[89] Farewell

The following day, outside Konoha's village gates, Tsunade held Shizune's hand as they faced Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Hiruzen Sarutobi.

In years past, Tsunade had spent much of her life alongside them. Now, the time for parting had arrived.

"Tsunade, if you grow weary or homesick out there, Konoha will always welcome you back." Hiruzen said softly, gazing at his disciple.

Her departure weighed heavily on him, but it had been decided long ago. His only regret was that Tengen hadn't convinced her to stay.

"Don't worry, old man." Tsunade replied with a smile.

"Come back sometime, Tsunade." Jiraiya urged.

"I will, Jiraiya." Tsunade nodded, returning his smile.

"And Orochimaru, you've been getting gloomier these days. Spend more time with your disciple Tengen, it might do you some good." Tsunade said, turning to Orochimaru.

Her words caught him off guard, but he managed a faint smile. "I understand. Tengen is a disciple I'm quite proud of."

After recent days of recovery, Orochimaru had regained some mental clarity. Thoughts about Tengen were buried deep within him, carefully concealed to avoid detection, even from Tsunade.

"Well then, everyone, I'll be off. No need to see us out." Tsunade said, waving before leading Shizune away.

Hiruzen and Jiraiya watched their retreating figures with reluctance.

"I never thought Tsunade would actually leave." Hiruzen sighed, gazing at her fading silhouette. "By the way, where's Tengen? Why didn't he come to say goodbye?"

Hiruzen knew Tsunade and Tengen were close. He had hoped their time together might persuade her to stay.

"No idea where he went." Jiraiya said, shaking his head. "Orochimaru, do you know?"

"I don't." Orochimaru replied coolly.

"Let's head back." Hiruzen said, sighing again as Tsunade and Shizune vanished from sight.

He wasn't worried about Tsunade's safety. Few shinobi in the world could match her, and those who could, core members of the great ninja nations, had no reason to target her.

…

"What's wrong, Shizune? Missing Tengen already?" Tsunade teased with a laugh.

"No way, Tsunade-sama! It's just that Tengen didn't come to see us off, even though I told him yesterday we were leaving." Shizune said quickly.

She had made a point to inform Tengen of their departure, yet he was absent today.

"Yeah, that Tengen, not showing up to say goodbye. Next time I see him, I'll give him a good thrashing." Tsunade said, recalling her own mention of their departure the previous night.

"Tsunade-sama, I'm sure Tengen had something important to do." Shizune said, concerned. She knew the destructive power of Tsunade's strength and feared for Tengen.

"Haha, relax, Shizune. Tengen's tougher than he looks." Tsunade said, thinking back to their recent spars.

In her estimation, Tengen's prowess surpassed that of a Chunin, placing him among the elite Jonin. She couldn't fathom how someone so young had honed such formidable taijutsu.

While Konoha's genius, Kakashi, had graduated from the Ninja Academy and become a Chunin faster than Tengen, Tsunade believed Tengen would reach Jonin rank even more swiftly.

Since graduating, Tengen's strength had grown explosively.

"Someone talking about me?" A familiar voice interrupted. Tsunade and Shizune looked up to see a young figure leaning against a tree, smiling at them.

"Tengen!"

"Tengen, you little rascal!"

Shizune and Tsunade called out in unison.

"Tsunade-sama, how could you say that in front of Shizune? I'm pure as can be." Tengen said with a grin.

"Yeah, Tsunade-sama, those times were accidents." Shizune chimed in.

"Alright, Shizune, I get it." Tsunade said, rolling her eyes. To her, Shizune was as innocent as a lamb around Tengen.

"But Tengen, are you here to see us off?" Tsunade asked, looking at him.

"Of course. And I brought some provisions, bento and dried rations. I made them last night with care." Tengen said, holding out a parcel filled with delicacies crafted using his Food Wars skills.

"You can cook gourmet food? It's not poisoned, is it?" Tsunade asked skeptically.

"If you don't want it, I can take it back." Tengen replied.

"No, let's try it. It's almost noon anyway." Tsunade said, taking two bento boxes from the parcel. "Here, Shizune, this one's for you."

"What about yours, Tengen?" Shizune asked.

"I already ate." Tengen said.

"Let's see." Tsunade said, opening her bento. The ingredients were meticulously prepared, almost too perfect. "Did you get this from some restaurant?"

Tsunade lacked such culinary finesse herself.

She took a bite, and an explosion of flavors burst across her taste buds, succulent meat, savory seaweed, crisp vegetables, each element spreading delight in her mouth.

It was like stepping into a culinary paradise.

"This is incredible!" Tsunade and Shizune exclaimed, their faces flushed as they savored the dishes.

They had never tasted anything so exquisite.

A moment later, Tsunade's cheeks glowed, her eyes sparkling. "Tengen, knowing I won't get to eat your cooking anymore makes me reluctant to leave Konoha."

"Thank you, Tengen." Tsunade said, pulling along Shizune, who wore a blissful expression.

"Tsunade, Shizune, we'll meet again. I look forward to that day." Tengen said with a smile.

"Not calling me Tsunade-sensei anymore, you little rascal?" Tsunade teased, smiling.

"Goodbye."

***

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