That afternoon, Tsunade returned home from the academy with her brother.
Lately, she had felt like something was off with her beloved brother. She couldn't quite put her finger on what it was, but he definitely seemed different.
He spoke less, rarely joked around to make her laugh like he used to, and acted as if he were mad at her.
It left her feeling confused and hurt, though she had no idea what she had done wrong.
For the past few days, Tsunade had kept all her thoughts bottled up inside. She tiptoed around him, trying not to say or do anything that might upset him further.
She also noticed something else strange. Arima didn't seem willing to come inside her house anymore.
Every time he walked her home, he would drop her off at the front door and then quickly head back to his own place.
As the autumn days grew colder, Tsunade had secretly planned to use her savings to buy a scarf for her brother.
She still didn't know what mistake she had made, but she believed that a gift and an apology would make everything go back to how it used to be.
But today was different. Arima actually followed her inside the house, which surprised and delighted Tsunade, maybe he was finally ready to be close with her again.
As she stepped into the entryway, however, she noticed something odd. There seemed to be a guest in the house. One pair of slippers was missing, the pair specifically set aside for Arima.
But if her brother was right next to her and hadn't used them... how would he walk around inside?
Just as she was about to throw a fit, her eyes fell on the shoe rack. Neatly placed there was a pair of shoes she knew all too well, they were her brother's usual shoes.
Her mind went blank. 'But hasn't Arima been with me this whole time?' she thought.
Before she could figure it out, a familiar figure slowly emerged from the inner room. The person walking toward her... it was Arima.
She watched in shock as the "Arima" who had walked her home transformed into a wooden form and merged seamlessly into the real Arima before her.
In that instant, it all clicked, she had spent the last few days with a wood clone.
All the worry, frustration, and careful restraint she had felt these past days suddenly exploded into full-blown rage.
Her little heart burned with fury. Her tiny universe was about to erupt.
Tsunade's face darkened. She kicked off her shoes in a huff and flung her backpack at Arima. With a heavy snort, she shouted, "I'm mad at you, you big meanie."
Arima had already guessed why she would be upset.
He had just finished absorbing the clone's memories from the past three days and knew that it had been avoiding Tsunade the whole time to prevent her from noticing anything strange.
But Tsunade, who knew him so well, had still sensed something was wrong.
She had stopped being her usual cheerful self, had stopped acting spoiled around him, and didn't even dare raise her voice anymore.
Recalling her recent cautiousness and the way she'd been constantly walking on eggshells... it was heartbreaking. She was only four years old. It couldn't have been easy for her.
Arima crouched down, gently set her backpack aside, and pulled the angry little girl into his arms.
"I'm sorry, Tsunade," he said sincerely.
"I was on a mission these past few days, and I was worried something might happen to you while I was gone. That's why I left a clone to stay by your side.
You probably didn't know, but a war is coming. If enemy spies sneak into the village to cause trouble, at least the clone could protect you."
Hearing that, Tsunade's heart softened. 'I knew it, Arima-nii still cares about me the most,' she thought.
Her mood brightened, and most of the anger and resentment melted away. But then she remembered the gift she had planned to give him, how could she bring it out now?
'I was just mad at him, and now I'm going to give him a gift? Wouldn't that be letting him off too easy? No way. I still have to punish him a little,' she told herself.
She crossed her arms and said, "You made me worry for three whole days. I really thought you didn't like me anymore.
I was even planning to give you a gift and apologize. But now? No way, I'm not giving it to you anymore."
Arima looked at her pouting little face and couldn't help but laugh.
He playfully pinched her delicate nose, ruffled his own hair with a dramatic sigh, and said, "Oh no, what am I gonna do now? My cute little Tsunade is angry with me."
Tsunade couldn't hold it in anymore. Seeing his exaggerated expression, she burst into giggles.
Relieved that she was laughing again, Arima smiled and asked, "So, will you forgive your big brother?"
He looked at her with such hopeful eyes that she almost gave in on the spot. But then she remembered her sadness from the past few days, and steeled herself.
"No way!" she said firmly.
Arima knew it wouldn't be that easy.
He feigned disappointment and sighed, "I was hoping for a definite answer."
Tsunade tilted her head, thought for a second, then replied with exaggerated clarity.
"Oh! Definitely... not forgiving you."
