"Bwahahaha…. Tsunade, you've got good taste.
But you can't set your standards so high all at once. After all, someone like me… even if you searched the entire shinobi world, you wouldn't find a second one."
Garp rubbed his chin, grinning proudly.
"Then I'll just stay single. If I can't find someone like you, I'd rather not get married at all."
Tsunade replied without a hint of concern.
"If Hashirama heard you say that, he'd probably activate his True Several Thousand Hands and come after me… though he still wouldn't be able to beat me."
Garp couldn't help laughing helplessly as he said that.
"Then that's your fault, Uncle Garp."
Tsunade said with a smile.
"What does you staying single have to do with me?"
Garp blinked, confused.
"Of course it's because of you. If you hadn't lifted a whole mountain in front of me when I was a kid, I would've never sworn to become someone as strong as you.
And after growing up, I wouldn't feel anything for guys like Dan, soft as cotton, or someone like Jiraiya, who can't take anything seriously."
As Tsunade remembered witnessing Garp's mountain-lifting feat when she was younger, her pretty face lit up with admiration and excitement.
"Tsunade… I really think you should call me grandfather instead. Calling me uncle just feels wrong in terms of seniority between you and me."
When Garp noticed the stars sparkling in Tsunade's eyes as she looked at him, he felt both smug and just a little uneasy.
Tsunade, that look in your eyes is not right.
"You look like you're barely in your early thirties, there's no way I could call you that."
The moment she heard the word "grandfather," something in Tsunade instinctively resisted.
"Well… fine, call me whatever you like."
Garp opened his mouth, then gave a wry smile.
But about the whole marriage and mate selection topic, he stopped talking entirely.
If he was just overthinking, that was one thing. But if he wasn't… Hashirama and Tobirama would be breaking out of their coffins in no time.
"As expected of Lord Garp. Whether it's strength or presence, you're no weaker than in your prime."
At that moment, Danzo suddenly spoke with admiration.
Of course, he was also overthinking, he simply assumed Tsunade liked Garp's type.
And to him, that wasn't strange at all.
In the shinobi world, strength ruled, when choosing a partner, both men and women tended to pick strong ones, after all, it greatly reduced the chance of becoming a widow or widower.
Right now, he wasn't thinking too deeply about anything else. His mind was focused on improving Garp's impression of him.
"Have you ever witnessed my prime?"
Garp, whose mood was already a bit complicated, saw Danzo coming at him with those little schemes again and shot the words right back at him.
"…"
Danzo opened his mouth but had no idea what to say.
He was suffocating inside. Wasn't the legend supposed to be that the heroes of the past era were strong-willed but also humorous and easygoing?
Why was he getting only the strong-willed part and none of the easygoing?
"I'm leaving. I've got nothing more to do here. The mess that's left, you all can clean it up yourselves. I'm not getting involved any further."
Garp didn't care what Danzo thought. He simply said this to Shikaku and the others, then turned and walked away.
As soon as he left, a blonde troublemaker immediately followed after him.
Which gave him a headache.
"Lord Garp, are you heading toward the Land of Wind?"
Shikaku's eyes flashed when he noticed the direction Garp was walking.
"You're that kid from the Nara clan, right? Speak. What do you need from me?"
Garp paused. Seeing that it wasn't Danzo speaking, but Shikaku, his tone immediately softened.
Not as warm as with Tsunade, but definitely approachable.
In fact, ever since the Warring States Period, he'd always had a good impression of the Nara clan.
Members of the Nara were usually intelligent, insightful, polite, and one of the most well mannered shinobi families around.
Take Shikamaru, for example. In the future, when everyone in the village ostracized Naruto, he still pulled Choji along and befriended Naruto.
Compared to that, all of Minato's subordinates, friends, and students seemed to have evaporated from existence.
"The Land of Wind is vast, and the journey from here is still quite long.
Thanks to your help earlier, Lord Garp, I would like the chance to offer even the slightest bit of assistance. Not as payment, just as sincerity."
Shikaku said directly.
"Smart kid."
Garp glanced at Shikaku, then grinned.
"This is Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Choza, we form this generation's Ino–Shika–Cho."
Shikaku respectfully introduced his companions.
"Lord Garp."
Inoichi and Choza stepped forward to greet him immediately.
"Alright, you guys can guide me."
Garp laughed and patted the two of them on the shoulder.
His relaxed, tolerant attitude made Danzo on the side burn with jealousy.
If he could receive even a fraction of that warmth, would he still have to listen to Hiruzen say, day after day, 'Danzo, don't forget, I am the Hokage.'
"Yes, sir."
Inoichi immediately took the lead, using his sensory abilities from time to time to keep watch on the surroundings.
"Choza, you come with me to the front."
Choza had been about to take rear guard, but Shikaku twisted his arm and dragged him forward, leaving the space behind for Garp and Tsunade.
Clearly, he had not only understood Garp's reason for going to the Land of Wind.
---------------
Guys do leave some reviews and comments.
Also, if you guys enjoy this story, you can support me on Pat re on and get access to some Advance Chapters, it really helps me to work on new chapters.
pat re on. com / Yhssab
Just remove all the spaces in between and search it.