"If the pressure's off, tell me right away."
Natsume placed his hands on Tsunade's supple shoulders.
"Mm."
Tsunade closed her eyes.
The steady warmth on her shoulders made her body tremble slightly and go a little weak.
Seems like he's gotten better than before.
Tsunade wasn't as calm as she imagined.
Even for a small thing like a massage, it was, for her, the first step of taking the initiative.
"Ah—"
Tsunade suddenly shivered and let out an ambiguous sound. "Don't…touch my ears."
"Got it."
Natsume remembered ears were her weak spot, then asked, "Want a foot massage? You must be tired from walking."
"Dirty."
Tsunade patted his hand. "I'll take a bath first."
Natsume obediently stopped and watched her take clean clothes into the bathroom.
If it were Hinae, he'd definitely ask if she needed a bath attendant.
But Tsunade—he didn't dare.
Natsume sat on the sofa, picked up the cup she drank from, and downed it.
Mm, a little sweet.
About half an hour later, the bathroom door opened.
Natsume reflexively turned.
Tsunade had just finished bathing, her face slightly flushed, golden hair draped over her shoulders, still damp.
She wore a white nightgown, the front stretched taut, like a balloon on the verge of bursting, swaying precariously.
Her arms and legs were bare; her feet in slippers, toe-tips beaded with water, exquisitely delicate.
"Help sis with a foot massage."
Tsunade sat on the sofa, extended her feet, and placed them in his hands.
Soft and warm.
Knead, knead, knead.
Natsume earnestly massaged for half an hour.
Tsunade bit her lip lightly and only relaxed after it ended.
Her face grew even rosier.
Like tipsy drunkenness, suffused with a ripe aura.
Natsume stared, a little entranced.
"I'll cook."
Sensing his heated gaze, Tsunade stood abruptly and ran into the kitchen.
Cook?
Natsume realized.
No, sis, don't!
That's not your job!
Natsume put on a mask of pain.
In that moment, he desperately wished Shizune would make a hero's entrance.
But she didn't.
"Eat."
Tsunade propped her chin and watched Natsume's expression with interest.
Haven't seen that in a while—felt rather endearing.
Natsume picked up a grilled fish, took a bite, and frowned instinctively.
Weird.
What on earth is this taste?
A bit fishy, and a bit salty.
The handling of the fish was definitely off.
But he still finished it all.
Because he loved her that much.
Tsunade was very satisfied. She patted Natsume's head and said, "Good boy."
She picked up the dishes and headed back into the kitchen.
The door opened.
Shizune saw Natsume sprawled lifelessly on the sofa and asked, "Did Lady Tsunade come back?"
Without waiting for a reply, she changed shoes and ran to the kitchen.
"Lady Tsunade!"
"Shizune."
Tsunade washed dishes as she asked, "Have you eaten? If not, I'll heat something up for you."
"I've eaten, I've eaten."
Shizune waved her hands quickly, and shot Natsume a look of sympathy.
She stepped up to help Tsunade wash.
Before long, the two came out together.
"How's your Sage Mode training?"
Tsunade sat beside Natsume and asked.
"Almost there, I guess?"
Natsume looked uncertain, a bit guilty. He stood at once. "I'll go train now."
Tsunade arched a brow, a smile tugging at her lips.
Before, she'd trusted the Slug Sage.
But exposing her movements this time made her doubt that Natsume's three years of failure at Sage Mode were real.
She'd carefully watched his micro-expressions just now and indeed spotted issues.
So even the Slug Sage has defected, huh.
Tsunade sighed softly. Still, there was no anger at being deceived.
Natsume went out to the courtyard—not to train Sage Mode, but Flying Thunder God.
He planned to nail it within a month.
Otherwise, it'd be hard to visit Terumi Mei and Hinae and the others.
…
A new day.
Early morning.
"Get up. We're going to see the Slug Sage."
Tsunade didn't dare look at him, grabbed her coat, and left the room.
At the doorway, she leaned against the wall, cheeks flushing.
He really is an adult now.
Natsume got up, scratched his head, and after breakfast, he and Tsunade arrived at Shikkotsu Forest.
"Lady Tsunade, you're back."
The Slug Sage's gentle voice held a trace of joy.
"Sorry to trouble you again today."
Tsunade pointed at Natsume. "Is there something wrong with his Sage Mode?"
"…"
The Slug Sage fell silent for two seconds, exchanged a quick glance with Natsume, and said, "No big problem. He can move to the next stage—training the unique sage art of Shikkotsu Forest."
"You mean he's already succeeded at Sage Mode?"
Tsunade blinked.
What?
She'd only wanted to test if the Slug Sage was really lying to her.
She didn't expect that answer.
But that meant she no longer had a reason to share a bed with Natsume.
For a moment, it felt like she'd shot herself in the foot.
"Mostly succeeded."
The Slug Sage's tone turned serious. "Lady Tsunade, your task is very important next."
Tsunade looked puzzled.
"Shikkotsu's unique sage art is singular: Seal-less Regeneration."
The Slug Sage explained, "It's a passive sage art that greatly enhances self-healing, but it's extremely difficult to train."
Natsume had a bad feeling and quickly asked, "How do you train it?"
"Tongue-and-tooth mucosal acid."
With a gentle voice, the Slug Sage spoke terrifying words. "Natsume will bathe in this corrosive fluid, undergoing cycles of flesh's dissolution and regrowth, until regeneration becomes instinct."
"Is that the only way?"
Tsunade's heart lurched; she asked at once.
Amid his horror, Natsume suddenly understood why Senju Hashirama had such monstrous regeneration.
Sure, some of it was his Sage Body, but Shikkotsu's training clearly played a role.
It was just too painful.
Natsume worried whether he could endure it.
Then he noticed Tsunade's expression and made up his mind.
The harder it is, the better he can hold her heart.
It would also deepen their bond.
Of course, only if Tsunade already cares about him.
Then it works.
Bitter trials forge the best.
"I'll do it."
Natsume said, "With sis here, I won't die anyway."
"No, you won't."
Tsunade glared at him, voice firm. "I don't agree! Too dangerous! That kind of pain isn't something you can handle right now!"
She didn't want to see Natsume melted down to bare white bones.
If that happened, her heart would break.