Seiryū's recovery was beyond ordinary.
When he woke up the next day, he felt refreshed, his fatigue completely swept away.
Seiryū looked around, realizing he was in Tsunade's room.
He did not linger in bed. He got up with practiced ease and headed to the bathroom to wash up.
After washing up, he passed by the kitchen. Tsunade, who was wearing an apron and seemed to be making breakfast, heard the movement and looked at him. "You're awake?"
Today, Tsunade was wearing casual clothes. A white shirt on top and shorts on the bottom, making her look more youthful and girlish.
A feast for the eyes!
Seiryū was stunned. "Uh, what is this?"
Usually, Tsunade did not lift a finger when it came to housework, and things like cooking were handled by the little housekeeper, Shizune.
What was going on today?
"Cooking," Tsunade replied simply, then went back to what she was doing.
The sound of eggs sizzling drifted out, along with an appetizing aroma.
Hearing this, Seiryū looked terrified. "You, cooking? No, although I was stubborn yesterday and went a bit too far, that doesn't mean you have to personally poison me, right?"
Tsunade: "?"
She was so angry that she laughed. What did this brat mean?
Tsunade snorted. "Eat it or don't. It's not like I made it specifically for you."
Seiryū said, "Oh," then started making suggestions. "You should add strawberry jam to the fried eggs. It brings out the aroma of the egg better and suppresses the fishy smell."
"Plus, the sweet and sour taste makes the flavor of the fried egg really stand out!"
This method was another specialty of the "God of Cooking" Kurenai, and it was delicious enough that Seiryū could not stop eating it.
The corner of Tsunade's mouth twitched. "I'm eating it too!"
Fried eggs with strawberry jam?
This brat's taste was still so nauseating. She also admired Kurenai for being able to come up with such a combination.
Seiryū said, "You can eat it too, really. Try it once, and you'll fall in love with the flavor. This is another one of Kurenai's specialties!"
"I'm not you. I don't have such heavy tastes." Tsunade curled her lips and continued, "Are you free? If you are, come help me. I can't handle this alone."
"What are Shadow Clones for? Using more Shadow Clones can improve efficiency!" Seiryū muttered.
However, he did not refuse. He walked into the kitchen and began helping Tsunade.
"Hmm? What are you doing? Who taught you to put green onions in rice? Putting them in is one thing, but why are you adding them by the handful?"
"Aren't green onions used to remove fishy smells? What's wrong with adding a little to the rice?"
"Wait, what are these black dots? Don't tell me those are sesame seeds?"
"Green onions remove the smell! Sesame seeds add fragrance!"
"I," Seiryū was speechless.
He looked at Tsunade as if she were a monster, then gave her a thumbs up. "I couldn't tell, but you're also a culinary expert. This idea really shocks me!"
Could it be that this bad woman was also a cooking genius?
So creative!
Sensing that Seiryū was not praising her but mocking her, Tsunade could not help but blush.
Then, with her bad temper, she immediately got angry. "Why do you care so much? Eat it or don't!"
Seiryū had an expression that said he would risk it. "Of course I'll eat. This is the first time you've cooked in my memory."
"Even if you make a pile of, uh, even if it doesn't taste that good, it's already precious!"
Tsunade wanted to hit someone, but she held back.
Was this a compliment or an insult?
It was definitely an insult!
Then Seiryū asked curiously, "But what's going on today? Did someone use Magnetic Field Rotation to make the sun rise from the west?"
Tsunade hummed. "Can't I just be in a good mood?"
"Could it be for me?" Seiryū leaned closer to Tsunade. His height was now almost equal to hers.
Looking into her beautiful golden eyes, he smiled. "If it is, I'd be really touched!"
Tsunade pushed away the very close Seiryū and said noncommittally, "Don't overthink it. Shizune just got up late today, and I occasionally cook for myself."
She glanced at Seiryū and sneered. "Also, who do you think you are? Why would I do this for you? Heh."
"Occasionally?" Seiryū's reaction was exaggerated. He looked Tsunade up and down and also sneered. "I've known you for so many years. When have you ever cooked?"
"Oh, it's not like you never have. You made instant noodles yourself. If that counts as cooking."
Seiryū did not know about the past, but after knowing her for so many years, he had truly never seen Tsunade cook. After all, with Shizune as the little housekeeper, many trivial matters in the house were handled by her.
In his memory, the only time Tsunade cooked was when she made a few cups of instant noodles. If that could be counted as cooking.
Tsunade lifted her head, revealing her slender neck, and curled her lips. "Then you must have remembered wrong. I have cooked before, and you've eaten my cooking!"
