Takayama Haru scratched his head and said, "Uh, I learned all this when Grandma Mito was teaching Kushina."
"What?!" Kushina Uzumaki's eyes nearly popped out of her head.
Grandma Mito was teaching her, and Takayama Haru was just there like a bystander—and he learned it while she didn't?
Kushina suddenly felt a deep pang in her chest.
Even Mito Uzumaki was stunned, her face showing clear surprise. Such comprehension skills... could it be even better than Tobirama's? Was a prodigy rising within the Senju bloodline?
"But you can't treat Tsunade like that," Mito scolded lightly. Using vines to attack Tsunade really was excessive.
Haru didn't respond, simply went back to his courtyard and immediately took a bath. As he bathed, he remembered that famous hot spring bath nearby—the one that was part of Konoha's most popular spa restaurant. "I haven't been to a bathhouse yet," he thought. "Should I try it out sometime?"
Finishing up, Haru returned to his room. Suddenly, bang!—the door flew open.
"Come in," he said.
Kushina Uzumaki stepped in, her hair damp and carrying a fresh, clean scent. Her fair skin glowed softly, droplets of water still clinging to her as if she had just finished her bath.
Haru looked puzzled. What was Kushina doing here so late?
Her face flushed slightly as she whispered, "Haru, aren't you going to apologize to Tsunade tonight?"
Seeing her pleading eyes, Haru softened a bit. "Alright, fine. It's just an apology..."
Ding! [System prompt: Based on the host's environment, you have three choices:]
Choose to apologize to Tsunade, admit fault. Reward: Broken Shuriken.
Choose to forgive Tsunade, show you're not angry. Reward: A-rank Jutsu—Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique.
Choose to challenge Tsunade, teach her a lesson. Reward: A-rank Jutsu—Omnidirectional Shuriken.
"Hmm, not bad, System." Haru coughed and said, "I don't think I was wrong, but I'll forgive Tsunade. I'm not angry as long as she doesn't provoke me again."
Kushina glared. "Haru, that doesn't sound like an apology!"
"I'm right. Why should I apologize?" Haru shrugged.
Kushina stomped her foot in frustration. Suddenly, the door slammed open again.
Both Haru and Kushina froze.
Standing in the doorway was Tsunade, eyes wide as she pointed accusingly at Haru. "You—you came to my room for what?!"
Kushina turned bright red and frantically waved her hands. "Tsunade, it's not what it looks like! Haru was just about to apologize!"
Haru was a bit bewildered. He had stayed in Tsunade's room before, so it wasn't surprising there was still a lingering scent there.
"Apologize?" Tsunade eyed him suspiciously.
"Uh, Tsunade, I already forgave you. I'm not angry about today at all. Just don't provoke me again, okay?" Haru said.
Well, don't blame me—this was the System's idea.
Ding! [Congratulations! You've completed Choice 2: Forgave Tsunade. Reward: A-rank Jutsu—Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique.]
Tsunade gave a sinister smile. "Heh. Kid, come out here. I don't want to wreck the place. Let's go to the training ground."
Just then, Mito Uzumaki approached and looked Tsunade up and down. "You've been back for barely a day and you're already fighting?"
Kushina anxiously glanced at Haru.
Haru shrugged. "I said I forgave her."
Mito sighed. "Alright, Tsunade, calm down. And Haru, too—she's like your sister. Let her be."
Tsunade snapped, "I don't need his permission!" She was still fuming, humiliated in front of so many people. She couldn't believe how today had spiraled.
Kushina quickly interjected, "Tsunade, how about an arm-wrestling match with Haru? If he loses, he can properly apologize."
She knew Tsunade's immense strength—no one in Konoha could beat her in an arm-wrestling match. This way, Tsunade could save face and Haru wouldn't be in too much danger.
Haru smiled. "That's not impossible."
He remembered the scene from the anime where Tsunade arm-wrestled the Raikage and lost, despite her incredible strength. It was an iconic moment.
Tsunade's eyes lit up. "Kid, you dare? No one's ever beaten me."
"Is that so?" Haru mused. It seemed Tsunade hadn't yet faced the Raikage in this timeline. The arm-wrestling match might be interesting indeed...