"So, Princess Tsunade has a habit of spying now?"
After wrapping up his first round of Tekkai training, Guts turned and smirked at Tsunade.
"Stupid brat! Who would want to peek at you?" Tsunade snapped. "I was just passing by!"
Yeah, right.
That was an obvious lie. Even outside the village, there was no reason for her to be wandering around here. Truthfully, she was curious about Guts's training methods.
Despite the underhanded way he beat her yesterday, Tsunade—renowned for her strength and talent in Taijutsu—couldn't help but be intrigued.
His raw physical prowess, that instinctive grasp of body movement… it was more than just natural talent. It was something worth observing.
Though Jiraiya often joked about her being a "monster woman with super strength,"
Tsunade wasn't as exaggeratedly violent as he made her sound—at least not at this point in her life.
"Kid… that technique just now," she said, narrowing her eyes, "was that Sage Art?"
There was genuine surprise in her voice.
The only people she'd seen perform anything like that were Jiraiya, during his time on Mount Myōboku, and her legendary grandfather, Senju Hashirama.
But what Guts just did—while powerful—didn't feel quite like Sage Mode.
"If you're going to ask, try doing it politely. And stop calling me 'kid,'" Guts shot back casually.
He wasn't Jiraiya or Kato Dan. He wasn't going to fawn over her just because she was beautiful or powerful.
Tsunade took a deep breath and fought back the urge to punch him. She couldn't afford to lose face to this brat, no matter how irritating he was.
"I'll rephrase," she said, her tone more measured. "Would you mind explaining what kind of ninjutsu that was?"
She paused, recalling the effect. "It reminded me a little of the Lightning Chakra Mode developed by the Third Raikage. A kind of body reinforcement for both offense and defense…"
Grrruuuhhh…
A loud grumble echoed from Guts's stomach. He pressed a hand to his abdomen and gave Tsunade a deadpan look as if to say:
You know what time it is.
Having witnessed his monstrous appetite the night before, Tsunade's eye twitched. With a resigned sigh, she muttered,
"Ramen it is… But don't expect me to spoil you like Yuhi Shinku did."
Ichiraku Ramen hadn't opened yet, or Guts wouldn't have minded meeting the so-called "secret member of the Ōtsutsuki clan" people joked about.
Instead, the two headed to another well-loved ramen spot in Konoha.
Soon, empty bowls stacked into a small tower, just like yesterday. Tsunade peeked into her wallet with a subtle frown, a scene oddly similar to Yuhi Shinku's plight.
Sure, as a Kage-level kunoichi and the Senju clan's princess, she wasn't short on money.
But she had a fatal flaw—gambling.
And not just casual bets—she was The Legendary Sucker, famous for losing every gamble she ever made.
So truthfully, her financial state might not be much better than Yuhi Shinku's.
Hiccup~
Finally, Guts leaned back and burped contentedly as the shop owner wiped sweat from his brow and informed them they were out of ingredients.
Tsunade slapped a stack of ryo on the counter and gritted her teeth. "Now will you tell me?"
Guts didn't keep her waiting. He explained the basics of Tekkai, breaking it down without overcomplicating the explanation.
As she listened, Tsunade's expression gradually shifted. Her eyes lit up as if a door to a new world had opened.
"To develop something like that on your own… at your age… You really are a little monster."
She shook her head, equal parts impressed and exasperated.
Guts took a sip of the ice water the shopkeeper brought over. "Don't you Kage-level types have anything better to do during a war? Why are you relaxing in the village?"
Tsunade narrowed her eyes. "Tch. I'm heading to the Rain battlefield with Jiraiya and Orochimaru the day after tomorrow. And you—eating comfortably under my protection—should show a little gratitude."
She reached over and ruffled Guts's hair with mock aggression. It was surprisingly soft. She paused, and rubbed it again—just to confirm, of course.
Guts squirmed, trying to escape. "Let go, damn it!"
He shook his head and added, "So those two leaving last night… that was your brother and Kato...taka something, right?"
"It's Kato Dan! Not Kato Taka or whatever nonsense you're spouting," she snapped.
"Nawaki's only a Genin," she continued. "But we're short on manpower, so he's been assigned safer, logistical duties."
"As for Dan, his Spirit Transformation Technique makes him ideal for special assassinations. We're not on the same squad. He Leaves the body exposed. If he gets found out mid-soul hop, he's done for."
"Spirit Transformation Technique, huh? Strong move—but risky." Guts raised an eyebrow.
Tsunade nodded. "Exactly. That's why he's only sent for precise missions."
Guts chuckled, his tone biting. "Funny. He lectured me about how wars can't be won with tricks… yet here he is, making a living off the biggest trick of all."
Tsunade slapped him on the shoulder, amused. "Sounds like you've got some issues with him."
"Not at all." Guts grinned.
"I admire him."
Tsunade blinked. "You… admire him?"
He looked genuinely solemn for a moment and sighed dramatically.
"Of course. I mean… openly chasing a woman who's stronger than you? That kind of ego demolition takes real guts. Honestly, I respect that level of fearless confidence."
Tsunade stared at him, speechless.
Guts didn't have a problem with strong women—he admired them, really.
But he would never pursue someone stronger than himself. Not because of pride—but because he refused to be weaker. Not to anyone.
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