The two strolled through the bamboo forest and soon heard some strange noises.
"Eat quickly, the bamboo shoots here will grow big by tomorrow if you don't eat them now."
"But I really can't eat anymore."
"You're so useless, you can't even outeat others. Get out of my way."
Yuzuru and Tsunade exchanged a glance and slowly reached out.
Five or six pandas were sitting on the ground, digging and eating bamboo shoots, while a giant panda, over ten meters long, was urging them on.
"Hey humans over there, stop hiding. I noticed you as soon as you entered the bamboo forest. I only didn't chase you away because I saw the feathers of Senior Hakujun on you."
Upon hearing this, Yuzuru and Tsunade also stepped forward.
"Hello, Mr. Panda."
"You two..."
The panda's nose twitched, and its eyes turned somewhat strange. "How come you have the aura of that race on you?"
"Well, that's a long story. Could you take me to see the Panda Chieftain?"
"To meet the clan chief?"
Just as the panda was about to say something, it saw Yuzuru activate Sage Mode, and the familiar extreme cold Natural Energy made it shiver.
"Alright, alright, I know you're not a bad person. Hurry up and put away the cold air, or the bamboo shoots will freeze and we won't eat them."
Yuzuru:...
Then, the giant panda instructed the group of red pandas, "Eat up, all of you! Look how skinny you are. It's not like we Panda Clan can't afford to feed you. If I come back and the bamboo shoots are still barely touched, I'll whip your bottoms with a bamboo stick."
Upon hearing this, both Yuzuru and Tsunade's lips twitched simultaneously.
Looking at those "red pandas" that were nearly two meters long, and the panda in front of them that was more than ten meters long, they were speechless for a moment.
Upon reaching the depths of the bamboo forest, the two saw the entire Panda Clan at the foot of the mountain.
To be honest, several giant bears over twenty meters long are really intimidating.
"Don't let our smaller size fool you; when we go berserk, we're far more ferocious than those birds."
"Second brother, who are these two?"
"Guests from Ten Thousand Fathom Peak."
"If I'm not mistaken, you are Yuzuru, the one who brought the Chakra training method."
A figure that appeared more composed than the other pandas walked over.
"It's me."
"As expected, I heard from Hakujun and Gen'a that you are a genius who has cultivated Natural Energy to an extremely high level. May I see it?"
Yuzuru nodded and instantly activated Sage Mode again.
The Nine Tomoe Sharingan tightly closed between its brows trembled slightly, but still did not open.
"As expected, your Mind's Eye's Eye has merged with that race's eyes, and your body has undergone significant changes, or rather, evolution is a more accurate description."
"So, Yuzuru, what is your purpose in coming to the Bamboo Sea Secret Realm?"
Getting back to the point, the giant panda asked directly.
"I hope to establish Summoning Contract with you, just like Ten Thousand Fathom Peak."
Yuzuru explained his purpose.
"Besides that, I'd like the person next to me to learn how to cultivate Natural Energy from you all; the environment at Ten Thousand Fathom Peak isn't suitable for her."
"Cultivating Natural Energy?"
The giant panda glanced at Tsunade, a hint of surprise flashing in its eyes.
"I didn't notice earlier, but why does your woman have the scent of plants and a faint trace of Natural Energy?"
"Plant?"
Tsunade.
Yuzuru then realized what was happening and explained, "She is a descendant of the Ōtsutsuki from another continent, dating back a thousand years."
"After that Ōtsutsuki ate the fruit of the God Tree Fruit, he gave birth to two sons. One of them inherited the power of both the God Tree and the Ōtsutsuki, and learned to control Natural Energy. He married a human and had two more sons: Indra, who mastered the power of the Ōtsutsuki Clan, and Asura, who mastered Wood Release and Sage Body from the God Tree."
"She is a descendant of the Asura."
No wonder.
The Panda Clan also understood the whole story and quietly watched Tsunade.
"Do you, like your ancestors, possess the skills of Wood Release and Sage Body?"
"This,,,"
Tsunade gave a somewhat awkward smile.
"No, that's why I sent her here to cultivate. No one understands plants better than the Panda Clan, and this bamboo forest is proof of that."
"Hahaha, that's right, that's right!"
Upon hearing this, the pandas proudly raised their heads.
"Alright, you've got a way with words, but you're not wrong. I know about Summoning Contract; I can form one with you and the woman next to you. It's about cultivating Natural Energy. Come on over when you're ready."
"Thank you very much then."
"You're welcome. I am Elder Zuo of the Panda Clan. You can call me Elder Zuo. Lao You is still sleeping, as is the clan leader, so I'll be looking after these little ones for now."
"If you need help in a fight through psychic abilities, Xiong Da and Xiong Er will be the first to respond."
Two large, robust pandas emerged.
"A fight? Not for now. There aren't that many fights. It's mainly her issue."
"I can help her harness the plant-related powers within her and teach her to use Natural Energy."
"Then thank you very much, Elder."
