Two and a half days later.
The lights in the Hokage's Office remained on late into the night.
Chiya rubbed his slightly aching temples and set aside the final budget document concerning the expansion of the border outposts.
Outside the window, Konoha Village was already quiet, with only a few shops still lit.
He thought about the little princess of the Kurama Clan, Yakumo, and Tsunade's promise to go examine her.
Judging by the time, given Tsunade's efficiency, if she had gone over today, she should have already finished.
Just as he was thinking about this, the office door was gently pushed open, and Tsunade walked in carrying a hint of coolness from the night.
There was a trace of fatigue on her face, but her eyes were still bright, clearly showing that she had just finished her work at the Kurama Clan.
"Finished working?"
Chiya put down his pen and leaned back in his chair, his tone carrying natural concern.
"Yeah, I just got back from there."
Tsunade walked over to the tea table, poured herself a cup of water, and drank more than half of it in one go before letting out a long breath.
"That little girl is in an even trickier situation than I expected."
Chiya gestured for her to sit down and explain slowly.
"How bad is it?"
Tsunade sat down in the chair opposite him, her expression becoming serious.
"Kurama Yakumo's talent for spiritual energy is truly astonishing. I could already sense how enormous her undeveloped spiritual power was just through perception."
"But her body... is far too frail."
"Her meridians are delicate, and her vital energy is insufficient. She's like an exquisite yet fragile glass vessel, completely incapable of bearing the tremendous power she was born with."
"If this imbalance is left untreated, her body will eventually be dragged down as her spiritual power naturally grows."
"Is there a way to deal with it?"
Chiya asked.
Although he had already expected this answer, he still needed to hear the medical expert's judgment.
"There is, but it will take time and patience."
Tsunade folded her hands on the table.
"Fortunately, we discovered it early. She's just been born, so her body still has tremendous potential for development."
"I've already instructed Kurama Sōun and his wife to bring Yakumo to Konoha Hospital for regular checkups in the future. I'll personally develop a treatment plan for her."
"For now, we'll mainly use the gentlest medicinal baths and dietary therapy to strengthen her foundation gradually."
She paused, and a helpless yet amused expression appeared on her face.
"Guess what? That couple, especially Kurama Sōun, were so excited when they heard that I was willing to personally take over her treatment that they nearly knelt down before me on the spot."
"I could see how worried they were, and considering that little girl's rare talent, I casually agreed that once Yakumo was a little older and her physical foundation had improved, she could spend some time learning from me so that I could adjust her treatment whenever necessary."
Chiya's lips curved slightly.
"Oh? Learn from you? Are you planning to take her as your disciple? That's an unexpected bonus."
"With your golden reputation, the Kurama Clan will probably be crying tears of gratitude again."
"Enough."
Tsunade rolled her eyes at him, though there was still a hint of satisfaction between her brows at having her value recognized.
"I just don't want to see such a promising talent die young."
"Besides, a case involving such an extreme imbalance between physical constitution and spiritual energy could also inspire my research into the Strength of a Hundred Technique and precise chakra control. It's mutually beneficial."
"Regardless, you've solved a major concern for the Kurama Clan. They'll be even more loyal to the village in the future."
Chiya nodded, approving of Tsunade's approach.
"Thanks for your hard work."
"Good that you know."
Tsunade stood up and rolled her stiff neck.
"I've told them everything they need to know, and I even left them a detailed initial nutrition plan."
"Ugh, all that talking has left my mouth dry... Hey, are you done yet? If you're finished, hurry up and leave with me. Come have a few drinks with me and help me relax. I'm exhausted!"
Seeing the slightly coquettish tone in her complaint, Chiya smiled and stood up as well.
"Perfect timing. I'm done too. Let's go. Which place do you want to visit?"
"The usual place!"
Tsunade answered without hesitation and headed out of the office first, her steps brisk and decisive, as if her earlier fatigue had merely been an illusion.
Chiya casually grabbed his regular coat from the clothes rack, turned off the lights, and followed her.
The two walked side by side through the quiet streets.
Moonlight flowed like water, stretching their shadows long across the ground, sometimes overlapping and sometimes separating.
