Tsunade didn't dare to meet Natsume's eyes at this moment.
She slightly raised her chin, looking at the sky and pretending to be lost in thought.
"Hmm, let me think. What reward should I give you?"
"It must be a big reward!"
Natsume emphasized on the word "big". It was a rare chance, and he wasn't going to let it slip.
"Have you learned to bargain now?"
Upon hearing this, Tsunade couldn't help smiling and habitually pinched his little face.
"Of course not."
Natsume grabbed her hand that was taking liberties with him and, in turn, tickled her palm, saying, "This is a legitimate request."
"It's a bit itchy."
Tsunade trembled and subconsciously pulled her hand back, saying, "I've already thought of the reward. I'll let you go to Shikkotsu Forest to practice the Sage Mode."
"…?"
Natsume widened his eyes.
Was this really a reward?
Bad woman, you're going back on your word!
Tsunade noticed his expression and subconsciously felt guilty.
It was really excessive to deceive a child.
"During the period of practicing the Sage Mode, it will be the same as when you helped Sister overcome her hemophobia."
As she was looking at him, she suddenly blurted it out without thinking.
Previously, it was Natsume who helped her practice.
Now, it was the other way around.
That meant he'd continue to be her pillow.
Tsunade immediately regretted what she said, but somehow, anticipation welled up.
Perhaps this was what she truly thought deep down.
"Alright, let's go back."
Tsunade suppressed the panic in her heart and walked outside.
Natsume quickly followed.
When they got home, Tsunade calmed down and said, "Tomorrow, I'll take you to see Katsuyu Sage."
In the original story, the Sage Mode of Mount Myoboku and Ryuchi Cave was described in detail.
But there was nothing about the Sage Mode of Shikkotsu Forest.
Neither the training method nor the Sage Art was mentioned.
It wasn't clearly stated whether Hashirama Senju's Sage Mode and the Sage Art he used came from Shikkotsu Forest.
Because he had never summoned a Katsuyu.
Now, Natsume could find out for himself.
Dinner that day was quite sumptuous.
Shizune added two extra dishes specially to celebrate Natsume becoming a Chunin.
Over the years, her cooking skills had gotten better and better.
Natsume was very satisfied with the meal.
Night fell.
Tsunade, who had taken a bath, was lying on the tatami. She suffered from insomnia.
She was thinking about what happened during the day. How could she have blurted out such a thing accidentally?
People might think she was... Just then, there was a noise not far away.
It sounded like the sound of a door being slid open.
A thief?
How bold could this little thief be?
Daring to break into my room?
Tsunade was full of anger.
But when she got up angrily, she saw Natsume.
The expression on her face turned into confusion, and she asked gently, "Can't sleep?"
"Sister, you can't have forgotten what you said this afternoon, right?"
Natsume got into the quilt care-free and was immediately surrounded by a warm and fragrant embrace.
By the time Tsunade realized what was happening, it was already too late.
She looked at the curled-up Natsume with her bright brown eyes, and a sudden softness welled up in her heart.
Tsunade tugged at the sheets. Making sure he wouldn't get cold, she closed her eyes.
For some reason, the insomnia that had bothered her just now seemed to have vanished.
Listening to the steady breathing not far away, she quickly relaxed and fell asleep.
Sure enough, this is more comfortable.
In the middle of the night, Natsume suddenly woke up.
Tsunade was not a very still sleeper.
Her golden hair brushed across his face, bringing a slight chill.
But that wasn't what woke him up.
Natsume opened his eyes and saw her gently biting his fingertip.
Maybe she was having a nice dream, as there was a faint smile on her delicate face.
What do you take my finger for?
Please don't think it's some kind of food.
Wait a minute. If you take a bite, I can't stand it. I'll become a nine - fingered beggar right away.
It just felt good, warm.
Natsume recalled that meme of the Jade Emperor from *Journey to the West*.
Just leave her alone.
He closed his eyes again.
But not long after, he woke up once more.
He and Tsunade were so close that their noses almost touched.
