"I haven't fallen so low that I need a brat like you to comfort me."
Although she said this, Tsunade felt no displeasure at Hayato Ren's embrace—in fact, she even felt a hint of delight.
Perhaps because Hayato Ren was present, Tsunade drank far more today than usual.
Watching Tsunade collapse face-first onto the table, Hayato Ren let out a helpless sigh.
Fortunately, Tsunade's drinking manners were relatively decent; when drunk, she simply lay down to sleep.
If she were to throw a drunken fit, Hayato Ren wasn't sure he could control Tsunade, who possessed Super Strength.
Then, Hayato Ren slid his left hand under the bend of Tsunade's knees and his right hand behind her neck, lifting her in a princess carry.
After fully lifting Tsunade, a complicated expression crossed Hayato Ren's face.
Although the flush on Tsunade's face and her relaxed body suggested she had completely lost control of her physical state, the Chakra within her couldn't lie. Who could maintain such steady Chakra flow while drunk? Moreover, her breathing seemed a bit too deliberate, as if trying to cover something up.
Tsunade was testing him. Thinking this, Hayato Ren couldn't help but sigh softly.
Seriously? Even a gentleman needs to be guarded against?
Once he confirmed Tsunade was pretending to be drunk, Hayato Ren didn't dare make any unnecessary movements with his hands.
Originally, he had thought to take this opportunity to satisfy some urges.
Remembering this, Hayato Ren's actions immediately became clean and proper.
He gently removed the shoes from Tsunade's feet and covered her with a blanket.
Then, with one hand, he stroked Tsunade's forehead and muttered to himself:
"Teacher, being your student is the luckiest thing that's ever happened to me. Though I've never said it out loud, you are the person I admire most in this world."
Hearing this, the corners of Tsunade's lips curled into a barely noticeable smile.
[This brat still has some conscience.]
"Even though you're lazy, love to drink, and enjoy gambling... I would never look down on you. You will always be my dearest teacher."
[Did this brat figure out I'm not really drunk? Is he saying all this to flatter me? Should I open my eyes?]
After an internal struggle, Tsunade ultimately kept her eyes closed. She wanted to see what Hayato Ren would do next.
It was this slightly peculiar feeling that kept Tsunade from opening her eyes to stop Hayato Ren's actions.
Seeing Tsunade's deeply frowning face, a relieved smile appeared on his face.
He had thought his actions would provoke Tsunade's rage, that she would punch him flying with one blow, but unexpectedly, Tsunade seemed to be tacitly allowing it.
This suggested that Tsunade might actually have some fondness for him; otherwise, she wouldn't permit such behavior.
Thinking this, an excited expression spread across Hayato Ren's face.
After Hayato Ren let go, Tsunade finally breathed a sigh of relief, yet she also felt an inexplicable sense of loss.
Then, Hayato Ren gently pulled the blanket over Tsunade.
Originally, after covering her with the blanket, Hayato Ren was going to return to his own bed.
However, as he gazed at Tsunade's delicate face, a sudden impulse surged within him.
Since the teacher had tacitly approved, would it really matter if I secretly stole a kiss?
Action speaks louder than intention. Hayato Ren swiftly lowered his head and immediately raised it again.
The entire sequence was executed so smoothly that, if not for the smug, fox-like grin on his face, no one would have known what had just happened.
Indeed, in extreme situations, human potential is truly remarkable.
After doing all this, Hayato Ren stole a glance at Tsunade's face.
He saw that her eyes remained tightly closed.
However, a faint blue vein seemed to be bulging on her forehead.
[That brat, just wait till tomorrow—I'll make him pay.]
Tsunade clenched her fists hidden beneath the blanket, thinking viciously to herself.
But by then, Hayato Ren had already hidden under his own blanket. Staring at the lump formed by the blanket on the opposite bed, Tsunade's expression was extremely complicated.
After a long while, she let out a deep sigh, turned over, and went to sleep.
Tonight, for both Hayato Ren and Tsunade, was destined to be a sleepless night.
. . . . . .
The next day arrived. Having tossed and turned all night without being able to sleep, Hayato Ren didn't wake up until the sun was high in the sky.
To his surprise, Tsunade was actually writing something at the table.
It was worth noting that Tsunade usually woke up later than anyone else.
"You're finally awake. Go wash up quickly—I brought you a meal," Tsunade said, glancing at Hayato Ren.
Seeing her calm reaction, Hayato Ren began to wonder if he had just dreamed everything the night before.
He had thought that Tsunade would definitely confront him the next day, but instead, she acted as if nothing had happened.
Not daring to ask more—since he was the one at fault—Hayato Ren simply nodded and stepped out of the tent to wash up.
Just as he stepped outside, he ran into an unexpected guest.
"Hayato, what are you doing here?" Kato Dan asked, looking at Hayato Ren with disbelief.
Hayato Ren curled his lip and replied confidently, "This is my teacher's tent. Why shouldn't I be here? What do you want?"
Kato Dan tightly gripped the bouquet of flowers hidden behind his back. How could he say that he had picked these beautiful wildflowers just to win Tsunade's favor?
So, he stammered in response, "I have something urgent to discuss with Tsunade. Is she inside?"
After what happened last night, Hayato Ren had completely regarded Tsunade as his future wife.
Naturally, he had no patience for Kato Dan, who seemed intent on stealing her away.
Uchiha of Konoha, Starting by Defying Konoha!