Shigure, however, remained perfectly calm. He merely glanced at Mei Terumī and said, "Come in already. Why are you just standing there?"
Hearing that, Mei blinked in disbelief. She hadn't expected this from Shigure — such a composed, good-looking young man on the surface…
To be into this kind of thing behind her back.
And bondage, no less!?
Thinking that, Mei quietly stepped into the room and closed the door behind her. Her mind began to conjure some rather questionable scenarios.
The woman inside was about her own age. Could it be that Shigure preferred the more mature type of woman?
Indeed, for a young man like him, wasn't conquering an "older sister" type the ultimate thrill?
"Why are you staring at me like that? And what's with that weird expression?"
Shigure frowned slightly — Mei's whole demeanor was… off. Very off.
"Oh, little Shigure…" Mei purred, stepping closer. Her slender fingers lightly traced across his chest.
"Big sister really underestimated you. I didn't think you were into such daring games behind my back."
"If you want to play, big sister can join in too, you know~"
Shigure froze.
Play? What play?
Bondage?
Was this woman an idiot? Didn't she realize who that was?
Then again, it made sense — Mei Terumī probably hadn't met Tsunade before. The title of Konoha's Legendary Sannin was famous across the shinobi world, but few had actually seen them in person.
And Tsunade's current appearance… was a bit misleading, to say the least.
"Your taste isn't bad, though," Mei said approvingly, turning her gaze toward Tsunade. "You've caught quite the beauty."
Shigure groaned, pressing a hand to his temple.
"Ugh…"
"Don't tell me," he muttered, "you really don't know who she is?"
"Who she is?" Mei tilted her head. "Am I supposed to?"
"She's Tsunade," Shigure said flatly.
"Tsunade? Hm, that's a nice name. But little Shigure, you're still young. You shouldn't be playing with such flashy— wait."
Her words caught in her throat. "What did you just say her name was?"
"Tsunade."
"Tsunade…?" Mei blinked, as if struck by lightning. "You mean that Tsunade? Tsunade-hime — the Slug Princess? One of Konoha's Three Legendary Sannin!?"
Shigure nodded.
Mei slowly turned toward the sight of Tsunade, bound and restrained.
For a long moment, she could only stare.
If Tsunade could move or speak right now, she'd probably want to crawl into the earth and never come out.
"You… actually tied up Tsunade, one of the Three Sannin… for fun!?"
Shigure nearly choked. "What do you mean for fun? I wasn't—"
"The Princess of Konoha? Really, kid? That's… quite the taste."
"I did it to get her to save Ringo!" he said quickly.
Mei raised an eyebrow. "That's your idea of asking for help?"
Shigure scratched his head, clearly embarrassed. "It's not what you think! Just… let me explain."
He then recounted everything — the clash between the Sannin, Tsunade's severe hemophobia, and how restraining her was the only way to keep her from bolting or wrecking the place in a panic.
By the time he finished, Mei finally understood the situation — and realized just how badly she'd misjudged it.
"Even if your intention is truly to get Tsunade to treat Ringo, have you thought this through? You kidnapped Tsunade — one of the Three Sannin — and dragged her back to the Village."
"It might slide if Orochimaru finds out, but if Jiraiya learns about this, do you think Konoha and the Hidden Mist will stay on friendly terms?"
"And even if Konoha can be placated, look at what you did to Tsunade!"
Shigure glanced up at Tsunade, suspended midair, her limbs immobilized by ropes that held her taut.
"What kind of impression do you think she'll have of the Hidden Mist after this?" Mei continued. "She'll hate us. Deeply."
"If you treat a princess like that, even if she didn't have hemophobia, she might refuse to help Ringo out of spite."
Shigure's expression hardened. "So we have to fix this."
The problem was serious. Tsunade was a problem — not only because of Konoha, but because of her state of mind. If released in that condition, she would likely lash out. Shigure had no doubt that, the moment she could move freely, she'd try to kill him.
"Forget complaining — it's done. Now figure out how to ease her hemophobia, then treat Ringo," Mei said with a sigh.
She hesitated, then — unexpectedly — brightened with an idea. She looked at Shigure with a dangerous little grin.
"How about this… you… sleep with her."
Shigure blinked. "Why are we talking about that all of a sudden?"
"You're perfectly capable by now, aren't you? Make her bear your children. Use them as leverage — she won't dare defy you then."
For a moment, even Shigure had to admit the suggestion was effective — and shocking. It was cunning, but foul. He felt a flush of disgust at the thought.
He glanced at Tsunade. The woman's face was a mask of fury and humiliation; Mei's suggestion had, if anything, pushed her into an even louder fit of protest.
"Wuwu… wuwuwu… wuwuwu…" Tsunade's muffled outrage filled the room.
"You dare treat me this way… I will never forgive you…"
Shigure straightened, meeting her gaze. "I will handle this. But I will not do that. I'm not interested in sleeping with her."
Mei studied him suspiciously. "Not interested… and yet you put her up like that?"
Shigure hedged with a crooked smile. "I do find Lord Mizukage… intriguing."
The boldness of that remark made Mei's cheeks color; she turned away, flustered.
"You must sort Tsunade out properly," Mei said finally. "If she might threaten the Village, you'll have no choice but to confine her here indefinitely."
With that she left, leaving Shigure alone with Tsunade again.
"If you don't make a fuss, I'll lower you," Shigure told her.
Tsunade's glare could have frozen water. "Let me go and I'll forget this ever happened. Otherwise… unless you kill me, I will hunt you down, you stinky brat!"
Shigure gave a small, controlled snap. The ropes loosened; one by one the mist-laced bonds vanished. Only the mist collar around Tsunade's neck remained.
"If you won't attack me, those restraints won't reappear," he said.
Tsunade's panic was instant. "You promised you'd let me down if I didn't make a fuss!"
"You did start thinking about killing me," Shigure replied simply.
Forced to expel the murderous thoughts, Tsunade's posture slackened in shame. The terrifying mist ropes dissolved entirely; she sagged in relief.
"You brought me back to treat that girl named Ringo, didn't you?" Tsunade asked, voice tight.
"Yes," Shigure said. "But I can't treat her if you keep losing control. You're not in any condition to do medical work right now."
"So free me and I'll act as if none of this happened," Tsunade snapped, still furious but calmer.
...
TN:
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