The evening breeze carried the gentle warmth unique to early summer and brushed against their faces, making the walk especially pleasant.
Perhaps because one matter weighing on her heart had been resolved, or perhaps because the night was simply too gentle, Tsunade seemed much more relaxed than usual.
As they walked, she naturally reached out, linked her arm with Chiya's, and leaned part of her weight against him.
Chiya glanced sideways at her.
He did not refuse. Instead, he adjusted the angle of his arm so she could lean more comfortably.
He could feel the warmth of her arm and the faint, distinctive fragrance that belonged to her.
"That Kurama Yakumo girl is actually quite pretty around the eyes when you look closely. She's just far too small and thin."
Tsunade chatted casually.
"I hope my treatment plan works. Otherwise, it would be a shame to waste that talent."
"With you treating her, there shouldn't be much of a problem."
Chiya's voice sounded deep and reassuring in the night.
"Hmph, you're quite good at saying things like that."
Tsunade lightly punched his shoulder with her free hand, controlling her strength perfectly so that it felt more like a playful tickle.
"But speaking of which, the little ones in the village really are appearing one after another lately."
"There's Itachi from the Uchiha Clan, whose talent is frightening. Then there's Haku and Kimimaro, whom you brought back, both of whom possess rare bloodline abilities. And now there's Kurama Yakumo..."
"I heard Minato and his wife have a child on the way too, and the wife of the Hyuga Clan head seems to be pregnant as well... Konoha's future certainly looks lively."
"Yeah. The new generation is the hope of the village."
Chiya let her remain linked to his arm, quietly enjoying this rare moment of peace and intimacy.
"If we guide all these promising talents properly, Konoha's foundation will become even more stable."
"You really do have an answer for everything."
Tsunade scoffed, but she leaned her head a little further against his shoulder.
"Still, when I look at these little ones, sometimes I can't help thinking... if only Nawaki were still here..."
Her voice gradually lowered, carrying a trace of sadness that was difficult to detect.
Chiya did not offer empty words of comfort.
Instead, with the hand she had linked around his arm, he gently covered the back of her hand and gave it a firm squeeze.
The warmth and dry strength of his palm passed into her.
Tsunade's body stiffened slightly before relaxing again, and she turned her hand around to hold his as well, her fingertips somewhat cold.
The two continued walking hand in hand in silence for a while.
The pain of the past could not be erased, but perhaps the companionship and warmth of this moment were the best comfort they could have.
After a while, Tsunade seemed to recover from her low mood.
She shook her head as though trying to throw those sad memories away, pulled herself together, and returned to her usual cheerful tone.
"Forget about all that! Hurry up, we're almost at the sake shop. Tonight, I'm going to drink to my heart's content! You're paying!"
"Sure. I'll pay."
Chiya readily agreed.
Before long, the two arrived at a somewhat old but well-regarded sake shop on the edge of the village.
The shop was small and simply decorated, but its sake was pure and mellow, its prices reasonable, and it was a favorite among many old-school shinobi.
It was already close to midnight, so there were few customers, making the place especially quiet.
The owner was a taciturn middle-aged man.
When he saw Chiya and Tsunade enter, he skillfully led them to a secluded private table in the back room.
Tsunade ordered several pots of the strongest sake available along with several classic drinking snacks, including edamame and pickled vegetables.
The food and drinks were quickly served.
Tsunade eagerly filled her cup, raised her head, and downed it in one go.
The spicy liquid burned down her throat, making her narrow her eyes in satisfaction as she let out a contented sigh.
"Ah! I'm alive again!"
Chiya poured himself a cup as well, though his movements were much more elegant as he slowly savored it.
He watched Tsunade drinking heartily.
Under the lamplight, the faint flush caused by the alcohol softened the sharpness she usually carried, making her look more alluring and lively.
"Slow down. No one's going to steal it from you."
He could not help reminding her.
"Mind your own business!"
Tsunade filled her cup again and tossed a salt-roasted ginkgo nut into her mouth.
"I've been busy all day, and I spent so much effort examining that little girl's body. Can't I relax a little?"
As she spoke, she took another large drink.
Then, as though she had suddenly remembered something, she leaned forward across the small table toward Chiya.
