He couldn't directly say he came to find Tsunade to go back and become Hokage. Saying that would make him unable to stay.
So Shuji mentioned Sage Arts training.
Actually, this was also one of the initial objectives before departure. The method Katsuyu provided required him to endure long enough under natural energy.
Shuji had confidence in his own chakra, but for this kind of dangerous training, more safeguards were always good.
"Sage Arts training, this kind of thing, go talk to Katsuyu yourself." Tsunade said impatiently.
"The training part, I've already understood. I just need chakra support." Shuji said softly. "That's why I came to find you."
This suddenly gentle tone made Tsunade shudder violently. Goosebumps rose on her arms. She showed a disgusted expression, crossing both arms and rubbing them.
"Brat, you're somewhat disgusting."
"So you prefer direct, even rude methods?" Shuji recovered his posture. "Then, please assist my training, Tsunade-sama."
"Even more infuriating." Though saying this, Tsunade felt this was better than just now. "However, why should I help you?"
"You also want to arm wrestle with me, take a gamble?"
"No, I don't have such strength." Shuji answered. "So, please freely state your requirements. I'll do my best."
"Do your best." Tsunade repeated in a low voice, curling her lip. "That can't be called sincere words..."
Under the table, Shizune quietly poked Tsunade's side with a finger, saying softly, "Tsunade-sama..."
"Don't bother me. We'll talk tomorrow." The Senju Princess yawned. "Go settle today's bill first, brat."
Shizune immediately showed embarrassment. As an elder, making a junior settle the bill was really too inappropriate.
Conscious of being a senior, Shizune was about to handle it but was stopped by Shuji.
"I have matters requesting Tsunade-sama's help. This small thing is naturally appropriate."
Shizune looked at his expressionless face, suddenly feeling a trace of invisible pressure. Though not the first meeting, this youth always gave her the feeling the other party was more senior.
After resting one night, Tsunade again had Shuji settle the inn's bill, then at a Watashita gambling house gambled for two hours, losing all the money on hand before leaving satisfied.
"Since you're requesting me, then during this time be my attendant. After I'm satisfied, I'll help you train Sage Arts." Tsunade showed a wicked smile. "I'm going to vent properly."
The youth's face immediately showed an impeccable, nearly humble smile. His voice also became gentle and docile. "Of course, Tsunade-sama."
The Senju Princess suddenly shuddered, hair standing on end, shouting loudly, "Don't speak to me in this manner!"
Shuji still wore a smile. "This is attendant etiquette."
"Urgh... about to vomit." Tsunade covered her mouth, feeling nauseous.
"Just confirming what service attitude you prefer." Shuji's smile instantly vanished, recovering his usual indifference. "After all, you seem to always have complaints about my past words and actions."
"Enough, enough, like this then."
Tsunade weakly waved her hand. The pleasure from freely losing money at the gambling house just now had been thoroughly nauseated away.
Shizune watched this scene, thoughtful. So dealing with Tsunade-sama could use this method.
She learned Shuji's tone, tentatively opening her mouth. "Tsunade-sama..."
"Silence, Shizune." Tsunade immediately turned to glare at her.
"Yes." Shizune lowered her head aggrieved, muttering quietly, "Why doesn't it work for me..."
—
After leaving Watashita Yokochō, the three traveled south, passing through Forest Country, finally reaching a desolate area on Fire Country's southeastern coastline.
An abandoned dock lay prostrate alone on the jagged coastline.
Though saying she'd torment Shuji, Tsunade ultimately couldn't do much, only having him settle food bills. She hadn't even drunk to satisfaction.
Thus along this journey, the Senju Princess felt she hadn't vented her anger. But seeing the occasional helpless expressions he showed, she felt she'd vented a little.
At this moment, Shuji stopped, surveying the scene before him.
The dock's scale was small. Most wooden planks had rotted and broken. Wreckage repeatedly washed by seawater showed gray-black coloring.
This place looked abandoned for at least decades. He didn't quite understand why Tsunade specifically wanted to come to such a place.
"Tsunade-sama, this doesn't look like somewhere with gambling houses or taverns."
Tsunade didn't immediately answer. Her gaze turned toward the vast sea's direction. That azure expanse's end seemed to hide some distant memory.
Sea wind blew her golden hair. The expression on her profile held a moment of trance and silence.
"Of course not." Ocean waves reflected in her eyes. "Many years ago, this dock was lively. Ships departed from here, able to reach a country skilled in sealing techniques."
Sealing techniques... abandoned...
"Whirlpool Country?"
Tsunade snorted, breaking the somewhat heavy atmosphere. She turned her head, using her chin to point at Shuji. "Hey, attendant, next is running from here to Uzushiogakure's ruins. No boats allowed."
Shuji looked toward the water-sky expanse. He couldn't see any land traces. "Need approximate direction and distance."
"What? Scared?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Chakra control not up to standard, falling into the sea midway to feed fish, I won't fish you out."
"Just need navigation. If you're also unclear about specific direction, we can try searching." Shuji answered calmly.
Choked again, Tsunade irritably pointed a direction. "Straight east, leaning south."
"Keep up. If you fall behind, I won't wait!"
Before words finished, she had already leapt from the dock. Chakra gathered at her feet, lightly treading the sea surface. Shizune followed closely behind.
Long-distance sea running, he'd already done once at Degarashi Port. Though Uzushiogakure's location was obviously farther, it had no impact on Shuji.
Originally running at the front, Tsunade, seeing Shuji could keep up, gradually slowed her speed.
"Attendant."
She suddenly smiled, then a fist suddenly thrust toward Shuji's side abdomen!
After Tsunade slowed, Shuji was already mentally prepared. Chakra under his feet erupted violently, sliding sharply to the side-rear.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
A thick water wall instantly rose, separating between the two.
Tsunade's fist smashed the water wall, producing a muffled sound. Terrifying force made the water wall violently oscillate, exploding into sky-filling spray. Taking advantage of this gap, Shuji had already retreated over ten meters, restabilizing his form.
"Good reaction!" Tsunade shook water droplets from her hand. "Idle is idle. Let me see if you're qualified to touch something like Sage Arts!"
The following journey became intermittent practical combat training. Tsunade's attacks had no pattern whatsoever. Sometimes frontal assault, sometimes using sea environment to create traps, sometimes even purely taijutsu contests.
Shizune watched with trepidation, several times wanting to speak up to stop it but couldn't open her mouth.
Tsunade said testing, but her hands showed no intention of mercy.
But being on the open sea, Shuji's combat environment was somewhat better than Tsunade's. Even using only Water Release, the scene wasn't embarrassing.
Finally, after effort, successfully landing a punch on Shuji's chest, Tsunade satisfactorily stopped.
And Uzushiogakure was also close at hand.
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild