The battlefield is a place of constant flux, where every second can mean the difference between life and death. Therefore, only by staying constantly alert and holding some energy in reserve can ninja best avoid life-threatening situations and survive to the end.
Everyone's got their own burdens to carry and struggles to go through. Even Haseo wasn't so indifferent as to consider Tsunade's previous act of risking herself for him as something trivial.
Unless he truly had no brains at all, or was extremely selfish and narrow-minded.
Haseo wasn't that kind of person, so while he said nothing, Tsunade's actions truly touched him deeply.
And if anything, when comparing what he gave versus what he received, Haseo felt it was somewhat disproportionate—he felt he had given too little, yet received far too much, which even caused him some psychological pressure.
Of course, thinking this way was pretty unreasonable—feelings aren't something you can just tally up like groceries.
Even more importantly, Haseo lacked sufficient awareness of his own actions. Some things he considered mere trivialities, small favors, actually had great impact on Tsunade.
Otherwise, how would those feelings have arisen? There's never really such a thing as unprovoked affection in this world.
Yet if shifting perspectives to Tsunade's side, one would realize that sharing her chakra with Haseo seemed like an equally minor matter to her, just as Haseo had long forgotten those tiny things he'd done for her.
So back and forth like this, what brewed between them must've been what legends call 'ship-worthy chemistry.'
That same evening when the trio returned to Konoha, after finishing troop deployments between Konoha and the Eastern Front, Haseo once again came into Shikkotsu Forest.
Just as he told Tsunade, the new ninjutsu he used in battle indeed required the utmost precise chakra control. In many ways, it was actually more difficult than Haseo's previous five chakra modes.
His kinjutsu focused on intensity—the more powerful and stimulating, the better—while this new technique required refined, precise control of chakra, representing an entirely different philosophy.
Therefore, compared to the physical damage from forbidden techniques, the burden from this new ninjutsu was softer—more about operational pressure. Considering the unique nature of natural energy and its beneficial effects on a ninja's body, drinking in some natural energy would greatly relieve his symptoms.
After all, Haseo could now briefly endure that kind of energy. Katsuyu's Sage Art training had been nothing short of torture, but after enduring it for so long, Haseo was finally beginning to develop a solid foundation.
As Haseo spent some time in Shikkotsu Forest and prepared to leave, Tsunade appeared there as well.
War and other factors meant their time together was extremely limited.
Thus, it was something worth treasuring.
Tsunade had already changed into casual clothes. Her right arm was supported by a single crutch, but her slim legs and bare feet remained exposed.
Truthfully, at this moment, wearing shoes didn't seem particularly necessary for her.
"Did the Third Hokage's meeting just end?" Haseo smiled when he saw Tsunade.
With him around, Tsunade's cane became useless, so the two began strolling through Shikkotsu Forest together—how should one put it? Due to her injuries, Tsunade had ultimately become the Luigi in this partnership.
But Haseo didn't mind carrying her at all. Between the two of them, there was no need to be overly cautious about physical contact… Besides, there was a certain conclusion Haseo had confirmed more than ten years ago…
"If I have to carry someone, I'd rather carry your future self ten years from now."
That was what he'd said back then, and he had indeed fulfilled his promise.
Whether these two were naturally suited or merely fated by some twist of fate—who could really tell?
"Hmm, it felt like Sarutobi-sensei calling us back didn't really accomplish much, maybe even unnecessary. He only repeated old stuff, like how we should perform well on the battlefield…"
Tsunade said this, apparently failing to understand the Third Hokage's "painstaking sincerity."
"No, actually, what the Third said is something extremely important—it's just that you don't quite understand its significance yet."
Haseo, undoubtedly Konoha's kindest soul, decided to explain on behalf of the Third.
At this point, the Third should probably reward him with at least half a year's extra salary... Right now, what Haseo said carried far more weight with Tsunade than the Third's words ever could. Perhaps that was the sorrowful fate of an aging father raising a daughter.
Yet Tsunade focused on something else instead. "You still treat me like a child. I understand what Sarutobi-sensei meant; I just feel like it's unnecessary."
This statement was somewhat biased—Haseo definitely couldn't see Tsunade as a child anymore… Not many kids could pull off that kind of intimidation.
"I heard about it—apparently you encountered the Third Mizukage recently, and your injuries came from that battle… How strong is the Mizukage?"
"To be precise, I was injured because I was ambushed back then. Can you believe it? The Mizukage himself ambushing a Jonin." Haseo felt the need to clarify the origin of his injuries.
