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Lunch was prepared by Uzumaki Ena.
Exquisitely made.
At first, Sasame had ordered takeout.
But after getting familiar, Uzumaki Ena took the initiative to cook herself.
Unexpectedly, she was really good at it.
If Tsunade's cooking skills were rated at 1,000, then Uzumaki Ena's were easily over 10,000.
The gap between them was bigger than the gap between humans and dogs.
Sasame wasn't exaggerating—this was his personal experience.
Some people just weren't meant for the kitchen.
After the meal, Sasame sent Karin off to study again.
Turning The Analects into The Fist Analects—now that was talent.
At just three years old, she was already showing the same fiery temper as in the original story.
Sasame felt that Karin and Tsunade would have a lot to talk about.
"So comfy…"
He lay sprawled on the couch—or rather, the "Uzumaki Ena-brand sofa"—feeling warm and relaxed.
No exercise after meals; he was fully embracing laziness.
Uzumaki Ena watched him with gentle eyes, one arm wrapped around him while her other hand massaged his forehead.
Occasionally, she'd sneak in a little head pat—just to take advantage.
Such a cute plushie—squeezing him felt so good.
Uzumaki Ena really liked it.
And Sasame?
Who wouldn't love a soft, huggable pillow?
But good times always passed too quickly.
Sasame got up, ready to head home.
Then he remembered something and said, "Now that I'm a genin, I'll be going on missions regularly. If I don't show up for a few days, don't worry."
But the more he said that, the more she worried.
Her usually submissive personality made a rare stand as she insisted, "I'll go with you. I can protect you."
"Genin missions aren't that dangerous, and my team leader is Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin."
A faint smirk crossed Sasame's face as he pinched her cheek, just like he did with Karin. "Just wait here obediently for me to come back."
Uzumaki Ena hesitated but eventually nodded.
Senju Hashirama's Former Residence.
Just as Sasame was about to open the door, he froze.
Almost slipped up.
He quickly tucked away the omamori Uzumaki Ena had given him.
"Dinner's soon."
Tsunade was in the living room—not watching TV, but reviewing intel on Kumogakure.
Details like which Kumo-nin were active in the war, their unique jutsu, and their operational zones.
Extremely thorough.
Clearly, she was scouting ahead to pick the safest missions for them.
Sasame skimmed through and picked up one report.
Killer B, the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki.
The note read: "Extremely dangerous. Avoid if encountered."
But he was currently at Kumogakure's Cloud Rampart, not participating in the war.
As the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, he was practically their strongest fighter. If he joined, the war's scale would shift—escalating into a full-blown conflict, possibly even the Fourth Great Shinobi War.
When two tigers fight, one is bound to be injured.
The other villages wouldn't miss the chance to swoop in.
Kumogakure might be full of reckless brawlers, but they had a few smart ones.
Like Mabui.
The Fourth Raikage's secretary—calm, capable, and no less sharp than the famously intelligent Nara clan.
What left the deepest impression?
That deep, dark skin tone.
Perfect for certain… preferences.
Honestly, with the money from Gunma Casino and Gunma Bank, Sasame didn't need to do missions.
But business wouldn't save the shinobi world.
If Pain decided to drop a Shinra Tensei, all his hard work would be for nothing.
At the very least, he needed the power to send it right back.
Strength was the true foundation of survival.
Sasame set the documents down and glanced at Tsunade, who was completely absorbed.
A focused man was handsome—a focused woman was gorgeous.
Especially when she was leaning forward.
The subtle sway of peaks was a sight to behold.
After a while, Tsunade stretched, then affectionately pinched Sasame's cheek.
"Let's eat."
Shizune had already set the table.
Two years had polished her cooking skills to perfection.
But the more Sasame saw, the more she seemed like Tsunade's personal maid—always busy.
Late at night.
Tsunade led Sasame to his room.
Ever since her hemophobia stopped acting up two months ago, they hadn't been sharing a bed.
Sasame could only sigh.
"Heartless woman. Use me and toss me aside? My life-sized waifu pillow is gone!"
"Goodnight."
Tsunade tucked him in and ruffled his hair. "It's winter. Don't kick off the blankets."
Sasame felt wronged.
"I only did that because sleeping with you was too hot!"
"You know exactly why!"
But he didn't say anything—just nodded.
Tsunade looked at him, her expression complicated.
She wasn't used to this.
But she'd realized—Sasame wasn't a child anymore.
He was almost ten, and in height, he was only about a head shorter than her.
In a few more years, he'd practically be an adult.
Thanks to shinobi biology, maturity came early.
Tsunade might act carefree, but she understood some things.
Like the intricacies of male-female relationships.
Her bond with Sasame was teacher-student, maybe siblings, at most guardian and child.
Lovers? Not even close.
Continuing to share a bed was problematic.
Tsunade sighed.
Even if she didn't care about the age gap… what about Sasame?
Right now, he was still naive. But in a few years, once he understood, he wouldn't cling to her like this.
He'd be drawn to younger girls.
But the thought hurt.
The idea of Sasame growing up and leaving—she couldn't accept it.
"If only I were twenty years younger…"
Back in her own room, Tsunade lay awake for a long time.
Morning.
Sasame woke up, stretched—then immediately ducked back under the covers.
He looked out the window.
Snow.
The season of white had arrived.
After breakfast, Yakushi Kabuto arrived.
With Shizune, Team Tsunade was complete.
But instead of a mission, Tsunade unrolled a scroll—a summoning contract.
"My summon is the slug from the legendary Shikkotsu Forest. As my students, you're eligible to sign the contract too."
She looked at the three of them. "Write your names."
Unlike the snakes of Ryūchi Cave or the toads of Mount Myōboku, the slugs were support-type summons.
For medical ninjas, they were a perfect match.
But even for regular shinobi, they were incredibly useful.
The slugs weren't a species—all of them were divisions or clones of the Great Slug Sage.
They could share information among themselves.
By giving them the contract, Tsunade was adding another layer of protection.
As for Sage Mode?
It wasn't that she was hiding it—they just didn't meet the conditions.
First requirement? Massive chakra reserves.
Senjutsu chakra was a mix of regular chakra and natural energy.
Too little chakra, and the natural energy would consume them.
Sasame signed his name on the scroll.
Sweet.
Tsunade. Kabuto. Shizune. And now the slugs.
Four supports—how do you kill me?
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 60 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 45 power stones I will publish the next chapter.