The moment those beggars saw Tsunade, the greed and arrogance in their eyes instantly transformed into terror.
The tall lead beggar's face went pale as paper, lips trembling.
"M-My lady..."
The other beggars quickly lowered their heads, not daring to meet Tsunade's gaze.
Tsunade strode toward the group, her eyes so cold they could freeze the air itself.
"Did I go too easy on you last time? Got a death wish?"
Hearing this, the beggars collapsed to the ground in fright, repeatedly kowtowing to Tsunade.
"Please spare us, my lady! Please! I won't dare again!"
"Yes, I really won't!"
"We'll leave Tanzaku Town right now!"
"..."
Tsunade's eyebrows shot up as she continued her rebuke.
"Get lost! If I see you in Tanzaku Town again, you can leave your lives behind!"
The beggars, as if granted amnesty, fled the scene in a scrambling crawl. They didn't even bother picking up the broken bowls left on the ground.
Even while running, they kept glancing back, terrified Tsunade might chase them down.
Now only Tsunade and Kechi remained at the dim alley entrance.
"You alright?"
Tsunade turned around to look at Kechi, her gaze softening somewhat.
Kechi shook her head without speaking.
This woman, Kechi had recognized her the moment she'd laid eyes on her.
Golden hair, a massive chest, and that diamond-shaped mark on her forehead.
Who else could it be but Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin?
With so many gambling dens in Tanzaku Town, her appearance here wasn't exactly surprising.
Tsunade didn't mind Kechi's silence.
She probably assumed the girl was just shaken by what had happened.
But strangely enough, the instant their eyes met, Tsunade was surprised to discover she felt an inexplicable desire to protect this person.
That's odd.
This feeling appeared completely out of nowhere.
But she quickly snapped out of it, frowning as she examined Kechi from head to toe.
Kechi's body showed no chakra fluctuations whatsoever. That meant she was just an ordinary person.
Yet the reaction she'd just experienced couldn't be fake.
After a long moment, Kechi grew uncomfortable under Tsunade's strange stare.
"My lady, is there something else? If not, I'll be going."
Without waiting for Tsunade's response, Kechi turned and headed deeper into the alley, planning to leave Tanzaku Town from the other side.
She'd barely taken a few steps when a sharp voice called from behind.
"Stop!"
Kechi's steps faltered slightly. Wariness rose on her face, though it quickly transformed into confusion when she turned around.
"My lady, what is it? Do you need something?"
Tsunade opened her mouth but couldn't get any words out.
She didn't know why either. After Kechi turned around, that feeling came back, and she'd blurted out the command.
Now she regretted it.
She didn't even know what to say.
She glanced up at the sky.
The sun had already set. Dusk's afterglow painted this prosperous street in shades of gold.
That gave Tsunade a reason.
"Ahem. It's getting dark. It's not safe for a girl like you to be out alone."
"How about this, stay at my place tonight. Tomorrow I'll help you leave Tanzaku Town and find you somewhere to settle down."
Kechi's heart skipped a beat.
Since when is Tsunade this kind-hearted?
This woman had survived multiple wars and killed countless enemies. She was a ruthless warrior.
And Kechi? Just an ordinary person without even a trace of chakra, yet receiving Tsunade's repeated help.
Does this make any sense?
Kechi bit her lip. Her throat felt blocked by something. After a long moment, she spoke softly.
"My lady, wouldn't this be too much trouble for you? I... I'm afraid I'll be a bother."
Seeing Kechi's nervous expression, that inexplicable feeling of tenderness in Tsunade's heart intensified.
"No trouble at all. It's nothing, really. A girl like you, it really isn't safe in Tanzaku Town at night."
A bird flew overhead, its call breaking the brief silence.
With things said to this extent, refusing further would be completely tactless.
Who knew if Tsunade might lose her temper at that point?
"Then... thank you very much, my lady."
A smile appeared on Tsunade's face as she turned and walked in a certain direction.
"Follow me. I need to find someone first, then we'll all head to the inn together!"
Right now, even Tsunade herself hadn't realized it.
Along the way, Tsunade walked with light steps, occasionally glancing back to check if Kechi was keeping up.
Kechi maintained her distance from Tsunade the entire time, her guard never dropping for a moment.
As they went deeper into the street, the surrounding noise didn't diminish.
Shouts from gambling dens and clamor from taverns wove together into a chaotic symphony.
After winding through various turns, they arrived at a relatively quiet small courtyard.
Tsunade raised her hand and knocked lightly on the door.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Before long, the door creaked open.
A young woman appeared, wearing light gray ninja attire and holding a pink piglet in her arms.
"Tsunade-sama, you're back!"
Shizune had just started to smile when she spotted Kechi standing to the side.
She froze for a moment, then wariness flashed in her eyes.
Despite Kechi's stained clothing and mud-covered face, her enchanting figure was still impossible to hide.
This stark contrast made Shizune frown, though she didn't say anything.
After all, Tsunade had brought her here. It wasn't her place to ask too many questions.
"Shizune, pack up. We're changing lodgings."
Shizune nodded, turned back inside to quickly gather her things, then came back out.
The three of them walked down the street together.
Kechi could feel Shizune's occasional glances. Her unease grew.
Honestly, she didn't have anything to expose.
If there was one thing, it'd be that she used to be a man, that was it!
Could she have recognized me and wanted to send me back to Inoue-sama?
That didn't make sense either.
Although Tsunade was from Konoha Village, she surely wouldn't side with those nobles in Fire Country!
In silence, the three arrived in front of an inn.
Tsunade went in first and spoke with the owner.
Shizune waited at the entrance with Kechi, still frequently casting strange looks her way.
Shortly after, Tsunade emerged and waved them over.
"Rooms are booked. Let's head up."
Kechi and Shizune nodded, following Tsunade into the inn and climbing the wooden stairs to the second floor.
After finding the room, they pushed the door open.
Looked like Tsunade had only booked one room.
Inside, a faint incense fragrance mixed with the natural scent of wooden furniture permeated the air.
Seeing the soft, large bed, Tsunade instantly became like an energetic little girl.
She practically flew across the room and flopped onto the bed.
Then, propping her head up with one hand, she lay on her side, eyes sparkling as she looked at Kechi.
"You should take a bath first. You're all grimy, not a bit like how a girl should look!"