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Compared to Naruto's explosive rage, Tsunade seemed… amused.
She wore the half-smirk of someone slightly buzzed and fully entertained.
Jiraiya sighed. Neji just closed his eyes. Shizune pinched the bridge of her nose.
Was this what they meant by "old kid"?
Tsunade leaned toward Naruto, voice syrupy with mock sincerity.
"One of the Legendary Three, going all-out against a little genin like you? I'd never."
Naruto's eyes blazed like a bull seeing red.
"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!"
Tsunade raised a single finger. "I'll only need this."
That did it.
With a flash, Naruto yanked a kunai from his pouch and charged her, chakra flaring as he poured every ounce of frustration into that one attack.
Too bad she wasn't underestimating him. She was toying with him.
In a blink, she ducked, slipping her finger straight through the ring of his kunai and jabbing his wrist—
"OWWW!"
He cried out in pain.
Then, with a flick, she knocked his headband into the air.
Her finger followed through—
Flick!
The forehead flick sent Naruto flying backward with a strangled yelp, skidding into the dirt.
Neji sighed.
Why does that technique feel… familiar? Am I becoming her?
The kunai landed at Naruto's feet.
He tried to rise, trembling.
Tsunade just shook her head, laughing.
"See? Another idiot who wants to be Hokage."
Shizune giggled.
Naruto glared at both of them. "I'm not an idiot! Being Hokage is my dream!"
Tsunade burst into laughter. "So your dream is to be an idiot? How poetic."
Naruto sputtered, trying to argue, but his brain short-circuited under the logic trap.
Neji smirked. She's good.
But as Tsunade laughed, something softened in her expression.
They're just like… us.
Fools. Dreamers. Idiots.
And yet—that's what made them strong.
She turned to Neji.
"Alright, Hyuga kid. You wanted my help with your treatment, didn't you?"
Neji blinked. 'She agreed? Just like that?'
"Let's go," she added with a gesture.
Naruto gawked. "Wait—what? You're gonna treat Neji?"
Tsunade gave him a sideways glance. "What, got a problem with that?"
He stammered. "Well… I mean… yeah! If you help him, then how am I supposed to beat you?!"
That sent Tsunade into another fit of laughter.
"Cute kid."
She turned and waved. "Come on."
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Later that night…
Only Neji followed Tsunade and Shizune back to their inn.
Naruto was still sulking. Jiraiya stayed behind to handle him.
In the room, Tsunade was sipping tea to sober up while Shizune laid out supplies.
Knock knock.
"Come in."
Neji entered, now in a loose robe for examination. Tsunade waved him forward.
"Sit."
He obeyed.
"I've already been briefed on your injuries," she said, finishing her tea. "Now let me take a look for myself."
"Thank you, Lady Tsunade."
She waved him off. "Shizune, get him undressed."
"…Wait, what?"
Neji blinked. "I can do it myself—"
But Tsunade was grinning now. "Don't be shy. You're a medic, aren't you? Nothing to be embarrassed about."
Neji winced. 'I knew I should've stayed in Konoha and played dead until everyone got back.'
Too late now.
Shizune reached for his collar. "It's okay. We're professionals."
He sighed in defeat.
A moment later, his upper garments were removed stopping just before complete exposure.
Shizune covered her mouth in surprise. "Wow…!"
Neji had a lean, powerful build and along his torso, a coiled black tattoo shimmered like a dragon lying in wait.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Well, well. Who knew the uptight Hyuga heir had a rebellious streak?"
She poked his arm. "Not bad, kid."
Neji didn't respond. Mostly because her hands were now poking everywhere.
"…Can you please—"
"No talking," Tsunade cut in, already focusing chakra into her fingertips.
"I've seen a lot of tough shinobi, but walking around with injuries this bad? That's some next-level stubbornness."
"Shizune," she added without looking up, "get ready. We're gonna be here a while."
Shizune nodded. "Understood."
Tsunade rolled up her sleeves with a grin.
"Looks like we're pulling an all-nighter. Thanks, kid."
Then, more loudly: "Shizune get the sake off the shelf. We're gonna need the good stuff."
Shizune: "The healing kind or the drinking kind?"
Tsunade winked. "Both."
She looked down at Neji, who now wore the look of someone rethinking every choice he'd made that day.
"Don't worry, sweetie," she cooed. "You'll be fine. Maybe not walking when we're done—but fine."
Neji closed his eyes.
This isn't medical care. This is karmic punishment.
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