This was what troubled Tsunade the most.
"Tch. Lady Tsunade, you're the one who freeloads meals every day. If you don't like watching, then leave!"
Over time, Kurenai Yuhi had grown bolder.
If Tsunade dared to tease her, then she dared to talk back.
"Oh, that's right—Lady Tsunade doesn't know how to cook, does she? Tsk, tsk, tsk. How pitiful!"
"You little brat!"
The provocation made Tsunade's hand twitch; she almost punched her on instinct.
But even in her irritation, she wouldn't stoop so low as to strike a child.
At that moment, Aoyama Ryuyun stepped out of the bath, drying his hair with a towel. He took one look at the two of them glaring at each other and sighed.
Thud!
He tapped Tsunade lightly on the head with a nearby ladle.
"You're an adult. Why are you getting worked up over a kid?"
"I—"
Tsunade froze, feeling wronged. It's this little brat who started it!
"Hehe! Liu Yun-nii-san will always take my side! Why would he ever side with you?"
Kurenai Yuhi laughed triumphantly, making a face at Tsunade before darting to Ryuyun's side.
"Liu Yun-nii-san, I'll prepare dinner for you!"
"Mm."
Ryuyun nodded in satisfaction.
Watching this warm, almost domestic scene, Tsunade rolled her eyes.
"Tch."
The sight irritated her more than she cared to admit.
But suddenly, her expression changed. She sensed multiple unfamiliar chakra signatures approaching the courtyard.
Her smile vanished.
Moments later, several masked figures in black cloaks stepped into the yard.
Tsunade's sharp eyes narrowed—Anbu uniforms.
Yet something was off.
The moment they saw Tsunade, the group froze for half a second, startled by her presence. Then, regaining their composure, they bowed slightly.
"Lady Tsunade!"
Her eyes darkened.
"These chakra signatures… You're Root operatives, aren't you?"
Though phrased as a question, her tone left no doubt.
Tsunade had met Hiruzen Sarutobi's Anbu before. They were cold, yes—but still human. Still capable of emotion.
The Root were different.
Danzo's training turned them into emotionless weapons—tools that existed only to follow orders.
"Yes, Lady Tsunade."
They didn't bother denying it. Each spoke in the same flat tone, mechanical and lifeless.
They knew who she was.
Even Root operatives were careful when dealing with Senju Tsunade.
When facing Aoyama Ryuyun, they had Danzo's authority behind them—nothing to fear.
But facing the granddaughter of the First Hokage, the apprentice of the Third, one of the Sannin?
That was another matter entirely.
"Lady Tsunade," one of them said, "by order of Lord Danzo, we are here to—"
"Get out."
Tsunade cut him off coldly.
She didn't need to hear the rest.
If they were here, they were here for Ryuyun.
"Lady Tsunade, this is Lord Danzo's order—"
"If you don't leave now," she snapped, her tone low and deadly, "don't blame me for removing you myself."
Inside the village, many feared Danzo Shimura.
But Tsunade was not among them.
Her hand hovered near her belt pouch; the air grew heavy with killing intent.
The Root members tensed. They didn't think she was bluffing—because if anyone in Konoha would make good on that threat, it was Tsunade.
"Understood."
After a brief exchange of glances, they turned and retreated.
"Hmph."
Tsunade watched their figures vanish into the night and exhaled sharply through her nose.
At the same time, Aoyama Ryuyun emerged from the kitchen, his towel draped around his neck.
"So, Danzo has already set his sights on me."
When the Root operatives appeared, Ryuyun had sensed them immediately with his Kenbunshoku Haki.
He wasn't surprised. Back when he'd faced Tsunade beneath the Hokage Building, he had already noticed a peculiar gaze fixed on him from above.
That must have been Danzo.
"Don't worry," Tsunade said confidently, slamming her hand on the table. "As long as I'm here, he won't dare to touch you."
She said it as if waiting for praise.
"You underestimate Danzo Shimura too much."
Ryuyun's calm tone made her frown.
If Danzo were the type to back down easily, he wouldn't be Danzo.
Tsunade's standing in Konoha was formidable on paper—granddaughter of the First Hokage, heir of the Senju clan, apprentice of the Third, and one of the rising Sannin.
But in practice, she held no political power. She was respected, not obeyed.
"I am Senju Tsunade!" she declared proudly, crossing her arms. "With me here, that man won't dare move against you."
Ryuyun just shrugged and didn't bother arguing.
Even if Danzo had marked him as a target, he wasn't worried.
He turned back toward the kitchen. "Dinner's getting cold."
---
The next morning, Tsunade's confidence was shattered.
A mission scroll lay open on Aoyama Ryuyun's table.
> Mission: Possible Sunagakure spy detected in the southern forest outside Konoha.
Assignment: Aoyama Ryuyun is ordered to investigate.
Ryuyun read the scroll and smiled faintly.
The forest south of the village—a perfect place for an ambush.
He set the scroll down and looked at Tsunade, amusement glinting in his eyes.
"Well, it seems your influence isn't as great as you thought."
Even an idiot could tell: if Tsunade was staying here, then the easiest way to deal with Ryuyun… was to send him away.