Ch 74 - Lingering Presence

🌟 HEAR YE, HEAR YE, BRAVE SOULS! 🌟✨

🔥 Let the drums of destiny roar as we welcome our newest LEGENDARY adventurers… ⚔️ Buddyschlym! ⚔️ and ⚔️ Moran! ⚔️🎉⚡️ Our journey just leveled UP with their arrival!

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Naruto let out a deep chuckle, swirling his own cup before downing it in one go. "Oh, I've noticed."

He set the cup down with a soft clink before leaning in slightly, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You're adorable when you let your guard down, Princess."

Tsunade's brows furrowed, her lips parting as if to retort, but all that escaped was a sleepy, drawn-out mumble. "Mmm… sh'up… s'not fair when you talk like that…"

Her head wobbled before eventually dropping forward onto the wooden table with a soft thud.

A small, barely audible sigh escaped her lips, the tension leaving her shoulders as sleep finally won the battle.

Naruto chuckled, watching her, his expression softening. "Man, she really went down, huh?"

He reached out, gently running his fingers through her silky blonde hair. His touch was light, lingering. "You're trouble, you know that, Princess?"

Shizune, still tipsy, leaned against Naruto's arm with a lazy grin. "Mmm… you're trouble."

She traced a finger along his jawline, her touch featherlight. "You're too handsome for your own good, Alex… too smooth."

Her giggle was sweet, breath warm against his neck as she tilted her head up. "Do you… always make women fall for you this easily?"

Naruto smirked, watching her through hooded eyes. "I dunno, Shizune… do I?"

He let her play with his collar for a moment, amused by her boldness. But just as she leaned in, lips parting slightly, he chuckled and gently pulled away.

"Tsk, tsk," He teased, tapping her nose lightly. "Can't have you regretting this in the morning."

Shizune pouted, swaying slightly. "Spoilsport."

With an amused sigh, Naruto shifted, effortlessly scooping up both Tsunade and Shizune into his arms—one in each, as if they weighed nothing at all. Tsunade let out a soft, sleepy murmur, shifting against his chest, while Shizune simply hummed, too drowsy to protest.

He carried them over to the futons, kneeling down gracefully to tuck them in beneath the warm quilt. As he adjusted the blanket over Tsunade's shoulders, she mumbled something incoherent, her lips barely moving.

"…Alex… stay…"

"I'm busy right now," He whispered softly, his fingers lingering for a moment, "but next time, I'll definitely tame you… my sexy big lambs."

Standing up, he grabbed his coat and walked over to the window.

With one last glance at the two sleeping women, he smirked, then disappeared into the night.

He'd already paid for two days at the inn, so they wouldn't be disturbed.

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The Next Morning

The soft light of dawn crept into the room, casting a gentle glow across the futons.

Tsunade stirred, letting out a groggy groan as her eyes fluttered open. A dull, persistent throb pounded against her skull, a cruel reminder of the reckless drinking from the night before. She sat up with a sigh, rubbing her temples as her golden locks tumbled over her shoulders in a tangled mess. 

The room around her was unfamiliar. That alone was enough to put her on edge. Her amber eyes narrowed, scanning the dimly lit space until they landed on a small wooden table in the corner—cluttered with empty sake bottles, overturned cups, and scattered dice. 

Memories hit her in disjointed fragments—laughter, the clinking of cups, Naruto's ridiculous grin, his teasing voice. 

She turned her head to find Shizune sprawled on the futon beside her, snoring softly, one arm draped lazily over her pig, Tonton. At least she hadn't wandered off somewhere in a drunken haze. 

Tsunade exhaled, shaking her head as she pushed herself to her feet, still feeling a little unsteady. She stepped outside the room and flagged down one of the inn's attendants. 

"Hey," She muttered, rubbing the back of her neck. "That red-haired guy—Alex. Where is he?" 

The attendant bowed slightly, offering a polite smile. "Oh, the young gentleman? He left very early this morning." 

Tsunade's brows shot up. "What?" 

"Said he had important matters to attend to. He also mentioned not wanting to disturb his guests and—ah, yes, he paid for the room in advance before leaving." 

Tsunade scoffed, folding her arms across her chest. "Tch. That little brat. He just left without saying a word?" 

The attendant only gave a small nod before stepping away, leaving Tsunade standing there, scowling at nothing in particular. 

She turned on her heel and stormed back into the room, kicking the futon beside Shizune. "Hey! Get up!" 

Shizune groaned dramatically, burying her face deeper into the blankets. "Ugh… no… too much sake…" 

Tsunade, still fuming, nudged her again, harder this time. "I don't care. We need to eat." 

With great effort, Shizune sat up, rubbing her temples. Her expression was one of pure misery.

Tsunade barely acknowledged her complaint as she plopped down at the small breakfast table. A steaming bowl of miso soup and freshly cooked rice sat in front of her, but she only poked at it with her chopsticks, her brows furrowed. 

Shizune, still drowsy, yawned as she slowly sipped at her tea. But she noticed the way Tsunade was aggressively stabbing at her rice. "Uh… something wrong?" 

Tsunade scoffed. "Can you believe that little idiot just left?" 

Shizune blinked. "Huh? Who?" 

"Who else?" Tsunade snapped. "Alex! The brat didn't even have the decency to say goodbye! Just up and left in the morning like some thief in the night!" 

Tsunade growled, slamming her chopsticks onto the table.

Shizune flinched.

"He goes around acting all cocky, talking big, flashing that stupid grin—and then he just disappears like that? Who does he think he is?" 

Shizune sighed, resting her cheek against her hand. "Tsunade-sama… do you even hear yourself right now?" 

"What?" 

"You sound… almost disappointed." 

Tsunade scoffed, crossing her arms. "Don't be ridiculous. Why the hell would I be disappointed?" 

Shizune gave her a knowing look. "I don't know… Maybe because you actually liked the company?" 

Tsunade stiffened. 

She hated how that thought lingered. 

She hated how, despite only meeting him yesterday, she'd already grown accustomed to his loud, ridiculous energy. 

And now, in his absence, the silence felt annoyingly empty. 

She grabbed her sake cup and downed what was left in one go. "Tch. Whatever. If I see that brat again, he owes me a drink." 

Shizune sighed, shaking her head. "Sure, Tsunade-sama. Whatever you say."

She hid her amusement behind her cup of tea.

Tsunade-sama is definitely missing him, She thought, smiling softly.

But she didn't say anything, letting her mentor rant as much as she needed.

Despite her complaints, Tsunade's heart felt lighter that morning. Maybe it was the sake—or maybe it was because, for the first time in a long while, she'd met someone who made her feel something different.

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