By late morning, Tsunade had signed only three budget requests. She had rejected a fourth because she had read the same paragraph twice and still could not remember what it said.
Shizune had returned to her usual quiet efficiency, moving between the filing cabinet and the desk as though the morning's conversation had never happened.
A knock sounded against the office door.
"Enter." Tsunade called.
Kenji stepped into the office carrying a workshop request form.
Kenji stepped into the office with a workshop request in one hand.
"Hokage-sama."
Tsunade looked at the paper. "What do you want?"
Kenji placed the form on Tsunade's desk.
"The workshop wants Tenten's temporary access made official," he said. "She spent half the week studying that broken board and immediately started asking how to turn it into a weapon launcher. They want her on the inspection team."
Tsunade glanced over the form. The workshop chief had approved the request, but Kenji's name was written beneath the recommendation.
"Why are you personally involved in workshop assignments?"
Kenji leaned one hand against the desk. "Tenten was the first person who looked at the Snow equipment and asked how to turn it into a weapon. I recommended her."
Tsunade studied him for a moment. "You promised her something, didn't you?"
"The two goals happen to support each other."
Shizune stepped forward to collect the form. Their fingers brushed as she took it, and the small smile she had been suppressing all morning returned before she could stop it.
Kenji held her gaze for a moment.
"You look rested."
Color touched Shizune's cheeks. She lowered her eyes to the form, but the smile remained.
Tsunade's fingers stopped against the edge of the desk.
Tsunade looked down at the form before her stare lingered on Shizune for too long. The knot near her collarbone had been worsening since breakfast, and she rubbed at it while turning the page.
"Enough of that." She said, "What did you actually tell the workshop about the regulator?"
"The core wasn't the first thing to fail," Kenji said. "The armor kept swallowing our attacks until I pulled out the regulator. After that, Doto couldn't control the chakra running through the suit. The workshop should test the pieces separately before connecting them again."
Tsunade sighed and pressed her fingers harder against the knot near her collarbone. Kenji's attention shifted from the workshop form to her hand.
"That chair has been beating you all morning."
Tsunade's hand stopped. Kenji was still looking at the side of her neck.
Tsunade's hand dropped from her neck. Her brown eyes narrowed into a dangerous glare. "Stop watching me and finish your report."
Kenji answered the workshop's remaining questions while Tsunade read the request form.
She signed the bottom and pushed it toward Shizune. "Tenten gets supervised access. If she blows up the workshop, it comes out of Kenji's royalties."
"Why my royalties?"
"Because you brought me the form."
Kenji considered arguing, looked at Tsunade's hand resting beside the cracked stamp, and decided his royalties could defend themselves later.
Once the office door closed behind him, Kenji finally opened the blue notification that had been blinking at the edge of his vision since he woke.
[Shizune Milestone — Private Consultation Complete]
[Reward: +4,000 SP]
[Current Balance: 34,490 SP]
[Perk Unlocked — Shizune's Personal Care]
[Effect: Training fatigue and minor injuries recover faster when Shizune personally treats you.]
The office remained quiet after Kenji left.
Shizune placed Tenten's approved form beside the workshop folder, but Tsunade continued watching her.
"How long?" Tsunade asked.
Shizune knew exactly what she meant. She squared the papers in her hands before meeting Tsunade's stare.
"Since the trip to bring you back," Shizune said. "It wasn't serious at first."
Tsunade leaned back in her chair. "And now?"
Shizune squared the papers in her hands before answering.
"It stopped being only physical some time ago."
Shizune did not look away.
Tsunade had expected excuses, embarrassment, perhaps even an apology. She received none.
"He is arrogant, shameless, and dangerous," Tsunade said.
"I know. He is all three." Shizune's voice remained calm. "I also know how he treats me."
Tsunade searched her face for regret and found none. Shizune looked more rested than she had in months. More importantly, she looked certain.
"Does he make you happy?" Tsunade asked.
A small smile appeared on Shizune's face.
"Yes, my lady."
Shizune returned to the filing cabinet, leaving Tsunade with the budget requests and an answer she could no longer dismiss as one of Kenji's jokes.
Enjoying the story? 🔥
You can find advanced chapters, image references, bonus scenes, polls, and extra updates on my Patreon:
👉 https://www.patreon.com/evilUchiha
Thanks for reading and supporting the journey! ❤️