Chapter 252: Invitation from the Uchiha Clan Leader

Among the clan members who spoke up, most leaned toward disapproval. The man standing on the platform carefully considered everyone's opinions:"Since we're in agreement, there's no reason to hesitate. First, let's separate those two."

As soon as he said that, someone asked how exactly they planned to do that. Forcing them apart could backfire and provoke Tsunade's rebellious nature.

That was something that had to be taken seriously. The man rested a finger against his chin, pondering:"According to intel from the Hokage's office, Tōshirō seems to be planning to accompany Tsunade from now on. We can use that as our point of leverage."

"How will we do that?"

"Tsunade has the most outstanding medical talent in our clan's history. Someone like her should be protected by someone with even greater strength."

Hearing that, the clan members understood the reasoning and praised it:"I see! That's indeed a good method."

With that approach confirmed, the Senju clan began selecting a candidate to replace Tōshirō.

Tōshirō's reputation in the village wasn't great, but no one could deny his real abilities.

It wasn't that he had just "a couple of tricks"—he had many.

Even without the power of the Sharingan, his Ice Release, Boil Release, and tailed beast power were each formidable in their own right.

If he had the Sharingan, he'd probably be the uncontested future leader of the Uchiha clan.

Finding someone in the Senju clan of suitable age and skill to handle someone of his caliber was no easy task.

Luckily, as the foremost clan of the ninja world, the Senju still had the legacy to back it up.

"Yehao, Asakura—one of you decide who's going."

As the deep voice echoed out, everyone turned their gaze toward the only two young men present.

After a moment of silence, the one named Itama slowly stood up. He was handsome, with striking half-black, half-white hair.

Seeing him step forward, the clan members nodded in approval. This looked promising.

Yehao and Asakura were brothers, considered the most talented young ninja in the Senju clan after Tsunade. They were just a few years older than her, and more importantly, they had awakened the Wood Release kekkei genkai through experimentation. That gave them the power to suppress the tailed beast inside Tōshirō. In short, they were the best candidates for the mission.

"This mission must not fail."

"Ninjutsu is about refinement, not quantity. The same goes for kekkei genkai," Asakura said arrogantly. "This is the perfect opportunity to showcase Wood Release—and show those Uchiha punks that Wood Release hasn't disappeared."

Elsewhere, Tsunade and Tōshirō had spent the whole morning training.

Seeing that it was getting late, Tsunade suggested, "Let's wrap up training for now and get something to eat."

Following the idea that rushing won't bring better results, Tōshirō agreed and put aside his training to go eat with her.

As they walked down the street, Tsunade casually asked, "What do you feel like eating?"

Tōshirō replied, "I want to eat you."

Tsunade froze: "???"

Tōshirō added, "Your cooking…"

Tsunade shot him a playful glare: "Could you say the full sentence next time? That kind of phrasing is way too easy to misinterpret."

Tōshirō grinned, "Misinterpret what?"

Tsunade blushed. "Hmph."

Tōshirō played dumb. "What's wrong?"

"I'm mad."

"You're mad over a joke?"

"I'm giving you a chance to make it up to me—or else… hmph, you'll be sleeping on the streets tonight."

"Sigh, you really do make things difficult."

As they flirted back and forth, a familiar voice suddenly cut in from nearby, laced with mockery:

"Well, well—if it isn't our favorite dumb couple."

Tsunade turned toward the voice and saw a young man with white hair. Without missing a beat, she fired back:"Oh look, if it isn't Jiraiya—the perpetually lonely one. What brings you here?"

"What do you mean 'what brings me here'?" Jiraiya muttered with a gloomy face. "I live in Konoha, you know."

"Oh~ really?" Tsunade chuckled. "Sorry, I don't usually notice the little pebbles on the road."

"I bet all you see now is Tōshirō," Jiraiya replied. He sounded like he was joking, but the bitterness was clear.

Tōshirō interrupted them before things escalated:"Jiraiya, we were just heading to eat. Want to come?"

Jiraiya's expression instantly darkened:"Ha? Eat? With you two?"

"Is there anyone else here?" Tōshirō looked confused. "Or did I say it weird?"