As for whether it was underhanded—Tsunade didn't find it particularly despicable. After all, wasn't Haseo exactly the kind of ninja worthy of such treatment?
"As for the Mizukage's strength, he's undeniably powerful. However, comparatively speaking, you should be more wary of Hanzo of Amegakure—the Rain Village's leader known as 'Hanzo the Salamander.' Compared to raw power, it's Hanzo's particularly sly and sinister nature that deserves greater caution. He's no easy opponent."
At present, it seemed Hanzo would likely become a challenge the young Sannin should be prepared to face, so Haseo reminded her accordingly.
Tsunade silently nodded at this concern.
"Besides... from now on, there's no need for you to take such reckless risks. Although my injuries were quite severe back then, the chakra you left inside Katsuyu was more than enough to ensure my safety. Spending a massive amount of chakra just for my full recovery really isn't cost-effective."
Haseo finally brought up this topic. Although he deeply appreciated Tsunade's actions, he absolutely couldn't endorse her methods. He hoped this would be a "one-time-only" incident.
But... describing a girl's sincere feelings in terms of cost-effectiveness? One has to say, Haseo truly is a genius in this aspect.
His words, though gentle, clearly carried a subtle tone of criticism. As a result, Tsunade couldn't help but feel slightly upset... Didn't he understand how she had felt at that time?
"So..."
"So what?"
"So don't do things like this that make me worry. Taking good care of yourself is actually the greatest help you can give me."
Maybe it was some kind of survival instinct that made Haseo add those words—he finally managed to say something halfway tolerable.
Tsunade's little fit of moodiness vanished instantly. Her emotions brightened once again.
Too bad she didn't have a neck like Orochimaru's. Otherwise, she would've seriously considered stretching her head forward just now to see exactly what expression Haseo wore when he said those words.
Her arms wrapped around Haseo's neck, her chin resting atop her folded arms. At this moment, if Haseo simply turned his head slightly, his face would brush against a pair of soft lips.
But he didn't even flinch.
"Tsunade."
She softly called his name, prompting him to halt and raise his eyes to the heavens.
"The weather is pretty nice today. The night is bright, the sky clear, the stars hanging low..."
An extremely terrible response.
Technically, she could bite him right now for emotional damage—and the Konoha court would back her up: not malicious assault, justifiable self-defense.
And so, she truly did bite him...
War is a matter of blazing intensity.
So is Shikkotsu Forest.
"Let me walk ahead a few steps first."
Possibly because they were tired from walking, Haseo climbed onto a small hill and slowly sat down beneath a large tree.
The person carrying became the one being held.
Leaning against the thick trunk, Haseo used his legs to support Tsunade's body entirely, ensuring not a single inch of her touched the dirt.
At that moment, Tsunade felt somewhat nervous—if she took another step forward, and if Haseo took one backward, the gap between them might become something permanent. And ultimately, his thoughts remained beyond her guesswork.
Haseo knew himself that he needed to offer a "response" at this point. But words like "like" or "love"—such terms would likely remain forever stuck in his throat.
He kept staring at the starry sky. After a brief silence, he finally spoke:
"Little Tsunade...
My sky has no sun; it's always night, but never dark, because something else has taken the sun's place.
Though not as brilliant as the sun, it's more than enough for me.
By this light, I can treat the night as day."
(Note)
But...
I've never had a sun. But if this treasured light one day becomes the sun itself… would it still mean the same to me? I don't have the answer.
Those words left Tsunade in silence too.
"Haseo..."
Tsunade lowered her head, but soon lifted her gaze to look straight at him. She had already made up her mind. "You didn't need to add that last part," she said. "Everything before was enough."
Everyone has something uncertain within themselves, but you seem to be overthinking things a bit.
Yet, if you're able to speak about them, doesn't that mean those things have already become certain? Isn't that enough?
Although Tsunade also had the shyness of a young girl, she rarely hesitated or acted coy. It's just that others tend to overthink things more often.
Finally, Haseo withdrew his gaze. Tsunade's face clearly reflected in his eyes.
The moon and distant stars bathed the night sky in a soft glow, casting the horizon in an amber hue.
Where heaven met earth, a spring flowed—so crystal-clear it could capture the soul.
Faraway peaks rose and fell in proud curves.
Yet when taken as a whole, the view became utterly mesmerizing.
With such breathtaking beauty right before them, within reach, all words of praise felt meaningless.
So Haseo's response was…
A kiss,
on her neck.
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Note: I think I've mentioned before—back in college, I read a lot of Keigo Higashino's novels, though I've since forgotten almost all of them.
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