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Tsunade couldn't bring herself to meet Sasame's gaze.
She tilted her chin up slightly, staring at the sky as if deep in thought.
"Hmm, let me think… What reward should I give you?"
"It has to be a big reward!"
Sasame emphasized the word big—this was a rare opportunity, and he wasn't about to let it slip away.
"You've even learned to haggle now?"
Tsunade couldn't help but laugh, instinctively pinching his cheek.
"Who's haggling?"
Sasame caught her hand, flipped it over, and lightly scratched her palm. "This is a legitimate request."
"That tickles…"
Tsunade shivered slightly and pulled her hand back. "Fine. I've decided—your reward is training in Sage Mode at Shikkotsu Forest."
"…Huh?"
Sasame's eyes widened.
This was the reward?
You liar! You promised something good!
Tsunade noticed his expression, and a pang of guilt hit her.
Manipulating a kid like this is kinda scummy…
But then, for some reason, the words slipped out before she could stop them:
"While you train… you can stay with me, like when you helped me overcome my hemophobia."
Back then, Sasame had been her support during her recovery.
Now, the roles would reverse.
Meaning—he'd still be her cuddle buddy.
The moment she said it, Tsunade immediately regretted it.
Yet, inexplicably, a flicker of anticipation rose in her chest.
Maybe this was what I wanted all along?
"Alright, let's head back."
Suppressing her flustered thoughts, Tsunade turned and walked away.
Sasame quickly followed.
Back Home
By the time they returned, Tsunade had regained her composure.
"Tomorrow, I'll take you to meet Katsuyu-sama."
In the original series, Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave's Sage Modes were explained in detail.
But Shikkotsu Forest's remained a mystery.
Neither its training methods nor its techniques were ever revealed.
Even Hashirama Senju's Sage Mode and his unique jutsu were never confirmed to originate from Shikkotsu—especially since he never summoned Katsuyu.
Now, Sasame would get to uncover the truth himself.
Dinner
Dinner that night was unusually lavish.
Shizune had prepared two extra dishes to celebrate Sasame's promotion to chūnin.
After all these years, her cooking skills had reached new heights.
Sasame ate with satisfaction.
Nightfall
After her bath, Tsunade lay on the tatami, wide awake.
Her mind buzzed with the day's events.
How did I end up saying something like that?
Anyone would think I'm—
Just then, a faint noise caught her attention.
The sound of a sliding door opening.
A thief?
Who the hell dares break into my room?!
Tsunade's irritation flared—until she saw Sasame standing there.
Her expression softened instantly.
"…Can't sleep?"
"Ne~echan, you just promised this afternoon. Don't tell me you've forgotten already?"
Without hesitation, Sasame slipped under the covers, immediately enveloped in warmth and the faint scent of flowers.
Tsunade froze—but it was too late.
Her amber eyes lingered on the boy curled up beside her, and an unexpected tenderness swelled in her chest.
She adjusted the blanket to ensure he wouldn't catch cold, then closed her eyes.
Strangely, her insomnia vanished.
Lulled by his steady breathing, she soon drifted off.
…This really is more comfortable.
Midnight
Sasame woke abruptly.
Tsunade wasn't a still sleeper.
Her golden hair brushed against his face, cool and silken.
But that wasn't what disturbed him.
Opening his eyes, he found her lightly nibbling on his fingertip.
Lost in some pleasant dream, her lips curved in a faint smile.
What are you imagining my finger is?
Please don't bite down. I'd like to keep all ten digits.
Still, the sensation wasn't unpleasant—warm and soft.
Sasame recalled a certain Journey to the West meme.
"Ignore her."
He closed his eyes again.
But soon, he woke once more.
Now, Tsunade was so close their noses almost touched.
Her breath ghosted over his skin, warm and faintly ticklish.
Sasame felt like he'd been swallowed by a cozy, all-encompassing cocoon—or maybe a very affectionate octopus.
Every inch of him was pressed against her, drowning in softness.
No escape.
His gaze lingered on her sleeping face, mesmerized.
Bathed in pale moonlight, she looked like a night-blooming flower—radiant and fleeting.
So… what now?
Tsunade's always saying I'm not a kid anymore, right?
Well then…
Enough is enough.
Leaning in, he gently tasted the sweetness of her lips.
A few seconds later, he pulled back, licking his own.
Still fragrant.
Goodnight.
Curling into her embrace, he let her familiar scent lull him back to sleep.
Unnoticed
In the darkness, a blush bloomed across Tsunade's face.
Her eyes fluttered open—shy, confused.
I could've pushed him away.
…Why didn't I?
She bit her lip lightly, then sighed.
If only I were twenty years younger…
Morning
Sasame wrestled his way out of the blankets.
Tsunade, jostled awake, stretched with a sleepy, catlike sound—revealing a glimpse of her toned stomach.
"Morning, neechan."
He grinned.
Tsunade's eyes snapped open.
Memories of the night before flooded back, and she bolted upright.
"…Morning."
She quickly schooled her expression.
I've weathered countless storms. There's no way I'm losing my cool over some brat.
"I'm gonna wash up."
Sasame slid the door open and left.
Tsunade sat frozen for a few seconds before shaking herself back to reality.
She changed into her usual outfit, tied her twin tails, and paused—then grabbed the necklace from her nightstand and fastened it around her neck.
A gift from Sasame.
She never took it off—except to sleep.
Kitchen
Shizune was already preparing breakfast.
After greeting her, Tsunade headed to the bathroom—
—and stopped.
On the sink sat her toothbrush, toothpaste pre-applied, and a cup of warm water.
Her lips twitched into a smile.
…Since when did you get so smooth?
You're gonna break so many hearts when you're older.
She picked up the toothbrush.
After Breakfast
"Shizune, I'm taking Sasame to Shikkotsu Forest. If anything urgent comes up, contact me through Katsuyu."
Tsunade had considered bringing Shizune and Kabuto along.
But their chakra reserves were nowhere near Sasame's.
Attempting Sage Mode without sufficient chakra was fatal.
Even for Sasame, this was just a trial.
At the first sign of danger, she'd stop him.
Assuming he even has the aptitude for it.
Otherwise, this whole trip would be pointless.
Tsunade herself had never learned Sage Mode—not for lack of trying, but because she couldn't.
If she'd mastered it, combined with her Strength of a Hundred seal and Mitotic Regeneration, her power would've skyrocketed.
Even without Wood Release, she'd have been a lesser version of Hashirama Senju.
And a "lesser Hashirama" was still a force to be reckoned with.
Reverse Summoning Jutsu!
In an instant, Tsunade and Sasame vanished.
Shikkotsu Forest
Mount Myōboku was a picturesque mountain valley.
Ryūchi Cave was a labyrinth of dark tunnels.
Shikkotsu Forest was… a forest.
Sasame opened his eyes to a sea of towering trees.
But these weren't ordinary trees—their bark was bone-white, as if carved from ivory.
At the same time, he sensed an energy that made his entire body hum with vitality.
Natural energy.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 125 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 65 power stones I will publish the next chapter.
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