Uchiha Gen's stance made it clear, if he wanted to, he could easily act against both Kato Dan and Nawaki.
And if he really did that, there'd be no turning back.
Tsunade knew she wouldn't be able to accept the sight of her brother and former lover being completely erased. If that happened, her emotions might spiral out of control, revenge would be inevitable. And even if she somehow managed to restrain herself, she doubted the man before her would take that risk. For absolute certainty, Uchiha Gen would strike first to remove all potential threats.
She wasn't afraid of dying herself, but she feared losing those two forever, with not even their souls remaining. More than that, she feared implicating Jiraiya and her other loved ones. If war ever broke out, with Gen's terrifying power and Orochimaru's unpredictable schemes, her master and countless others would be in danger. Once that dust settled, it would drag in far too many people.
"Really, you'll let me punish you?" Uchiha Gen asked with a half-smile.
He hadn't truly planned to sever ties. If he wanted to escape, Tsunade wouldn't have been able to stop him. Breaking ties over anger would only harm him—he was far too calculating for that. This attitude was just to scare her a little… and to get her back under control.
Tsunade caught on quickly. Her eyes brightened as she nodded hurriedly. "Mm. I'll let you punish me."
"Alright, I'll trust you this once." Gen tilted his head slightly, as if considering. "Now let me think about how to punish you…"
Feeling the warmth of her hand in his, he pretended to ponder seriously.
Tsunade, noticing his softer tone, felt her heart relax a little. The tension in her chest eased, and she even managed a small smile.
"You… how did you know I was trying to avoid it?" she asked after a moment, her tone hesitant.
"Don't loosen your grip. Hold tighter," Gen said, his brow arching slightly.
Her face flushed faintly. Still, she did as he said, holding onto his arm with both hands, her movement unconsciously shy but obedient.
"Alright," Gen said with a faint smirk. "It's simple. I placed a sensory tracking barrier in your house. I can monitor your movements anytime."
"What?" Tsunade's eyes widened. "Then why didn't I sense it at all?"
"If you could sense it, what kind of barrier would that be?" Gen replied, amused.
She frowned slightly. As much as she hated to admit it, he was right. The realization stung her pride a little, his mastery of seals and sensory techniques had reached a level she couldn't even detect.
"I've decided," Gen said suddenly, leaning closer to her ear.
He whispered his "punishment."
Tsunade's eyes widened. "That's… that's too much," she protested. "In the open? That's.."
"Don't worry," Gen said with a knowing grin. "Everyone who's tried it said it turned out fine."
She froze, speechless, then sighed helplessly. "Alright. You win. Just once."
"Good." Gen nodded, satisfied. "Let's prepare first."
Before she could respond, Gen activated the Flying Thunder God Technique, instantly appearing inside Tsunade's home.
"You grab the spare blankets, quilts, and a lamp," he said. "I'll get food and drinks."
"Oh…" Tsunade nodded hesitantly, disappearing into the bedroom.
Gen couldn't help shaking his head as he gathered supplies. In a few minutes, she'll understand what I meant.
Ten minutes later, they regrouped. Gen held her close, and with a flash, both vanished again, this time reappearing near a tranquil lake on Konoha's outskirts.
The air was cool and fresh, the lake glimmering under faint moonlight. Gen opened the lamp, spread the blankets beside the forest's edge, and set down their food and drinks.
Tsunade watched quietly as he worked, unsure whether to help or interrupt. He moved methodically, as if this were a mission rather than punishment.
Once finished, Gen pressed his hand to the ground and formed hand seals. A transparent, hemispherical barrier spread out, enclosing them in a quiet, private space.
The air shimmered slightly, no insects, snakes, or stray sounds could break the peace.
"Hey," Tsunade said as she watched him leap onto a nearby tree. "What are you doing now?"
"The scenery's a bit dull," Gen said lightly.
Black chakra surged from his body, condensing into a miniature black Susanoo that wrapped around him. Its wings spread wide as he shot up into the sky.
Moments later, crimson flames bloomed overhead, burning away the clouds. A brilliant full moon appeared, its reflection rippling across the lake. Silver light poured down like silk, the water glimmering as if dressed in starlight.
Tsunade stared, momentarily stunned. He's actually… romantic?
A streak of black light dropped from the sky, and the Susanoo dissolved. Gen landed gracefully within the barrier.
"How about now?" he asked with a bright smile. "Much prettier, isn't it?"
Tsunade brushed aside a loose strand of hair and replied coolly, "It's alright."
Gen chuckled. "Sure, sure. Everything's ready now." He gestured toward the spot he'd prepared. "Come here, Princess Tsunade. I'll be gentle."
"Don't call me that," she muttered, her cheeks heating.
"Well, technically… I am not wrong," Gen replied with mock seriousness.
Tsunade shot him a sharp glare, her expression torn between exasperation and embarrassment. This brat…
"Alright, alright," Gen said, waving dismissively. "Details aren't important. Come here."
Tsunade hesitated, each step toward him slower than the last. What should've taken seconds stretched into minutes.
Gen didn't rush her. He watched, amused, as she approached with hesitant grace, her composure as the legendary Sannin wavering slightly under the strange tension of the moment.
No matter how slow she was, she'd have to reach him eventually.
At last, she stopped at the edge of the mat, standing stiffly, hands clasped, staring at the moonlit lake to avoid his gaze.
"Even the ants are walking faster than you," Gen teased.
Before she could retort, he tugged her hand lightly, catching her off guard and pulling her forward.
Startled, Tsunade stumbled, landing against him. The faint scent of her hair mixed with the evening breeze, a soft warmth brushing his shoulder.
She froze, flustered. "You-"
Gen laughed quietly. "Relax. You really are too tense."
Tsunade huffed and muttered, "You're impossible."
Lightning flickered across the clouds above them, followed by distant thunder. A cool breeze swept through the forest, carrying the scent of rain.
Then came the first drop.
Plip.
Plop.
The rain thickened quickly, tapping rhythmically against the barrier and the lake beyond. In moments, the night was drenched, thunder rumbling in the distance as pale flashes lit up the silver world around them.
Inside the shimmering green barrier, the two figures sat in tranquil contrast to the storm outside, one amused, one flustered, under a perfect circle of moonlight.