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This was a perilous time for their relationship. Mishandling the situation could lead to an irreversible split, especially with the immense pressure weighing on Asuma.
People only saw the glamorous side of Asuma's life but remained oblivious to the controversies and burdens he bore. Being with someone like Tsunade wasn't all honor and pride—it required having the ability to match her stature.
And what did Asuma have? His strength was mediocre at best—he was barely a Jonin. As for his lineage? It was laughable in comparison. To most, it seemed like a beautiful flower had been planted in manure. Compared to Tsunade, the Princess of the Senju Clan and an unparalleled powerhouse, Asuma appeared utterly inadequate.
Over time, resentment brewed. The whispers and gossip naturally leaned against Asuma rather than Tsunade. Everyone believed that being with Tsunade was a blessing Asuma didn't deserve. The constant chatter, coupled with the lingering prestige of the Senju name—even though they were long past their prime—only added to the strain. The old guard of the Senju still carried weight, and their occasional jabs or comparisons between the two families' statuses were more than enough to make Asuma squirm.
"Tsunade, this is for you."
"Thank you, Asuma."
Tsunade's cheeks flushed slightly, resembling a love-struck girl. It was hard to reconcile this side of her with the fearsome "Slug Princess." At least, that's what Ronglin thought. In moments like these, Tsunade's intelligence seemed to plummet into negative numbers.
"No need to thank me."
Asuma maintained his gentlemanly demeanor—the very quality that had initially attracted Tsunade to him.
"Is Uchiha Ronglin's special training still ongoing?"
Casually glancing at Ronglin, Asuma asked nonchalantly.
"It'll be a while yet."
One might say Asuma had a loose tongue; bringing up other topics at this moment only served to distract Tsunade from the sweetness of their reunion. Her expression shifted as her attention turned toward Ronglin.
"Two months should suffice. He's quite talented, though he started late. I'm sure many will be shocked by his progress," Tsunade said with a hint of pride, which made Asuma uncomfortable. He had just returned from a mission, hoping to spend some quality time alone with Tsunade to strengthen their bond. Unfortunately, his careless remark had ruined the mood, making the bouquet of roses he brought feel out of place.
"Teacher, can I take a break today?"
Having lived two lifetimes, Ronglin immediately recognized Asuma's intentions. Deciding to give them space, he set aside his scroll and requested a reprieve.
After finishing a month of intense taijutsu training, Tsunade's next move nearly gave Ronglin a heart attack. After testing his chakra nature, she casually dumped a pile of Fire and Wind Release scrolls in front of him.
"I borrowed these from Orochimaru—they weren't purchased using village contribution points, so you can study them without worry."
"You want to rest?"
Tsunade frowned, setting the flowers aside. "Do you realize how precious my time is? It's already difficult for me to carve out time for your training. And now you're asking for a break?"
She couldn't understand why Ronglin would request a break at such a crucial juncture. Didn't he know her schedule was packed? Between hospital duties and the Medical Department, squeezing out three months for his training was no small feat.
"But don't I feel like a thousand-watt lightbulb here? Is this really appropriate?" Ronglin teased, blinking playfully.
"Don't even think about it!!!"
Tsunade's face reddened as she shouted, "You're not going anywhere! Focus on your studies, or else you know the consequences."
Her narrowed eyes and raised hand left no room for argument. This left Asuma standing awkwardly to the side, feeling guilty for inadvertently causing Ronglin's scolding.
"Well then, pretend I don't exist. You two carry on… carry on."
Ronglin smirked, knowing full well that teasing Tsunade was a rare opportunity. Despite her fierce expressions, she rarely followed through with physical punishment unless provoked.
In truth, when Tsunade wasn't angry, she could be surprisingly gentle—she wouldn't resort to violence without reason.
"Asuma, I'm sorry. You see, I truly don't have much time right now."
With only three short months allocated for Ronglin's intensive training, Tsunade could only apologize to Asuma.
"It's fine. I understand."
A flicker of disappointment crossed Asuma's face, but he quickly masked it with a smile. No matter how disheartened he felt, he had no choice but to endure.
"Why are you looking at me like that?!"
After Asuma left, Tsunade examined herself curiously. Her clothes were neat, and there was no dirt on her lips. Why had Ronglin kept staring at her?
"Nothing. I just feel a bit sorry for the guy."
Ronglin spoke bluntly, leaving Tsunade speechless.
"Uchiha Ronglin, has no one ever taught you to show respect to your elders?"
"What's there to feel sorry about?"
By now, after months of interaction, Tsunade knew Ronglin's personality inside out. Perhaps she was the only person in the Hidden Leaf who truly understood him. He was straightforward with everyone and paid little heed to formalities or seniority. No amount of correction could change that, so eventually, Tsunade gave up trying to enforce propriety—as long as he didn't openly disrespect her.
"Fine, forget I said anything." Clearly, Ronglin had overestimated Tsunade's perceptiveness. How could someone so sharp in other areas be so dense when it came to matters of the heart? Or perhaps this explained why she had remained single until her thirties before pursuing a romantic relationship.
Regardless of how strong she was, Tsunade was still a woman. Once her curiosity was piqued, dismissing her concerns wouldn't be easy.
Realizing she wouldn't let him off the hook so easily, Ronglin reluctantly confessed, "For a man deeply in love, the hardest thing to bear is not being able to spend time with his girlfriend. Going months without seeing her can breed resentment, and prolonged frustration might lead to regrettable actions."
Men in love were no less clingy than women. Over time, unresolved issues inevitably arose.
"What do you mean?"
Tsunade furrowed her brows, visibly displeased. What did he mean by 'regrettable actions'?
"Ahem, take Jiraiya-sama, for example."
Ronglin emphasized Jiraiya's name pointedly. Were there any men who didn't stray? From a male perspective, almost none. Some dared to act on their impulses, while others restrained themselves. Whether Asuma would dare cross that line depended solely on him. When pushed to the brink, a desperate man could become surprisingly bold.