoying Nobuhiko's thoughtful massage and recalling all the little moments they had shared, Tsunade suddenly realized that she had grown accustomed to having such a clever, reliable, considerate, and lecherous little brother by her side.

But the more that was true, the less she could allow it!

After a long while, Tsunade finally made up her mind.

"Nobuhiko, move back to your own home tomorrow. Don't come looking for me again. Stay away from me!"

Tsunade gritted her teeth and clenched her fists, struggling to hold back her tears as she forced herself to finish those words.