Hokage Office
"Lady Tsunade, Asuma has already left the village."
Kakashi steadied his breathing and spoke, meeting the storm brewing in Tsunade's golden eyes.
"Also… please cover the repair costs."
He tipped his head subtly toward the massive oak door now wedged crookedly into the window frame like a poorly aimed kunai.
"…Huh?"
Tsunade's glare sharpened to something murderous. "Have you finally gotten tired of living, brat? You want me to pay?"
The look on her face said she was already calculating how many bones she could break before anyone stopped her.
Kakashi shrugged. "That's not the point. The real question is—where did that beard-brained son of yours run off to?"
"To think he'd pull a stunt like this just to drag me back to the village…"
She dropped heavily onto the nearest sofa, legs crossed, voice dripping with frost.
Beside her, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression wasn't any warmer. The Third Hokage had been enjoying a rare afternoon nap when word spread that he was on death's door—courtesy of his own flesh and blood. Even a saint would be pissed.
"To be accurate," Kakashi corrected mildly, "it wasn't to trick you back."
"It was for Shizune."
He glanced at the black-haired kunoichi standing beside him. Shizune blinked, still looking like the conversation had sprinted ten steps ahead of her.
"Eh? Me?"
She pointed at herself, utterly lost.
A slow, wicked grin tugged at Tsunade's lips. "Oh? So the little Copy Ninja's got his eye on my Shizune now?"
She leaned forward, elbows on her knees, clearly enjoying herself. "Well, if it's you, Kakashi, I might actually allow it."
Shizune's face exploded crimson. "L-Lady Tsunade! Stop talking nonsense!"
"If you keep teasing me like that, I'm cutting you off sake for a whole month!"
Tsunade's playful mask cracked for half a second—just long enough for genuine alarm to flicker through. "…Fine, fine, I was wrong, okay?"
Kakashi watched the familiar routine with something close to awe. Only Shizune could wrangle a Sannin with a single sentence.
He casually picked up the promotion scroll from the desk. "Actually, Shizune already agreed a few minutes ago to become Deputy Director of the Medical Department."
"Effective immediately, she is no longer your personal attendant, Lady Tsunade."
Shizune's jaw dropped. "W-When did I—?!"
Tsunade shot to her feet like someone had lit a fire under her. "You little punk—trying to steal my Shizune?!"
She stormed forward, snatched Shizune's wrist, and made for the door as if she could drag the younger woman straight out of the village then and there.
Kakashi didn't move to stop her. He simply looked at Tsunade's retreating back and spoke, calm and cutting.
"Lady Tsunade. Have you ever asked Shizune what she wants?"
"Or are you planning to keep her trailing after you for the rest of her life—casinos, bars, running from debt collectors?"
"While everyone her age is protecting Konoha, is she supposed to spend her youth chasing your debts?"
"Is this the future you want for her? Always on the run—always following you?"
Tsunade froze mid-step.
Slowly, she turned. The temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees.
"What… did you just say?"
Her voice was low, dangerous. Even her flawless face looked sharper, lethal.
"Don't think that just because you're playing Hokage for a day, you get to lecture me, brat."
Kakashi rose from the chair, posture relaxed but gaze unwavering. "I don't pretend to understand your bond with her."
"But Konoha needs Shizune's skills right now."
"And Shizune is a shinobi of this village. Acting Hokage or not, I have the authority to assign her where she's needed most."
The air crackled between them.
"You—"
Tsunade took one threatening step forward, chakra flaring faintly green around her fists.
"Tsunade, enough."
Hiruzen finally stepped in, placing himself between his former student and the silver-haired jōnin he'd temporarily placed in charge.
"Kakashi's not entirely wrong. Both of you—cool off. There's no need to decide everything tonight."
Shizune hesitated, looking anxiously at the woman who was everything to her. "Lady Tsunade…"
Tsunade's lips pressed into a thin line. Without another word, she tugged Shizune's arm and strode out.
Kakashi watched them go in silence.
"You were too direct," Hiruzen sighed once the door slammed shut. "Tsunade isn't someone you can push like that."
Kakashi moved to the window, hands in his pockets, gaze tracking the two figures below as they left the Hokage Tower.
They weren't heading for the main gate.
They were walking toward the old Senju compound.
A faint, knowing curve touched the corner of his visible eye.
He didn't need to understand every knot in their relationship.
He only needed to know one truth no parent—or surrogate parent—could ever ignore:
No one wants their child to throw their life away following in footsteps that lead nowhere.
Nightfall Senju Clan Compound
The compound sat near the heart of Konoha, surrounded by the liveliest districts in the village. Yet while the streets outside glowed with paper lanterns and laughter, the Senju grounds were swallowed in shadow and silence.
Tonight, though, a single window glowed with soft orange light.
"Dinner's ready, Lady Tsunade."
Shizune, apron still tied around her waist, carried a warmed flask to the low table already laden with food. She called gently toward the inner room.
"Coming," came the slightly muffled reply.
Tsunade emerged, cheeks already flushed from the sake she'd snuck earlier, the sharp scent of alcohol clinging to her like perfume. She flopped into her seat, reached for the flask, and poured.
What came out wasn't clear sake.
It was bright, syrupy orange.
"…Orange juice?"
She brought the cup to her nose, scowled at the sweet citrus smell, then glared across the table.
Shizune dried her hands on her apron and offered an innocent smile. "You've had quite enough today. Fruit juice is better for you."
Tsunade exhaled through her nose. "…Fine."
She threw back the orange juice in one sullen gulp.
The silence that followed was heavier than usual.
Normally, a drunk Tsunade meant loud stories, booming laughter, dishes clattering everywhere.
Tonight she was quiet, picking at her food, eyes distant.
Then, out of nowhere:
"Shizune."
She gnawed on a chicken leg, not looking up.
"Following me all these years… are you happy?"
Shizune's chopsticks paused halfway to her mouth.
She lowered them slowly, a soft, unwavering smile curving her lips.
"Of course I'm happy."
She met Tsunade's gaze, eyes shining with something fierce and tender all at once.
"Wherever Lady Tsunade goes, I go."
————
Supporting me on Pa-treon to gain early access to advanced chapters and enjoy expedited updates. Your support is greatly appreciated.
pat-reon .c-om/Dragonhair
(Just remove the hyphen - and space, to access Pa-treon normally.)