Tsunade's Home.
The setting sun slanted westward.
Having completed a D-rank mission, Team Four sat on the sofa in the house, counting the mission rewards.
"Huh? We worked ourselves to death weeding for half a day, and this is all the reward we get?"
Kurenai looked at the mission reward handed over by Tsunade, their Jōnin Instructor, and pouted.
She felt it was a bit too little.
They had worked hard all day, only to get a little over a thousand ryo? The excitement of earning their first mission reward was immediately dampened.
"The reward for this kind of mission isn't considered low."
Tsunade explained with a smile, "Besides, it's just a D-rank mission. The reward can't be too high. And since it's split between four people, of course it won't amount to much."
The reward for a D-rank mission generally ranged from five thousand to fifty thousand ryo.
The mission they accepted today only paid around seven thousand ryo.
As the leading Jōnin, Tsunade took the lion's share of four thousand, leaving the remaining three thousand to be split evenly among the three Genin. That left each of them with just about a thousand ryo.
As for why it was a bit over a thousand?
Tsunade claimed she was being generous and gave a few hundred extra to Kurenai and Shizune.
Seiryū didn't get a single coin.
She had caught him slacking off earlier, so she didn't give him a share of the bonus.
Besides, this kid was rich. She'd heard he had several million ryo in savings, more than she had. Missing out on a few hundred wouldn't hurt him.
Seiryū rolled his eyes, looking thoroughly drained. "So you did nothing but stand there watching us work like dogs, and yet you still get more than half?"
The three of them worked themselves to the bone, and Tsunade, who only observed, ended up taking the biggest cut?
What kind of twisted rule was that?
He, Seiryū, couldn't accept it!
"Because I'm your leading Jōnin. Without a Jōnin Instructor, the mission office wouldn't assign any missions to you greenhorn Genin."
Tsunade crossed her arms, smiled, and said smugly, "My contribution is the greatest, so naturally I get the largest share of the reward. These are the rules. Understand?"
Seiryū slumped against the sofa, lounging with a lean. He stared at Tsunade with indignation. "People like you should be hung from streetlights!"
Even capitalists weren't this bloodthirsty.
This rule was simply outrageous.
Pure oppression and exploitation of the working class. A clear case of sucking the blood of the laborers. Such people should be hung from streetlights!
"The ratio will stay the same in the future. All rewards will be handled by me."
Tsunade was very satisfied with Seiryū's annoyed expression. This kid needed someone to keep him in check.
She happily continued, "If I'm not happy, I won't even give you a single ryo. A Jōnin Instructor has that kind of authority!"
Seiryū clenched his teeth. "If I knew I'd be exploited like this, I never would've let you become my Jōnin Instructor. This is revenge, isn't it?"
Tsunade reached out to ruffle his hair, but he dodged. She didn't mind and just laughed even more triumphantly. "Too late now, kid. Did you really think you'd get the upper hand with me? Now it's my turn. Just work hard and earn money for me!"
Seiryū was speechless.
He felt like he'd dug a hole and buried himself in it. This must be the price of using connections to cut corners.
It was too steep.
Kurenai and Shizune tried to hold back their laughter.
Seiryū had finally met his match.
It seemed that only Tsunade could give Seiryū a hard time now and then.
Especially Kurenai, who often suffered setbacks at Seiryū's hands. Watching him get tormented for once felt so satisfying.
Serves you right for always bullying your cute little sister! Getting your karma now, aren't you?
So satisfying!
"Shizune, go cook. Let's have a small celebration for completing our first mission perfectly!"
Tsunade was thoroughly amused by Seiryū's expression.
For some reason, seeing this brat frustrated made her feel inexplicably happy.
"Yes, Tsunade-sama."
Shizune responded and headed for the kitchen.
"I'll help too!"
Kurenai volunteered. Seiryū liked the food she made, and she wanted to help out.
Seiryū called out toward the kitchen, "Kurenai, I'm worn out today and need to refuel. Make your specialty—"
"Okay! Tsunade-sensei, would you like some too?"
Kurenai's voice came from the kitchen.
"Uh, I'll pass."
Tsunade immediately declined. She didn't have the stomach for that "specialty."
"Speaking of which, I've been standing all day, and I'm a bit tired. My feet are sore..."
Tsunade suddenly had a thought. She looked at Seiryū with a smile and teased, "I think it's time to carry out your punishment. Wash my feet!!"
"Not just wash. I want a massage too. You should know which foot acupoints relieve fatigue, right?"
"It's all in the medical book I gave you. I want to test your learning progress!"
She found an even better excuse.
Not only would she have him wash her feet, but now he had to give her a foot massage as well!
Seiryū's body visibly twitched, and he put on a serious face. "So it's finally happening? I've been impa—prepared for this mentally!"
"Hmm?"
Tsunade tilted her head, confused.
Something felt off about this brat's reaction, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
Maybe he just wanted to get the punishment over with quickly?
This kid always talked about his so-called "compulsive urge"—some strange "condition" where he felt mentally uncomfortable if things weren't finished properly.
She didn't think too much about it.
After all, Tsunade didn't think washing her feet was something anyone would actually enjoy.
Who would enjoy doing that?
What kind of weirdo would?
Although Seiryū was a bit unusual, he didn't seem like a pervert...
"Go get a basin of hot water and bring it to my room. Finish before dinner."
Tsunade gave her orders, crossing her legs like a noblewoman instructing her servant.
Seiryū: "—"
This bad woman was really overdoing it.
But for the sake of the "reward," he wouldn't argue. He'd find an opportunity to get his revenge later.
Soon after.
Inside Tsunade's bedroom.
Seiryū stared at the sandals Tsunade had taken off as she slowly dipped her feet into the hot water in the wooden basin.
As if unused to the sudden warmth, her ten crystal-clear toes—painted deep red—curled slightly.
It looked incredibly enticing.
Honestly, they were well-maintained.
Seiryū could guarantee these were the most perfect feet he had ever seen.
Tsunade sat at the foot of the bed. The water temperature was just right, and her feet were comfortably soaking. She narrowed her eyes in enjoyment.
Then she looked at Seiryū with a smile. "Not bad, the temperature is perfect. Alright, you can start now."
She was looking forward to seeing Seiryū's frustrated expression. It would definitely be entertaining.
"Don't wear nail polish in the future. That stuff is toxic."
Seiryū said, staring straight ahead—meaning his eyes never left her feet.
Let's be clear.
He liked feet, but he wasn't a pervert. He just appreciated beauty where he saw it.
"Toxic" referred to the chemical components of nail polish slightly damaging the toenails. It didn't mean anything else.
(To be continued.)