Konoha Notes

Chapter 30 Tsunade
Having made up his mind, Shuji first communicated with Koyama Makoto. Although he was not happy about Shuji's departure and pleaded repeatedly, Koyama Makoto had no choice but to agree in the face of Shuji's unwavering gaze and the fact that he had left behind two ninjas.

Not long after, Wasabi Jirocho visited again, inviting Shuji to the Wasabi family's home.

Wasabi Family is both the name of the family and the name of the manor. It's not luxurious, but it houses dozens of the core members of Wasabi Family, plus their relatives. The manor is heavily guarded, equipped with guns and bows. Before entering the backyard, you can see several watchtowers, with many people on duty.

Jirocho was highly respected by his family members, and Shuji, whom he had introduced to the family, also received a lot of respect.

Passing through an exquisite paper door painted with pine and crane patterns, the scenery before him became even more serene and elegant. A corridor surrounded a small dry landscape garden, connecting several more private tea rooms and residences. Shuji paused slightly and asked, "This seems to be the inner quarters?"

Jirocho did not stop walking, but said, "Indeed, there is a master whom Jonin Shuji may wish to meet."

Upon hearing this, Shuji felt a sense of unease and prepared himself.

Arriving at a secluded courtyard, nestled among a few tall bamboo stalks, Jirocho stopped and bowed to announce, "The Konoha Jonin, Shuji, has arrived."

The courtyard gate slid open silently. A young girl dressed in dark blue casual clothes, with neat short black hair, peeked out. She looked about seventeen or eighteen, with delicate features and a gentle gaze carrying the calmness unique to a doctor. The moment she saw Xiu Si, a very faint surprise flashed in her eyes, which quickly turned into a polite scrutiny.

Silence...sound?

Xiu Si suddenly realized that Jingyin was here, so it seemed that the person inside could be known.

The heightened vigilance was lowered once again.

"Please come in." Shizune stepped aside to make way, her voice calm.

Jirocho did not follow them inside, but bowed deeply to Shuji before quietly retreating to the outer corridor to wait. Shuji followed Shizune into the courtyard, his gaze immediately drawn to the figure beside the stone table in the center.

Sunlight filtered through the sparse bamboo leaves, casting dappled shadows on the carefully raked white sand. A woman in a long green robe sat casually on a stone bench, her dazzling golden hair cascading loosely over her shoulders like flowing molten gold, shimmering in the light. Several sake bottles lay before her, some empty. In her hand, she held a sturdy earthenware saucer, tilting her head back to gulp down the crisp sake with an almost greedy, satisfying gusto.

The lines of her profile are stunningly sharp in the light and shadow, her skin is firm and smooth, and her bright eyes show no signs of aging, making her look like she is only in her early twenties.

It really is Tsunade.

"Hmm?" Tsunade put down the wine dish, casually wiped the spilled wine from the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand, and then slowly turned her head, slightly drunk. Her amber eyes were misty with alcohol, and her gaze swept over Shuji somewhat unfocusedly.

"Lady Tsunade, you've had too much to drink," Shizune whispered a reminder. "Shuji-kun has arrived."

"Oh—" she drawled, her voice sticky and hoarse, with a heavy nasal tone, "that brat?"

"Grandma Taohua, you're not dead yet, are you?"

Xiu Si's face twitched involuntarily. He respected the old woman greatly; she was someone who genuinely cared for him. "Grandma is in very good health and has a vigorous spirit. She is probably even healthier than you are now."

"Heh...that's good." The last princess of the Thousand Hands seemed completely unconcerned by Shuji's slightly barbed retort, or rather, her current state had filtered out most of her external emotions. She swayed slightly as she raised her right hand, casually pressing it against the stone table beside her to support herself as she stood up. Swaying slightly, she took a step forward, her breath, heavy with the smell of alcohol, almost hitting Shuji's face. Her hazy eyes scrutinized his young yet composed face.

“I heard you were dying… Granny Tao Hua even sent me a letter asking for help…” She let out a small hiccup. “Now you look… lively and energetic… it seems you’re alright.” She reached out a finger, seemingly wanting to poke Xiu Si’s chest, but then withdrew it, her tone becoming somewhat indistinct, “Since you’ve survived… wouldn’t it be better to stay in the village? She’s already… 78… she can’t afford to worry about so many things…”

A strong smell of alcohol mixed with a fragrant aroma wafted over. Xiu Si frowned slightly, took a step back, and replied, "The village has assigned me a task, and I have to complete it."

"The village, the village, you still can't let go, even Grandpa..." Tsunade muttered softly, as if chewing on those two words, "...one after another, but what's the point in the end..."

Suddenly, without warning, she approached again, moving faster than a drunkard! A slender, white hand, yet containing terrifying power, slammed down on Shuuji's shoulder!
"Ugh!" Xiu Si groaned, feeling an overwhelming force suddenly pressing down on him! The bluestone slab beneath his feet groaned under the weight, and spiderweb-like cracks spread rapidly from his footing!

The drunkenness in Tsunade's previously hazy eyes vanished like a receding tide, leaving only a sharp, piercing clarity and scrutiny as she locked her gaze on Shuuji: "You! Granny Momoka... you used 'that' on you, didn't you?!"

Faced with the suppression of the monstrous strength, Shuji had no choice but to refine his chakra. A condensed, almost tangible blue chakra flame, carrying a surging life force, suddenly erupted from every pore of Shuji's body.

boom!
The bluestone slab beneath their feet shattered completely, sending shards flying everywhere! An invisible wave of energy suddenly spread outwards from the two of them, causing the white sand in the courtyard to churn and the bamboo leaves to dance wildly! Xiu Si's body stiffened under this explosive force, resisting the terrifying pressure, but the pit beneath his feet deepened even further.

"Hmph!" Tsunade let out a knowing sneer tinged with a complex emotion, instantly withdrawing her hand from Shuuji's shoulder. The mountain-like pressure vanished abruptly.

"So, what important mission is it?" Tsunade crossed her arms and leaned back against the stone table with an air of nonchalance, as if the thunderous attack had never happened. She picked up the wine dish, took another sip, and her amber eyes regained their previous languidness, but her scrutinizing gaze was still palpable. "What made the old man willing to send you out?"

“You’ve misunderstood.” Shuji patted non-existent dust off his shoulder, his voice still steady, as if he hadn’t just been nearly shoved into the ground. “Grandma Momoka’s attempt was just a coincidence and was never made public. The Third Hokage may have had some guesses, but they were just guesses.”

"As for this mission, Mr. Jirocho should have already told you about it."

Tsunade's beautiful amber eyes narrowed slightly, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow beneath them.

The courtyard was filled with the rustling of bamboo leaves in the wind. Shizune stood to the side, her brows furrowed, her gaze shifting between Tsunade and Shuuji, a hint of worry barely perceptible in her eyes.

He finished the last bit of wine, casually tossing the wine dish onto the stone table with a soft clatter. Tsunade didn't look at Shuji again, but waved her hand somewhat listlessly and picked up another wine bottle.

"Alright, go do what you're supposed to do." Her voice became sticky again.

Shuji said no more, bowed slightly and said, "Yes, Lady Tsunade." He turned around, preparing to leave with Shizune.

As he reached the courtyard gate, he paused slightly without turning around, his voice clear: "Grandma... misses you very much. If you have time, it would be good for you to come back to the village and visit."

(End of this chapter)