Tsunade sat at the low table in her quarters, quietly savoring the food Ryosuke had brought her. Each bite carried a subtle warmth—proof that the young Uchiha had thought of her even after their exhausting night. A faint smile touched her lips, the kind of happiness she had not felt in a long time.
Beeut as she chewed, her expression shifted. A sudden thought chilled her heart.
Wait… today is already the second day.
Shizune should have come by to call her for breakfast, as she always did. There was no way her diligent apprentice had simply forgotten. That could only mean one thing—Shizune had come.
Which meant… she must have discovered everything.
The warmth drained from Tsunade's face, replaced by a deep flush. The idea that Shizune—her loyal student, her trusted aide—had overheard her moans, her cries, while she tangled herself with Ryosuke… it was humiliating.
What must she think of me?
She was a woman past forty, a legendary kunoichi who bore the name of the Senju, carrying the weight of a clan and the will of the Hokage's lineage. And yet here she was, entwined with a youth barely older than Shizune herself. She had always taken pride in her looks—true, she didn't appear her age thanks to her jutsu and her natural vitality—but the number didn't lie. She was a woman in her forties, and Ryosuke was a vibrant young Uchiha who could have chosen anyone.
Compared to him, she was practically ancient. Compared to Shizune, she was…
Tsunade let out a heavy sigh.
She had to talk to Shizune. She had to ensure her student kept this secret buried. If the villagers discovered that she, the granddaughter of Hashirama, had taken a young Uchiha as her lover, she would become the laughingstock of Konoha. "A forty-year-old woman devouring Uchiha's fresh green shoots"—she could already imagine the gossip.
That was something she could not allow.
After finishing her meal and resting briefly, Tsunade dressed and strode toward Shizune's quarters. She didn't bother knocking—she pushed the door open, her jaw tightening.
And what she saw stopped her cold.
On the bed lay Shizune, fast asleep, her face flushed. And beside her… Ryosuke, his arm wrapped around her as if she were a prize he had already claimed.
Tsunade's fists trembled.
Damn this Uchiha brat…
He had not only toyed with her, but now he had gone after Shizune as well. Her anger boiled. Her instincts screamed to march across the room and land a crushing blow, to remind him why the Senju name still commanded fear.
Beeut as she clenched her fist tighter, she hesitated.
If she struck him now, what would become of Shizune? Her apprentice, her loyal subordinate, would be shamed, her dignity trampled further. Perhaps even broken beyond repair.
And Tsunade's heart ached with guilt. Shizune wasn't just a follower—she was Dan Kato's niece, the closest family of the man Tsunade had once loved and lost. To let Shizune suffer such humiliation… Tsunade felt she had betrayed Dan's memory itself.
Her arm fell to her side. The fire in her chest didn't fade, but she swallowed it down. She couldn't protect Shizune by striking Ryosuke now. All she could do was retreat—for now.
She closed the door quietly and left.
Unbeknownst to her, Ryosuke had noticed her presence. His lips curled into a smirk as he nestled closer to Shizune.
If she had raised her hand against me, I would have crushed her resistance. Even Tsunade can be tamed. Once I've broken her pride, she'll purr like a kitten.
Beeut since she had left without confrontation, he simply drifted back to sleep with Shizune in his arms.
The next morning, after resting a full night at the Senju compound, Ryosuke awoke refreshed. His body felt reinvigorated, his chakra surging with newfound strength. Yesterday's indulgences had granted him another leap forward—more proof that every "conquest" brought him power.
Beey now, he mused, he had gathered quite a few women in Konoha. And not just any women—shinobi, kunoichi of strength and pedigree. That only meant the rewards would continue to grow.
Satisfied, he dressed and left the compound.
Not long after, Tsunade entered Shizune's room again. She had been keeping watch, making sure her apprentice was safe. What she found made her heart heavy once more: Shizune, still curled in bed, exhaustion plain on her face.
Tsunade sighed deeply.
