"Huh? Just passing by?", Ino's previously gentle expression immediately turned disappointed, "Then, Aoba, where are you going now?"
Aoba pulled both girls closer to him. Since they were so close, a faint blush appeared on both Ino's and Sakura's faces.
"I was accepted as Lady Tsunade's disciple yesterday, and now I'm going to her place to learn."
"Oh oh, so it's Lady Tsunade... LADY TSUNADE?", The two, who had been shy just a moment ago, suddenly raised their voices, instantly drawing the attention of the nearby morning market shoppers.
Aoba quickly grabbed them and urged them to calm down.
Ino and Sakura's eyes were now sparkling with admiration. In the hearts of female ninja, Tsunade's status was no less than that of the Hokage.
She was the idol of all female ninja in Konoha.
Women could also hold up half the sky.
"Aoba, you were really accepted as Lady Tsunade's disciple?"
"That's one of the Legendary Sannin, Lady Tsunade!"
Ino and Sakura's eyes gleamed brightly, filled with admiration.
Being accepted by Tsunade as a disciple meant that Aoba's ninja talent must be incredibly high.
As expected of the boy they had their eyes on. At this moment, they felt proud as well.
Aoba nodded, confirming the information.
"I'm going there to study now."
"Then... then can we go with you to take a look?"
Sakura moved a little closer, her face turning even redder, partly because of excitement, partly because she was taking the opportunity to be closer to Aoba. She felt a little shy.
Ino was also full of anticipation and seemed completely unaware that Sakura's face was almost touching Aoba's.
Aoba pinched Sakura's soft, chubby cheek.
He thought about it. After all, he was going to Tsunade's home, and bringing people over uninvited might be a bit impolite.
"Let's leave it for today. I'll talk to Lady Tsunade later. If it's okay, I'll bring you both along tomorrow."
"N-No problem...", Sakura, her face flushed with embarrassment, quickly withdrew.
"Alright then," Although Ino was a bit disappointed, she didn't make things difficult for Aoba and continued speaking.
"Then we won't hold you up. Aoba, you should go now."
"Then I'll get going. I'll come find you tomorrow."
Aoba waved to Ino and Sakura before turning around and leaving.
———
"Sakura, you were acting sneaky just now!"
"Huh?", Sakura turned her head and found Ino looking at her with a sharp gaze.
It seemed she had noticed Sakura's little movements earlier.
"Ino, I was wrong," Sakura immediately pleaded for mercy, but Ino clearly had no intention of letting her off so easily.
A chase ensued.
Seeing Ino pounce at her, Sakura bent down to dodge Ino's outstretched hands and sprinted down the street.
"Hmph! Sakura, don't think you can escape!", Ino immediately gave chase, and the two girls, one blonde and one pink-haired, started playing around in front of the flower shop.
On the second floor of the flower shop, Yamanaka Inoichi, watching the whole scene, couldn't help but sigh.
He had already learned that Aoba was accepted as Tsunade's disciple.
Otherwise, when he saw the three kids gathered together earlier, he would have gone downstairs to warn that brat not to get too cocky.
———
The Senju ancestral home wasn't located in the center of the village but rather toward the outskirts.
Many trees were planted here, but Aoba suspected that most of them were probably created by Senju Hashirama.
From a distance, Aoba could already see a row of houses.
At the same time, he spotted Shizune, who was sweeping outside, and the small pink pig circling around her.
Shizune also noticed Aoba approaching and waved at him.
"Aoba, good morning! Have you had breakfast?"
"Good morning, Shizune-nee. I've already eaten."
Seeing the well-behaved and adorable Aoba, Shizune's smile became even more cheerful. Since no one else was around, she couldn't help but pat Aoba's head.
Then, her face turned slightly red as she shyly led Aoba inside.
Aoba, following behind, noticed Shizune's embarrassed expression and couldn't help but chuckle inwardly, 'Shizune-nee is so timid!'
With a big sister like Uzuki Yugao, he had long since gotten used to being patted on the head over the years.
When he was younger, he had an even bigger head...
Recalling the past, Aoba couldn't help but feel a bit awkward himself.
But the moment he stepped inside, the sight before him left him utterly stunned.
He had watched the World Cup before, but he had never seen a "World Cup" like this.
The highest peak—Tsunade!
Tsunade lay sprawled on the sofa, her bare feet crossed and resting on the coffee table in front of her. Her smooth, round toes stretched slightly.
Perhaps because she had just woken up, she was only wearing a loose, sleeveless kimono. As she reclined, her massive chest stood taller than her head.
The collar was wide open, leaving the view completely unobstructed. Under the lights, her skin shimmered with a silky sheen.
She hadn't yet put on the dark blue cropped pants she often wore, leaving her smooth, shapely legs fully exposed before Aoba's eyes.
For a moment, Aoba didn't know where to look.
He could only turn his head away, yet he couldn't help but steal a few glances.
Shizune also noticed Aoba's dilemma. Seeing Tsunade's unkempt state, she couldn't help but feel irritated, "Lady Tsunade, I already told you to wake up earlier! Why are you still like this?"
"Hm?", Tsunade let out a soft, indistinct hum.
She seemed not fully awake yet. She squinted her sleepy eyes and turned to look at the fuming Shizune, "What's wrong, Shizune? Is breakfast ready?"
Seeing Tsunade's nonchalant attitude, Shizune's voice grew louder, "Lady Tsunade, Aoba is already here! Please pay attention to your appearance!"
"Aoba?"
Tsunade muttered the name, lowered her gaze slightly, and finally noticed the boy who was pretending to examine the room.
A smirk of disdain appeared on her face.
"Hah, just a brat. What's there to pay attention to?"
Before Shizune could speak, Aoba was already feeling a bit offended.
Even if it was true, it still felt unpleasant to hear.
"Aoba, sit on the sofa for a while."
Shizune's tone was low as she spoke to Aoba, then walked over to Tsunade and dragged her toward the bedroom.
When Tsunade emerged again, she had already changed into her classic outfit.
A long, tea-green coat with black trim over a loose, sleeveless kimono-style top, secured at the waist with a black sash, and her deep blue cropped pants.
She sat on the sofa across from Aoba, looking displeased.
She crossed her legs, raising her bare foot and placing it directly in front of Aoba, like serving a dish.
Aoba couldn't help but glance at them again.
Her round toes were neatly arranged, painted with bright red polish, making them stand out.
Despite her fear of blood, she liked painting her nails red.
It was a shame she had already put on those dark blue pants. Otherwise, the view from this angle would have been even better.
Different styles had different appeals.
"Hmph! Brat, because of you, I missed breakfast. Tell me, how should I punish you?"
[T/N: Booby choke]
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