Chapter 33: How Can You Beat Me?

Lunch was made by Uzumaki Hinae—delicate and delicious. At first, Natsume ordered takeout. But once she got used to him, Hinae insisted on cooking. She was unexpectedly amazing at it.

If Tsunade's cooking skill was only 1,000, Hinae's was at least 10,000. The difference was bigger than between humans and dogs. Natsume wasn't slandering Tsunade; it was just personal experience. Some people really aren't meant for the kitchen.

After eating, Natsume sent Karin back to her studies. Only three years old and already showing the original's fiery temper—he figured she and Tsunade would get along well.

"Ah, this is nice."

Lying on Hinae's sofa, Natsume felt warm and lazy. Hinae watched him, eyes gentle, holding him with one arm and massaging his forehead with the other, sometimes patting his head affectionately. Such a cute pillow—she loved hugging him, and Natsume loved it too. Who doesn't like a soft pillow?

Nice times never last long. Natsume got up to head home. He remembered something and said, "I'm a genin now, so I'll be out on missions. If I don't visit for days, don't worry."

But the moment he said it, Hinae got even more worried. For once, her usually docile personality turned firm: "I'll go with you. I can protect you."

"Missions aren't that dangerous, and my team leader is one of the Legendary Sannin—Tsunade," Natsume smiled. "Just wait for me to come back."

Hinae hesitated, but nodded.

…

Senju Residence.

Natsume paused before opening the door—almost made a mistake. He quickly put away the charm Hinae gave him.

"Come eat dinner," Tsunade called from the hall, not watching TV but reading reports—information about the Cloud Village: which powerful ninja were participating, special jutsu, where they were active, all very detailed. Clearly, she was preparing for missions.

Natsume glanced at a report:

Killer Bee, Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.

It said: Extremely dangerous. Avoid if possible.

But currently he's in Cloud Village's Valley of Clouds and Lightning, not participating in battle. As the Eight-Tails host, he's nearly the strongest force. If he fought, it would escalate to all-out war—potentially the Fourth Ninja World War. Two tigers fighting means both get hurt. Other villages would seize the chance to attack. The Cloud Village, though full of brutes, had some smart ninja, like Mabui—the Fourth Raikage's secretary. Calm and talented, she's no less smart than the Nara clan.

Honestly, with all the money from Gunma Casino and Bank, Natsume didn't need missions. But business alone can't save the ninja world. If Nagato drops a Shinra Tensei, all his work will be wiped out. Ultimately, strength is what matters.

Natsume put down the reports, watching Tsunade focus. Serious men are handsome; serious women are beautiful—especially when she leans over, her mountains swaying. Truly a stunning sight.

After a while, Tsunade stretched and affectionately pinched Natsume's cheek. "Let's eat."

Shizune had already served the food. Over the past two years, her cooking had improved drastically. Natsume felt more and more like she was Tsunade's maid—always busy.

…

Late at night.

Tsunade took Natsume back to his room. Ever since her hemophobia stopped two months ago, they hadn't slept together. Natsume could only sigh—bad woman, using him and tossing him aside; his life-sized figure was gone.

"Good night," Tsunade said, tucking him in and rubbing his head, "It's winter, don't kick off your blanket at night."

Natsume felt wronged—it was only because sleeping with her was too hot that he kicked the blanket off! He wondered if she really didn't get it, but said nothing and nodded.

Tsunade looked at him, a complex look in her eyes. She was uncomfortable. But she realized Natsume was no longer a child—almost ten, only about ten centimeters shorter than her. In a few years, he'd be an adult. The ninja world matures early.

Tsunade, for all her roughness, understood some things—like relationships between men and women. Her relationship with Natsume is teacher-student, maybe siblings, or at most adopted mother and son—never lovers. Sharing a bed would be inappropriate.

She sighed. Even if she didn't care about age, what about Natsume? He might be clingy now, but as he grows up he'll be attracted to younger girls. But it made her sad. The thought of Natsume leaving one day was unbearable.

"If only I were twenty years younger…" Tsunade lay awake, lost in thought.

…

Natsume slept soundly. When he got up, he immediately dove back under the covers—it was snowing outside. Winter had come again.

After breakfast, Kabuto arrived. With Shizune, Tsunade's squad was complete. But instead of a mission, Tsunade handed them a summoning contract scroll.

"My summon is the slug from Shikkotsu Forest, one of the Three Great Sage Regions. As my students, you're eligible to sign the contract too."

Slugs, unlike snakes from Ryuchi Cave or toads from Mount Myoboku, are support summons—perfect for medical ninja, but also useful for others. All slugs are just splits or clones of the Slug Sage; they share information between them. Tsunade giving her students the slug contract is another layer of protection.

As for Sage Mode, they weren't qualified yet. To learn it, you need huge chakra reserves—since Sage Chakra is a mix of chakra and natural energy. Without enough chakra, natural energy will consume you.

Natsume signed his name on the scroll—delighted.

Tsunade, Kabuto, Shizune, plus slugs.

Four protect one—how can you possibly beat me?