When he breathed, he could clearly feel Tsunade's breath on his face, which tickled a bit.
Natsume felt as if he was wrapped in a warm quilt or entangled by an octopus.
His whole body could feel one thing clearly: sensuous plumpness.
He was surrounded, and Tsunade was all around him.
But he couldn't move away because he had no free hands.
Natsume stared at her sleeping face, lost in thought.
In the faint moonlight, she was like a midnight epiphyllum, blooming with a unique beauty.
What the heck should I do now?
Doesn't Tsunade always think she's an adult?
This is really unbearable!
Natsume leaned forward slightly and tasted The Sweet Nectar.
A few seconds later, he licked his lips. There still seemed to be a fragrance.
Good night.
Natsume snuggled into her embrace and slowly fell asleep in the pleasant aroma.
He didn't notice the blushing and charming face in the night.
Tsunade slowly opened her eyes.
There was shyness and confusion in her eyes.
She could have pushed him away.
Why didn't she refuse?
Tsunade gently bit her rosy lips and let out a soft sigh after a moment.
If only she were twenty years younger.
The night passed in silence.
Natsume struggled to get out of the quilt.
Hey, this chapter ain't over yet!
Tsunade was also woken up by his movements.
She stretched, let out a meow - like sound groggily, and showed her smooth, flat stomach.
"Good morning, Sister."
Natsume greeted her with a smile.
Tsunade immediately widened her eyes. Suddenly remembering what had happened last night, she woke up instantly.
"Good morning."
She quickly regained her composure.
After all these years, she had seen all kinds of things. How could she be defeated by a little kid?
"I'm gonna go freshen up!"
Natsume opened the door and left the room.
Tsunade was in a daze for a few seconds. Then she came to her senses, put on her coat, tied up her twin tails, took a few steps, then turned back to pick up the necklace on the bedside table and put it on.
This was a gift from Natsume.
She never took it off, except when she was sleeping.
Shizune was already in the kitchen.
Tsunade greeted her and entered the bathroom.
Looking at the toothbrush with toothpaste squeezed on it and the water cup filled with warm water in front of her, Tsunade couldn't help but curl the corners of her mouth into a smile.
Hey, why are you so good at this?
I wonder how many young girls will fall for you in the future.
Tsunade picked up the toothbrush and the water cup.
After breakfast, then,
"Shizune, I'm taking Natsume to Shikkotsu Forest. If there's an emergency, have Katsuyu inform me."
Actually, Tsunade wanted Shizune and Kabuto Yakushi to go with them.
But they were relatively young, and in terms of Chakra alone, they were far inferior to Natsume.
When practicing Sage Mode, one would die without enough Chakra.
Tsunade also intended to let Natsume have a try.
If there was danger, she would stop it in time.
Of course, it was a prerequisite that Natsume had the talent to practice Sage Mode.
Otherwise, it would all be in vain.
Tsunade didn't have Sage Mode. It wasn't that she didn't want to learn it, but that she couldn't.
Otherwise, with the Yin Seal, the Strength of a Hundred Technique, and Sage Mode, her combat power would skyrocket.
Except for not having Wood Release, she could be regarded as a weakened version of Hashirama Senju.
Even in a weakened state, she was still a powerful figure comparable to a weakened version of Hashirama Senju.
Ordinary people couldn't beat her.
Reverse Summoning Jutsu!
Tsunade and Natsume disappeared at the same time.
A moment later, they were already in Shikkotsu Forest.
Mount Myoboku was a valley with beautiful scenery.
Ryuchi Cave was a cold and complex cave.
Shikkotsu Forest was a mountain forest.
When Natsume opened his eyes, he saw a dense forest.
Different from common tree species, these trees had a pale color, as if they were made of bones.
At the same time, Natsume felt a refreshing aura.
Without a doubt, it was Natural Energy.
<><><><><><><><>
~ 80+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
p-atreon.com/Tansnovel
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)
~ Every 50 Powerstones = 4 Bonus Chapters on the weekend!