"Sorry, but I have a good memory and the ability to never forget. It's impossible for me to remember wrong."
Seiryū was very confident in his memory. It was impossible for him to be wrong.
Then, thinking of something, Seiryū grinned. "Just say it was made specifically for me. What's there to be embarrassed about? I'd actually be very touched!"
"I can't be bothered to argue with you about this!"
Tsunade did not want to continue this topic.
She would not admit that she had cooked specifically for this brat. She was just in a good mood today!
She changed the subject. "By the way, come with me to Rōran in a few days."
"Go to Rōran?" Seiryū was surprised. As if thinking of something, his expression became serious. "To consolidate my position as Regent of Rōran? That's true. The position of Regent of Rōran cannot be lost."
"This concerns our happiness!"
Tsunade's face darkened. With a forceful grip, crack, she snapped the cooking spoon.
She glared at Seiryū and gritted her teeth. "It's to handle official business!"
Seiryū did not understand. "This is official business!"
Tsunade: "..."
Tsunade's breathing grew heavy, but she did not lash out.
She simply explained, "The Dragon Vein inside your Yin Seal needs to be completely controlled so you can become the perfect Jinchuriki of the Dragon Vein. Only then can the hidden dangers be eliminated."
The reason Seiryū had gone too far and acted overly aggressive this time was largely because of the Dragon Vein Chakra.
There were still some hidden dangers in the Dragon Vein Chakra.
He needed to become the perfect Jinchuriki of the Dragon Vein to prevent Seiryū from having that side of him amplified by the Dragon Vein consciousness again.
That would truly be fatal!
"Oh, you mean this." Seiryū was a bit disappointed. "I thought you were going to help me conquer the Queen."
Tsunade: "..."
She had not even prepared herself mentally yet, and he wanted her to help him conquer other women he liked?
She really wanted to beat this jerk to death!
Tsunade said seriously, "This matter cannot be delayed."
"Alright, alright." Seiryū could only nod.
Actually, after this incident, Seiryū had already realized that his progress in conquering, no, controlling the origin power of the Dragon Vein had accelerated quite a bit.
He estimated that after a while, he could completely control the origin power of the Dragon Vein.
He could make the Dragon Vein Chakra be completely branded by him.
However, doing it earlier would not hurt, and he could also complete a system task.
Now that his mind was clear, Seiryū remembered.
This new task had been triggered when he was influenced by the Dragon Vein consciousness and entered that new virtualization state.
Seiryū thought of another thing and asked, "By the way, how did you handle Kumogakure?"
Tsunade said, "The Old Man went to handle this. Although Kumogakure surrendered, we cannot completely control Kumogakure."
"This not only requires time, but also carries significant hidden dangers."
"The Old Man's intention is to use the standard approach of war reparations and signing treaties, without interfering in Kumogakure's internal affairs. Anyway, they no longer pose a threat."
"Kumogakure's geographical environment is also poor. There are no great benefits, and we also have to consider the Daimyo's side. Making them pay reparations and sign unequal treaties is the best approach."
"Now is wartime, and there are enemies watching. Konoha does not have the energy to try to control a major shinobi village."
Konoha had the best geographical location in the Shinobi World.
Rich resources and a superior environment.
It was a piece of cake in the eyes of the other shinobi villages, and who knew how many forces wanted to attack Konoha and take it for themselves?
To be honest, Konoha really did not care for the territory of other shinobi villages.
It did not want to occupy other shinobi villages at all, because the benefits did not outweigh the investment.
There was another point.
Konoha's funding came from the Daimyo, and it could not be self-sufficient.
If Kumogakure were taken down, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire would not be able to allocate such a huge sum of money.
Go ask the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning?
Stop joking.
Not only were shinobi villages enemies, but countries were also enemies, and there were conflicts of interest between Daimyo.
Based on various reasons, taking down Kumogakure and trying to control it would do Konoha more harm than good.
Making Kumogakure pay war reparations and sign unequal treaties was the best approach!
Seiryū's brain was still working well, and he instantly understood the situation. He clicked his tongue. "Politicians have dirty hearts. This is cutting flesh with a dull knife. It's even more uncomfortable for them than direct control."
Losing high-level combat power.
Having to pay a huge amount of reparations.
This blow to Kumogakure was not small.
Not to mention recovering in the future, it would be difficult just to maintain themselves.
Unless a powerful hero descended in the future, someone who could sweep through the Shinobi World, otherwise, Kumogakure would only fall behind step by step.
Slowly declining from a major shinobi village and being swallowed bit by bit by other forces was just a matter of time.
