Hokage Building.
"Shikaku-senpai, I'm leaving this in your hands!"
Kamizuki Hikari set down some documents, then pulled a bankbook from his pocket and placed it on Shikaku's desk.
Shikaku: 'Is this a bribe? Handing it over so blatantly doesn't seem appropriate...'
"This is a bankbook with 88 million ryō—enough to repay Tsunade-sama's debts, with the rest allocated as an additional 1 million ryō per month for her allowance. Can you handle that?"
"Is this your money?" Shikaku took the bankbook and stared at the endless string of digits, surprised.
"Obviously!"
"If it weren't mine, whose else would it be?"
Hikari sighed at Shikaku's feigned ignorance.
"That's not what I meant. I'm just saying—damn, you're loaded!" As the head of the Nara clan, Shikaku wasn't poor, but casually tossing out tens of millions like this? Even he wouldn't dare.
As a clan leader, he strictly separated personal and clan finances—no dipping into the family vault for personal use nor funneling personal wealth into clan funds.
"Nothing special. It's not that much, really."
With the matter settled, Hikari had no interest in lingering.
"Anyway, I still need to find Shizune. Shikaku-senpai, I'll leave you to your work!"
After seeing Hikari leave, Shikaku subtly opened the bankbook and did the math. His eyes gleamed.
'After deducting Tsunade-sama's debt and adding her monthly allowance... there's still around 2 million left. Does that mean the extra is mine?'
'Hikari really knows how to grease the wheels!'
The thought of a free 2 million ryō filled Shikaku with boundless energy. All his fatigue from work evaporated, replaced by unstoppable motivation.
'Bring on more work—otherwise, I'll feel guilty taking this money!'
*Knock knock knock!*
"Shikaku-sama, urgent documents—your immediate attention, please!"
Shikaku: ...
'I was just thinking out loud, heavens! You don't have to punish me like this!'
---
Ignoring Shikaku's wretched misfortune, Hikari silently entered the Hokage's Office.
Spotting Shizune diligently reviewing paperwork, he didn't disturb her and simply sat in the chair by the door.
The familiar atmosphere made drowsiness creep over him.
Of course, he would never admit that it was exhaustion from several battles that made his body demand rest.
A real man never rests because of something like that.
"Hikari, you're here!"
Shizune looked up, about to greet him—but upon seeing his weary, half-asleep face, her shinobi instincts picked up on several clues.
"Mhmm." Groggily, Hikari mumbled a response as sleep threatened to claim him.
After four battles in just half a day, even if his kidneys were made of iron, they wouldn't hold up.
Shizune set her work aside, walked over to Hikari, and used Mystical Palm Technique to examine his condition.
'Lower back muscles show signs of mild strain from prolonged activity...'
'Kidney energy severely depleted...'
Combined with his exhausted expression, these symptoms led Shizune to one conclusion—one she really didn't want to accept.
'He's been with a woman... and "turned in homework" multiple times in the last twelve hours.'
If anyone asked how she knew? Years spent assisting Tsunade—aside from treating ordinary folk—mostly involved wealthy merchants and noblemen.
And their ailments? Mostly kidney deficiency and exhaustion from overindulgence.
Though Hikari wasn't as badly off, such intense activity in a short span did take its toll.
"What's going on?"
Kakashi had returned through the window with groceries, only to find Shizune crouched beside Hikari, her hands pressed against his body.
'What the—I was only gone for a moment, and I've already been betrayed?'
"It's nothing, Kakashi—just keep an eye on Hikari. I need to step out."
Having confirmed her suspicions, Shizune felt a growing sense of unease.
"Oh, I just got some food—"
Before Kakashi could finish, Shizune snatched the bag from his hands and leapt out the window.
"—you could at least take a bite first—" Kakashi muttered to the empty air, staring at her vanishing figure before turning back to Hikari, now sound asleep.
"Hey. Wake up!"
Unwilling to let this slide, Kakashi shook him, determined to get an answer.
He couldn't shake the feeling that a new, colorful hat was about to appear on his head.
---
Senju Clan compound.
Still holding the food, Shizune rushed into Tsunade's residence and found her deeply asleep.
Even in slumber, a shinobi's instincts kept them wary—yet Tsunade showed no sign of waking.
The sight deepened Shizune's dread.
'Please... let me be wrong.'
Creeping closer, Shizune caught a faint scent—one every medical-nin recognized instantly.
'Hawthorn flowers.'
Her worst fear had come true.
"Shizune... is that you?"
Tsunade stirred sleepily, blinking up at her before relaxing.
"Tsunade-sama..." Shizune hesitated. "Sorry—did I... disturb your rest?"
"Nah. Perfect timing, actually—I smelled food the moment you came in!" Without ceremony, Tsunade snatched the bag and tore into the meal, utterly devoid of decorum.
"Tsunade-sama... can I ask you something?" Shizune asked timidly.
"Just spit it out." Tsunade said between bites, her voice clear despite her ravenous eating. "We've been together forever. No need to be shy. I hate when people beat around the bush."
"Tsunade-sama... did you and Hikari... you know...?"
Tsunade paused, then nodded casually. "If it were anyone else, I'd deny it. But since it's you, Shizune, there's no harm in admitting it. Today, this old lady's decades of chastity were taken by force."
"Taken by force?"
Shizune noted Tsunade's radiant, well-tended complexion—clearly benefiting from recent activities.
'If you hadn't wanted that, no man alive could have forced you.'
Only women truly understand women. After so many years, Shizune knew Tsunade inside and out.
During their travels, countless men had tried to take liberties. None had left with all their bones intact.
For Hikari to succeed so easily? Tsunade must have allowed it.
"Well, I'll... get back to work. Rest well, Tsunade-sama."
"Yeah, yeah."
Tsunade waved her off, too tired to wonder why Shizune had come. Her mind was foggy, and she just wanted to sleep.
-----
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