Naruto: A New Life with Tsunade

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After releasing the oppressive tension from his training, Natsume stepped outside, running a hand through his hair. He froze when he noticed Tayuya leaning against a tree, her arms crossed and her face flushed.

"Oh, right… she was out here," he muttered, suddenly sheepish.

Tayuya's sharp glare cut through his moment of awkwardness. "You freak!" she barked, her voice filled with indignant fury.

The memory of the strange cooking "exchange" she'd just witnessed was still fresh in her mind, and it made her stomach churn. She had never seen anything like it and wasn't sure she wanted to.

Before Natsume could respond, a groggy voice interrupted them. Uzumaki Ena stirred from her seat near the veranda, her violet eyes fluttering open. As she took in the unfamiliar redhead standing nearby, realization dawned, and her cheeks turned crimson.

"Natsume!" Ena whispered harshly, her embarrassment radiating off her in waves. Her body tensed, and she nearly fell back in her attempt to stand.

"Energetic, aren't we?" Natsume said, a teasing smirk tugging at his lips.

Tayuya stiffened. Something in his tone made her want to either retreat or lash out. She opted for caution, taking a step back, her foot brushing against a twig on the ground.

"Relax, Tayuya," Natsume said, holding up a hand. "Let's eat first. No drama."

His tone shifted to something softer as his gaze turned to Ena. "Sorry for the scene. You okay?"

Ena rose unsteadily, her legs still weak from training earlier. Without hesitation, she leaned into Natsume, her slender frame seeking comfort. "It's fine," she murmured, her voice warm despite her shyness.

Natsume's hand found its way to her hair, stroking it gently. His mind wandered briefly. If not for everything going on, I'd love to cook something just for her again.

Their quiet moment was broken by the sound of hurried footsteps and a familiar voice.

"Natsume-nii!"

Karin burst onto the scene, her red hair bouncing as she rushed forward. Her eyes flicked from Tayuya to Ena, curiosity shining brightly before she latched onto Natsume's side.

"I want a hug too!" Karin demanded, her arms outstretched.

Ena chuckled softly, bending down to scoop the younger girl into her arms. Karin giggled, content for a moment, but her gaze shifted back to Natsume, clearly still expecting more attention.

"Your brother's going to cook now," Natsume said, pinching her cheek lightly.

"Aww!" Karin pouted, only for her disappointment to fade as quickly as it came. "But I get to watch you cook again, right?"

"Of course," Natsume replied, his expression softening.

Then he remembered Tayuya, still lingering awkwardly by the tree. "Hey, Tayuya," he called, waving her over. "Come join us."

Tayuya hesitated, her pride warring with the strange compulsion she felt to comply. "Fine," she grumbled, stepping closer. Her sharp eyes met Natsume's, silently warning him not to push her further.

"Picked her up randomly," Natsume said offhandedly, gesturing toward her.

Tayuya's temper flared. "What the hell do you mean, 'picked me up randomly'? I'm not some stray cat!"

Natsume leaned in, his voice dropping to a low whisper. "Play nice. Or else."

Tayuya's jaw tightened, but she forced herself to stay calm. "Whatever," she muttered.

Ena smiled warmly at her, the gentle curve of her lips radiating kindness. "It's nice to meet you."

Karin, meanwhile, grinned brightly. "You're funny. Are you going to train with us?"

Tayuya blinked, momentarily caught off guard by their genuine welcome. She grumbled something unintelligible under her breath but didn't retreat. Maybe they're not all bad, she thought reluctantly.

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Two Days Later – Konoha Village Gates

Tsunade stood at the entrance to the village, her amber eyes scanning the familiar streets. Nostalgia mingled with unease as she took her first steps back into her home. Beside her, Sarutobi Asuma adjusted the strap of his bag, his expression more relaxed.

"I'll go check in on the old man and a few others," Asuma said, offering her a casual wave before heading off.

"Go ahead," Tsunade replied absently, her thoughts elsewhere. She couldn't shake the strange feeling in her chest—a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty.

As she moved through the village, the quiet hum of daily life surrounded her. Memories threatened to surface, but before they could overwhelm her, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind.

Tsunade's body tensed instinctively, her fist already halfway to its target when a familiar voice whispered in her ear.

"Welcome back, Sis."

Her tension melted as she turned to see Natsume, his warm smile instantly putting her at ease. "How did you know I was coming today?" she asked, one eyebrow arching suspiciously.

"Let's call it intuition," Natsume said, grinning.

Tsunade's lips twitched. "Or maybe the slugs told you."

Natsume laughed, sheepish but unapologetic. "Alright, you got me. I couldn't wait to see you."

Tsunade pinched his cheek, a small smile playing on her lips. "You've grown, but some things never change."

Natsume's gaze softened, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "I just missed you, that's all."

Tsunade's heart skipped a beat, a rare blush dusting her cheeks. She turned away, brushing off the moment. "Let's head home."

