Am I really a pervert?
Watching Kushina's retreating figure, Tsunade sank deep into self-doubt.
In her mind, two figures materialized—one white, one black.
The white figure spat, "You actually shoved your foot into your disciple's lap? Have you no shame, Tsunade?"
The black figure snorted. "So what? Can't a disciple warm their teacher's feet?"
The argument erupted. The white figure pointed at the black one, indignant. "Warm my feet? That was clearly... well, it was vulgar!"
"Warming feet requires no skill. I just didn't let him leave. What's so improper about that?" The black figure shrugged. "As expected of a heartless one—everything looks dirty to you."
"You... you..." The white figure sputtered, pointing, chest heaving with fury. "Self-deception! You're lying to yourself!"
In a fit of rage, the white figure self-destructed.
The black figure vanished as well, leaving Tsunade motionless beneath the heated table.
After a long silence, she gently touched her scalding cheek, a flicker of bewilderment in her eyes.
"I'm home!"
Nawaki returned, laden with bags.
"Hard work," Minato murmured, setting down his teacup. "Time to prepare lunch now."
As he spoke, the pair of white snakes in his arms stirred reluctantly.
Minato reached under the warm table and gently grasped her foot. The sensation was like holding a peeled egg—smooth and tender.
He subtly squeezed her plump, adorable toes, then his fingertips traced the curve of her arch. Startled like snakes, the two white serpents hastily slithered off his leg.
Little brat!
Seeing Minato stand up, Tsunade quickly buried her face in the crook of her arm, grumbling inwardly.
The hot pot lamb is delicious.
Nawaki and Kushina transformed into horse raiders, wildly sweeping their chopsticks through the pot. Tsunade, however, ate absentmindedly, her mind still lingering on the subtle sensation that had seemed to reach deep into her soul.
This can't go on any longer!
Stealing a glance at Minato's youthful face, Tsunade forced herself to focus and set down her chopsticks.
"I need to tell you something."
Her sudden declaration cut through the lively mealtime atmosphere. "I've been working on a crucial ninjutsu recently and need to leave for a while to clear my thoughts."
"Huh? How long will you be gone?" Nawaki asked, reluctant to see her go.
"Uncertain," Tsunade replied, pursing her lips as she secretly observed Minato's reaction.
Seeing his lack of reaction, a wave of disappointment washed over her.
"Will you be leaving the village?" Kushina asked.
"Probably," Tsunade nodded.
"Then, Teacher, take these with you."
Minato held out his hand, revealing a seed. "This is a seed of my cellular mutation. By channeling chakra into it, you can create a Wood Clone of me, which will facilitate communication with the village."
"Communication..." Tsunade's voice carried an inexplicable tone.
She had planned to leave the village precisely to cut off such connections and go into secluded training.
Nevertheless, just to be safe, she took the seed and stored it in her ninja tool pouch.
After a moment's thought, she returned to her room and retrieved a massive scroll.
"This... is the ninjutsu you're going to train in, Sister?"
"No, this is the Summoning Scroll of the Slug Sage, one of the Three Great Sacred Places, located in Shikkotsu Forest."
Tsunade unrolled the scroll and pointed to her name inscribed on it. "I intend to have you form a Summoning Contract with the Slug Sage. By writing your names in blood on this scroll, you can summon a portion of the Slug Sage's clone."
[ (Note: The original name "Katsuyu" is often incorrectly translated as "Slug." In Japanese, "Katsuyu" means "Living Slug," but the character for "living" and "slug" are the same. So, "Katsuyu" is both the name and the species. Please don't roast me for this; thank you.) ]
"Slugs..." Nawaki's lips twitched. As Tsunade's younger brother, he had naturally seen Katsuyu before.
"Slugs?" Kushina's eyelid twitched. Imagining the creature's slimy, sticky appearance, she found it rather unappealing.
"This is a skill you must master."
Tsunade worried that Minato might encounter danger while she was away.
Though she knew that with his current strength, he was unlikely to face any real peril within the village, she couldn't shake her concerns.
"All the Slugs you summon are clones of the Slug Sage. Even if you summon just a tiny one, it can relay messages for you in case of danger."
Hearing this, the three of them didn't hesitate, biting their fingers and signing their names on the scroll.
"Ugh... what was the seal for the Summoning Technique again?"
Nawaki tilted his head, trying to remember. He was sure they'd covered it in class.
"It's Hinoe, Hinoe, Hinoe, Hinoe, Hinoe!"
While the blood was still fresh, Kushina activated the Summoning Technique.
With a pop, a palm-sized Slug appeared before them.
"Huh?"
The Slug tilted its head as soon as it materialized. "You are..."
"She's Uzumaki Kushina, that's Namikaze Minato, and this is my younger brother, Nawaki. You've met him before," Tsunade introduced them. "I have business outside the village, so I had them sign the Summoning Contract for Shikkotsu Forest."
"Ah, so that's how it is~" The Slug's antennae wiggled. "I understand, Little Tsunade. I'll take good care of them! If they need help, just summon me~"
With that, it vanished with another pop.
Nawaki stared at Kushina in amazement. "How can a first-year like you be so skilled with the Summoning Technique?"
"Kushina is from the Uzumaki Clan," Minato explained. "This clan specializes in sealing techniques, and their related Summoning Techniques are right up their alley."
"Well, I'll be off then," Tsunade said, rising to leave.
"Huh? So soon?" Nawaki asked, surprised.
"Are you sure it's wise to leave now? Why not finish your meal first?" Minato suggested.
"No, time is of the essence. The sooner I perfect this, the sooner I can return. Don't worry, I won't be gone long."
Tsunade waved dismissively, ignoring their attempts to detain her, grabbed her ninja tool pouch, and departed.
The mental preparation she'd painstakingly built up earlier was crumbling. She feared that if she stayed any longer, she'd lose her resolve to leave.
"Big sis... she's been acting strange lately," Nawaki said, worry etched on his face as the three returned to the table after Tsunade's departure. "Her moods have been all over the place."
Kushina's eyes lit up. "Could she be in love?"
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Nawaki waved his hand dismissively. "Sis has such high standards. I've never seen her show any interest in any guy—except for Minato. His talent is explosively good, though."
Kushina turned to Minato. "Do you know what's going on?"
"No," Minato replied, shaking his head. A faint smile flickered in his eyes as he recalled sensing the presence of the Wood Clone Seed in the courtyard.
The Wood Clone Seed had a location-tracking function, but judging by Tsunade's reaction, she clearly wasn't aware of this...
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