Shizune's Thoughts
As Shizune disappeared into the kitchen, Tōma suddenly remembered something and turned to Tsunade.
"Tsunade-sensei," he said casually, "I heard you've been trying to set Shizune up on blind dates?"
The effect was immediate. Tsunade sobered up on the spot. Her expression grew complicated as she nodded.
"She's been with me since she was young. Always taking care of me," Tsunade said with a sigh. "Before we knew it, she never dated anyone. Now she's already… well. If this keeps up, she really won't get married."
Her face showed genuine worry.
Tōma fell silent, then looked at her with a skeptical expression.
Tsunade felt it instantly. Veins bulged on her forehead as she clenched her fist.
"You little brat, what kind of look is that?! Just because my lover died early doesn't mean I've never been in a relationship!"
Tōma coughed lightly and smoothly changed the subject. "So… what do you think about Kakashi?"
"Kakashi?" Tsunade paused. "He's not a bad choice. Same age as Shizune, too."
She stopped there.
"So why not try?" Tōma asked.
"It's not like I haven't thought about him," Tsunade said, eyeing Tōma suspiciously. "But you know his past. Getting Kakashi to accept someone isn't easy."
Then she narrowed her eyes. "You seem awfully eager to help him with this."
Tōma shrugged. "He won't admit it, but he's technically my senior. And precisely because of his past, if no one pushes him, he'll probably stay single forever."
Tsunade snorted. "As if Kakashi would ever admit that."
Still, when she actually thought about Kakashi's personality, she nodded. "That… does sound possible."
"Exactly," Tōma said. "Being single isn't bad, but he's not choosing it. He's just afraid of investing emotionally again."
Tsunade laughed. "You talk like you've got tons of experience. You're way younger than him."
"Age has nothing to do with this," Tōma replied calmly. "I already have a fiancée."
"That's true," Tsunade admitted.
"So how about this," Tōma continued. "You handle Shizune. I'll handle Kakashi."
He ticked points off on his fingers. "Strong, good-looking, wealthy, can cook, and if he truly accepts someone, he'll protect them with everything he has. Miss this chance, and there won't be another."
Tsunade listened, visibly tempted. In Konoha, Kakashi was universally acknowledged as premium material. Tōma wasn't exaggerating.
"…We can try," she said finally. "But in the end, it's their choice."
"Of course," Tōma said with a grin. "Forcing it would be bad. We don't want Kakashi snapping and becoming a rogue ninja."
Tsunade rolled her eyes, but didn't object.
"Shizune!" she shouted. "Where's the food?!"
"I-I'm coming!"
Inside the kitchen, Shizune's face was bright red.
The house's soundproofing was decent, but the kitchen and living room weren't separated. She'd heard everything.
Fujimoto Sana stood nearby, smiling gently. "Tōma isn't wrong. You're at the age where you should think about it. And Kakashi really is a good man."
Shizune's face turned even redder.
She'd never seriously considered relationships. Tsunade always needed someone by her side, and Shizune had been content with that.
But now, Tsunade seemed to have found someone of her own. Jiraiya, unreliable as he was, somehow fit her.
If they truly ended up together, Shizune knew she couldn't keep following Tsunade forever.
Her standards were high. Too high, perhaps.
As Tsunade's assistant, she'd met countless exceptional people. Ordinary candidates never stood a chance.
And then there was Tōma.
Powerful, calm, handsome. Shizune had caught herself imagining, more than once, what it would be like if she were in Ino's place.
Only imagining. She'd never act on it. Half the village's single women probably had the same thoughts.
Still…
Kakashi wasn't bad at all.
She'd seen his face beneath the mask. Undeniably handsome. Not as overwhelming as Tōma, but easily among Konoha's elite.
No obvious flaws.
"…We should bring the food out," Sana said softly.
Shizune nodded and finally moved.
Back in the living room, Tsunade and Tōma noticed Shizune's flushed face but said nothing. Tsunade shot Tōma a sideways glance.
Shizune was fine.
The real problem was Kakashi.
Tōma gave a small nod. Understood.
…
Elsewhere, Hyūga Neji watched everything unfold with a cold focus.
So Tōma had been right.
That man, Shinnō, was hiding something.
On the road to the village where the girl Ryūko lived, Naruto's team had once again been attacked by Sky Ninja. Too much coincidence already.
When they arrived, the village had already been struck. The team split up to search for survivors.
Naruto, being the strongest, stayed behind to protect the mission target, Shinnō, and Ryūko.
Neji had no choice but to let Jūgo accompany Sakura and Hinata, while he personally kept watch on Shinnō.
Then it happened.
Another Sky Ninja assault.
Shinnō threw himself in front of Ryūko and was riddled with weapon fire, dying on the spot.
Or so it seemed.
Neji's Byakugan saw everything.
Naruto could have protected Ryūko. Shinnō deliberately blocked him, taking the attack himself.
And more importantly—
Shinnō wasn't dead.
He was pretending.
So what was he really planning?