*Swoosh!*
Just as she was about to leave with Maito Gai, Tsunade suddenly performed the Body Flicker Technique and reappeared at the entrance of Kakashi's hospital room.
*Creak!*
The door opened, and Hikari was standing there obediently, seemingly about to enter the room.
[Good thing I reacted quickly; otherwise, Tsunade might have suspected I had ulterior motives toward Kakashi.]
[No, I need to be serious. I need to act like a clueless newbie. I must not let Tsunade find out!]
"Tsunade-sama! Why did you come back? I didn't even notice! Your strength is truly unparalleled, as towering as ten Hokage Rocks combined!"
[Look at my sincere expression. There's no way Tsunade would suspect me.]
Tsunade squinted her eyes and scrutinized Kamizuki Hikari carefully.
If the thoughts she heard were correct, Hikari's strength was truly extraordinary, to the point that even she could be deceived. Seeing his expression, there was absolutely no way she would doubt him.
"It's nothing. I suddenly felt a little worried about Kakashi. After all, he's Sakumo's son. Seeing him so gravely injured, I can't help but feel uneasy."
Casually finding an excuse to respond to Hikari, Tsunade confirmed that Kakashi was stable and prepared to continue checking on Lee.
[Of course he's fine. I already helped resolve his bloodline conflict. When Kakashi wakes up, he should be able to use his Mangekyō more fluidly. But since he doesn't have Uchiha blood, he won't be able to wield it as skillfully as Obito. A bit of a shame.]
After taking a few steps, Tsunade stopped. A fleeting thought to turn back and check on Kakashi again crossed her mind.
But she immediately suppressed that idea.
She had just examined Kakashi today. If she went back immediately, it would surely arouse Hikari's suspicion. Tsunade still intended to gather more information from him in the future.
For now, it was best not to make him wary.
"Hikari, come with me."
Giving the order, Tsunade smiled at Maito Gai before grabbing Kamizuki Hikari and heading toward Lee's hospital room.
[Tsunade is being so nice to me. She must have fallen for my handsome looks.]
[But since she's the Fifth Hokage, she probably feels embarrassed to say it outright and wants me to take the initiative. Heh, no way!]
[I love taking it easy! If Tsunade wants something, she can make the first move!]
Her fist clenched unconsciously. Tsunade glanced at Hikari, who was acting all meek and obedient in front of her. If she couldn't hear his thoughts, who would have guessed that this guy was internally fantasizing about her and even expecting her to make the first move? Dream on!
---
"Wow! Isn't that Tsunade-sama? Why is she pulling Hikari like that? Could this be workplace favoritism?"
"I think it's quite possible. After all, Tsunade-sama isn't young anymore. Now that she's Hokage, it's normal for her to want a handsome man to continue her lineage."
"Tsunade-sama, the honor of the Senju Clan rests on your shoulders! When it comes to having children, don't hold back—have a dozen! We'll help take care of them!"
---
Hearing the murmuring nurses, Tsunade's forehead filled with throbbing veins.
She really wanted to punch someone right now.
She was the great Princess Tsunade! The line of men pursuing her could stretch from Konoha to Kirigakure! She simply enjoyed her single life and the freedom that came with it.
Especially that last one—Mikan. Did she really think hiding behind a young nurse would make her unaware of who was speaking?
She would let it slide this time since she was from the Senju Clan.
But next time, she would definitely... marry her off to Maito Gai.
After maintaining a composed exterior while cursing internally, Tsunade arrived at Lee's hospital room.
"Gai-sensei!" Seeing Maito Gai, Lee's eyes immediately lit up like two bright bulbs.
"Lee! YOUTH!"
Maito Gai flashed his signature White Fang Smile, making both Hikari and Tsunade instinctively take a step back.
"Lee, this is Tsunade-sama, the greatest medical-nin in all of Konoha—no, in the entire shinobi world! I personally invited her to treat you."
"Gai-sensei!" Tears welled up in Lee's eyes, about to spill over.
*Whack!*
Gai smacked Lee on the head. "No crying! You're a shinobi now. A man sheds blood, not tears! Understand?"
Lee nodded seriously. "Yes, Gai-sensei!"
Maito Gai smiled with satisfaction, looking like a proud father.
"But Gai-sensei, isn't that something Hikari-senpai always says? If you keep using his words, be careful—he might charge you for copyright!"
"Hikari and I are good friends. Copyright fees are meaningless between us."
"Really?"
"You don't believe me?"
"I trust you the most, Gai-sensei!"
"Hahaha! That's my good disciple!"
"Gai-sensei!"
[Not bad, not bad. If Gai and Lee weren't ninja, they could totally form a comedy duo and tour the Land of Fire performing stand-up.]
Seeing Gai and Lee getting more and more excited, about to hug each other, Tsunade finally lost patience.
*Boom!*
A firm smack landed on Gai's head, forming a large bump. Then, grabbing the back of his collar, Tsunade flung him out of the room.
"Scram! Don't come back until I'm done checking him!"
Lee shivered, staring at Tsunade's murderous aura. He wanted to protest but was immediately silenced when Tsunade used her Chakra Scalpel to disrupt his nerve signals.
"Kamizuki Hikari, keep an eye on the door. If anyone tries to come in, kill them on sight!" Tsunade commanded, her tone sharp and decisive.
As the Fifth Hokage, she was extremely busy.
She had finally squeezed out some time to treat Kakashi and Lee, yet Maito Gai had the audacity to perform a comedy stand-up in front of her? Wait... stand-up? What even was that?
All this nonsense in her head was because of Kamizuki Hikari's ridiculous thoughts! She didn't even know what to say anymore.
Under Lee's terrified gaze, Tsunade began his examination.
[Shocking! An older woman making a move on an innocent young man—Is this the collapse of morality or the distortion of the world? Find out in today's investigative report!]
[50-year-old woman, 13-year-old boy, a private hospital room... What shocking events will unfold? Stay tuned for a real-time update on "Hikari Reports!"]
[The Hokage's Forbidden Love: On that dark and quiet night, I awoke in the hospital room to find a pair of soft, tender hands caressing my muscular chest...]
At that moment, Tsunade's hands trembled uncontrollably.
No, it wasn't her hemophobia acting up.
It was pure rage from hearing that bastard's thoughts. She wanted to punch him. She wanted to beat him to a pulp.
What the hell did he mean by "older woman"? She was a premium, long-lasting beauty!
And how was this a "private" space when he was here too? And "Hikari Reports"?! If he dared to turn her into the heroine of some perverted novel, she would make sure he suffered!
As waves of fury surged in her mind, Tsunade kept a straight face and completed Lee's examination.
The results made her frown, delaying her plan to punish Hikari.
"Rest well and avoid any unnecessary movements. I'll think of a treatment plan for you." When facing her patient Lee, Tsunade's face was filled with a maternal warmth that left both Lee and Hikari in awe.
[There's no way my Tsunade could be this gentle!]