Tsunade didn't know the Iwagakure ninja girl named Hoshimaru, at least she believed she didn't know her before the Chūnin Exams. However, Tsunade had heard of the Ushiromizu clan, as it was an ancient and prestigious family dating back to the Warring States period.
Of course, ever since the establishment of the one-nation-one-village system, many of the powerful clans had fallen into decline. The Ushiromizu clan, once considered the largest in the Land of Earth, was now only comparable to the Oil family of Konoha.
Compared to the nearly obliterated Hatake and Senju clans, however, the Ushiromizu clan had held on quite well. Although they had suffered heavy losses in the First Shinobi World War, they still maintained the potential to reclaim their position as the largest clan in the Land of Earth. This was a rarity in the ninja world, where clans like the Uchiha and Hyuga had continuously maintained their power.
In reality, for clans, the rise and fall often depended on a moment of opportunity.
"So, why exactly should I spy on you?" Tsunade asked herself. She considered herself to be a fairly fair person—at least fair toward those weaker than herself. As for the strong, Tsunade had always thought that the strong didn't need fairness, because their very strength represented the greatest unfairness to everyone else—this was essentially the same as class resentment.
Thus, Tsunade didn't need to spy on Hoshimaru and had no interest in monitoring a little girl.
But the Husky... Tsunade was certain that the Husky had developed an interest in Hoshimaru or that strong man. Otherwise, why else would it be here, spying on others? And it clearly wasn't a one-time thing. Tsunade, though she hadn't spent much time with the Husky, was surprised to find that it shared something in common with her—its actions were always purposeful. It never wandered aimlessly.
Thinking about her little maid back home, Tsunade couldn't help but worry that the Husky might eventually act on its instincts, leading to a conflict with a foreign species—potentially evolving into something... darker.
Leaving aside how Tsunade felt about the Husky, Hoshimaru, upon hearing Tsunade's words, suddenly showed a look of disbelief.
"Do you know who I am?"
"I know you're the little princess of the Ushiromizu clan, but this is Konoha, not Iwagakure. You can't just do whatever you want."
Tsunade didn't hold back and immediately struck down Hoshimaru's presumptuous attitude. She thought Hoshimaru had a "princess syndrome"—the kind of mindset where she expected everyone to submit to her. Tsunade, who had spent time lowering her IQ to play with a bunch of little kids while completing tasks, wasn't interested in playing petty games with kids from other villages.
"This world is full of malice..." Tsunade muttered, her voice trailing off.
"You actually don't remember me?"
Hoshimaru interrupted Tsunade, her voice rising sharply, and her eyes seemed to sting as if they could pierce right through you.
"…"
After being relentlessly lectured by Hatake Saku for fifteen days, Tsunade instinctively felt like educating Hoshimaru. She fell silent, realizing that Hoshimaru spoke as though they had known each other for a long time. But Tsunade honestly didn't remember ever meeting a girl named Hoshimaru.
Seeing the expression on Hoshimaru's face, one that looked like she had just realized she'd been abandoned, Tsunade hesitated. Tsunade knew that her memory wasn't the best, especially when it came to trivial things. After a good night's sleep, she would forget things that were once on her mind.
"Sorry, I really don't remember you." Since she couldn't recall, Tsunade decided to treat it as if they had never met.
"You actually!"
Hoshimaru clenched her fists tightly, gritting her teeth. Her eyes seemed to lose focus, and at that moment, a kunai with a faint golden hue appeared between her middle and index fingers.
"I'll sting you to death..."
"Hoshimaru!"
A voice suddenly came from behind Tsunade. It was like Hoshimaru snapped back to reality in an instant. She froze, then looked at Tsunade with a complicated expression.
Tsunade, who had been startled by the voice, instinctively turned around. A girl with a single ponytail emerged from behind a large tree, glaring at Hoshimaru with a look of reproach.
Tsunade, startled, realized she hadn't noticed anyone behind her. She admitted, a bit begrudgingly, that since the First Shinobi World War ended, she had indeed become more complacent. But even though she knew this, if she were asked to tighten her vigilance again, Tsunade would have to admit that she couldn't do it. After surviving the first war, she had become more passive.
"Sorry, my teammate caused you trouble," Yukari said with a smile, holding a puppy in her arms. "You should return their dog now."
Tsunade, shocked by the revelation, realized that this girl had been hiding nearby for quite some time. She had clearly witnessed everything that happened, and even followed her here without Tsunade noticing.
At this point, Hoshimaru snorted and put away the kunai. She threw the Husky toward Tsunade.
Tsunade, reacting quickly, moved aside, letting the Husky make a direct landing with the ground.
"Listen up! My name is Hoshimaru, and I'm the second daughter of the Ushiromizu clan leader," Hoshimaru said, her lips tightly pressed together, her eyes sharp. "In the third round of the exams, I'll make sure you remember everything about me... forever."
With that, Hoshimaru turned and walked away with an air of determination, not looking back.
"…"
Watching Hoshimaru walk off, Tsunade couldn't help but feel speechless. She really didn't remember ever meeting such a melodramatic person.
Turning her gaze to Yukari, she said, "In any case, thank you for helping me out."
Tsunade was sincere; honestly, she had been so busy lately—mastering summoning techniques, playing "heroic savior" with a bunch of little kids, preparing for the Chūnin Exams, and dealing with Hatake Saku's secret training. It was nice to finally have a break from all the fighting.
"It was nothing. After all, we're both in the same boat," Yukari replied with a smile, before leaving, following Hoshimaru.
Left behind, Tsunade thought, "What do I have in common with her?"
She looked at the Husky, who had just managed to get up from the ground.
"Both of you take care of a dog?"
"…"
(End of Chapter)