"Wow—"
"So beautiful..."
Pavilions, birdsong, and flowers filled the air.
Kiyoshi led Tsunade, Shizune, and Karin through a traditional-style courtyard. It wasn't massive, but it was serene and breathtaking. The four walked through, soaking in the sights.
The youngest among them eagerly chose a room, planning to make regular weekend visits to "vacation" here.
Even Shizune looked tempted.
"This place is huge."
Tsunade's room.
As the door opened, both Karin and Shizune widened their eyes.
Was this a room, or an entire house?
Just the outer room alone was unbelievably spacious, big enough to serve as a living room.
"This is my room?"
Tsunade looked around in disbelief, her eyes wandering over the spacious, lavishly decorated outer room. "Isn't this…. a bit too big?"
Was this…. going to be her home?
Of course, as a princess of the Senju Clan, she'd grown up in luxury and wasn't exactly new to fine living. Yet, the idea of settling here permanently felt strange and a little unreal.
"Since it's still empty, it may seem a bit spacious for now," Kiyoshi said with a smile.
"Later on, I'll bring in some scrolls, books, and decorative pieces. It'll feel cozier."
He didn't plan to make it as vast as an empty palace.
After all, it would mainly be him and Tsunade living here, with occasional visits from Shizune and Karin. Perhaps others would join eventually.
Too much open space could make the place feel empty, even lonely. As long as Tsunade felt comfortable, that was what mattered.
"This bed…. is absurdly large."
Entering the inner room, Karin was left speechless.
Both Tsunade and Shizune blushed as they turned to give Kiyoshi a knowing look.
Maybe not eight meters wide, but it was at least three or four meters. What was he planning with a bed that size?
"Tsunade-sama, here's your luggage."
Shizune, smiling warmly, began setting up the bed and tidying the room, as she had done countless times for her mentor.
Over the years, she'd accompanied Tsunade on countless journeys, knowing full well the heartbreak Tsunade carried.
Often, alcohol was her only comfort, numbing the pain enough to sleep.
But since taking Kiyoshi as a disciple, Tsunade had begun to heal, opening her heart little by little.
Shizune had noticed the changes, as Tsunade's laughter returned and her spirit lightened. Now, seeing her mentor settle down here, Shizune felt genuine happiness.
"Here, four Flying Thunder God teleportation tags."
Kiyoshi handed each of them a tag, explaining with a smile, "I've already preset the coordinates, so there's no need for specific symbols."
"The red one," he continued, "is linked to the courtyard entrance."
"The green one is linked to the Konoha village gates."
"That's fantastic." Karin said, delighted.
Though she missed her mother, she couldn't bear to part with Tsunade either.
And as her training wasn't yet complete, there were still medical questions she needed help with. Sometimes, even Shizune didn't have all the answers.
"Well, I'll take you back to Konoha now." Kiyoshi said with a smile. "I have a few things to prepare as well."
Calculating the time, he thought to himself that Moegi would probably be waking up soon.
"Tsunade-sama, I'll be going now," Karin said, reluctantly saying goodbye.
"Alright, but make sure not to slack off." Tsunade patted her young disciple's head in a warm farewell.
"Coming here once a week is plenty, there's no need to travel back and forth constantly."
"I'll be checking your medical skills regularly. If you don't improve, you're in for a beating."
"Yes, Tsunade-sama. I'll work hard." Karin said, clenching her fist in determination.
"Shizune, I'm leaving this girl in your hands."
Tsunade's gaze shifted to Shizune, her expression soft but conflicted as she looked at her loyal apprentice who'd followed her through thick and thin.
Part of her felt reluctant to let her go, but she also knew it was time.
Without taking Kiyoshi as her disciple, Tsunade herself might still be lost in grief, dragging Shizune's youth along with her.
She couldn't selfishly keep Shizune by her side any longer.
"Tsunade-sama." Shizune's eyes glistened with tears as she looked at her mentor.
Unable to hold back, she moved forward and embraced Tsunade tightly, her tears flowing freely.
"Please take care of yourself without me around…. and remember to eat regularly."
"Don't forget, like you used to."
"And…. also."
"I get it, I get it, you nagging girl." Tsunade lightly patted Shizune's shoulder.
Despite her complaints, there was no hint of irritation in her voice or on her face, only tenderness. She held Shizune close, eyes soft and full of affection.
This precious disciple of hers was as adorably clueless as ever.
Shizune's tears soaked the front of her robe.
….
"Goodbye, Tsunade-sama. Please take care."
After a long embrace, Kiyoshi took the two women with him, vanishing from Tsunade's sight.
In an instant, they reappeared at Konoha, deep in the heart of the Land of Fire.
"Is this…."
"The Hokage Rock?"
They stood atop the Hokage Rock, overlooking the entire village from above.
Shizune and Karin's eyes widened, marveling at the suddenness of it all.
Moments ago, they had been in the Land of Whirlpools, and now, they were already back in Konoha.
Space-time ninjutsu was truly miraculous.
"Shizune-nee," Kiyoshi said, releasing the two women, "head to the Hokage's office for registration with Karin. I have some things to take care of, I'll see you both later tonight."
"Alright, you go on," Shizune replied with a nod.
….
Shortly afterward.
Inside the Hokage's office.
Seeing Shizune and Karin, the Third Hokage looked surprised and smiled, asking, "Shizune, Karin, how are you back so soon?"
"Hokage-sama, Kiyoshi brought us back," Shizune said, returning the smile.
"Tsunade-sama sent me and Karin to join the medical unit here in Konoha, so we won't be traveling with her anymore."
"So that's how it is."
The Third Hokage nodded, though his hand, which held his pipe, trembled slightly.
He chuckled, "And Tsunade…. Did she return with you?"
"Hokage-sama, as you know." Shizune looked down, her voice heavy. "Tsunade-sama didn't want to come back. She forced us to leave her side."
"As I thought."
The Third Hokage sighed, but in his heart, he felt a hint of relief.
Unknowingly, his palms had started sweating. He wasn't ready to retire just yet.
He wanted to hold his position a bit longer, finish off lingering issues, and secure a stable future for the Sarutobi clan.
"Ah..." Hiruzen exhaled a stream of smoke, his face a mix of sadness and resignation.
"She probably has her reasons for not wanting to see me."
Next to him, two of the village's advisors, Koharu and Homura, had rushed over after hearing the news.
Though visibly tense at first, they, too, relaxed slightly, their minds still wary and unsettled.
Despite their relief, a sense of anxiety, confusion, and anger lingered within them. Was Tsunade planning something by arranging her disciples to return to the village now?
Could she be preparing for a future power struggle?
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