"No thanks, no thanks. I'd have to be out of my mind to go be a third wheel for you two—powering your love with my suffering, shining like a sad little lightbulb…"

Thinking back to the things those two often did, Jiraiya clearly had had enough. He couldn't get away fast enough.

"Oh? That's a shame…"

Tōshirō didn't push him and instead pulled Tsunade into a hot pot restaurant by the road. As soon as they sat down, people around them began to take notice.

"Look, look! It's Senior Tsunade! Let's go say hi!"

"Say hi for what? Can't you see she's busy being in love? What are you going there for?"

"Huh? Senior Tsunade is dating someone now? Who's that man?"

"I think his name is Uchiha Tōshirō."

"Uchiha Tōshirō? Which monster are you talking about?"

"Shhh—! Keep your voice down. What if Senior Tsunade hears you?"

"I just don't get it. Why would someone as outstanding as Tsunade be with someone like him?"

"I don't really know either. The two of them seemed to hit it off suddenly, and they're already living together."

"L-Living together? No way. You've got to be kidding me, right?"

"Why would I lie? A bunch of people saw Tōshirō go to Tsunade's place yesterday and not leave all night. He definitely wasn't in there playing chess, you know."

"No! That can't be true—!"

...

...

Rumors like these drifted into Tōshirō's ears before he even realized.

Suddenly, a warm sensation touched the back of his hand.

It was Tsunade's hand.

"Don't take it to heart. They'll come to understand you, just like they eventually understood me," Tsunade said gently.

"Don't worry, I'm not that fragile. It's just talk. It's not like I'm losing any flesh over it." Tōshirō picked up the menu on the table. "What do you want to eat? I'll order for you."

Tsunade casually replied, "Just pick whatever. I'm not picky."

Considering her tailed beast-level appetite, Tōshirō ordered a ton of food for her—so much that the table could barely hold it all.

He swirled some pig brain in the hot pot, then placed it in Tsunade's bowl. "Try my cooking."

Tsunade took a few bites.

Tōshirō asked, "How is it?"

Tsunade commented, "Tastes good."

"Glad to hear it." Tōshirō smiled. "They say you are what you eat. So eat more—got to nourish that brain of yours."

Tsunade sensed there was some hidden jab in his words and frowned slightly. "If you've got something to say, just say it plainly."

"How does that saying go again? Big boobs, no...?"

Tōshirō was just about to say the last word when he suddenly caught the murderous look in Tsunade's eyes—and swallowed the rest of the sentence.

Tsunade snapped, "And here I was, worrying about you."

A sly glint briefly flashed in Tōshirō's eyes, though his face wore an awkward expression. "No more pig brain. Let's switch to chicken breast, how about that?"

He had said that on purpose—to stop Tsunade from worrying too much about him.

"I'm not eating it. I'm already a grown woman, why would I still eat that?" Tsunade pouted. "Are you saying I'm not big enough already?"

Tōshirō: …

As he wondered how to coax her next, a familiar figure came into view.

The boy looked about twelve or thirteen, with a calm, mature demeanor beyond his years.

Tōshirō recognized him and greeted him: "Huh? Isn't that Fugaku? Want to have hot pot with us?"

Fugaku shook his head. "No, I came to tell you something."

Tōshirō blinked in surprise.

"The clan leader wants to see you," Fugaku said, though his gaze naturally drifted to Tsunade.

"So, it's finally happening, huh..." Tōshirō sighed as if he understood something. He stood up slowly.

Seeing him suddenly rise, Tsunade asked, "Tōshirō, are you going to…?"

"Don't worry. I'm just going to have some tea…"

Tsunade gave a small nod, lowering her eyes slightly, looking a bit thoughtful.

"Apologies…"

Fugaku bowed to Tsunade politely. "I'll borrow Tōshirō for a bit—I'll return him soon."

This woman might very well become his sister-in-law someday, so he had to show respect.

Tsunade was understanding. "No need to be so formal."

Since the people from Tōshirō's clan had made their move, her own clan likely wouldn't stay quiet for long either.

Watching Tōshirō and Fugaku leave, Tsunade pressed her left palm against her right fist and made a "clasped hands" gesture with a smack.

While she had the time, she might as well go make her own statement too.

Some things just have to be faced eventually.

(End of Chapter)