Aoyama Ryuyun's praise made Tsunade feel a little smug.
As she continued massaging him, the atmosphere around them gradually quieted. The earlier embarrassment faded, replaced by a gentle warmth.
"Speaking of which," Tsunade murmured, "it feels strange without that girl, Yuhi, around."
Although the two often argued the moment they met, the sudden absence of their bickering made things oddly quiet.
Ryuyun smiled faintly. "We're about to go to war. Of course, Shinku Yuhi would take Kurenai home. Even if he's not heading to the front lines, it's natural for him to keep his daughter close."
Tsunade nodded, understanding. Still, she couldn't deny the silence felt unnatural.
---
Meanwhile, at the Yuhi residence, Kurenai Yuhi sat by the window, chin resting on her hands as she murmured softly, "Brother Liu Yun…"
Beside her, Shinku Yuhi sighed heavily. What sin did I commit to let my daughter meet that boy?
"Don't worry," he said at last. "With Liu Yun's strength, he'll be fine."
Having once fought beside Aoyama Ryuyun, Shinku knew well how powerful the young man was.
"Hmph! You don't understand anything!"
Kurenai snapped, glaring at her father before turning back to the window.
"..."
Shinku Yuhi was speechless. This child… she'll be the death of me one day.
Though she believed Aoyama Ryuyun would return safely, belief didn't stop the worry gnawing at her chest.
---
"Alright! Get up."
Tsunade's firm voice broke the silence as she finished the massage.
Ryuyun stretched his shoulders and legs. The fatigue from his intense training had all but vanished.
"That was really good," he admitted.
"Of course it was!" Tsunade said proudly, then added quickly, "Don't get the wrong idea. This is just a small reward because you're helping me become Hokage."
She would never admit she did it out of concern.
Ryuyun chuckled. "So I get rewards even before success? If I actually succeed, would that be a lifelong reward?"
"Depends on your performance," Tsunade said smoothly.
Her words were vague, but the implication was clear. Ryuyun wasn't stupid—he understood perfectly.
---
The next day, the situation at the front lines grew dire.
Two thousand ninja—most of them civilians—were assembled as reinforcements. Though numerous, they were little more than cannon fodder. The real backbone of Konoha's army remained the clan shinobi.
At the village gate, Jiraiya looked at Tsunade with teary eyes. "Tsunade, are you sure you don't want me to come with you?"
His posture and tone radiated worry.
"Get lost! Don't disgust this old woman!" Tsunade snapped.
"Wuwuwu…" Jiraiya's dramatic sobs followed her like a ghost.
Rolling her eyes, Tsunade ignored him.
Nearby, Orochimaru stepped forward, his expression calm but his voice soft. "Be careful."
Unlike Jiraiya's boisterous concern, Orochimaru's words were simple but sincere.
"Mm. I will," Tsunade replied.
Her feelings toward Orochimaru were complicated. Her brother Nawaki's death was tied, in part, to Orochimaru's actions—or inaction. But despite that, she nodded to show she understood his concern.
Orochimaru caught the subtle distance in her tone. He smiled faintly, the kind of smile filled with quiet regret.
---
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi came to see them off.
"Tsunade," he said solemnly, "you must return safely."
"Of course I will," Tsunade replied, her tone calm but firm.
She cast him an unreadable glance—one that carried both respect and silent accusation—then turned away.
Raising her hand, Tsunade shouted to the assembled forces, "Move out!"
One by one, figures vanished in flickers of movement, heading toward the battlefield.
Hiruzen watched Tsunade's retreating back with narrowed eyes.
As I thought… she already knows, doesn't she?
From her tone and expression, it was clear she had learned at least part of the truth behind the Senju Clan's downfall.
Still, she hadn't confronted him—not yet. If she truly knew everything, she would have punched him into the floor already.
It doesn't matter, Hiruzen thought coldly. The evidence was destroyed long ago. You'll find nothing, Tsunade. Don't blame me. Everything I did was for Konoha.
He exhaled a slow breath, the weight of self-justification settling over him like a fog.
---
By the time Tsunade's unit arrived at the front lines, three days had passed.
"Lady Tsunade!"
The commander on-site nearly wept with relief when he saw her and the reinforcements.
If no help had come, their defenses would have crumbled within a day.
"Report," Tsunade said curtly.
"Sunagakure's full-scale assaults have been relentless," the commander replied. "Our casualties are heavy. Out of nearly two thousand men, only four or five hundred are still combat-ready!"
Tsunade's expression hardened.
Such losses were catastrophic—but they also revealed just how fierce this battlefield had become.