"Minato, is this your first long trip away from home?"
Haruki saw the heads on the Hokage Rock in the distance and couldn't help but feel a sense of coming home.
Although Konoha had many problems, in this strange world, it was the only place where Haruki felt a sense of belonging.
"Yeah."
As they approached Konoha, Minato Namikaze's tense little face relaxed.
Since he hadn't graduated yet, he basically never left Konoha.
Not to mention going to a far-off country like the Land of Rain.
"What are your thoughts?"
"Konoha is still the best. There's no war here," Minato Namikaze said thoughtfully.
"That's true."
Except for the Nine-Tailed Fox Incident, the Great Ninja World Wars hadn't affected Konoha's mainland much.
It could only be said that other places made Konoha look good by comparison.
"Minato, go back and have a good rest. We'll start your formal training tomorrow."
"Yes!" Minato Namikaze immediately got excited.
Haruki smiled.
At this moment, he looked like a ten-year-old child.
When he got home, Tsunade wasn't there.
She should be teaching at the Ninja Academy.
Haruki checked the time and went out again.
The Medical Team.
It was a newly established class, temporarily affiliated with the Ninja Academy.
The current medical department wasn't fully established yet.
Haruki remembered that in the original story, the medical department was divided into several branches such as the Emergency Medical Team, the Corpse Disposal Team, and the Beast-taming and Recuperation Team.
Currently, there was only the Emergency Medical Team.
Tsunade was giving a lecture.
Haruki listened for a while. It was all very basic stuff.
"Lord Haruki?"
"Shh."
Haruki raised his index finger and lowered his voice, looking at the gentle-looking young woman wearing glasses.
Nonou Yakushi.
The current leader of the Medical Team.
Although she wasn't very old, her level of Medical Ninjutsu was quite high.
Haruki and she could be considered comrades who had fought side by side in blood.
"Lord Haruki, when did you get back?"
"Just now."
"Coming straight to the school as soon as you're back. You two really have a good relationship," Nonou said, with a look of envy in her eyes.
"If you want to, you can too. I know that your suitors can line up from the entrance of Konoha Village to the end," Haruki said with a smile, staring intently at Tsunade.
"Lord Haruki is really good at joking."
Nonou pushed her glasses up and said seriously, "But I have no intention of falling in love."
"Not interested in love but like kids? Well, thanks for helping me run the orphanage."
After Haruki said that, he caught Tsunade's eye.
Suddenly, a warm spring-like smile bloomed on her face.
So much so that the students who noticed Tsunade's reaction all turned to look at Haruki.
Only then did they suddenly understand.
You know, during Tsunade's lectures, if something went a little wrong, she'd fly into a rage and throw a punch.
If someone got injured, she'd say it was for practical learning.
Such a charming smile was like a dream.
"Pay attention!"
Tsunade suddenly slapped the podium and crossed her arms. "Class is not for you to look around!"
Sure enough, they must have been under a [Genjutsu] just now.
The students in the classroom all had the same thought.
Haruki shook his head with a smile.
Well, he just loved the way Tsunade was fierce to others but gentle with him.
Nonou let out a soft sigh.
Although she had no intention of dating, she felt like she'd gotten a big dose of PDA (public display of affection).
How annoying!
"What are you two talking about?"
Tsunade finished her lecture.
She first glanced at the delicate and pretty Nonou, her eyelashes fluttering slightly, then stepped forward and took Haruki's right hand.
"We were saying that you were very serious during the lecture, just like a teacher."
"Am I not serious on other days?"
Tsunade glared at him, her eyes filled with a dangerous glint.
"Not bad, I guess."
Haruki shrugged, tilted his head slightly, and whispered in her ear, "But I like it when you're not so serious."
"Ahem. My lords, I'll take my leave."
Nonou quickly excused herself.
Even if they're whispering, I'm a ninja, so I can hear them.
How hateful!
Is being in a relationship something to be so proud of?
"You're such a flirt. You deserve a scolding!"
Tsunade's face turned slightly red. She stuck out her index finger and flicked Haruki on the forehead.
"Hey! As soon as I arrived in Konoha, I came to see you. Is this how you treat me?"
Haruki twitched the corner of his mouth, putting on a very aggrieved expression.
"Who asked you to talk nonsense?"
"I'm not talking nonsense. This is the truth."
"Are you going to say that again?"
Tsunade's face froze. It seemed she remembered something and said angrily, "It's all your fault!"
"What? How can this be my fault?" Haruki argued.
"Is it my fault then?" Tsunade stopped walking and stared at him. It seemed that if he said the next wrong word, he would get a punch from her.
"Blame you for being overly cute."
Hearing this, Tsunade was stunned for a moment. Her eyes could no longer look fierce. She turned her gaze away.
"Humph, finally, you said something decent."
"Hey, that's too much!"
Haruki let go of her hand, put it on her shoulder, and gently pulled her into his arms.
He blew a puff of air on Tsunade's beautiful earlobe.
"I'll punish you tonight."
Tsunade's body stiffened immediately, and a blush slowly crept up her ears.
A few seconds later, she came to her senses, quickly broke free from his embrace, and walked away briskly.
Haruki stifled a laugh silently.
After dinner.
"Tsunade."
Haruki was lying on the sofa, calling Tsunade's name.
Tsunade was preparing her lessons. Hearing his voice, she walked into the living room. Seeing his lazy look, she felt a bit of a headache.
"If you're bored, help me think about what to teach tomorrow."
"Sure."
Haruki closed his eyes and stretched out his hand. "But you have to carry out your punishment first."
Tsunade raised her eyebrows.
She had thought that the so - called punishment he mentioned during the day was just his casual flirting, but she didn't expect him to actually dare to make her do it.
"What punishment?"
Tsunade ignored his outstretched hand and spoke calmly.
Haruki didn't seem to sense the approaching danger.
"Come here first."
He waved at her.
Tsunade walked straight up to him.
"I ate too much just now. Could you give me a belly massage?"
Haruki grabbed her hand and said seriously, "If you're not willing, I can massage you instead."
He didn't wait for Tsunade to reply.
Her hand was guided to a very warm spot.
"You..."
Even tough as she was, Tsunade felt a bit shy at this moment.
"It won't work through the clothes."
Haruki said with a serious expression, "Tsunade, you're also a top Medical Ninja. You should understand this."
Tsunade gave him a disdainful look.
If it weren't for your restless hands, I'd believe your nonsense.
She gently stroked Haruki's abdomen.
Surprisingly, the atmosphere didn't become overly racy.
"Tsunade, could you move your hand a little lower?"
"Here?"
Tsunade suspected nothing and moved her right hand down half an inch.
"You can go even lower."
"..."
Tsunade suddenly showed a smiling face. She withdrew her hand and pinched Haruki's cheeks.
"Um..."
Haruki stiffened up and looked miserable. "I was just joking. Really."
"Really?"
Tsunade leaned closer and gave a cold smile. "Do you think I'd believe you?"
"Take your hand off first. I can explain."
Haruki had a strong will to survive and patted her unrelenting hand.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow and let go. "I'd like to see what you've got... Mm-mm-mm..."
Her breathing suddenly quickened.
A soft sensation spread in her mouth.