*Tsunade's old family estate*
Knock, knock, knock.
A steady, rhythmic knocking echoed from the front door.
"I'm coming, I'm coming." Shizune walked out of the kitchen wearing an apron, her expression exasperated. "Lady Tsunade, don't tell me you forgot your keys again…"
She opened the door—then froze.
"Good evening, Shizune." Yuto smiled warmly, his voice calm. "I've brought Tsunade sensei back."
Shizune glanced past him at Tsunade, who was completely passed out, and finally snapped back to her senses. "Quick, put Lady Tsunade down—I'll take her!"
But Yuto felt Tsunade's body tense against his back. He shook his head. "No need. Just tell me which room is hers."
"…First room on the second floor."
Shizune sighed, muttering helplessly, "Yuto, you're too gentle. You don't even want to wake her up. If only Lady Tsunade could set a better example as a teacher… not only getting drunk outside, but making her student carry her home? How embarrassing."
"It's no trouble." Yuto chuckled softly, climbing the stairs with Tsunade on his back.
In her room, he gently laid her down on the bed.
"Hey, brat." Just as he turned to leave, Tsunade suddenly grabbed his shirt hem, muttering half-asleep, "Don't get the wrong idea… I just had a little too much to drink tonight."
"I know. Just… remember to change your clothes before bed." Yuto tossed the line over his shoulder and headed out.
The moment he left, Tsunade's eyes snapped open. She yanked the blanket over her face and let out a muffled wail of self-loathing.
Inside the Spirit Pearl, Mikoto's furious voice rang out
"That woman still won't take responsibility?!" Mikoto's voice was livid. " 'A little too much to drink' my foot! She was completely aware of what she was doing!"
"Come on, Tsunade's got her pride," Kushina said, shrugging. "Getting dazed over a dozen times by her own student in one night? Anyone would want to bury that kind of history."
"And whose fault is that?! She's the one who kept pushing for more, clinging to him like her life depended on it! By the laws in the Land of Waves, this counts as statutory assault!"
"Pfft—Mikoto, you reek of jealousy."
"Oh, like you're not just as bothered!"
"Sure, but what can we do?" Kushina sighed dramatically. "Our little man here is basically an incubus in the shinobi world—one touch, and girls lose their minds. This won't be the last time. Better get used to it."
"Easy for you to say. It's not like I can just turn off my emotions," Mikoto grumbled, crossing her arms. "And for some reason, it's Tsunade that really gets under my skin. Others? Fine. Her? Unbearable."
"Maybe it's the whole Senju Uchiha rivalry?" Kushina mused. "Y'know, fated enemies and all that."
Mikoto's eye twitched. "That's what you're going with? Since when does 'fated enemies' apply to… this?!"
"Fated enemies, fated bond! Trust me, you two might just end up like Hashirama and Madara—destined to be each other's!"
"…Goddammit."
Mikoto was left speechless by that warped logic.
Even Yuto nearly cracked up, lips twitching as he forced himself not to laugh out loud.
"Heading home, Yuto?" Shizune stepped up as the boy came back down the stairs. "Sorry for all the trouble—wait… what's this?"
She noticed the damp stain across his back, and the faintly fishy smell wafting into the air.
"Someone spilled soup on me during dinner." Yuto's tone was calm as ever.
"Ohh, that explains it." Shizune chuckled in relief. "Want me to wash it for you? Just take off your clothes—"
"No need. I'll handle it." Yuto shook his head and walked toward the door. "Goodnight, Shizune."
"Alright. Take care."
She waved him off, watching his figure disappear into the street. Only then did she murmur to herself
"What a thoughtful, reliable boy… if only he were just a little older."
"Oho? So do you have a crush on him?"
"Hiss—!"
Shizune jumped, whirling around to find Tsunade standing behind her in a fresh change of clothes.
"L-Lady Tsunade? Didn't you pass out? When did you change?"
"There was soup in my clothes. It woke me up." Tsunade's voice was cool. Then, after a pause: "But more importantly… Are you sure you haven't fallen for that kid, Shizune?"
"Wh-what?! Of course not!" Shizune's cheeks flushed as she waved her hands frantically. "Yuto's just a boy—if I did, it'd basically be a crime!"
"You really think age is a issue here?" Tsunade's tone grew oddly quiet.
"Uh… isn't it?" Shizune scratched her head in confusion.
After a long silence, Tsunade exhaled. "…You're right. The age gap is a problem. For his sake, I can't let myself sink into this."
"Wait—'sink into this'? 'For his sake'? What are you—?" Shizune stared blankly.
"Nothing." Tsunade turned away. "Start packing. We're leaving the Leaf village."
"…Leaving?"
"I've passed down everything I can to him. What, you expect me to stick around here and rot?"
"But, Lady Tsunade—"
"My mind's made up. Before we go, don't tell anyone."
With that, Tsunade marched upstairs without looking back.
*Danzo's estate*
"You called for me, Lord Danzo?"
Now changed into clean clothes, Yuto stood respectfully before him.
"Take a look at this." Danzo's face was like a thundercloud as he tossed a letter onto the table. "Your thoughts?"
Yuto opened it. His brow twitched.
[*Elder Danzo, the boy Hayashi Yuto is a traitor hiding within the Leaf! Colluding with enemies to undermine our prosperity and stability—his intentions are vile! I beg Elder Danzo to see through him…*]
That was all. But the venom behind the words was obvious.
"…I have no thoughts." Yuto set the letter down with a calm expression. "As it says, I'll trust you to judge, Lord Danzo."
"No need."
Danzo let out a cold laugh. "Just the handiwork of an old subordinate of mine, trying to sow discord. His name's Aburame Torune. Lives in the East Street, Third District. You understand?"
"I understand, Lord Danzo." Yuto nodded firmly.
"Give him a dignified end. He served me for years, after all."
Danzo sighed, shaking his head. "Jealousy… the sharpest blade of all. Is there no true loyalty left in this village, besides you and Tatsu? Look at that fool Hiruzen! And those lapdogs Koharu and Homura—squandering the First and Second's legacy into this mess… ah, how it pains me."
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