Chapter 5: Tsunade's Anger
"Th-this…"
Ruo Feng swallowed, momentarily at a loss for words.
Standing before him was Tsunade — the future member of the Legendary Sannin. Although she had not yet earned that title, she was already a jōnin of Konohagakure at only fifteen or sixteen years old.
Ruo Feng remained submerged in the medicinal bath.
Tsunade let out a soft laugh.
"Just a little brat."
The rage she had displayed moments ago was gone. Reclining lazily in the spring, she sniffed lightly.
"A medicinal bath? And in this particular hot spring too… the effect must be impressive. But why do I smell toad oil? Are you connected to Jiraiya?"
The moment she mentioned Jiraiya, the calm in her eyes reignited into irritation.
Her hand shot forward and pinched Ruo Feng's cheek.
"Speak. What's your relationship with that idiot?"
Ruo Feng stared at the furious Tsunade, utterly speechless.
What kind of karmic disaster was this?
Jiraiya peeked.
Got beaten.
Blasted through the roof.
Half the hot spring destroyed.
And now Tsunade was venting her anger on him.
He forced a helpless smile.
"I'm not really connected to Jiraiya. He gave the medicinal formula to my grandfather."
That answer made Tsunade pause.
The formula came from Mount Myoboku — a true inheritance of Jiraiya. Back when she had been researching medical ninjutsu, she had studied that very formula and knew how precious it was.
Why would Jiraiya casually give it away?
Footsteps suddenly approached.
A maid hurried in, flustered.
"Young Master… because of Lady Tsunade and Lord Jiraiya's fight, more than half of the hot springs have been damaged. The manager—"
Her voice abruptly halted when she saw Tsunade.
"L-Lady Tsunade?!"
Tsunade ignored her and looked back at Ruo Feng.
"So you're the young master here. That means the 'Hot Spring Tycoon' is your grandfather? The one who controls two-thirds of Konoha's hot spring business?"
Realization dawned on her.
She and Jiraiya had been teammates since childhood. She knew quite a bit about his past — including who had supported him during his early years.
No wonder he had handed over the Mount Myōboku formula.
She pinched Ruo Feng's cheek again.
"So the hot spring magnate has a grandson like you. That explains it. Jiraiya wouldn't give that formula away lightly. Seems your grandfather and he have quite the relationship. Lucky brat — soaking in this every day, your physical foundation will be exceptional."
As a medical-nin, Tsunade understood the effects of that formula better than most.
Ruo Feng brushed her hand away and turned to the maid calmly.
"Tell the manager to repair the springs immediately. Board up the broken walls for now — I don't want today's medicinal bath interrupted. Also, any guests disturbed today will not be charged. Consider it compensation."
"Yes, Young Master!"
The maid quickly withdrew.
Now, only the two of them remained in the steaming pool.
Tsunade reached out again and squeezed his cheek.
"You're pretty authoritative for a little thing."
Ruo Feng once more freed himself.
"Today's already unlucky enough. I came for a medicinal bath and ended up caught in your fight. Even if Jiraiya and my grandfather are close, damage is damage. Compensation should still be paid."
His gaze settled meaningfully on her.
The implication was obvious.
Ordinary merchants encountering this situation would simply swallow the loss. After all, this was Tsunade — the princess of Konoha, a member of the Senju clan.
But Ruo Feng didn't care about status.
She was standing right in front of him.
Why let compensation slip away?
He observed her carefully.
And honestly—
Tsunade was truly Tsunade.
Even at fifteen or sixteen, her figure was far more developed than one would expect. Especially after that brief… accidental reveal earlier.
Tsunade's lips twitched.
"You're not seriously asking me to compensate you, are you?"
Her anger had long since faded. Only now did she fully realize that, while punishing Jiraiya, she had nearly demolished half the establishment.
Sure, she was a Senju. Most wouldn't dare demand anything from her.
But this kid actually did.
She let out an awkward laugh and stepped closer.
Looking at the faint redness on his cheek from earlier, she placed her palm against it.
Green chakra blossomed softly from her hand.
Ruo Feng felt a warm vitality flow into him. The soreness vanished instantly, replaced by a cool, refreshing sensation.
"This… is medical ninjutsu?" he asked.
"Correct," Tsunade replied. "That was medical ninjutsu. I healed you. Let's call that compensation."
"What?" Ruo Feng blinked. "That expensive? You're the one who pinched my cheek in the first place. Besides, you're Tsunade of the Senju clan. Surely a little repair fee doesn't matter to you?"
Tsunade shook her head.
"I don't have any money."
"…You lost it gambling again?"
She coughed lightly.
"…All of it."
Only then did Ruo Feng remember.
Tsunade had been exposed to gambling since childhood — even encouraged by the First Hokage. And she had a notorious trait:
If she ever won a bet, it usually meant something terrible was about to happen.
No wonder she looked awkward.
She wasn't refusing to pay.
She was broke.
And if she had money, she'd probably already be at a casino losing it.
Tsunade's embarrassment faded, replaced by seriousness.
"You're just a child. Stop pretending to be so deep. I really don't have money right now. But I can compensate you in another way."
She studied him carefully.
"You soak in medicinal baths daily. Your cells are filled with vitality, yet you haven't begun refining chakra."
She smiled faintly.
"I'll teach you the method of chakra extraction. Consider that repayment."
Ruo Feng's eyes widened.
"The method of chakra extraction? You mean… the Senju clan's extraction technique?"
"Oh?" Tsunade chuckled. "You know quite a lot. So you want to become a shinobi, huh? You're a bit like my little brother… though he's nowhere near as serious as you."