Tōshirō was silent for a while, a hint of surprise in his lowered eyelids. "Even you can't handle it alone?"
Kakuzu's deep voice came from behind his mask, "He's a very tricky fellow."
Having no time, Tōshirō initially intended to refuse.
Kakuzu seemed to read Tōshirō's thoughts and spoke before he could refuse: "This isn't just for me, it's for you too."
Tōshirō's eyes showed confusion. "For me?"
Kakuzu explained succinctly.
Tōshirō's brows furrowed as he listened, his expression darkening. "I understand. I'll find a way to make time to go with you and take care of that guy."
With that, he vanished, leaving a wisp of dust.
Kakuzu stared ahead, his eyes profound.
"What took you so long to go to the bathroom?"
Tōshirō returned to his companions. Tsunade, seeing he had been gone for quite a while, asked casually.
Tōshirō bluffed, "It's in the city, after all. I can't just relieve myself anywhere like in the forest by the roadside."
Tsunade looked at him with suspicion, scrutinizing him up and down, but eventually didn't think much of it. "Never mind, since you're back, let's head back to the village."
With that, she turned and left, taking long strides. Tōshirō followed closely behind, like a shadow.
Walking along the road, Tsunade chatted with him. Tōshirō, preoccupied, responded a little late.
"Hey, I'm talking to you." Tsunade squeezed Tōshirō's waist with force.
Tōshirō winced in pain. "Ow, what was that for?"
Tsunade huffed, "Because you didn't answer me just now."
"I was thinking about something."
Tōshirō's expression showed he had something on his mind.
He was thinking about what Kakuzu had told him.
Kakuzu's accountant was obsessed with a courtesan, unable to extricate himself. Driven by lust, he audaciously embezzled Kakuzu's money to win the courtesan's affection.
Because of the large sum of money, an investigation was launched. It wasn't an issue until the investigation began, which then exposed the past incident of kidnapping the Daimyo.
Kakuzu found out when it was already too late. He had intended to kill the one investigating him to cut off the lead, but the opponent was incredibly strong. Kakuzu's assassination attempt failed, which is why he sought out Tōshirō, hoping he could help him kill that person.
Thinking about this, Tōshirō couldn't help but feel a headache. If his past act of kidnapping and extorting the Fire Daimyo's son were exposed, it would be big trouble.
Tsunade asked, "What is it?"
Tōshirō stopped thinking and laughed, "I was thinking that when we get back to the village tonight, should I have you wear a maid outfit, or a nurse outfit, or a witch outfit..."
Tōshirō's voice wasn't loud, but it was enough to attract the attention of those around him. Their ears twitched, and they all showed expressions of gossip, casting their gaze upon them.
Their gazes were like looking at giant pandas in a zoo. Tsunade's face flushed, and she stomped down hard.
"That hurts..."
Tōshirō's left foot was in pain.
"Hmph..."
Tsunade huffed angrily, turned her head, and her high ponytail nearly slapped Tōshirō's face. Then she took long, powerful strides, accelerating her pace, leaving Tōshirō behind with a bobbing ponytail.
Although she didn't mind doing such things, couldn't this pervert say such things in private?
With so many people watching, how was she supposed to respond to something like that?
The Konoha ninja burst into laughter. "Oh, Tōshirō, you've made Captain Tsunade angry. Aren't you going to chase after her and apologize?"
Tōshirō scurried after her. "Wait for me!"
Tsunade pretended to still be angry. "Get lost!"
"Okay, I'll get lost."
Tōshirō left for a moment, then came back.
"Hey, why are you back?"
"I rolled back."
"..."
A Few Days Later
Konoha Hospital.
Tsunade visited her mentor, then exited the room, gently closing the door.
Tōshirō saw her finally come out and approached her with a smile. "How's the situation?"
"His recovery is going very well..."
Her mentor was about to be discharged, and Tsunade was in a very good mood, a pleased expression on her pretty face.
Tōshirō generally understood.
He looked forward to Hiruzen Sarutobi's swift recovery. He preferred dealing with Hiruzen Sarutobi over Danzo.
Stepping out of the hospital, Tsunade asked, "What are we doing next?"