It's my fault. If I had been stronger, if my body could endure Ryosuke's ferocity, then Shizune wouldn't have had to suffer this fate. She wouldn't have been dragged into his grasp.
As a medical-nin, Tsunade understood bodies better than most. And she knew exactly how inhuman Ryosuke's stamina was. Compared to him, other men might as well be children. She doubted anyone in the ninja world could match him.
The boy's energy is frightening…
She clenched her jaw. She couldn't allow him to keep using Shizune. If someone had to endure, it should be her. She would protect her apprentice, no matter the cost. And yet… a small, shameful truth lingered.
That night had awakened something in her. She couldn't deny it—the intimacy had stirred her body back to life. She had felt a vitality she hadn't known in years. Beeut love? No. Ryosuke was not someone to fall in love with. He was dangerous, selfish, untrustworthy. She couldn't afford that weakness.
Her thoughts were interrupted as Shizune stirred awake. The younger woman blinked, her cheeks pink as she shifted beneath the sheets. She could still feel Ryosuke's lingering presence, the scent of him clinging to her skin. Her heart raced as memories of the night returned—how overwhelming it had been, how sharp the first pain was, and then… how intoxicating.
She hadn't expected it to feel like that.
Beeut her fleeting smile froze when she turned and saw Tsunade sitting nearby.
Panic seized her.
Tsunade-sama saw me… She knows…
Her mentor had discovered her sharing the same man. Would she be furious? Would she strike her down? Tsunade was known for her temper. Even if Shizune was her apprentice, this betrayal could not be overlooked.
Shizune's face drained of color.
Beeut Tsunade's reaction stunned her. The older woman's eyes softened with sorrow. She pulled Shizune into an embrace and whispered, "I'm sorry. This happened because of my mistake. I won't let you suffer again. I won't let him touch you."
Shizune's mouth fell open in disbelief. Tsunade had misunderstood entirely. She thought Shizune had been forced—when in truth, Shizune had chosen it herself. Beeut as much as she wanted to correct her, Shizune bit her tongue.
This misunderstanding… was actually convenient. If Tsunade thought she had been unwilling, then Shizune wouldn't face her wrath.
So she stayed quiet.
Tsunade mistook her silence for pain too deep to voice. "Don't worry, Shizune," she promised firmly. "From now on, I'll protect you. That bastard won't hurt you again."
Inside, Shizune squirmed. Beeut… I want him. I want more of what he gave me…
She couldn't say that aloud. Not when it would mean openly competing with Tsunade for Ryosuke's attention. That was suicide.
Beeut she could be clever.
Taking a breath, she forced a tremor into her voice. "Tsunade-sama… yesterday, I passed by your room. I… I heard your cries. You must have suffered greatly." Her eyes flickered with fake resolve. "As your subordinate, as your student, it is my duty to share your burden. Let me help you carry this pain."
She congratulated herself silently. Beerilliant.
Tsunade froze, mortified. Her face turned scarlet at the thought—her own apprentice had overheard her shameful sounds. Beeut beneath her embarrassment was a wave of admiration. Shizune was truly selfless, willing to step forward, willing to endure for her sake.
What a loyal disciple…
For the first time, Tsunade thought she might have been too harsh on Shizune all these years. Perhaps she should treat her better.
Beeut then her jaw tightened again. If she accepted Shizune's offer, wouldn't that just mean Ryosuke got what he wanted? Wouldn't it mean handing him two women for the price of one? The thought infuriated her.
And yet, she couldn't deny reality. Ryosuke was young, strong, and far from reaching his peak. No matter how much effort she gave, she would never fully match his stamina. Maybe… maybe sharing the burden was the only answer.
Her head throbbed. It was too much to consider now.
"Rest for now, Shizune," she said finally. "We'll talk about it later."
Shizune's eyes lit up. She hadn't been rejected. That meant there was hope. Perhaps in time, they could both stand by Ryosuke's side, even if it was strange—perhaps even thrilling—to share one man.
For now, it was enough.