Night Maple scratched his head. "Uh, I picked it up while Granny Mito was teaching Kushina."
"What?!"
Kushina's eyes nearly popped out!
Granny Mito was teaching me, you were loafing at the side, I didn't get it—and you did?
Kushina felt a sharp pang in her chest.
Uzumaki Mito also froze for a moment, surprise flickering across her face.
With comprehension like that, he might even outstrip Second Hokage Tobirama, no?
Is the Senju line about to birth a dragon?
"But you still can't treat Tsunade like that."
Using vines to smack Tsunade—how troublesome.
Night Maple ignored it. Back at the little courtyard, he immediately went to bathe.
While washing, he suddenly remembered the place from just now—there was a hot spring there, the most famous bathhouse in Konoha.
Come to think of it, he'd never gone for a soak.
Should he find a chance to try it?
Fresh from his bath, Night Maple hurried back to his room.
Then—knock, knock, knock—at the door.
"Come in."
Kushina came in with damp hair and a faint fragrance; her skin was pale and rosy, beaded with a few drops of water—clearly just bathed.
Night Maple was a little dazed. It was this late—what did Kushina want?
A flush colored Kushina's cheeks. She spoke softly: "Night Maple, could you maybe apologize to Sister Tsunade later, okay?"
Looking at Kushina's pleading expression, Night Maple softened. "Alright, alright—it's just an apology…"
[Ding. Based on the host's current situation, three options are provided!]
[Option One: Apologize to Tsunade and admit your mistake. Reward: one battered shuriken.]
[Option Two: Forgive Tsunade and say you're not angry at all. Reward: A-rank Ninjutsu—Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique.]
[Option Three: Clap back hard at Tsunade and give her a proper lesson. Reward: A-rank Ninjutsu—All-Directions Shuriken.]
Alright, system—you've outdone yourself!
Night Maple cleared his throat. "I don't think I'm wrong, but I've already forgiven Tsunade. I'm not angry at all—as long as she doesn't come picking a fight with me again."
Kushina glared. "Night Maple, is that an apology?"
"I'm not wrong—why should I apologize?"
Kushina stamped her foot in anger.
Suddenly, the door banged open.
Night Maple and Kushina both froze.
Tsunade, standing in the doorway, froze too—pointing at Night Maple.
"Y-you—what are you doing in my room?"
Kushina flushed scarlet and waved her hands. "Sister Tsunade, we weren't doing anything! It's like this—Night Maple wants to apologize to you!"
Night Maple was a bit stunned as well. He'd actually been sleeping in Tsunade's boudoir earlier—no wonder there was a special scent.
"Apologize?"
Tsunade looked at Night Maple.
"Uh, Sister Tsunade, I've already forgiven you. I'm not angry at all about today—as long as you don't come bothering me again."
Alright, don't blame me—the system's making me do this.
Not roasting you already counts as mercy.
[Congratulations to the host for completing Option Two: forgive Tsunade and say you're not angry at all. Reward acquired: A-rank Ninjutsu—Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique.]
Tsunade laughed in fury. "Heh. Brat—outside. I don't want to wreck this place. Let's hit the training grounds and have a round?"
Just then, Uzumaki Mito walked over.
Mito gave Tsunade a look. "You've been gone nearly two years. You come back and jump straight into brawling?"
Kushina was frantic, looking to Night Maple.
Night Maple shrugged. "I already said I forgive her."
Mito knew Night Maple responded to soft over hard. She sighed. "Alright, that's enough. Tsunade, stop making a fuss. And you, Night Maple—she's your elder sister. Give her some leeway."
Tsunade bristled. "Do I need him to go easy on me?!"
She'd lost face in front of so many people today!
Who knew a little test would turn out like this?
Now even her boudoir had been occupied?
And her own grandmother was siding with an outsider!
Tsunade fumed, chakra surging all over.
Kushina hurriedly said, "Sister Tsunade, how about an arm-wrestling match with Night Maple!"
"Night Maple, arm-wrestle Sister Tsunade. If you lose, will you apologize to her, okay?"
Kushina knew Tsunade's strength was monstrous; in Konoha, no one could match her at arm wrestling.
This would give Tsunade a step down—and spare Night Maple from too much embarrassment.
Night Maple suddenly smiled. "That's not impossible."
He remembered the arc in the anime when Tsunade arm-wrestled the Raikage.
That earth-shaking scene.
Kinda interesting.
Tsunade had been furious, but at those words her eyes lit up. "Brat, do you dare wager on it? I'm telling you—no one has ever beaten me at arm wrestling."
"Is that so?"
It seemed that at this point, Tsunade hadn't arm-wrestled the Raikage yet.
In that match, the Raikage won in the end.
Tsunade had more power, but the Raikage was faster and used a small trick to win.
That episode hadn't happened yet.