Chapter 45: Thanks for Warming the Bed

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Toroi was just a minor character—contributing 49 Fate Points was already pushing his limits.

Akimichi Shitou, though saved by Sasame and the others, would've been rescued by another Konoha team if they hadn't stepped in.

But Hiruko? That was unexpected.

Sasame recalled his background.

A contemporary of the Sannin—Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade—he'd once been their friend.

But lacking their talent, he'd watched as they rose to fame, consumed by bitterness.

Driven by envy, he'd developed the forbidden Kekkei Genkai Absorption Technique, a fusion jutsu that allowed him to merge with other shinobi or summons, stealing their abilities—even bloodline limits.

Toroi had been one of Hiruko's targets.

Meaning, in the original timeline, Toroi had died by his hand.

Now that Sasame had killed him, Hiruko would simply find another replacement—hence the meager Fate Points.

"Sasame."

The moment the battle ended, Tsunade rushed over, scanning him head to toe. Only after confirming he was unhurt did she relax.

Despite the blood staining his clothes, she didn't hesitate to pinch his cheek, smiling. "You really surprised me this time."

She knew Sasame had jōnin-level skill.

But she hadn't expected him to fight so smoothly—no hesitation, no missteps.

Part of her had hoped to see him flustered, just so she could swoop in and comfort him.

That delicate face paired with a panicked expression? Irresistible.

A perfect chance to play the doting older sister.

"No surprise at all. My teacher is one of the Legendary Sannin."

Sasame beamed up at her, eyes shining with admiration.

Tsunade's breath hitched.

Stay rational. Keep your distance. Don't fall deeper.

"Sweet talker."

She turned away, changing the subject. "Shizune and Kabuto are done too. Let's clean up and head back."

"Got it."

Sasame joined the other two.

Looting first, then disposing of the bodies.

Not out of morbid curiosity—but because corpses talked in the shinobi world.

The Five Great Villages had plenty of ways to extract memories from dead brains.

But ashes couldn't be identified, let alone speak.

Unless, of course, someone like Orochimaru or Kabuto used the Reanimation Jutsu to bring them back.

Soon, the four of them set off—plus Akimichi Shitou, carried on a stretcher by Sasame and Kabuto.

His injuries were severe, and Tsunade's interrupted treatment had left him unconscious.

As dusk fell, they couldn't make it back to camp in time.

After the battle, everyone needed to clean up, so they set up near a river.

This time, Tsunade didn't call for Sasame—she went with Shizune instead.

Both needed to wash up.

"No peeking."

Tsunade suddenly turned back, her gaze playful yet warning.

"Don't worry, Sensei. I'll keep Kabuto in check."

Sasame thumped his chest earnestly. "No one's getting close."

"???"

Kabuto, sorting through their loot nearby, looked up blankly. After a few seconds, he deadpanned, "I have zero interest in women."

Sasame recoiled in exaggerated horror.

"Or men," Kabuto added dryly. "Right now, my only interest is medical ninjutsu."

"Just joking, buddy."

Sasame grinned. "But seriously, you planning to stay single forever?"

In the original story, Kabuto had ended up alone—following in Nonō Yakushi's footsteps as an orphanage director.

Sasame couldn't even imagine Kabuto falling for anyone.

Honestly, men should be simpler.

Switching "waifus" every month was normal.

(Of course, Sasame meant 2D ones. Now that he was in the Naruto world, those "waifus" were real. Dangerously exciting.)

Given the danger zone, Tsunade and Shizune didn't linger. They returned quickly.

Sasame took his turn by the river, scrubbing off blood and grime.

Once Kabuto finished cataloging their spoils, Tsunade gathered the three for a debrief.

"You all did excellently—especially Sasame. You fought to your full potential. You're a proper shinobi now. Keep it up."

She didn't hold back on praise.

But the trio's reactions were underwhelming, robbing Tsunade of that "proud teacher" high.

"I'll take first watch. Who's covering the second half?"

"Me." Sasame raised his hand.

Shizune and Kabuto did too—then lowered theirs after glancing at him.

They were mature enough to recognize Tsunade's favoritism.

Not that they minded. Right now, they cared more about strength than affection.

Today's battle had shown them their shortcomings in combat.

Technically, medics weren't meant to be frontline fighters—but thanks to Tsunade's influence, both had forgotten that, striving to be healer-DPS hybrids.

What a curse.

As Tsunade watched Sasame drag his sleeping bag next to hers again, she sighed.

Her hand drifted to his cheek, stroking gently. Almost instantly, her heart settled.

When midnight came, she woke him.

"Go get some sleep, Sis."

Sasame yawned.

"I'll join you."

Tsunade slipped into his (now warm) sleeping bag, grinning. "Thanks for preheating it."

Sasame froze.

Damn it!

I should've taken first watch instead!

"Night."

Tsunade closed her eyes.

Exhausted from fighting, healing, and staying up half the night, she dozed off instantly.

The moon was hidden tonight.

No campfire either—too risky.

Luckily, shinobi had sharp eyes. Sasame could still admire Tsunade's sleeping face in the dimness.

After a while, he forced himself to focus on guard duty.

Unlike Tsunade, he couldn't multitask. An ambush now would be disastrous.

At dawn, Sasame checked the sky, about to rouse Tsunade—only to find her already awake, bleary-eyed and dazed.

Short sleep + abrupt wake-up = misery.

Suddenly, she pulled him into a hug, nuzzling her soft cheek against his. Half-asleep, her voice was muffled, words slurred.

"Is it… morning? Or am I… dreaming…?"

Her lips brushed his ear as she exhaled, sending a warm shiver down his spine.

…What kind of dream is this?!

"It's already tomorrow."

Sasame answered.

Tsunade jolted awake, realizing what she was doing, and immediately let go.

Again?

Tsunade… Tsunade, you promised yourself "the last time."

After breakfast and a day's travel, they finally returned to camp.

With multiple jōnin involved, their mission got upgraded from A-rank to S-rank.

For genin, this was practically unheard of.

If word got out, Sasame, Shizune, and Kabuto would've been famous overnight.

But since their squad leader was Tsunade, the feat lost some of its shock value.

Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 90 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 50 power stones I will publish the next chapter.