After seeing the Hatake father and son out, Mu returned to the living room and found that Tsunade had sat in the main seat at some point.
She was sitting with her legs crossed, the raised foot swaying gently to a leisurely rhythm. Her toes were round, and her toenails were neatly trimmed, glowing with a warm, soft luster in the afternoon sunlight.
The arch of her foot was beautifully curved, her ankles slender, and she looked as lazy as a cat basking in the sun.
—If one ignored the aura of a superior that made people inexplicably weak in the knees.
She held tea freshly brewed by Shizune, her expression subtle, looking at Mu with a smile that wasn't quite a smile.
Mu stood at the doorway, nailed to the spot by that gaze, feeling inexplicably nervous.
"Teacher?" he asked tentatively.
Tsunade glanced at him and took a slow sip of tea.
When she put the cup down, the swaying foot also stopped.
"Sakumo Hatake came to thank you in person and even offered to teach you sword techniques."
She put down the teacup, her tone unreadable.
"You brat, you've got quite the reputation."
Mu chuckled twice: "Just good luck, just good luck."
Tsunade snorted and said nothing more.
That foot started swaying again—once, twice, three times.
Mu's gaze couldn't help but be drawn to that foot for half a second before he quickly looked away.
Tsunade stood up, walked past him, and headed toward her room.
As she brushed past him, she suddenly dropped a comment: "Learn well. The Hatake family's sword techniques truly have their unique merits."
Her voice was flat, devoid of emotion.
But standing there, Mu felt like something was wrong?
Nighttime.
Mu lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
That "snort" from Teacher this afternoon...
Was it tinged with a little bit of unhappiness like "my person has been snatched by someone else"?
And the way she stood up and left, was it a bit faster than usual?
Mu stared at the ceiling, the more he thought about it, the more he felt it was possible.
For the past six months, he had positioned himself as "Teacher Tsunade's obedient student."
Every day serving tea and water, cooking and cleaning, listening attentively in class, practicing hard, coaxing the teacher until she was beaming with joy, his favorability rating skyrocketing.
Now someone suddenly appeared wanting to teach him sword techniques, could the teacher be thinking—
This brat is going to be snatched away?
Mu's eyes lit up, and he sat up with a start.
Isn't this an excellent opportunity to grind favorability!
He threw off the quilt and strode toward Tsunade's room.
"Knock, knock, knock."
"Come in."
Mu pushed the door open and found Tsunade sitting by the window.
Moonlight fell on her, plating her golden hair with a soft silver edge.
Long hair cascaded over her shoulders and back, with a few strands hanging down to her chest.
She had changed into a loose yukata, the collar slightly open, revealing her delicate collarbone.
And her own powerful talent.
"Something up?"
Tsunade turned her head to look at him, holding a small wine cup, her eyes lazy, as if she had drunk quite a bit.
Mu walked in and sat down properly in front of her.
When he sat down, his gaze inadvertently swept over that foot resting on the tatami—
Under the moonlight, the curve was a bit excessively beautiful.
He quickly retracted his gaze, looked up, and looked at her with a serious face.
"Teacher, I have something I want to discuss with you."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, that foot swaying gently: "Speak."
"About the matter of Uncle Hatake saying he wants to teach me sword techniques." Mu organized his words, "I want to ask you—do you agree to me learning it?"
Tsunade was stunned, then scoffed: "If you want to learn, just learn, why ask me? I'm not your mother."
"You are my teacher."
He looked straight into Tsunade's eyes,
"For the past six months, it was you who taught me Medical Ninjutsu, it was you who took me and my sister in, and it was also you who watched over me when I was in a coma."
He paused, his voice softening, with a hint of acting spoiled.
"So I wanted to ask for your opinion. If you think I shouldn't learn it, or if you think learning sword techniques now will affect my progress in Medical Ninjutsu, then I won't go."
Tsunade fell silent.
She looked at the serious little brat in front of her, suddenly feeling a bit dazed.
How long has it been?
