Chapter 102: Let Your Master Pat Your Head (Part 2)
The next day, after breakfast, Hoshikawa and the others said their goodbyes to Miroku and headed back toward Konoha Village.
The ninja from the Village Hidden in the Mist and the Village Hidden in the Stone had already left the day before.
Five days later, the three of them returned to Konoha.
"It's good to be back in the village," Hoshikawa said, looking at the familiar streets with a sense of relief.
This trip had taken them through deserts and rainstorms, it was insane.
Only Konoha had normal weather throughout the four seasons, making it a truly livable place.
"I'll go hand in the mission report," Sakumo said. "I'll give you your share of the reward when I get it."
"Thanks for the trouble." Tsunade agreed without hesitation, then pulled Hoshikawa toward the casino.
Hoshikawa didn't even have time to react before he was being dragged into the casino.
He shook his head, letting Tsunade do as she pleased. After all, she'd been holding back for almost two weeks.
Tsunade sat at a gambling table, and Hoshikawa sat beside her.
Ever since his growth spurt, he'd lost his softest pillow and was no longer able to sleep in Tsunade's arms. This was truly the greatest price he'd paid for growing up.
In the Hokage's office, Sakumo Hatake knocked on the door and entered after receiving a response.
"You're back?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, seeing that he was alone. "Did Tsunade take Hoshikawa to the casino again?"
"Yes," Sakumo nodded slightly.
"I knew I shouldn't have let Hoshikawa become her student," Hiruzen sighed.
Hoshikawa's talent was now on full display. He would, without a doubt, become a pillar of Konoha in the future.
But Hiruzen worried that Tsunade would lead him astray. One Tsunade was already a headache; he didn't want a second one.
"I think Tsunade's done a good job," Sakumo said, thinking back on his conversation with Hoshikawa over tea about the Hokage and his performance on this mission. "He's already more than优秀."
Not only was his talent shocking, but he also had a keen perception. His bringing up the Hokage topic was likely out of concern for Tsunade.
"I know how good of a teacher Tsunade is," Hiruzen said, tapping his pipe and taking a drag. "Fortunately, Hoshikawa hasn't developed any bad habits because of her."
"Lord Hokage, here's the mission report," Sakumo said with a smile, placing a mission scroll on the desk.
"I've already read the detailed account from the ANBU report," Hiruzen praised. "You all did very well. The Priestess Miroku was also very pleased and proposed to form ties with Konoha."
"Form ties?" Sakumo asked in surprise. "Isn't the Land of Demons a neutral nation?"
"It is neutral, but when it comes to life and death, neutrality is no longer an option," Hiruzen said with a chuckle.
Historically, every Priestess sacrificed herself for the sealing, but Minato's appearance changed this tradition.
After all, losing some lifespan was much better than losing one's life. Even if she lost half her life, it would still be a massive gain.
"Besides, it's only to form ties, not an alliance," Hiruzen added.
Even so, Konoha still came out ahead. The most direct benefit would be mission requests. If Miroku was partial to Konoha, the village's ninja would get a lot more missions. Since the Land of Demons had no ninja of its own, the number of mission requests would be significant.
"The mission reward is doubled, increasing to three million ryo," Hiruzen said after some thought. "In addition to the money, you can each choose one jutsu to learn."
The second part of the reward was clearly more beneficial to Hoshikawa. After all, Tsunade and Sakumo didn't really need to learn new jutsu.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage," Sakumo said, bowing slightly.
"You've earned it," Hiruzen said, exhaling a puff of smoke. "Don't you think Hoshikawa and the others should graduate early?"
The Cloud Village was restless, and war could break out at any time.
Of course, the most important reason was that Hoshikawa's strength was so ridiculous. Based on his performance on this mission, he was definitely beyond a Chunin, maybe even a Jōnin.
But he hadn't even graduated from the Academy, much less become a Genin. Was that reasonable?