"You're welcome. Let's wait until she's ready. It'll probably take a long time, so you'll have to separate for a while. She's past her peak growth period. Although we can use certain methods to keep her body active and not affect her fighting ability, I can feel that she's quite a bit older than you."
Upon hearing this, Tsunade fell silent and glanced at Yuzuru beside her.
Yes, age is their biggest difference. When the time comes, she'll definitely leave that little rascal first.
The thought of it made her so angry she wanted to grind her teeth.
Why did this little brat have to provoke her? She was already prepared to spend the rest of her life alone, but this little brat insisted on barging in, and didn't even try to hide his intentions, making her feel uneasy.
With such a huge age gap, Tsunade could be Yuzuru's mother. What is this little brat thinking?
Thinking of this, Tsunade glared at Yuzuru again.
"Don't worry, I'll bring her over when she's ready."
"Well, I'm just killing time anyway, so teaching the little brats in the clan is one thing, teaching her is another."
Yuzuru nodded, then took out a brand new Summoning Contract scroll and officially formed a contract with the Panda Clan.
Tsunade also wrote down her name.
"Well then, we'll take our leave now."
"Um."
After saying that, Yuzuru and Tsunade instantly disappeared.
Back in the Shinobi World, Tsunade looked at the Sea Capital not far away, a hint of dazedness flashing in her eyes.
"Alright, teacher, now you can not only cultivate Natural Energy, but you've also solved the Wood Release problem. How are you going to thank me?"
Yuzuru gently took her hand and said.
Tsunade turned to look at him. "We're a lot of ages apart. Didn't you hear me? I'll pretend what happened before never happened. Don't waste your time on me. You should focus your attention on other people, not an old woman like me."
"Teacher, do you want to know my answer?"
"What?"
Before he finished speaking, Yuzuru pinned Tsunade down and made her roll twice on the grass.
"You little brat, what are you doing! How dare you! Ugh!"
Tsunade was about to struggle when her lips were sealed, and she watched helplessly as Yuzuru's face loomed larger before her eyes.
She, the mighty Princess Tsunade, was forcibly kissed and completely powerless to resist?
No, that's not right, she should have pushed her away!
But that little rascal.
Looking into Yuzuru's eyes, Tsunade stopped resisting and closed her eyes resignedly.
"Fine, I'm doomed to be stuck with this little brat for life. Well, at least it's better than with anyone else."
After a while, she suddenly pushed Yuzuru away forcefully, clutching her chest and glaring at him angrily.
"You little rascal, you're getting more and more demanding! I won't mind you sticking your tongue out, but don't you dare move your paws!"
Yuzuru licked his lips, then pressed her hands down again, their fingers intertwined.
"Then I won't move this time, and we'll try again?"
"Get out of here, I won't... ugh!"
Despite her apparent struggle, Tsunade quieted down again after being kissed by Yuzuru once more.
A reckless and impulsive student, a teacher who says one thing but means another.
A few minutes later, Yuzuru slowly raised her head, and a crystal-clear thread broke between their lips.
"You're a complete and utter little bastard."
Tsunade looked at Yuzuru in front of her, her expression full of helplessness.
"I don't want my teacher to dwell on the pain of the past. My teacher should be a dazzling blonde princess; her life should be wonderful, not bound by the shackles of suffering."
"Nothing I say can change the fact that you're a rebellious and disobedient student!"
"Tsk, what's so special about this? The Shinobi World is full of talented people and resources, but how many disciples and teachers have good outcomes?"
"Quibble!"
"Anyway, I've already succeeded. From now on, all the teachers are mine."
Yuzuru lay directly between her breasts and closed her eyes.
Tsunade looked at him and sighed; it was too late to stop it.
This little rascal invaded my inner world in the most violent way; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he took advantage of my vulnerability.
But ironically, he is the only one in this world who can both understand himself and love himself.
Aside from the significant age gap between them, Tsunade was quite satisfied with everything else.
"You little brat, listen to me."
Tsunade broke free from his hand, gently cradled his head, and let him lean against her proud body.
"Yes, I'm listening."
"There's a huge gap between us in both age and status. Some things are best left unsaid; let's just keep them private."
As soon as she finished speaking, Tsunade saw those deep blue eyes quietly looking at her.
"Teacher, oh teacher, you are truly..."
"Just consider it saving face for me, okay?"
Faced with Tsunade's plea, Yuzuru gently embraced her. "I agree for now, but only for now!"
"Um."
Tsunade nodded.
The two of them lay on the ground like that until nightfall.
Before going home, Tsunade repeatedly emphasized that she must not give herself away in front of others. She didn't want people to know that she was having an affair with a younger man, especially her own apprentice; it would be embarrassing if word got out.
"Then, one more kiss?"
Tsunade walked up to him and sent him flying with a single punch.
"Don't push your luck! Once a day at most, today's already exceeded the limit, and there's no more for tomorrow!"
I was originally thinking of using the age gap to discourage him, but this little rascal doesn't play by the rules at all. Oh well, let it be.
Tsunade looked at Yuzuru lying at her feet and chuckled. At that moment, she felt completely relieved.