"Sweet talker!"
Tsunade didn't believe him. She folded her arms and asked, "Have you said this to other girls?"
"No! Absolutely not!"
Natsume quickly stood up and swore.
"Hmph."
Tsunade glared at him, but the corners of her mouth curled up slightly. She said in a softened tone, "Let's go."
Natsume immediately reached out and helped her up.
Tsunade walked to the entryway, leaned against the wall, and stood on one foot to change her shoes.
The high-slit kimono revealed her entire thigh to Natsume, making him swallow in regret.
He should have helped Tsunade put on her shoes.
But after being scolded, he lost the chance.
Still, Natsume was quite happy.
This really felt like being in a romance.
After Tsunade finished putting on her left shoe, she caught his burning gaze and asked, "Does it look good?"
Natsume nodded quickly.
"You really are no different from other men."
Tsunade rolled her eyes.
"They're not as capable as I am! Today, I'll let you taste my cooking!"
Natsume both rebutted and changed the subject.
"When did you learn to cook?"
Tsunade laughed, a hint of curiosity in her eyes, "Did you learn from me?"
"Of course not!"
Natsume had barely finished before seeing her face darken—it was too late to take it back.
Tsunade lifted her right leg and pressed her jade-like foot against his chest, pinning him to the wall.
She demanded angrily, "Are you saying my cooking is bad?"
"Injustice!"
Natsume sucked in a breath. Thank goodness for his sage training in the Shikkotsu Forest—otherwise, he really couldn't take it.
At this moment, he was grateful to the Slug Sage.
Having super healing ability really came in handy.
But it was worth it, getting a glimpse up into the inner part of the sexy kimono.
"Um... What are you two doing?"
Shizune opened the door and saw the strange scene between them.
And Tsunade-sama was actually wearing a kimono?
"Nothing."
Tsunade continued putting on her shoes and said, "I plan to take Natsume out; we won't be home for lunch or dinner."
If it were an ordinary girl, she would have been mortified.
But not Tsunade—she remained calm.
This made Shizune feel that maybe she'd misunderstood.
"Should I pack food for you?"
"No need."
Tsunade waved her hand, "Someone will treat us to a meal."
"Then be careful on the road."
Shizune was still a bit puzzled, but didn't ask further.
The two went out.
Natsume deliberately walked behind Tsunade.
With the kimono hugging her figure, her body fully embodied the word "sexy."
Her round, perky hips were absolutely lethal.
Tsunade suddenly became aware of her outfit, stopped, and asked, "Where do you want to go? Let Slug take us."
"The riverbank is fine."
Natsume held back his regret and said.
"Okay."
Tsunade summoned Katsuyu.
A moment later, the two appeared in a quiet mountain valley.
Natsume opened his eyes and saw a waterfall, a big river, and a small grove not far away.
Not bad—perfect for the outdoors.
While Tsunade looked on in surprise, Natsume opened his storage scroll and started setting up carpets, a barbecue grill, and all kinds of cooking utensils.
Soon, he'd set up a decent camp.
Actually, Natsume could have used Wood Release directly.
But that would have lacked sincerity.
Natsume took out two fishing rods, "Let's go fishing."
"I don't know how."
Tsunade looked at the unfamiliar rod and shook her head.
She might be rough around the edges, but she was still the Princess of Konoha.
Fishing, she really didn't know.
"It's simple. Put bait on the hook, cast it into the water, and wait for a fish to bite."
Natsume handed her the rod, took out a bench, and patted it, "Come sit."
The bench wasn't long.
Sitting together was a bit cramped, but very cozy.
After a while, Tsunade threw away the rod, "I'm done fishing."
In a few minutes, Natsume had caught two fish, while she hadn't caught any, and immediately lost patience.
"That means you lost."
Natsume nudged her with his shoulder.
"What are you talking about?"
Tsunade turned to look at his profile, "It's not a contest, how is there a winner or loser?"
"You're wrong. When an angler picks up a rod, the competition has already begun."
Natsume spouted nonsense, "Don't underestimate us!"
Tsunade looked at his serious face, laughed, and asked, "So what if I lost?"
"You have to accept punishment, of course."
Natsume answered immediately, "A bet's a bet. You're one of the Sannin, you can't back out."
"What punishment?"
Tsunade asked with great interest.
"I need a softer seat."
Natsume stood up and, without hesitation, sat down in her lap.
Tsunade was stunned, but then shifted her long legs a bit, wrapped her arms around him, and her plump body became the softest sofa.
Listening to his breathing, Tsunade's cheeks blushed for some reason.
After a moment, she joked, "Why are you so weak after just a few minutes? Didn't catch a single fish."
"It's your fault!"
Natsume replied, guilty but confident, "You distracted me."
"Blaming someone else for your own weakness."
Tsunade said with a smile.
Natsume froze, then got angry.
Damn woman!
I'll make you gasp in amazement!
Natsume instantly became focused, casting aside all distractions, and began fishing seriously.
Soon, Tsunade found herself gaping in amazement, "How are there so many?"
It was like the fish knew him—he caught five in a minute.
Natsume raised his chin proudly, "How about that? I told you my skills weren't just talk."
Tsunade found it funny.
Men's competitiveness is really strange.
With so many fish, it was more than enough for two people.
Natsume began to show off his cooking skills.
"Where did you learn this?"
Tsunade took a bite of fish and her eyes lit up.
So delicious!
She'd never eaten such tasty grilled fish before.
"It's nothing, just a little hobby."
Natsume was obviously a bit overconfident, not noticing Tsunade's gaze growing sharper.
She asked quietly, "Are you saying you don't want to eat my cooking anymore?"
"How could I?"
Natsume froze, quickly replying, "I'd eat it every day!"
"You talk so smooth—who knows how many girls you'll charm in the future."
Tsunade knocked his forehead with her left hand.
"I only want to charm sis—"
Natsume quickly changed the subject, "Try this grilled meat too."
Almost let his true feelings slip.
Tsunade looked down, flustered, chewing the barbecue.
But she was inexplicably happy.
So, she was actually very charming.
…
Meanwhile, back at the Uchiha compound—
"Clan leader, according to Uchiha Izumi, the one who attacked them was Orochimaru."
"Intolerable! Revenge! We must have revenge!"
"Three years ago, it was definitely a plot by the Konoha leadership!"
"Not long ago, Hiruzen's eldest son, Sarutobi Seinosuke, exposed Wood Release during a mission!"
"Clan leader, things have reached this point—what are you waiting for?"
Fugaku listened to the angry voices, his stern face growing gloomier.
In recent years, the radical faction had grown quickly; only a few conservatives remained.
Now the whole clan wanted rebellion—he had no other choice but to fight.
He suddenly turned to the silent Itachi and asked, "Itachi, what do you think?"
"I have nothing to say."
Itachi knew that words wouldn't solve anything now—only strength would.