"You'd have to ask Hoshikawa himself," Sakumo said, thinking for a moment before giving a definitive suggestion.
"Right." Hiruzen thought of Asuma Sarutobi, and decided to ask for his thoughts that evening.
As night fell, Hoshikawa yawned.
Having not gambled for so long, Tsunade was particularly excited today and had been at it for half the day.
"Sensei," Hoshikawa turned to her. "Aren't you hungry?"
"Just one more hand!" Tsunade said, not even looking up.
"I've heard that so many times!" Hoshikawa couldn't help but complain.
But Tsunade paid him no mind, her eyes glued to the gambling table.
Hoshikawa's mouth twitched. He reached out and pinched her thigh.
Her soft leg jiggled slightly.
"What are you doing?" Tsunade glared at him.
"We're going home!" Hoshikawa said in a firm tone.
"I said one more hand! Stop moving around!" To keep him from causing trouble, Tsunade simply hugged him close.
Hoshikawa's face was instantly subjected to immense pressure. The rich scent mixed with oxygen rushed into his nostrils, making him feel a bit lightheaded.
"I won!" Tsunade's face lit up with excitement. She hugged Hoshikawa and happily patted him on the back.
"Can we go now?" Hoshikawa struggled free from her embrace, gasping for fresh air. It was a close call, almost a murder.
"Let's go." Tsunade collected the money on the table and left the casino with a wide smile.
She had gambled for a long time and won a lot, giving her a huge thrill.
"Let's get some good food," Tsunade said, stroking her chin. "How about yakiniku?"
"Just don't drink," Hoshikawa sighed.
"Not drinking isn't an option!" Tsunade suddenly remembered something. She looked at him. "Did you pinch me just now?"
"No." Hoshikawa's expression shifted, and he quickly denied it. "You're imagining things."
"Am I?" Tsunade clenched her fist, making a cracking sound.
"I was just trying to get your attention," Hoshikawa said, surrendering instantly.
"Is that any way to get someone's attention? I'm your sensei!" Tsunade scoffed.
"Yes, sensei. My mistake," Hoshikawa said obediently.
"That's better," Tsunade said, seeing his expression. She reached out and pinched his cheek. The kid was pretty cute, she had to admit.
She then reached up and patted his head.
"That's going too far!" Hoshikawa said, glaring at her.
"What's wrong with being a little mad?" Tsunade's smile widened. "What's the big deal about letting your teacher pat your head?"
What the hell, that's so cringe?
Hoshikawa took a step back. "I'm hungry. Let's eat."
Tsunade stopped teasing him, flicked her golden ponytail, and said, "Let's go. My treat!"
The two arrived at the yakiniku restaurant. Tsunade expertly ordered beef, pork belly, and sake. Hoshikawa, meanwhile, started grilling the meat for her.
"Not bad." Tsunade took a bite of grilled meat and said with satisfaction, "Your grilling skills are getting better."
"You're just too lazy." Hoshikawa casually poured her a cup of sake.
"This is what students are for," Tsunade said with a smug smile, licking the oil from her lips with her pink tongue.
Hoshikawa looked down and grabbed a piece of beef for himself.
"I heard from the ANBU about your performance on this mission," Tsunade said, taking a sip of sake and smiling. "It was very impressive."
"It's all thanks to my sensei," Hoshikawa said casually.
"Come on, there's no one else here," Tsunade waved him off. "I know how hard you worked."
"Then do I get a reward?" Hoshikawa asked, clearing his throat.
"No." Tsunade spread her hands, her answer very direct. "I already gave you the most precious reward."
Hoshikawa's face was a question mark. Don't say weird things!
Wait. Hoshikawa picked up the First Hokage's necklace. "Are you talking about this?"
"That's right." Tsunade looked at it, her gaze a little lost. "You have to take good care of it."
"I know," Hoshikawa said, shaking his head helplessly.
To be honest, Tsunade really was a pauper. Besides two large boxes of IOUs, she had nothing else in her house.
...
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