Her warm breath, carrying the scent of alcohol, nearly brushed against his face, while her eyes held a hint of mischief and curiosity.
"Hey, Chiya, speaking of which... Mikoto told me that Rimi is pregnant again? That guy Fugaku moves fast."
Chiya looked at her face from such a close distance.
He could clearly see her long, curled eyelashes and those brown eyes shimmering with drunken moisture.
"Yeah. It's something worth celebrating."
"Something worth celebrating..."
Tsunade repeated the words before sitting back and swirling the wine in her cup, her gaze somewhat distant.
"Yeah, having another child is certainly something worth celebrating... That girl Mikoto is probably quite envious seeing Rimi pregnant, right? Did she mention it to you?"
Chiya's hand paused while holding his cup.
He glanced at her and did not hide the truth.
"She did."
"Oh?"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, drawing out the word as her tone took on an indescribable quality.
"So what did you say? Did you agree?"
"Yeah."
Chiya answered with a single word, effectively admitting it.
Tsunade fell silent for a moment.
She tilted her head back and emptied her cup, then slammed it onto the table with a crisp sound.
She stared directly at Chiya.
"Not bad, Lord Hokage! Are you planning to spread the Uchiha bloodline and strengthen the clan?"
Her tone was teasing, but it did not sound entirely like a joke.
Chiya met her gaze calmly.
"We're just letting things happen naturally."
"Now that's a good 'letting things happen naturally'!"
Tsunade snorted and filled her cup again before downing it.
One cup after another disappeared down her throat, and the atmosphere gradually became warmer, more relaxed, and more intimate.
Although Tsunade had an impressive tolerance for alcohol, after several pots of strong sake, her face had become thoroughly flushed, her eyes were hazy, and she became increasingly talkative.
She began complaining about the ridiculous novels Jiraiya had been writing lately, grumbling that Shizune was too honest and inflexible, and eventually even started criticizing Chiya for always dumping troublesome tasks on her.
"You... you bastard... You always know how to order me around... hic..."
She hiccuped as she pointed at Chiya, her body swaying slightly.
Seeing her adorable drunken state, so different from the usually domineering Tsunade, Chiya could not help laughing.
He reached out and steadied her unsteady shoulder.
"You're simply too capable. Those with ability naturally have more work."
"Don't... don't give me that!"
Tsunade brushed his hand away, though she had little strength left.
Instead, she naturally leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder while continuing to mumble incoherently.
"...Next time... next time you make me work for free again... I'll... I'll tear down your Hokage Rock..."
Feeling the warm softness of the body in his arms and the intoxicating scent of alcohol mixed with her natural fragrance, Chiya lowered his head and looked at Tsunade's lips, which were close enough to touch and appeared especially flushed and alluring because of her drunkenness.
He reached out and gently brushed aside several strands of golden hair that had fallen across her forehead, his fingertips lingering lightly against her smooth cheek.
"You're drunk. Let's go home."
"I'm not drunk..."
Tsunade mumbled.
Yet she subconsciously rubbed against the hollow of his neck, searching for a more comfortable position.
Her breathing gradually became steady and deep, and she actually fell asleep against him.
Chiya looked at her completely defenseless sleeping face and smiled helplessly.
He called the owner over to settle the bill, then carefully picked Tsunade up in his arms.
Although she had a full and graceful figure, her weight was practically negligible to him.
Tsunade seemed to sense the movement in her sleep and frowned unhappily.
But after catching his familiar scent, she relaxed and instinctively curled closer into his arms before continuing to sleep.
Carrying her, Chiya steadily walked out of the sake shop and disappeared into Konoha's deep and peaceful night.
The moonlight stretched their intertwined figures long across the ground, their bodies pressed closely together as though they had always belonged that way.
The streets were empty and silent, with only the sound of his footsteps clearly audible.
After arriving home, he carried Tsunade back to her room.
He lowered his head and gently kissed her smooth forehead.
"Sleep."
Suddenly.
Tsunade's eyes snapped open.
She swiftly raised her arm and hooked it around Chiya's neck.
There was not the slightest trace of drunkenness left in her eyes.
"What Mikoto wants, I want too!"
As soon as the words left her mouth, her lips pressed directly against his.
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