Asuma's hand froze on the Ninja Tool Bag, his eyes fixed intently on Tsunade.
At her waist, a golden bell hung down, ringing in the midday breeze, sounding like a peaceful lullaby, calming the mind unconsciously.
Tsunade leaned under the shade of the tree, looking very relaxed, as if she was in a deep sleep without a trace of vigilance.
Even her slightly audible snores, a remnant of her hangover, added to her defenseless appearance.
But even so...
Asuma still dared not act rashly!
Even if all of Tsunade's actions violated the ninja code, she was still Tsunade, the Third Hokage's student, a powerful ninja who could combat the demigods of the Ninja World...
Any strike from her is not something a Genin could withstand.
And the consequence of failure, Tsunade had made very clear—
All sent back to Ninja School, with no chance to become her disciple!
Asuma pondered strategies, and after a moment, clapped his hands suddenly!
Nohara Rin glanced at the confident Asuma in surprise, internally sighing, "Asuma-kun truly isn't the Hokage's son for nothing, forming a plan in such a short time…"
Asuma sprinted to Aomi's side in a single bound, whispering, "Aomi, what do you think we should do?"
"I'll listen to you!"
Nohara Rin was taken aback. Is this the plan you came up with? But soon, she smiled knowingly and joined them lightly.
Although Asuma's action was amusing, it was indeed the best choice.
In this team, Aomi was undoubtedly the decision-maker and the force to be reckoned with.
Listening to Aomi was definitely the most normal choice.
"Asuma, I want to hear your suggestion first…"
Aomi patted Asuma's shoulder, looked into his eyes, and said seriously:
"We are teammates, and more than that, we share a common goal and are friends who can entrust our backs to each other on the battlefield."
"Your opinion is very important to me, Asuma."
Asuma's face instantly turned red, a strange mix of excitement and guilt rising in his heart.
Excitement because Aomi so frankly said they were partners who could trust their backs to each other, and also shared common aspirations!
Guilt because he again forgot Aomi's teaching—to think more!
Asuma took a deep breath, pondered deeply, and slowly said:
"I think Tsunade-sensei is lowering our guard. I have some prior information about her; she excels in close combat with Senju Monster Strength, strong enough to shatter the earth!"
"She might be luring us to get close. If we engage in close combat with Tsunade-sensei, not to mention us, even Aomi it would be difficult for you to withstand, right?"
Nohara Rin nodded in agreement, softly saying, "I think the same, Tsunade-sensei is probably testing our patience as ninjas…"
Aomi narrowed his eyes, saying slowly, "Asuma, Rin, you both make sense…"
"Let me think."
Asuma and Nohara Rin immediately fell silent, watching Aomi with serious expressions, fearing to disturb his thoughts.
And Aomi seemed to be thinking, but actually…
"Dora Tobirama, please help me!"
Aomi nonchalantly sat beside Senju Tobirama, looking towards Tsunade in his line of sight: "What do you think we should do?"
Senju Tobirama chuckled, the corners of his mouth curving up: "I'll give you one piece of advice, kid."
"Think more…"
Aomi took a deep breath, his face wooden.
Senju Tobirama looked at Aomi's reaction with a cheeky, satisfied eyebrow raise.
The sly old Senju, had he learned to steal others' words?
Is it that using the Sharingan once made him subconsciously learn to copy?
Aomi internally complained a bit, nudged Senju Tobirama, displeased, saying, "I say, don't you think I can't handle her?"
"I don't claim to have absolute confidence in defeating her head-on, but if it's just to seize a bell, with my speed and Ninjutsu, it's not really a big deal to me…"
Senju Tobirama snorted coldly but didn't retort.
He knew Aomi was telling the truth.
Tsunade was a fairly typical combat medical ninja, and fighting Aomi head-on, the restraint relationship was at a disadvantage.
In Senju Tobirama's view, as Aomi, the dual reincarnation body of him and Uchiha Izuna, ordinary ninjas couldn't even touch his garment, even Hatake Sakumo hadn't managed to take down Aomi in a short time...
What's the point of having great power if you can't hit?
Aomi sighed, shaking his head: "Tobirama, you didn't get my point…"
"You don't think I'd fall for Tsunade's words, do you? With the Hokage's son here, as long as I don't smash your Hokage Rock today, she'll find an excuse to take us in."
Senju Tobirama's face darkened, feeling that Aomi was retaliating for mimicking his speech earlier.
This example was very accurate, why does it sound so odd?
Senju Tobirama even thinks that even if the Hokage Rock were smashed, unlucky Asuma might admit to it, claiming credit from Sarutobi Hiruzen in exchange for keeping Aomi...
"Consider, if I defeat Tsunade, what would she think?"
Aomi sighed: "You heard what Asuma said during that meal… A woman who has been depressed because of losing her brother and loved ones, if she can't even beat Ninja School students, wouldn't her heart break even more?"
"For instance, associating that it's her weakness that she couldn't save her family?"
Senju Tobirama's gaze trembled; he hadn't considered this aspect.
But thinking it over, Senju Tobirama increasingly felt Aomi's words made sense.
If Aomi forcibly took the bell, with Tsunade's current fragile mindset, she would indeed start doubting herself…
"Little Tsunade, she should really be asleep."
Senju Tobirama's gaze was somewhat heavy; Tsunade's weariness shown even in her sleep: "But don't underestimate, little Tsunade has the Uzumaki Clan's bloodline, her perception ability won't be weak…"
"Aomi, what are you planning to do?"
At this moment, the one supposedly being asked for help, Senju Tobirama felt extremely tricky.
Winning isn't right, losing isn't right, what should be done?
Aomi gave Senju Tobirama a contemptuous look, curling the corner of his mouth: "I'm the one asking you, why are you asking me?"
"Tobirama, can't you be a little helpful?"
Senju Tobirama awkwardly turned his head away.
As an iron-clad straight man, Senju Tobirama could guess Uchiha Izuna's next move with eighty to ninety percent accuracy, but guessing the mind of a fragile woman was truly his blind spot of knowledge.
Simultaneously, a wave of warmth surged through Senju Tobirama's heart.
If not for his relationship, would Aomi be this gentle and cautious with Tsunade?
If it were just to grab the bell, a ninja with such a fragile heart really couldn't be expected to be understood by others.
This proved that Aomi indeed regarded him as important...
"Fine, just tell me what Tsunade likes to eat, and I'll have a plan…"
Aomi's eyes glinted: "This time, just treat it as though you owe me a favor, Tobirama."
Senju Tobirama looked at Aomi in bewilderment.
Favorite food?
What does that have to do with grabbing a bell...