Tsunade had originally planned to live out her life with only Shizune, but now, having a little brat who knew her inside and out to keep her company wasn't bad either.
Moreover, just now, she had indeed experienced an unprecedented strange sensation, her whole body felt slightly warm.
It was just that this kind of situation ultimately couldn't be known by others. After all, making a move on her own student, if word got out, she might as well move to the moon to live.
Knock!
The sound of knocking on the door interrupted Tsunade's thoughts.
"Come in!"
Shizune pushed the door open and came in, cautiously speaking to Tsunade who was on the sofa, "Tsunade-sama, everything you asked for has been arranged."
Tsunade lazily nodded her head, "Go do your thing."
"I'm going to take a nap. If there's nothing else, don't disturb me," After speaking, Tsunade lay down on the sofa and started snoring.
She had been pretty exhausted last night.
Shizune was a little surprised.
She quietly leaned close to Aoba and asked in a low voice, "Tsunade-sama has calmed down?"
Aoba thought for a moment, then nodded, "She should have calmed down, I guess."
"Really?", Shizune became even more curious. She had originally thought Tsunade would throw a tantrum for a while.
"Shizune-neesan, sensei just asked you to go to the hospital, was there something going on?", Aoba changed the subject.
Shizune answered without thinking, "It's about the Chunin Exams. To prevent casualties, the quality of the medical teams needs to be improved."
After all, right now the three villages were practically in a close-knit relationship.
"I see," Aoba nodded.
But at this moment, Shizune's nose suddenly twitched, she hadn't noticed before. After this close interaction, she caught a familiar scent again.
"Shizune-neesan?", Seeing this, Aoba's heart skipped a beat.
Shizune didn't answer, she used action to confirm her suspicion.
After confirmation, Shizune wiped the corner of her mouth, the corner of her lips slightly curled.
'So that's how it is…'
"...", Aoba felt a bit of a headache.
Tsunade had just said to keep it secret from Shizune, and now it was directly exposed.
However, he had fulfilled his confidentiality duty. It was just that Shizune was too sharp.
———
Time passed quickly.
The third round of the Chunin Exams was held once again.
After more than ten days of preparation, the Chunin Exam venue had also been rebuilt, and even expanded a bit based on the original layout.
However, the spectator seats were still filled to the brim.
This time, in addition to the villagers of Konoha, many people from Sunagakure and Kirigakure had also come.
After all, Konoha had intermarried with the two villages, which meant the three villages were now more closely connected.
Many merchants and civilians also came over without worry.
Aside from that were the ninjas from various villages. Except for Kumogakure, ninjas from the other villages were also in the stands.
Of course, it wasn't that Kumogakure had no ninjas at all.
After all, Samui had brought Karui and Omoi to the stands.
If they could still be considered Kumogakure ninjas, that is.
However, many nobles indeed didn't come, even the Daimyo of the Land of Fire was absent.
After what happened last time, the Sunagakure attack on Konoha, they were still traumatized.
Worried that another accident might occur.
Not like those people were essential anyway.
"Karin, hasn't Aoba arrived yet?", In the spectator stands, a group was chatting.
"Aoba-nii has to give a speech later, so he didn't come with us," Karin answered with some anticipation.
She really wanted to hear Aoba-nii's speech.
"A speech huh…", Except for the late-enrolled Yakumo and Karin, the rest couldn't help but feel nostalgic.
Back when Aoba entered the Ninja Academy, he had given a speech. They still remembered the scene vividly.
"Right, where's Temari? Isn't she living with Aoba now?", Tenten suddenly asked through gritted teeth.
Although she had reluctantly accepted the situation, it didn't mean she wasn't angry.
Not to mention the other party was her opponent later.
"Uh… she went to find her two younger brothers," Karin pointed not far away.
———
"Temari, after you moved in, that guy didn't bully you, right?", Kankuro looked at his sister with concern.
Even though they were in the same village, during this period Temari had been preparing for the third exam, it had been quite some time since they saw each other.
Gaara also looked at Temari with some concern in his eyes.
After the One-Tail inside him was sealed again by Aoba, he couldn't hear those voices anymore and his personality became a lot more normal.
Seeing this, Temari couldn't help but feel emotional.
Back when they were always together, the three siblings, she was the one always worrying, trying to calm her two younger brothers.
Now, after a period of separation, it seemed to have reversed a bit.
She shook her head and said with a gentle smile, "You don't have to worry about me. Aoba is a very gentle person, he treats me very well."
"That's good…"
Kankuro and Gaara had complex expressions. They didn't even know how they felt.
It was like their sister had been taken away by someone else.
———
On the other side, inside a resting room.
"Brat, is your speech ready?", Tsunade asked seriously while helping Aoba tidy his clothes.
This was an important occasion, she couldn't let this brat fool around like usual.
Aoba nodded, "Don't worry, sensei, I've already memorized the speech word for word. It's just…"
His expression suddenly became a little troubled.
Tsunade slightly frowned, "Is there still a problem?"
"Sensei, I'm kind of nervous right now," Aoba said embarrassedly.
"Hah!", Tsunade couldn't help but roll her eyes and flicked his forehead, "You little brat, is this all you think about every day?"
"Sensei…"
Tsunade sighed and sensed Shizune's location.
Then boldly leaned in and kissed him.
Aoba only got back into motion after circulating chakra for a moment, Tsunade pushed him away.
"Still nervous?", Tsunade asked with mock annoyance.
Aoba shook his head, "Not nervous anymore. Sensei's the best."
"Hmph!", Tsunade only snorted a little tsundere-like.
Ever since Shizune discovered them and Tsunade came to terms with it, Aoba would now and then ask Tsunade for a reward.
If Tsunade was in a good mood, she'd secretly reward him behind Shizune's back.
Though Shizune would usually find out anyway.
Still, he got what he wanted.
Aoba and Tsunade walked up together onto the platform of the venue.
Instantly, loud cheers erupted in the arena.
Terumi Mei and Chiyo were already seated there.
Both gave him encouraging looks.
Aoba didn't waste everyone's time.
The speech only lasted a little more than ten minutes.
The content mainly revolved around the relationships among the three villages.
Such as, ever since the three shinobi villages were established, they had always been close allies, tightly knit like neighbors, and should treat each other as brothers, support each other, and help each other.
To each other, they were beloved kin, siblings by heart.
Then, amid even more enthusiastic cheers, the third round of the Chunin Exams—
Begin!
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