Having planted his flag with a cheeky grin, Saiki was fully prepared for a slap. But seeing Tsunade's reaction, his courage surged.
His "salted fish" eyes lit up with excitement. Realizing that now was the best time to press his advantage, he took a bold step forward. He closed the distance until he could feel the heat of her breath against his skin.
The air was saturated with her unique, intoxicating fragrance. Even when he couldn't "eat" her, just breathing her in was a monumental happiness for Saiki. He closed his eyes, a look of pure intoxication on his face.
Tsunade felt him move closer. His hot, excited breath brushed against the sensitive skin of her neck. She shivered, her body leaning back instinctively.
She snapped her head around to face him, her eyes burning with embarrassment. "What are you doing?!"
"Ah... I just noticed your profile is absolutely perfect, Sister. I couldn't help myself," Saiki said, stating his lecherous truth with a straight face.
Despite the small spark of joy the compliment gave her, Tsunade knew he was up to no good. "That's none of your business! Back off!"
"How is it not my business? There is a legendary beauty standing right in front of me. I'd be an idiot not to look," Saiki replied, his skin as thick as the village walls.
Tsunade stared at him, bewildered. She couldn't understand how the quiet, lazy boy she used to manipulate—the one who was once immune to her charms—had transformed into this aggressive little demon. The change was catastrophic.
"What happened to you? Where is the polite boy I knew? Were you always a closet pervert?" Tsunade asked with a look of mock disgust.
Saiki's face flushed slightly at the jab. Whose fault is that, exactly?
It was Tsunade's.
In his early days of cultivation, Saiki was a soul of pure discipline. He had the desire, but not the audacity. But after Tsunade used Dual Cultivation to save him from his chakra backlash, his "Path of Yin and Yang" had completely overwritten his old personality.
As the blush on his face deepened, Saiki decided to bite back. He looked her in the eye with absolute seriousness. "I became like this because of you, Sister Tsunade."
"My fault?!" Tsunade's eyes widened. She hadn't expected him to turn the tables on her.
"Yes," Saiki nodded. "You know my cultivation method is unique. Normally, it requires a clear, detached mind. But you are too beautiful, and you kept tempting me. My cultivation went off the rails. The boy who didn't need women is gone; now, I need them desperately."
"So, Sister... you did something very 'cruel' to me. You have to take responsibility!"
"You! You! You...!" Tsunade stammered, three "yous" escaping her lips in a row. She was beyond frustrated, but a seed of doubt was planted in her mind. Is it really my fault?
In truth, Tsunade played a part, but Saiki had been eyeing her from day one. He was simply using her "mistake" as an excuse to let his true nature run wild.
"You know, you're even more captivating when you're blushing," Saiki whispered, leaning in until they were nearly touching. His wicked tone and burning gaze made the air in the office feel thick and heavy.
"You... you need to stop!" Tsunade gasped, backed into a corner of her chair. Her fake anger was being consumed by a genuine, frantic panic.
She raised her hand to strike. "One more step and I'll..."
"You'll hit me?" Saiki cut her off. Instead of backing away, he tilted his head, bringing his face even closer to her raised fist. "Would you really have the heart to do it, Sister? Especially since..."
He let the sentence hang, his eyes roaming over her pressed lips. His voice dropped to a low, mournful register. "I'm going to the front to risk my life tomorrow. I might not even come back. Before I leave, are you really going to refuse to say you love me?"
"Don't give me that crap!" Tsunade's heart skipped a beat at the mention of him not returning, but she kept her guard up. "Guilt trips don't work on me! Be serious!" She tried to push him away with a fierce glare, but his hopeful, slightly "pitiable" eyes were like feathers stroking her raw nerves.
"Sigh. I see how it is, Sister. Even now, you won't accept me," Saiki said, affecting a look of total heartbreak. "I'm sorry. I was arrogant. I thought I could actually make you love me."
Seeing the sadness on his face, Tsunade's heart became a war zone. Her logic and her emotions were tearing each other apart.
Emotion: Tell him! Tell him you love him!
Logic: No! You can't be together! Look at the age gap! Do you want the world to call you a cradle-robber? A shameless woman? You'll only ruin his life!
Emotion: Who cares about the world?! Since when do I answer to anyone? He's willing to die for you, and you're worried about gossip? No one even knows!
Logic: Shameless! You've already lost your dignity!
Emotion: You've already slept with him! You screamed so loud the whole street could hear! Don't act like a virgin now!
Logic: You...!
Emotion: Admit it! You've fallen for him! Look at him—he's going to war tomorrow! Are you really going to let him leave without hearing the truth?
Logic: That's different! That was... that was... for the treatment! Medical necessity!
Emotion: Hah! Medical necessity? The whole bed collapsed! You weren't a patient; you were a predator! You enjoyed every second of it! Don't lie to me!
Logic: SHUT UP! STOP IT!
...
The internal battle was fierce, but in the end, emotion always won with Tsunade. She was a woman of passion, not a cold calculator.
Saiki watched her, unable to read her mind perfectly—even with his Divine Sense, a Sannin's psyche was a labyrinth of chaos. He was just trying to tease her, but then he noticed her expression was off.
"Sister Tsunade? Are you okay?"
Saiki's soft call snapped her back to reality. "I... I'm fine!" she stammered, her eyes darting around like a trapped rabbit. She couldn't meet his gaze, and the blush on her face reached a fever pitch.
Seeing her so genuinely flustered, Saiki realized he might have pushed a bit too hard. He didn't know about the war in her head.
He dropped his playful act, his voice turning gentle. "Sister, really... are you okay? Your face is so red. Are you feeling sick?" He reached out, intending to feel her forehead for a fever.
"DON'T TOUCH ME!" Tsunade jerked back as if his hand were white-hot. Her voice carried a sharp, panicked tremor.
The sudden movement left them both stunned.
The office fell deathly silent, save for the sound of their ragged breathing.
Saiki's hand froze in mid-air. Looking at her guarded, panicked expression, he felt a twinge of genuine hurt.
He slowly withdrew his hand. He looked at her lowered eyelashes, noticing the way they fluttered in the dim light—a clear sign of her internal storm.
"I..." Tsunade realized she had overreacted. She took a deep breath, forcing her voice to stabilize, though it remained raspy. "I mean... I'm fine. You... you should go prepare. You're leaving for the front tomorrow. Don't waste your time here."
She tried to adopt her usual commanding tone, using the war as a shield to hide her confusion. But her trembling fingertips gave her away.
Saiki realized he had pushed her to the edge. He nodded slowly. "Fine. I'll wait for you to come home tonight. Get some rest; don't work yourself to death."
For once, he didn't try to stir the pot. He turned to leave.
"Wait!"
The call made Saiki's feet freeze to the floor. He turned back, confused, only to be met by Tsunade's face—a portrait of crimson shame and misty eyes.
She lunged forward, her soft lips pressing firmly against his cheek.
Saiki was caught completely off guard.
"Alright... you can go now!"
Tsunade spun around and sat back at her desk as if nothing had happened. But the red flush on her neck had spread all the way to her ears.
Tsunade kissed me... she actually kissed me! The sudden wave of bliss left Saiki in a daze. By the time his brain rebooted, he realized he had instinctively obeyed her command and was already standing in the hallway outside the office.