Tōshirō answered without hesitation, "Come with me to train."
"Training again?"
Tsunade pouted.
Being with Tōshirō meant training, and more training. It wasn't that it was bad, but she occasionally wanted a simple date.
Tsunade was a little resentful. Tōshirō noticed and gently poked her forehead with his index and middle fingers. "Forgive me, next time..."
This was the Uchiha forehead poke.
"Honestly, where did you learn that? Why do you keep poking my forehead lately?"
Tsunade's cheeks flushed. Compared to aggressive actions, sometimes such ordinary gestures could make her heart race more.
Tōshirō smiled brightly, took her soft hand, and intertwined their fingers. "Our usual spot..."
Under the sun, their shadows walked side by side.
The two held hands and walked towards the training ground. A little sweet talk before formal training wasn't bad.
Walking on the street, villagers occasionally looked back and greeted them.
Tsunade had a smile on her face. Being recognized by everyone while walking on the street like this was something Tsunade couldn't have imagined in the past.
"Now you're recognized by everyone too."
Tōshirō laughed, "After all, I work very hard..."
As the two walked along, chatting and laughing, a man of moderate build approached them, blocking their way. He clearly had something to say.
"Is there something wrong?"
Tsunade noticed someone blocking their path. The person wore a ninja headband and casual clothes.
The ninja with the headband got straight to the point. "Yes, there's something. I might need to speak with your companion."
Tōshirō frowned slightly. "Is it Lord Danzo?"
"Yes."
"What does he want from me?"
"I'm not sure. I'm just a messenger."
"I understand." Tōshirō turned his head. "Tsunade, you go to the training spot first. I'll take care of some private business."
Tsunade understood what was happening. It seemed Danzo had a mission for him.
How unusual...
Tsunade mumbled to herself.
As a competent ninja, Tsunade knew very well what to ask and what to say.
For mission secrecy, colleagues should not question each other.
Hmm... Tsunade decided to quietly ask Tōshirō in private once he returned.
"Then hurry and follow me." Leaving that sentence, Tsunade separated from Tōshirō and walked towards the training ground.
Tōshirō withdrew his gaze from Tsunade's back, not even looking at the messenger ninja, and simply said, "Let's go," walking towards the Hokage's office building.
With doubts, Tōshirō entered the Hokage's office.
Inside the room, Danzo, whose face was wrapped in bandages, sat in the Hokage's seat, having waited for a long time.
"Lord Danzo, what do you want from me?"
Tōshirō disliked Danzo, but he still maintained a respectful facade.
Danzo stood up, his eyes subtly sizing up the other party. Without any polite pleasantries, he directly said, "I have a mission to assign to you."
"A mission for me?"
Tōshirō immediately became wary.
Thinking for the worst, could this guy be trying to use a mission to ambush him, to remove the thorn in his side?
Tōshirō's disguise was excellent. Danzo couldn't see through it, only seeing confusion in his eyes. He continued, "The person who ambushed Hiruzen has been found."
Tōshirō was startled. "Who is it?"
"The Second Kazekage."
"?"
Danzo specifically brought this up, most likely related to a subsequent mission. Tōshirō had more or less guessed it and mused, "Lord Danzo plans for me to return an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth?"
Danzo continued, "I plan to send you to assassinate the Second Kazekage."
Tōshirō was indifferent to this matter and recommended, "For assassination, Sakumo's abilities should be more suitable."
"Sakumo, you say... He is indeed a good candidate, but unfortunately, his current strength is not enough. Perhaps in a few more years, it might be possible."
Tōshirō pondered, thinking about how to refuse.
"But if it were you, there shouldn't be a problem."
Danzo looked at him, seemingly highly endorsing Tōshirō, even outlining the advantages and disadvantages between them and the enemy: "The Second Kazekage specializes in Puppet Jutsu, which requires chakra threads to operate. With your Ice Release ability, you should be able to freeze them, significantly reducing his power."
Tōshirō scoffed.
No matter how eloquently you speak, he wasn't going to do such a bothersome thing.
Wait...
Tōshirō paused, as if something clicked, and didn't immediately refuse, falling into hesitation. "I understand..."
(End of Chapter)
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