WEEKLY POWER GOALS 💎🔥 30→2ch | 60→5ch | 100→8ch | 200→15ch | 400→25ch⏰ Resets Monday!
--------------------
SWISH.
Heads turned. All of them. Everyone looked toward the source of that clear, challenging voice. Who was bold enough—or stupid enough—to openly oppose the Third Hokage?
"Qianyu?"
Tsunade blinked in surprise. She'd expected Jiraiya. She'd half-expected Orochimaru. But the one who'd actually stood up in her support? It was her little brother's friend. A boy.
"Hmph. So, you have objections to my decision, do you?"
On the podium, Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a cold snort. His expression darkened. The pressure in the room spiked, the palpable authority of the village's leader crashing down.
To be publicly "questioned" by a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old boy in front of the Leaf's core leadership… even if Hiruzen hadn't been angry before, he had to be angry now.
Under the Third's glare, the room fell silent. The long-haired man who'd considered supporting Tsunade earlier quietly abandoned the thought. Yet, for some reason, he felt an inexplicable hollowness in his chest.
"Haah…"
Standing at the center of that pressure, Qianyu did not back down. He took a deep breath. A complex light flickered in his eyes.
Team Leader Nohara… if you were here, you'd agree with this proposal wholeheartedly, wouldn't you?
If you hadn't stayed behind to cover the retreat of our non-combat personnel… you wouldn't have…
Qianyu pushed the memory down, his face settling into solemn respect. "Lord Third, how could I possibly object to you?"
"It was you who took command in our darkest hour, who led us from defeat to victory, who pulled the Leaf from the mire of war time and again. Is there a single soul in Konoha who doesn't hold you in the highest esteem?"
Flattery might be transparent, but it was never unwelcome. Coming from anyone else, it might have rung hollow. But from the mouth of a sincere-faced boy? It worked.
"What a little smooth-talker."
Hiruzen took a long, pleased puff from his pipe, all trace of reproach gone. He smiled. "Go on, then. Tell me what you're thinking."
Qianyu nodded. "Your consideration for the big picture is, of course, correct. But I believe Lady Tsunade also makes a valid point."
He began to list the benefits. Optimizing squad structures from a medic-nin's perspective. Establishing a new training system. The long-term advantages for village resilience.
On the podium, Hiruzen listened intently, a slight nod of approval as he watched the boy speak passionately.
Hmm. Good talent. Understands people, too. A fine seedling.
A shame he was too old to take on another student…
Then he thought of his three current "masterpieces" and felt the urge to delete his account and start over. None of those little brats showed their teacher any proper respect! This kid was better!
(Orochimaru: Delete your account? Need a hand with that, Sarutobi-sensei?)
…
The meeting adjourned. Qianyu slipped out the back door, quickening his pace.
"Impulsive. That was so impulsive!"
He groaned, running a hand through his hair. He'd let the moment get to him. Stood up without thinking. Ugh. Impulse was the devil.
"Hey, Qianyu! Wait up!"
Tsunade's pleasant voice called from behind him.
"Huh?"
Qianyu paused. Had he accidentally triggered some story flag? In his past life, buried in textbooks, he'd only watched Naruto casually. He didn't know Tsunade and Dan's romance supposedly started after this very meeting.
In the original story, it was Dan who stood up for her. Now… it was him.
"Back there, in front of the old man, even those idiots Orochimaru and Jiraiya kept their mouths shut. Thanks for having my back, Qianyu."
Tsunade caught up easily, falling into step beside him in the quiet, late-night alley.
Qianyu shook his head, a sigh escaping him. "You don't need to thank me, Lady Tsunade. Honestly… I didn't speak up just for you."
The hint of dejection in his tone touched something soft in Tsunade's heart. She'd been so fierce in the meeting because she'd almost lost Nawaki.
Qianyu… he must have lost someone important, too.
"Walk with me for a bit," she said, looking at his slumped shoulders. "Let's talk."
