Tsunade, You’re Robbing the Cradle! - Naruto: The Uchiha Manifesto

Konoha — Hokage Building.

The jōnin meeting had dragged on for more than two hours before finally adjourning.

"Tsunade,"

Jiraiya called, wanting to ask something. But Tsunade only gave a lazy stretch, a faint smile curling on her lips as she yawned — all calm composure.

It looked as if she had finally moved past Nawaki's death.

At this point in her life, Tsunade was in her prime — her beauty, confidence, and power radiated effortlessly. That faint smile made several jōnin in the room's hearts skip a beat.

Not just her looks — her strength, her lineage, her name — Tsunade-hime was the complete package. A true princess of Konoha.

As her bright brown eyes swept the room, Tsunade sneered inwardly.

So you want to play tricks with me? Fine. Let's see how you like what's coming next.

"Hey, Orochimaru, why don't we grab a drink?"

Jiraiya laughed heartily, slinging an arm around Orochimaru's shoulders — then glanced toward Tsunade.

"Idiot."

Orochimaru's tone was cold, but while he said the words, he didn't actually pull away. His golden eyes flicked to Tsunade. Clearly, the two men wanted to keep an eye on her, to make sure she was truly all right.

But this time, Tsunade merely smiled lazily and waved them off.

"Drinking, huh? Sure. But some other day."

With that casual wave, she walked out the door — face composed, but her eyes gleamed with mischief.

Watching her go, Jiraiya was left completely stunned. He had never seen Tsunade look like that before.

"Orochimaru! Come on, let's go grab that drink!"

Jiraiya turned, grinning from ear to ear.

Orochimaru just gave him a flat look.

"Idiot Jiraiya."

"Hey, hey, what's that supposed to mean!? Are we going or not!?"

Jiraiya shouted after him, but Orochimaru had already turned to leave.

Outside the Hokage Building.

"Middle of the night… why did she ask me to come here?"

Under the dim streetlight, Uchiha Ye stifled a yawn — a small slug perched on his shoulder.

"Lady Tsunade sent me with the message — no mistake," the slug said softly, voice soothing yet oddly unnerving. "She also said, 'Tell Ye-kun to wear his best clothes.'"

Ye frowned, staring up at the Hokage Tower.

Tsunade, what are you planning this late at night? Frontline crisis?

Then why ask him to dress up?

And so, late at night, Ye stood there in his finest: a white kimono top, black pants, chest slightly open showing well-toned muscle, dark armguards running down to his hands, a black belt at his waist, and a ninja sword strapped across his back.

At that moment, several jōnin wearing standard vests emerged from the Hokage building. Ye immediately straightened, showing proper respect.

It never hurt to show deference to the strong.

At the front of the group was Kato Dan — smiling warmly, as usual. Footsteps suddenly sounded behind him. His lips curved upward, his heart thumping with excitement.

Finally!

He thought, she's noticed me.

"Ye!"

He inhaled deeply, ready to greet her — but before he could speak, a flash of blue passed him.

Tsunade — wearing a flowing blue coat — brushed right past him, her voice carrying a warmth he had never heard from her before.

And then—

"What the—!?"

Kato Dan froze. So did all the other jōnin coming out behind him. Their eyes went wide at the sight before them.

Under the streetlight, Tsunade ran toward the boy with a radiant, tender smile — and without hesitation, threw her arms around him.

Ye instinctively caught her — and then heard a whisper by his ear, low and threatening:

"Hold me… and spin."

What the hell!?

Ye's expression froze, still processing, when Tsunade's chakra — guided through the Strength of a Hundred seal and medical ninjutsu — subtly manipulated his nerves.

The next second, Ye found himself lifting her slightly and spinning once under the warm lamplight.

Tsunade's smile blossomed — like a true princess basking in the glow of the moment.

Ye's mind short-circuited. Is this really happening!?

"Ye, sorry to keep you waiting."

Up close, the faint fragrance of her perfume filled his nose. Tsunade's affectionate tone, her glowing eyes — it was too much. Not just Ye — even Jiraiya, standing at a distance, was struck dumb.

"T-Tsunade!?"

Jiraiya gawked, rubbing his eyes in disbelief.

Since when has Tsunade ever looked at a man like that!?

Affectionate. Tender.

And the guy she was smiling at— a Uchiha, judging by the clan crest on his chest.

A teenage Uchiha.

A kid.

"Kid," Tsunade's voice hissed softly near his ear, "keep quiet."

Her expression instantly returned to that same warm, doting smile — perfectly convincing. She looked at Ye's smart outfit with satisfaction.

Damn it!

Ye's mind raced. I get it now — I'm the decoy! The shield! The prop!

So many jōnin present — he'd been set up as Tsunade's human cover story.

"Tsu–Tsunade, you you—!"

Jiraiya stammered, trembling as he pointed at the two of them.

"What do you want, Jiraiya!?"

Tsunade snapped, glaring over her shoulder.

Jiraiya's brain short-circuited. "Tsunade, you— you're robbing the cradle!!"

"Jiraiya! You want to die!?"

Her fist shot out — pure rage behind it. Jiraiya dodged just in time; her punch smashed into the ground with an explosion that sent dirt flying.

"Are you trying to kill me!?"

Cold sweat drenched him as he stumbled back, several snakes wrapping around his waist to pull him out of harm's way.

Orochimaru, retrieving his snakes, muttered dryly,

"Idiot Jiraiya."

His cold golden eyes swept over Ye — the boy's face still frozen mid-panic.

"This is the kid who graduated from the Academy last year, isn't it?"

Last year, when Nawaki had been placed under Orochimaru, Minato under Jiraiya, and Ye under Tsunade.

"Graduated last year?"

Jiraiya blinked, looking the "kid" up and down — the boy was already nearly his height.

"Tsunade, what the hell are you thinking— you—!"

Before he could finish, Tsunade's icy glare locked on him again.

Jiraiya's blood froze. He remembered that punch.

His voice died in his throat.

"Heh… yeah, that's… great, Tsunade. Really great."

Beside her, Ye forced an awkward smile.

What a mess. I look like I really am living off her now…

"T-Tsunade-senpai…"

At the gate, Kato Dan's stiff smile barely held as he watched the scene — utterly dumbfounded.

Chapter 18 - Tsunade, You’re Robbing the Cradle!