Uchiha Ryun left the command tent and had walked less than a hundred meters when someone called out to him, "Ryun!"
Hearing the familiar voice, Uchiha Ryun smiled. It was Tsunade. He turned toward the sound and saw Tsunade waving at him, her other hand hidden behind her back.
Uchiha Ryun walked toward Tsunade, and Tsunade also walked toward him. Just as the two were about to collide, Tsunade suddenly pulled out a roasted rabbit and a roasted chicken from behind her back.
"You haven't eaten yet, right? I just roasted these. Here, eat up!" Tsunade grinned, her innocent smile making Uchiha Ryun momentarily dazed.
"Why are you spacing out? Take it!" With that, Tsunade handed the roasted rabbit and chicken to Uchiha Ryun.
Uchiha Ryun snapped out of it. "Thank you, Tsunade."
"No big deal." Tsunade was in a good mood. Originally, she had planned to wait near Danzō's tent, but after twenty minutes with no sign of Ryun, she got bored. So, she caught a chicken and a rabbit and personally roasted dinner for Uchiha Ryun.
When Uchiha Ryun was pretending to be unconscious, she had already eaten. Only Uchiha Ryun hadn't had dinner, and Tsunade remembered that.
Some might ask, could Tsunade's cooking actually taste good?
As a shinobi, one often had to forage in the wild. If you said she couldn't cook at home, that would be understandable, but roasting meat was something every shinobi knew how to do to some extent.
Uchiha Ryun tore off a chicken leg and handed it to Tsunade, smiling. "Let's eat together!"
Tsunade's eyes lit up. "Okay!" She took the chicken leg, and the two sat on a rock in the grassland, gazing at the starry sky and chatting about amusing things, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Tsunade's eyes sparkled like the sea of stars, while Uchiha Ryun's eyes were filled with the sight of a smiling Tsunade.
This scene looked so warm and sweet, but behind them, two men stood with somewhat dejected expressions. One was Kato Dan, and the other was Jiraiya.
Their hearts were conflicted. What began as jealousy eventually turned into blessing.
Perhaps this was what love was like. Sometimes, letting go could also be a form of liberation. (Of course, the author is referring to Jiraiya and Kato Dan, not everyone else.)
"Hey, let's go back!" Orochimaru appeared beside Jiraiya and slung an arm over his shoulder.
Jiraiya nodded gloomily. "Oh."
Orochimaru found it a bit exasperating. This guy had so many chances but never spoke up, thinking there was still plenty of time and no need to rush. Now that the girl had found a boyfriend, he was here wiping his tears. How pathetic.
Still, as a fellow disciple and a brother, he naturally wanted to help Jiraiya move on. "Jiraiya, let's go. Oh, by the way, have you finished writing that book of yours… what was it called… Paradise?"
"Not yet. Orochimaru, why are you suddenly asking about that?" Jiraiya was distracted and scratched his head as he looked at Orochimaru.
"Ahem, I suddenly wanted to see how far you've gotten. I also wanted to ask you about some plot points!" Orochimaru was completely lying through his teeth. He just couldn't stand seeing Jiraiya like this.
"Oh! I get it. Orochimaru, you're into this stuff too, huh? Haha, come on, let's go! I'll tell you all about it!" Jiraiya threw an arm around Orochimaru's shoulders.
Orochimaru rolled his eyes, and the two headed to Jiraiya's private tent. Jiraiya pulled out a chair for Orochimaru to sit on and then began explaining page by page.
It had to be said that Jiraiya's writing and illustrations were quite good. Huh? What the— What was this? Orochimaru suddenly saw an XXX scene and blushed.
Gritting his teeth, Orochimaru asked, "Jiraiya, how did you draw these pictures?"
"Huh? I gathered references for this! Yeah, references!" Jiraiya laughed somewhat awkwardly.
Orochimaru looked at Jiraiya and sighed, then smiled. Maybe this was how Jiraiya could stay happy.
Only Kato Dan stood alone, watching everything. A gust of wind blew past, sending a shiver down his spine.
Meanwhile, Tsunade and Uchiha Ryun could snuggle together, eating barbecue, holding each other for warmth, and even Uchiha Ryun pulling out a jacket from a scroll to drape over Tsunade.
Kato Dan turned and left, as if having made some kind of resolution, never looking back.
Tsunade, perhaps because she was full and comfortable and felt safe beside Uchiha Ryun, quickly fell asleep, her head resting on his shoulder.
Uchiha Ryun trembled slightly. He looked at Tsunade, his gaze involuntarily drifting downward. He couldn't help but swallow. So big!
Then he shook his head. No, she was sleeping. He couldn't… Taking a deep breath, Uchiha Ryun pushed the distracting thoughts out of his mind.
Then, gently, he placed one hand under Tsunade's plump thigh and the other behind her back, carrying her toward her tent.
After laying Tsunade on her bed, Uchiha Ryun took out a small stool and a small wooden table from the tent and sat at the entrance.
Propping his chin on his hand, he gazed at the stars and moon, lost in thought.
The road ahead was still long. Some things didn't need to be rushed. Both of them already knew each other's feelings, but propriety couldn't be ignored. Only after marriage could they take that final step. (Or you could say the author's mindset is old-fashioned.)
Before he knew it, drowsiness overtook him, and he fell asleep.
The next day
Tsunade opened her eyes. Not seeing Uchiha Ryun, she felt puzzled. She remembered falling asleep beside him. Where was he? Where did he go?
Then she looked around and confirmed she was in her own tent. After washing up, she lifted the tent flap and saw Uchiha Ryun propping his chin on his hand, his head drooping as he slept.
Her mood suddenly brightened. However, considering how uncomfortable Uchiha Ryun must be sleeping like that, Tsunade prepared to carry him inside.
Just then, Uchiha Ryun suddenly opened his eyes. He had sensed someone approaching from behind. He turned and saw it was Tsunade, then closed his eyes again.
"Ryun, sleeping like this isn't comfortable," Tsunade said with a smile.
Uchiha Ryun didn't open his eyes, but his lips moved. "It's fine. Let me sleep a little longer!"
With that, Uchiha Ryun placed both hands on the table, completely unbothered by appearances. Tsunade chuckled softly. She carried him to the bed and then sat in the tent, watching him.
And honestly, Uchiha Ryun's looks were truly impeccable! Tall stature, broad shoulders, long disheveled hair reaching his waist, and fair skin.
You could even say he was Konoha's number one, and no one would argue! Tsunade found herself mesmerized. Watching the sleeping Uchiha Ryun, she licked her lips.
She stood up and walked to Uchiha Ryun's bedside, her heart pounding. Then she leaned down and kissed him on the cheek. Blushing, she glanced at the still-sleeping Uchiha Ryun and sighed in relief.
Then she looked toward the tent entrance. Nawaki stood there holding a bag of food, his eyes wide with disbelief!
This was his sister! She had secretly kissed Ryun! Tsunade's face instantly turned serious. In a flash, she appeared in front of Nawaki, covered his mouth, and "carried" him outside.
Nawaki knew too much!