Arima blinked. For a moment, she reminded him a bit of Jiraiya. He muttered to himself, 'I really have to make sure Jiraiya doesn't lead her astray one day...'
Seeing that sweet-talking didn't work, he knew he had to resort to his last weapon.
He scooped her up with one arm and playfully threatened her with his other hand.
"You know, I can form five hand seals in one second. My hands are super fast. That makes me a top-tier tickler. You sure you don't want to forgive your poor, pitiful big brother?"
He said it in the most stubborn voice imaginable, even while begging for mercy.
Tsunade, of course, knew he was bluffing. Her brother was always so gentle with her, he'd never actually tickle her.
So she pouted and teased, "Go ahead. I'm feeling ticklish anyway."
With both soft and hard tactics failing, Arima played his ultimate card.
He whispered in her ear, "I still have a little money in my wallet. Want to go get some dango?
And just across the street from the shop, there's a brand new casino. I'll take you gambling, what do you say?"
Tsunade lit up. She hadn't been mad for a while now and was just waiting for a good excuse to forgive him.
She wrapped her arms around him and cheered, "Arima-nii is the best."
She was so happy. She could smell that familiar, comforting scent from his clothes again.
She'd missed it so much these past few days. Now she realized his clone didn't carry that scent. It was one of its biggest flaws.
Even though she forgave him, Tsunade believed in never letting a good opportunity go to waste.
So she made a list of demands. He had to carry her to and from school every day, let her sleep in his bed at night, and teach her ninjutsu.
Arima agreed to everything. In fact, he had already planned to start teaching her ninjutsu. It was part of the Senju clan's legacy, after all.
After telling Mito where they were going, the two of them headed out excitedly.
It was getting dark and cold outside. The streets were quieter now, and many shops had already closed. But there was still a line in front of a dessert shop in the distance.
Worried she'd catch a chill, Arima held Tsunade close and let her tuck her hands inside his shirt to warm up.
Tsunade grinned mischievously and started tickling him, and the two of them laughed and played all the way to their favorite dango shop.
The shopkeeper recognized them immediately and warmly led them to a cozy booth. Soon, tea and sweets were brought to the table.
Just as they were chatting and laughing, two voices rang out in unison.
"Sensei..."
Their smiles paused. They looked up, and there stood Jiraiya and Orochimaru.
Arima was surprised to see them together, and even more surprised to find them here at the sweets shop.
Then he noticed Jiraiya's disheveled clothes, a bruise on his face, and messy hair. It was clear he had been in a fight.
Arima invited them to sit and ordered more snacks and tea.
Jiraiya, apparently starving, devoured his plate and stared longingly at Orochimaru's.
Without hesitation, Orochimaru pushed his own dessert in front of Jiraiya, who happily dug in.
Arima asked, "What happened to you two? Did Jiraiya get into another fight?"
Orochimaru calmly nodded.
"Three little kids ganged up on him and beat him so hard he begged for mercy."
Jiraiya was sipping his tea peacefully when he heard that and immediately protested.
"Liar! I had them crying for their mothers!"
Then, more sentimentally, he muttered, "Orochimaru, it's a good thing you were there. Otherwise I'd have been all alone."
He smiled to himself and added, "I know you're happy to be my sidekick, Orochimaru."
Orochimaru paused, took a sip of tea, and replied coolly, "Idiot Jiraiya, you're not alone at all.
There are countless hardships waiting for you. Just survive long enough and you'll see, there's a new disappointment waiting for you every single day."
Jiraiya glared but let it go, since Orochimaru had saved him earlier. He chomped on a dango with extra force, as if he were biting Orochimaru himself.
Arima and Tsunade looked at each other and smiled.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru always bickered, but their bond was real. They annoyed each other, but they also had each other's backs, though it was usually Jiraiya asking for help.
After the sweets were finished, Arima decided it was time to take Tsunade to the casino.
"When are you two heading back?" he asked.
The two boys hadn't planned to stay out so long, and their families didn't know they were here, so they replied, "We're heading back now."
Arima paid the bill, said goodbye, and carried Tsunade toward the nearby casino.
Just as Jiraiya and Orochimaru were about to head home, they glanced back, and saw their teacher taking Tsunade into the casino across the street.
They looked at each other, nodded knowingly, and quietly followed behind.
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