Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Young Tsunade

"**Sis, I'll be right there!**"

Nawaki waved first, then turned back to say, "**Wuye, it wasn't right for you two to use me as a distraction for a sneak attack. We're—**"

"**I know! Comrades of the village!**"

Kushina cut in, hands on her hips, exasperated. "**You're an upperclassman—if you're not going to help us, fine, but are you seriously scolding me and Wuye for handling it ourselves?**"

Nawaki lowered his head, dejected. "**I came to mediate, but I ended up making things worse. Wuye, you guys… huh?**"

He looked up to say more, only to notice Hyuga Wuye staring off to the side.

"**Why are you looking at my sister?**" he asked, puzzled.

"**Curiosity!**" Wuye replied matter-of-factly.

Tsunade, just entering adulthood, hadn't yet developed into the future "gravitational force" she'd become. Her face still carried a touch of youthful innocence.

But the future her… just thinking about it sent a flood of *questionable* manga scenes through Wuye's mind.

*Smile gradually turning creepy.jpg.*

"**Wuye.**"

Kushina waved her small, pale hand in front of his face. "**What are you staring at Tsunade-nee for?**"

"**Cough,**" Wuye snapped his gaze back, covering with, "**I was thinking about medical ninjutsu. Maybe it could solve my life-force issue… wait!**"

He paused abruptly.

Both the First Hokage and Tsunade had healing abilities—passive or active—that didn't consume life force. Could it really be tied to medical ninjutsu?

If he could manage that, wouldn't he become like Hashirama Senju, with infinite passive recovery?

Looks like his second target had to be her.

But this age gap… Wuye glanced at his seven-year-old body.

Getting on that train might take a few more years…

"**Let's go.**"

Wuye sidestepped Nawaki and left the scene.

Kushina grabbed his sleeve, whispering, "**Couples don't act like this…**"

Wuye paused, then casually took her hand, walking off hand-in-hand.

Kushina beamed beside him, her smile radiant.

Whether it was the softness unique to a young girl or the rush of adrenaline from earlier, her hand felt warm and tender—like holding a blooming lotus on a summer night, smooth and enticing. It made him want to bring it to his lips for a kiss or a whiff.

Behind them, Nawaki glanced at the beaten boy on the ground, then at Wuye and Kushina walking off without a care. He slumped, disheartened.

"**What's wrong with you?**"

Suddenly, a warm hand touched his forehead.

"**Sis…**"

Nawaki looked up to see Tsunade standing before him.

He briefly explained the situation, and Tsunade couldn't help but laugh. "**They finally managed to take down a genin, and you're telling them to love each other and understand one another?**"

Nawaki's face darkened. "**Sis, are you doubting my dream?**"

"**Nawaki, preaching works best after you've beaten someone into submission,**" Tsunade said with a grin, ruffling his hair. "**Otherwise, who's going to listen?**"

"**Beat them into submission first?**"

Nawaki pondered. "**Wouldn't it be bad for an upperclassman like me to challenge younger kids…**"

"**Didn't you say he beat a genin? Strength isn't about age, right?**" Tsunade asked suddenly. "**What's his name? Kushina's with him—she's Grandma's successor.**"

"**Wuye. Hyuga Wuye,**" Nawaki replied.

"**Hyuga clan?**"

Tsunade's brow furrowed, her expression cooling.

"**Sis?**"

Nawaki blinked. "**You're not holding a grudge against the whole Hyuga clan just because of the clan head, are you?**"

"**Hmph. How could I possibly like anything about Hyuga Hiashi's family?**" Tsunade crossed her arms.

"**Sis, that's not right,**" Nawaki perked up again. "**Sure, the Hyuga clan head is your rival, but didn't she do you a favor once? And we're all village comrades…**"

Tsunade's face darkened three shades. With a *smack*, she bonked him on the head. "**No preaching to your big sister.**"

Nawaki's head buzzed.

Now he got why you had to beat someone down before lecturing them—at least they couldn't hit back.

---

On the other side.

Kushina's face had also darkened three shades.

"**Wuye, come on! Uncle's treating you to barbecue!**"

They hadn't gotten far when a burly man—clearly from the Akimichi clan, with a giant "Food" character on his shirt—dragged Wuye toward a barbecue joint.

"**This is Uncle Torikaze,**" Wuye explained.

"**Oh.**" Kushina nodded glumly.

Seeing her mood, Wuye whispered, "**Uncle Torikaze has been looking out for me since I was little. He even lets me eat at his barbecue place for free, no charge.**"

"**Oh!**" Kushina let out a small gasp, quickly adding, "**Uncle Torikaze, thank you for being so good to Wuye!**"

"**Thanking me for him?**" Akimichi Torikaze bent down to her level, grinning. "**Are you Wuye's little girlfriend?**"

Kushina's face turned beet red, her hands clutching Wuye's arm tightly. "**Mm!**"

"**Hahaha!**" Torikaze laughed heartily, slinging an arm around Wuye's neck and pulling them both into the shop. "**Come on! Eat whatever you want today!**"

"**Huh? No, no need—I was supposed to spend today with Kushina…**"

Wuye didn't even get a chance to refuse before Torikaze shoved him into a booth.

"**No need to be polite with me!**"

He waved a hand grandly, slapping the table. "**Family business—eat your fill!**"

Wuye glanced at Kushina's crestfallen face and shrugged helplessly.

"**Sizzle, sizzle!**"

Soon, fragrant barbecue was laid out on the grill.

Maybe because it was the owner's table, a dedicated server stood by to cook for them.

Wuye kept piling meat onto Kushina's plate. "**Uncle Torikaze's loaded. Don't waste it—dig in.**"

Kushina's cheeks puffed out from all the food, looking adorable as she chewed.

"**If you hadn't refused to pool your clan allowance with me to open this place, it wouldn't just be me who's loaded—it'd be both of us,**" Torikaze grumbled.

Kushina finally swallowed her mouthful, turning to ask something with a cute expression—only to have Wuye stuff her mouth again.

"**Mmph!**"

Her little hands patted his chest lightly, as if complaining.

Wuye set down his chopsticks with a smile. "**I know what you're curious about. I was only four back then, and Uncle Torikaze insisted on going into business with me. Could I not be cautious?**"

"**You little punk, you thought I'd scam you?**" Torikaze rolled his eyes. "**I'm turning forty next year—how could I stoop to tricking a kid?**"

As he spoke, his chopsticks flew, outpacing Wuye and Kushina combined.

The barbecue feast lasted a full two hours before Torikaze reluctantly saw them off.

"**Hey, Wuye, whenever you want to make some cash, come find your uncle,**" he called, waving. "**These days, I'm only interested in eating and making money!**"

"**Got it!**"

Wuye waved back, pulling Kushina along as they left…

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