As they walked together, the streets of Konoha felt a little brighter, a little less lonely.

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"If it's too much, tell me right away," Natsume said gently, placing his hands on Tsunade's shoulders. He started kneading the tension from her muscles, his movements precise yet careful.

"Mhm." Tsunade let out a soft sound, her eyes slipping closed. The warmth of his touch spread through her tired body, soothing her more than she expected.

She couldn't help but notice how skilled he'd become. When did this kid get so good at massages? Her mind wandered as the stress melted away under his hands. She'd seen Natsume grow stronger in battle, but this gentler side of him reminded her of the bond they shared.

"A-ah!" she gasped, an involuntary sound escaping when his hand brushed her ear. Her golden eyes snapped open. "Don't touch my ears," she said, voice slightly shaky.

"Ah, sorry!" Natsume said, quickly moving his hands back to her shoulders. A playful grin crept onto his face. "Should I switch to a foot massage? Bet you're sore after all that walking."

Tsunade rolled her eyes, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. "My feet are filthy, you idiot," she replied, swatting his hand away as she stood. "I'll take a shower first."

Natsume chuckled as she grabbed a fresh set of clothes and headed toward the bathroom. Once the door closed behind her, he leaned back, glancing at the empty glass she'd left behind. He drained the remaining water with a curious look. Huh… a little sweet. Weird.

Half an hour later, Tsunade emerged from the bathroom, her presence commanding yet casual. Her golden hair clung damply to her shoulders, and she wore a simple white pajama set that highlighted her toned figure. Tiny droplets of water glistened on her bare arms and feet as she crossed the room.

"Alright, you win. Massage my feet," she said, flopping onto the sofa and extending her legs toward him.

Natsume blinked in disbelief. "Huh?"

"You heard me," she replied, her tone leaving no room for argument.

With a sigh, Natsume knelt down, taking her feet into his hands. Despite her warrior's lifestyle, her skin was surprisingly soft. As he worked, his fingers moved with care, kneading away years of tension.

Tsunade let out a soft, contented sigh, her cheeks slightly flushed. "You've gotten better at this."

After a long half-hour, she pulled her feet back, stretching her legs with a satisfied groan. "Alright, I'm cooking."

Natsume's eyes widened. "W-Wait, you're cooking?"

"Got a problem with that?" Tsunade shot him a warning glance before vanishing into the kitchen.

Panic flickered across Natsume's face. Shizune! Where are you when I need you? But he didn't stop her. Instead, he sat on the sofa, bracing himself for what was to come.

Moments later, Tsunade returned with a plate of grilled fish. "Eat," she said, placing it in front of him.

Cautiously, Natsume took a bite. His expression twisted as the overly salty flavor hit his tongue. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great either. Still, he ate it all without complaint.

Tsunade smirked, patting his head affectionately. "Good boy."

Just then, the door swung open, and Shizune stepped in. She paused, taking in the scene: Tsunade with her sleeves rolled up, and Natsume looking dazed on the couch.

"Tsunade-sama… you cooked, didn't you?" Shizune asked knowingly.

Tsunade turned with a sly grin. "Don't worry, I saved some for you."

"N-No, thank you! I already ate," Shizune said quickly, darting into the kitchen to clean up.

Later that evening, Tsunade turned her attention to Natsume, who was reclining on the couch. "How's Sage Mode training going?"

Natsume hesitated. "Uh… almost there, I think."

Tsunade's brow lifted. "Almost?" She could tell he wasn't being entirely truthful. "Tomorrow, we're going to Shikkotsu Forest to check in with the Slug Sage."

The next morning, the two teleported to the dense, misty forest. The Slug Sage greeted them, its immense, shimmering form radiating a calm power. "Tsunade-chan, welcome."

"I need your opinion on Natsume's progress," Tsunade said, gesturing toward him.

The sage paused, a knowing glint in its many eyes. "He's ready for the next stage," it said, its voice reverberating like an echo in a cave.

Tsunade blinked. "Wait… he's mastered Sage Mode?"

"Almost," the sage corrected. "The next step is to train in the Silent Healing Technique—a gift unique to Shikkotsu Forest."

"What's that?" Natsume asked, his curiosity piqued.

The Slug Sage's tone grew serious. "It's a passive skill that allows for unparalleled regeneration. But mastering it requires enduring the corrosive bath—a pool that burns flesh and bone as your body learns to heal instinctively."

Tsunade's eyes widened in horror. "Absolutely not! That's too dangerous!"

Natsume stepped forward, determination etched on his face. "I'll do it. If it makes me stronger, I'll endure it."

Tsunade's heart clenched. She knew his resolve, but the thought of him in such pain made her hesitate. "Natsume…" she began, her voice trembling.

He smiled softly. "Don't worry, Sis. As long as you're here, I'll be fine."

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