"Alright." He nodded, following her toward a more secluded path.
Tsunade was in her early twenties now—the absolute peak of her beauty. Her figure was full but not exaggerated, her waist slender enough to circle with two hands.
Qianyu stole a few glances. His heart beat a little faster. He really had no resistance to pretty older women…
They weren't close. They couldn't just dive into deep, heartfelt confessions. So, they started with common ground: medical ninjutsu.
The medical science of this world, built on chakra, was crude compared to the detailed systems of his old world. No matter what Tsunade brought up, Qianyu could discuss it fluently, offering insights that felt groundbreaking.
Please. I spent a past life memorizing textbooks. My whole body is made of knowledge points!
The depth of Qianyu's understanding clearly shocked Tsunade. The look in her eyes changed.
"So… what's your dream, Qianyu?" she asked suddenly.
"Mmm… I don't really have one," he said after a moment's thought. His mind felt blank.
"If I had to say… I want enough strength. Enough that I never have to experience parting through life and death again. I want to grow old peacefully with someone I love."
"I see. That sounds… nice."
Tsunade nodded, her tone deliberately casual. "You're not that young anymore. You must have someone you like already, right?"
"Not… really."
Qianyu's face fell instantly. "Lady Tsunade, why'd you have to go and mention the one thing…?"
"Ah, sorry, sorry! Touched a nerve, huh? Hahahaha!"
Tsunade laughed right in his face. She laughed until her shoulders shook. She laughed until Qianyu's mind was in turmoil.
If you weren't the same age as my brother… maybe we…
Under the quiet night sky, looking at Qianyu's still-youthful face, a quiet regret bloomed in Tsunade's heart. All these years, and the first person to truly make her feel this way… was her little brother's friend.
"Here. As a reward for saving my brother."
She reached into the front of her shirt and pulled out a crystal necklace, offering it to him.
It was an heirloom from her grandfather. To encourage Nawaki to become Hokage, she'd given it to him.
But after that incident with the explosive tag, the kid had gotten superstitious. He swore the necklace was cursed, bad luck. Refused to wear it.
So, it had found its way back to her.
"Well? Take it."
Her slender hand shook the necklace in the air. She didn't notice Qianyu had started trembling.
I saved your brother, and now you want to kill me?!
He'd heard of the "Death Necklace" from Naruto. Whoever wore it died. Even the main character Naruto had barely escaped its curse.
He was a side character! His life wasn't strong enough for this!
"Lady Tsunade, maybe a different reward? This is…"
"Hmm?!"
Before he could finish, Tsunade's willow-leaf eyebrows drew together. Her delicate fist clenched, displeased.
This necklace meant the world to her. If she didn't feel… well… for Qianyu, she'd never give it away!
"Get over here!"
With a sharp cry, she reached out and grabbed him.
Against Tsunade, Qianyu had zero chance to resist. His body spun halfway before he knew what was happening. Then he found himself, utterly bewildered, collapsing backward into her arms.
So… soft…
An indescribable, overwhelming softness crashed against his back. Instantly, all thoughts of the cursed necklace vanished.
By the time his brain caught up, the cool weight of the crystal was already settled around his neck.
Qianyu: "…"
"There. Done."
Tsunade patted his shoulder and released him. She looked him over, a satisfied nod. "Hmm. It looks good on you."
Yeah, yeah. With this face, anything would look good…
"Ah, whatever. I'll just take it off later when she's not looking," Qianyu sighed inwardly.
Right then, Tsunade cracked her knuckles. The sound was sharp in the quiet alley. She fixed him with a dangerous look.
"Let me warn you. If I catch you taking that necklace off… I'll punch you to death."
Qianyu's shoulders slumped. "I understand, Lady Tsunade…"
--------------------
[FULL STORY OUT] 🖋️
Why read chapter by chapter when you can have the whole book?
Join Binge Ink on Patreon to unlock the full archive and read until the very last page today!
✨ Support the author at: Patreon.com/BingeInk