Cultivating the new generation required resources and time.
If they wanted to turn things around, it would only be possible with the appearance of a powerful, heaven-sent hero who could turn the tide. Something that could not be asked for.
Tsunade glanced at Seiryū from the side. "This is just normal diplomacy. Who told them to lose? The defeated side must pay the price."
"And don't forget, after I succeed as the Fourth Hokage, you, the Hokage Assistant, will also be a politician!"
The implication was that he would also be a politician in the future.
He should not curse himself!
Seiryū shook his head. "If you don't let me make money, I won't be happy being this Hokage Assistant."
"I'm afraid that in the future, the phrase 'You will regret it' will become my catchphrase, and the door of the Hokage Office will be destroyed by me!"
"You have to do it whether you want to or not!" Tsunade was so angry that the veins on her forehead were popping. "And if you dare to use your power to collect money, I, I will."
She struggled for a long time but could not say a complete sentence.
Seiryū was too strong now.
She could not beat him, and she could not out-argue him.
This brat's way of thinking was also different from ordinary people.
Tsunade felt a bit numb!
Finally, she only said viciously, "Don't even think about washing my feet in the future!"
The corner of Seiryū's mouth twitched. "Crazy. You're threatening me with this? Do you think I'm happy to do it?"
"If you're not happy, then don't keep staring!" Tsunade snorted.
Then, as if thinking of something, she revealed a beautiful smile. "However, if you do a good job and satisfy me, I can wear silk stockings for you to see!"
If she could not handle Seiryū, then she could only cater to his preferences!
"Hahaha, ridiculous. Too ridiculous!" Seiryū then said disdainfully, "Using this to test a cadre? Which cadre can't withstand such a test?"
After a pause, Seiryū quickly put on a righteous expression. "Let's be clear. I am just an incorruptible, law-abiding Hokage Assistant."
"Of course I will take this position seriously."
"In Naruto's words, it is our duty to restore Konoha's glory!"
He did not want to see silk-stockinged legs.
It was just what he, as a Konoha person, should do!
There was nothing wrong with that!
"Heh, let's assume that's the case." Tsunade smiled.
This brat could really talk in circles.
Did he think she really believed he did not care?
As expected, he was a pervert.
Did he really like silk stockings and her feet that much?
But now that she had a "method" to "handle" this brat, things would be much easier in the future.
Anyway, she did not lose anything.
Seiryū said shamelessly, "Otherwise?"
Although Tsunade's cooking skills were not great and she had some strange methods, Seiryū could cook.
The two busied themselves for a while, and breakfast was soon ready.
Shizune did indeed get up late today.
It was not because she was sick or for any other reason, but because Tsunade had let Shizune sleep a little longer, wanting to make breakfast herself.
Of course, there was a small incident while they were cooking.
Kurenai also woke up.
Seeing that Seiryū was fine, she did not even care that Tsunade was still there and rushed toward Seiryū like a swallow returning to its nest.
She kept asking if he was okay!
Knowing that Seiryū had gone wild and acted overly aggressive again, Kurenai was also very worried.
She went to bed very late yesterday and woke up very early in the morning.
Seeing that Seiryū was really okay, she breathed a sigh of relief.
While eating breakfast, Kurenai lectured Seiryū in a little-adult tone, puffing out her cheeks. "Really, you are too worrying, Seiryū!"
She only knew that Seiryū had gone wild and acted overly aggressive again.
She did not know much about the rest.
For example, the relationship between Tsunade and Seiryū.
Looking at Kurenai's cute appearance, Seiryū smiled and rubbed her head. "Yes, yes. You are the best and the least worrying. As expected of my cutest little sister!"
Kurenai's emotions came and went quickly, and she was used to Seiryū rubbing her head. She hummed twice. "Hmph, I'll forgive you this time. Next time, you can't go wild and act overly aggressive again!"
Seiryū quickly promised, "Isn't everything fine? Don't worry, don't worry."
Kurenai nodded heavily. "Mm!"
Watching the interaction between the two, Tsunade, who was eating breakfast, did not speak.
But she felt inexplicably melancholy.
Her heart was so tired.
Did she actually have to compete with this little girl Kurenai for Seiryū?
Uh, the word compete seemed a bit inappropriate, but it was about the same.
In short, Tsunade's mood was very complicated.
Otherwise, why had her answer to Seiryū been that she still needed time to prepare herself mentally?
It really was not something that could be overcome in a short time!
Not only was she giving herself time, but she was also giving Seiryū time.
This brat was still too young!
(To be continued.)