"Tsunade-sama really came back! The Tsunade-sama I admire most has finally returned to the village! ( ˝ᗢ̈˝ )"
Tenten said excitedly.
Tsunade, the symbol of strength and beauty, was the ideal all kunoichi dreamed of becoming!
"Shinju is actually by Tsunade-sama's side too?"
Ino said in surprise.
Ever since the Chunin Exam preliminaries, Shinju had become the village's rising star.
Just like Shikamaru said back then, Shinju was growing at a terrifying pace.
And that growth was destined to attract the attention of many women.
Since then, the insecure Ino had never dared to approach him on her own.
Shinju, meanwhile, had been constantly training, rarely seen around.
And today, Ino saw both Tsunade-sama and Shinju at once—two wishes fulfilled in a single moment!
Beside her, Shikamaru wore his usual "women are troublesome" look, spread his hands, and muttered:
"Such a drag. Fine if you want to greet Tsunade, but why drag me and Choji along too?"
Next to him, Choji stuffed a handful of chips into his mouth and said through his chewing:
"Shinju's actually training with two of the legendary Sannin. That's amazing."
"We all graduated from the Academy together, but he's already become the hero who saved the village, while we're still pulling radishes in people's gardens..."
Shikamaru nodded.
"Yeah, it is impressive... but just thinking about all that ninjutsu training already feels troublesome."
Ino immediately spun around and smacked him on the head.
"What do you know! (▼ヘ▼#)"
At that moment, Sakura chimed in from the side:
"Ino, aren't you going to say something to the guy you like?"
Ino snapped, "Why are you everywhere, Forehead?! Don't you need to be in the hospital looking after Sasuke today? ٩(๑`^´๑)۶"
Sakura fell silent.
She used to mock Ino for liking a loser, but now? That loser had become the hero who saved the village.
Meanwhile, her own crush Sasuke was tormented by the Cursed Seal, now hospitalized again...
"Hmph, whatever."
Sakura huffed and walked away.
...
At Konoha's gate, Shinju's group entered the village amidst cheers from the gathered crowd.
It was Naruto's first time receiving so much positive attention, and he exclaimed,
"Didn't think Granny Tsunade would actually be this popular!"
Jiraiya explained: "Your Granny Tsunade was the first to propose that every three-man team include a medical-nin. In the medical world across the entire ninja world, her reputation is unmatched."
Naruto nodded. "That does sound pretty awesome... shame she's a gambling addict though."
Once inside the village, many people came forward to offer flowers to Tsunade, including Tenten and Ino.
Unlike Tenten, after presenting her bouquet to Tsunade-sama, Ino nervously turned to Shinju and shyly held out a slip of paper.
Shinju: (‧_‧?)
"What's this?"
Blushing, Ino stammered: "It's a lottery ticket from my family's shop. You could win a rare grand prize. To celebrate your return, I thought I'd give it to you! (❁´︶`❁)"
If Sakura had been there, she would've roasted Ino on the spot.
Idiot—who gives a lottery ticket as a gift?!
But it wasn't really Ino's fault. She hadn't known Shinju would return with Tsunade, so she hadn't prepared anything.
After giving Tsunade-sama flowers, she couldn't bear the thought of Shinju receiving nothing.
So, she handed him the raffle ticket she happened to have in her pocket from the shop next door.
That way, she'd also get another chance to see him if he went to draw the prize.
Two birds with one stone. Clever girl.
(´つヮ⊂︎)
Had Ino given Shinju flowers, he might have refused.
But since it was a raffle ticket with the possibility of a prize, Shinju accepted it with a smile—and even returned the favor by giving Ino a kunai marked with the Flying Thunder God seal.
"This kunai carries my Flying Thunder God seal. If you're ever in danger, I'll be able to reach you immediately."
As soon as Shinju said this, Ino's face flushed red like she was burning with fever!
Ever-considerate Shinju quickly noticed something was wrong.
"What's wrong? Too hot? (‧_‧?)"
Ino: (꒪⌓꒪)
Naruto, Jiraiya, Tsunade: ∑(✘Д✘๑),(≖╻≖;),¯\(ツ)/¯
Idiot!!
Is that what you're supposed to say to a girl?!
Even the steel chain of fate tied by the gods of matchmaking, you managed to snap in half!!
After that conversation-killing line, Ino did what everyone expected—she ran away.
Even though his last words left her heart heavy, she still treasured the Flying Thunder God kunai he gave her.
Shinju-kun... does this mean you've promised to protect me?!
(〃∇〃)
After Ino left, Jiraiya—sensei—didn't hesitate to smack his prized student on the head.
Smack!
"You brat! You're gonna be single for life!"
He scolded in frustration.
Tsunade clapped her hands in approval.
"Nice hit!"
Jiraiya continued lecturing:
"When talking to a girl, you can't be so blunt, stiff, crude, and unromantic!"
Naruto immediately chimed in: "Pervy Sage, you act like you know it all, so why are you still single and unmarried after fifty years?"
Jiraiya: "..."
Sneaking a glance at Tsunade beside him, Jiraiya cleared his throat.
"You wouldn't understand. Now get going!"
After chatting a bit more, Tsunade excused herself: "Alright, Shizune and I are heading to the Hokage's office."
Shinju and Naruto split from them, planning to visit Sasuke, who they hadn't seen in a while.
...
Konoha Hospital.
Sasuke lay on the bed.
Pushing open the door, Shinju asked curiously: "Why are you in bed again? I thought the Cursed Seal issue was resolved?"
Grimacing, Sasuke sat up and explained: "When I use the Sharingan to control chakra, it still causes some minor effects."
In truth, there was another part he didn't mention—when his emotions surged and his hunger for power spiked, the Cursed Seal sometimes broke through the sealing jutsu, feeding him strength.
"I can reinforce the seal for you," Shinju offered.
But Sasuke quickly refused: "No need. I know my own body."
Shinju gave him a strange look. Since Sasuke insisted, he didn't press the matter.
Afterward, the three of them chatted for a bit—though, as usual, most of the talking came from Naruto.
As everyone knew, trying to get more than a grunt out of Sasuke was impossible.
On the way home, Naruto suddenly blurted: "Hey Shinju, that Chidori you guys use... is it direct current or alternating current?"
Shinju: Σ( ° △ °|||)︴
Amazing—Naruto actually asked something smart?!
So Shinju answered seriously: "You mean Sasuke's Chidori, or mine?"
Naruto frowned. "What's the difference?"
Shinju explained matter-of-factly:
"If it's mine, I'm not really sure."
"But if you're talking about Sasuke's Chidori, then it should be direct current—because Sasuke doesn't like to 'alternate' with people."
Naruto: ◝₍ᴑ̑ДO͝₎◞
Weird knowledge acquired!