How long has it been since someone took her so seriously?
Ever since Nawaki and Kato Dan died, she had spent her days gambling and drinking, living in a daze.
If it weren't for these two students, she would have intended to leave Konoha directly.
But she kept telling herself—it's just teaching Medical Ninjutsu, just looking at the two children's talent, nothing special.
But this brat...
He always manages to say things that make her heart soften inadvertently.
"You're overthinking it."
Tsunade put down the wine cup and reached out to pinch Mu's face.
The force was not heavy, carrying a hint of helpless intimacy.
"The Hatake family's sword techniques are indeed good things; it's your good fortune that Sakumo Hatake is willing to teach you. Go learn, no need to ask me."
Mu let her pinch his face, blinking.
Under the moonlight, he saw a flash of softness in his teacher's eyes—the kind of softness she never showed others.
He suddenly smiled, leaned forward, almost touching her knee, his voice very, very soft.
"Teacher, rest assured. No matter how many sword techniques I learn, I will always be your student."
Tsunade's hand froze.
"Medical Ninjutsu is my foundation, it is the foundation you taught me." Mu said seriously, "Sword techniques are just an extra skill; as you said, Medical Ninja must also be able to protect themselves. But my roots are with you."
"..."
Tsunade stared at him for three seconds.
Then she raised her hand—Mu subconsciously shrank his neck, thinking he was going to get slapped again.
But when that hand fell, it just gently ruffled his hair.
The force was very light, carrying the warmth after drinking, her fingertips passing through his hair, once, and again.
"Stop saying such sappy things." Her tone was still fierce, but there was clearly a hint of a smile in her voice,
"Go learn your sword techniques, if you dare to be late tomorrow, see how I deal with you."
"Yes, yes, yes, I promise I won't be late!"
Mu replied with a grin, but didn't rush to stand up.
He tilted his head, rubbing against Tsunade's hand still resting on his head, like a spoiled puppy.
"Teacher."
"What is it now?"
"So, that'snort' of yours today—does it mean you were jealous?"
Tsunade's eyebrows arched.
The next second, the hand that was originally ruffling his hair changed from rubbing to flicking—
"Ow!"
Mu clutched his forehead and leaned back, tears almost coming out.
"Who's jealous?" Tsunade withdrew her hand, crossed her arms, and that bare foot kicked his calf.
"Get lost, get lost, if you spout nonsense again, I'll really beat you up."
Mu clutched his forehead and scrambled up, but his eyes curved into crescents.
"Alright, alright, I'm getting lost, I'm getting lost—"
He walked to the door, then suddenly looked back.
"Teacher."
"..."
"Good night."
Under the moonlight, the corners of Tsunade's mouth lifted slightly.
"Hmm."
Mu stood outside the door, clutching his still-aching forehead, but smiled like a cat that had stolen a fish.
[Favorability from Tsunade + 3]
[Favorability from Tsunade + 3]
[Favorability from Tsunade + 3]
[Triggered Favorability Critical Hit]
[Obtained: Beginner Sealing Technique Mastery X1]
[Obtained: Tsunade's Exclusive Privilege - Acting Spoiled Exemption Card X1]
[Obtained: Luck Buff Card (Effect Continuous)]
Mu looked at the system panel, the corners of his mouth curling up wildly.
Acting Spoiled Exemption Card?
This thing is too considerate!
In the future, if I make the teacher angry, I can just take it out and wave it, and I'll be spared a beating!
But what is this luck?
Is it really okay to give me the teacher's gambling luck?
Or does it mean that if the teacher loses money gambling in the future, she'll blame me?
Inside the room.
Tsunade sat by the window, looking at the hand that had just ruffled Mu's hair, and suddenly curled the corners of her mouth.
"...Brat."
She pulled her hand back, hugged it to her chest, and looked up at the moon outside the window.
Tonight's moonlight seems a bit gentler than usual.
That bare foot swayed gently, toes stretching out in the moonlight, as if she were in a very good mood.