The Hokage Tower.
Hokage's Office.
Tsunade sat behind the desk, propping up her delicate face with one pale hand, looking faintly irritated…
Part of it came from work.
Part of it came from life.
On the work side—
Ever since the village council had unanimously voted a few days ago to appoint Tsunade as the Fifth Hokage, she had already begun preparing to take over Hokage affairs.
As the village's highest leader, the Hokage's workload was naturally massive.
And with the previous Hokage—the Third—dead in battle, the mess he had left behind was even worse.
It was a complete disaster.
If not for Shizune, that capable little assistant, Tsunade would have been driven insane by now.
She wouldn't even have had time to return to Uchiha Yusuke's new home to rest.
However—
After moving in with Kurenai and spending two nights at Yusuke's new place…
Tsunade stopped complaining about how exhausting the work was.
Because now, she would rather work herself into the ground until late at night than go back.
No other reason.
Tsunade was genuinely afraid of Uchiha Yusuke.
So these past few days, she had either rested directly in the Hokage's office, returned to her old residence, or slept at Shizune's place.
No other reason.
Uchiha Yusuke was simply too much.
Too relentless.
Even for Tsunade, with her terrifying stamina—
Facing that inhuman wolf cub of a man, she couldn't hold out for long.
So she used "busy official duties" as an excuse to dodge the battlefield for a few days.
Tsunade ran without shame.
And it was Kurenai who suffered for it.
Left alone—pitiful and miserable—enduring Yusuke's "wrath" all by herself.
Even when Kurenai came to the Hokage's office to persuade Tsunade, it was useless.
At the time, Tsunade had replied with a perfectly serious face, claiming she was overwhelmed with official duties and likely wouldn't have time to return for a while.
No matter how Kurenai tried to coax her, Tsunade refused to budge.
Thinking of it now, Tsunade silently apologized in her heart.
Kurenai… you'll have to hold on a few more days. I really can't leave—there's just too much work.
Mm. Absolutely not because I'm afraid of Uchiha Yusuke, that insatiable little wolf.
Absolutely not!
Nearby, Shizune—who looked pure and gentle, with short hair and a traditional dark outfit—saw Tsunade's weary, gloomy expression and couldn't help stepping forward with concern.
"Tsunade-sama, are you too tired? Why don't you go rest at Yusuke-sama's place?"
"I can handle these tasks for you…"
"Tomorrow is your official inauguration day as Hokage. You absolutely must rest and recover properly…"
Tsunade hadn't deliberately hidden from Shizune the fact that she was living at Yusuke's house.
But the moment Shizune suggested she go back there to rest—
The previously drained, sluggish Tsunade sprang up like she'd been struck by lightning.
She slammed both hands onto the desk, a trace of genuine dread flashing across her face.
"I'm absolutely not going back! Absolutely not!"
She shouted it so hard it echoed.
If she went back—
That tireless wolf cub might "punish" her again in ways she couldn't endure…
That wouldn't be resting.
That would be suffering.
Shizune had only mentioned it casually, but Tsunade's reaction startled her badly.
After steadying herself, Shizune looked at Tsunade—at the panic and avoidance on her face—and felt even more confused.
Tsunade-sama usually likes Yusuke-sama a lot, doesn't she? Then why does she react like this whenever he's mentioned?
And that fearful expression…
It made Shizune even more bewildered.
Tsunade had never been afraid of anything.
"Ahem… Shizune, I'll handle these matters myself," Tsunade said, forcing herself to regain composure.
"Once I'm done… I'll just rest here tonight. You can go home first."
Shizune's brows immediately knitted together.
"No, Tsunade-sama. You can't do that."
"Tomorrow is your public inauguration day. You must adjust your schedule and rest properly!"
For once, Shizune's gentle face was stern and serious.
Tsunade compromised.
"Fine. Then I'll sleep at your place tonight."
In any case—
Even if she died, Tsunade was not going back there tonight.
Shizune nodded.
"That's acceptable, Tsunade-sama."
"Good, hehe… Shizune, I'll leave the rest of the work to you then."
Shizune: "..."
"Tsunade-sama."
"Hm?"
"I… I want to ask you something. If that's alright," Shizune said quietly.
Back in the ninja academy, Shizune and Yusuke had been classmates.
And ever since then—just like Yugao and Kurenai—Shizune had been one of Uchiha Yusuke's loyal little admirers.
Much like Sakura's feelings for Sasuke in the original story.
But after the Second Great Ninja War ended, Tsunade took Shizune and wandered the world for years.
Shizune had thought she would never see Yusuke again in her lifetime.
She had resigned herself to a quiet regret.
Then, ten years ago, Tsunade suddenly returned to Konoha.
At that time, Uchiha Yusuke had already become the Uchiha Clan Head.
When Shizune saw Yusuke again, she had been unbelievably happy—excited, even.
She had thought maybe fate was still giving her a chance.
But Yusuke treated her like an ordinary former classmate.
A friend.
Nothing more.
Not only Shizune—
Back then, Yugao and Kurenai had also run into the same wall in front of him.
Because Yusuke seemed to have no such feelings for any of them.
Except for Kurenai—who refused to give up, and for years had stubbornly stayed by Yusuke's side without wavering—
Shizune, like Yugao once had, eventually grew disheartened.
She withdrew quietly, having lost hope.
And now…
Uchiha Yusuke—her former classmate, and the person she once secretly loved—
Had become her teacher Tsunade's man.
Her… teacher's man.
The moment that thought surfaced, the light in Shizune's clear eyes dimmed.
She had never been likely to have a chance with him.
Now—
There was no chance at all.
She couldn't possibly pursue her teacher's man.
Stop.
She couldn't think about that any further. It would become abnormal.
Shizune shook her head hard, her short black hair fluttering.
Seeing her like that, Tsunade frowned in confusion.
"What's wrong with you, Shizune?"
Shizune panicked.
"Ah—n-no, nothing, Tsunade-sama."
Tsunade: "..."
"Didn't you say you wanted to ask me something? What is it? Say it."
Shizune hesitated, then asked softly,
"Just now… I felt like you were very afraid of Yusuke-sama."
"Yusuke-sama… um… is he really that scary?"
Tsunade: "..."
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