After a while, Minato returned to the wooden cabin with Tsunade and the other two.
"Where are Senior Shirayuki and the others?" Minato asked, noticing the absence of Shirakumo Fūta's team.
"They went back to the outpost first," Mikoto replied.
She stood up and pulled over a lounge chair. "Teacher, please have a seat."
Orochimaru leaned back lazily. "Wood Release is truly convenient. This is far more comfortable than those musty tents."
Jiraiya glanced at the seating arrangement around the fire: Nawaki, an empty space, Mikoto, and Orochimaru. The empty space was clearly reserved for Minato.
Seeing this, he shot Tsunade a look, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. "Then, Tsunade, why don't we—"
"Who's 'we'?" Tsunade scoffed, patting Minato's shoulder. "Make us some tatami mats!"
Hearing this, Minato clapped his hands together. The ground trembled as wooden planks sprouted from the earth, weaving into layers of straw mats that surrounded the hearth, leaving only the area around the fire pit exposed.
Even the hearth area was transformed into raised stone bricks, elevated by a dozen centimeters.
Tsunade kicked off her shoes and stepped onto the tatami mats, pointing to a section. "I, Minato, and Mikoto will sleep here."
Then she gestured to the other side of the hearth. "Jiraiya, you, Orochimaru, and Nawaki will sleep over there!"
"Huh?"
"..."
Jiraiya's mouth fell open, his gaze towards Minato a mixture of shock and envy. "Why does Minato get to sleep with you guys?"
"Don't be ridiculous. How old is Minato? How old are you?" Tsunade rolled her eyes. "This room isn't that big. Want to sleep outside?"
"Heh, I don't mind~" Orochimaru said indifferently.
"..."
Jiraiya's face fell. He glanced at Minato. "Damn it, I'm so jealous."
"Enough, let's get some sleep," Orochimaru said indifferently. "I need to take them on a mission in the morning."
"A mission?"
Hearing about a mission, Nawaki's ears perked up, his face lighting up with excitement. "They? Who? Us?"
Orochimaru nodded, his tone tinged with affection. "Yes, the Third Hokage wishes to negotiate with Hanzō and has entrusted me with this mission. I've selected your team to accompany me. We may encounter enemies from Sunagakure along the way, so you'll need to rest well tonight."
"Ha! Awesome!" Nawaki cheered. "Finally, a real mission!"
Combat merits! My combat merits!
"Be extra careful on tomorrow's mission," Tsunade warned as she laid out the bedding, handing Minato several antidotes. "These are for Salamander poison. Hanzō is notorious for using it; he often silently releases it into the air. We must be prepared."
Minato smiled as he accepted the antidotes. "Thank you, Teacher. Actually, I prepared several gas masks before leaving the village."
"Good to be prepared," Tsunade nodded, then proceeded to lay out Minato's bedding as well.
Ninja always bring their own bedding on missions. Typically, they use thin, waterproof, and cold-resistant blankets. In colder regions, they opt for sleeping bags filled with down.
Despite the Land of Rain's persistent drizzle, the temperature wasn't particularly low. The three of them used thin blankets, wrapping two around their pillows. They sealed their personal belongings with a sealing technique and stored them in Storage Scrolls, which they could simply shake out when needed.
After a light meal, they all settled down under their blankets to sleep.
This was Minato's first time sleeping next to Tsunade, and he found himself unable to fall asleep.
Though they lay close together, they remained fully clothed due to the battlefield setting, so no romantic scenes unfolded.
However, having already experienced adolescence once, Minato couldn't help but let his mind wander with images of the two beautiful women sleeping beside him.
Unable to sleep, Minato opened his eyes and found a pair of amber eyes gazing at him.
Startled by Minato's sudden movement, Tsunade immediately squeezed her eyes shut.
After a few seconds, she tentatively opened them again, only to find Minato smiling at her, a hint of teasing in his eyes.
Tsunade's cheeks flushed. She glared at him fiercely, pretending to be angry, then pursed her lips and smiled.
Gazing at that sweet smile, Minato suddenly raised his fist, signaling Tsunade with his eyes to meet his.
Confused, Tsunade extended her own fist. As their knuckles touched, a Chakra Connection instantly formed between them.
Looking into each other's eyes is like a kiss of the soul.
A thought flowed through the Chakra Connection, causing Tsunade's cheeks to flush crimson.
Can Chakra be used like this?
How improper!
Hmph! she thought inwardly. Yet, as if she had discovered a new continent, she tried sending her own thoughts to Minato.
Don't tease your Teacher!
Then why didn't you break the Chakra Connection?
I just wanted to see what you would do!
And now?
Chakra could connect the inner worlds of people, allowing them to convey thoughts and feelings without words. Difficult-to-express emotions could also be transmitted through this connection.
Minato gazed at her slightly averted amber eyes, a playful smile in his gaze. Just as I can feel Teacher's concern, care, and—a certain emotion towards me, just as I feel towards you. What is that? Teacher~
Tsunade's face flushed crimson. How could she not feel the raw, burning intensity of his emotions?
This is... affection, isn't it?
Another thought pierced through Tsunade's defenses, shattering her composure.
I'm being teased by my disciple.
And with someone else nearby.
A sudden, indescribable thrill surged through Tsunade, but the emotion was instantly captured by Minato through the Chakra Connection.
Teacher is thinking lewd thoughts?
Enough—stop talking—
Tsunade's thought carried a hint of desperation.
Then Teacher, beg me~
Don't even think about it, you brat!
As Minato's gaze grew increasingly teasing, Tsunade bit her lip, her legs tangling unconsciously beneath the covers.
Teacher is thinking lewd thoughts again.
No—stop—I'm begging you—
Teacher, don't be so tense. This is a mental connection—a way to communicate openly and honestly. You haven't severed the link, which means you're anticipating something too, right? We both feel the same way.
Minato's gaze deepened, his mental whispers like a demon's, reaching the very depths of Tsunade's heart.
Their clasped fists, pressed against each other, had somehow intertwined without either noticing.
I want to hear my Teacher's most honest thoughts, whether they're emotions or desires, forbidden or shameful. I will accept them unconditionally, unconditionally—loving my Teacher!
As Tsunade stared into those azure eyes, the thread of reason in her mind snapped completely.
Countless chaotic thoughts, like wild weeds, surged through the Chakra Connection, flooding toward Minato in a tidal wave.
After an unknown period, Tsunade finally fell into a deep sleep, a faint smile gracing her face, with a hint of alluring charm.
Minato gazed at Tsunade's exquisite, art-like sleeping face, a triumphant smile spreading across his lips, like a victorious general.
But the smile quickly faded.
He longed to grow up faster, to win grand victories on other battlefields—rather than this kind of sentimental, "love letter" exchange.
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