Tsunade Can Hear My Inner Voice-Chapter 59: Ōtsutsuki Teuchi

Coming down from the Hokage Rock with Kamizuki Hikari, Tsunade's expression was a mix of crimson embarrassment and a hint of confusion.

Seeing her like this, Shizune couldn't help but start imagining some... rather spirited scenarios.

'As expected of Tsunade-sama, her tastes are truly... adventurous!'

Shizune silently mused, her eyes filled with admiration.

"Tsunade-sama, most of the documents from the other day have been processed, but a new batch just arrived today. How about we get something to eat first and leave the rest for tomorrow?"

Tsunade shuddered.

Shizune's "a new batch" genuinely terrified her.

Thinking about spending every day buried in paperwork at the Hokage office, Tsunade felt like her whole being was crumbling.

This kind of life was not what she wanted.

'Looks like reform is absolutely necessary. But setting up the advisory council... that'll need some careful planning.'

Dividing up responsibilities among departments was the easy part. As long as each department head handled the tedious, simple tasks, and only the critical issues were brought to the Hokage, things would run smoothly.

"Yeah, let's go eat."

Noticing Shizune's exhausted expression, Tsunade could easily imagine how much damage she'd taken from all those documents. To turn a seasoned jōnin into this... yeah, she felt a tiny bit guilty.

'Shizune, I will make it up to you.'

'Definitely!'

Shizune eyed Tsunade suspiciously. They hadn't been back in Konoha for long, and aside from the money they'd squeezed out of Hikari last time, they had no other income.

They needed to budget carefully—if word got out that the Hokage had to swindle money around Konoha, it'd be the biggest joke in the shinobi world.

"Let's go to Ichiraku Ramen! Tsunade-sama, what do you think?"

Ramen?

Tsunade hesitated. She didn't particularly care about eating ramen or not.

The real issue—no alcohol during meals. That was the painful part.

"Hikari, what do you want to eat?" Tsunade shot him a meaningful look.

'Hurry up and think of something, brat! I need a drink! I need a drink!'

Kamizuki Hikari responded with a warm smile. Just as Tsunade was expecting a smart suggestion from him, he said:

"I think ramen sounds great!"

[Most importantly, it's cheap. At my age, I still haven't gotten married—I should start saving. If Tsunade keeps swindling me, my assets might drop from ten digits to nine!]

Tsunade: 'Are you hearing yourself right now? Even Konoha's budget doesn't have that kind of money!'

'Fine. Ramen it is.'

The three of them arrived at Ichiraku Ramen. It was just about dusk—the setting sun cast a beautiful yet melancholic glow across the village.

The stand was still empty. Upon seeing Tsunade, Teuchi gave a hearty smile.

"Tsunade-sama! Welcome! What would you like? Today's meal is on the house!"

[Oh-ho~ Ōtsutsuki Teuchi's ramen isn't so easily given away.]

Just as Tsunade was about to order, she heard Hikari's inner thoughts... and was suddenly at a loss for words.

Ōtsutsuki Teuchi?

Was Teuchi secretly a member of the legendary Ōtsutsuki clan? What was he doing in Konoha—was he after the Scroll of Seals?

As Tsunade stared at Teuchi with an increasingly suspicious gaze, he blinked in confusion.

Had he done something wrong?

Could Tsunade-sama really be so incorruptible that even a small token of goodwill like a free bowl of ramen was off-limits? In Konoha, offering a free meal to the Hokage wasn't too much, was it?

"Boss, Tsunade-sama will have the Chashu Pork Tonkotsu Ramen. I'll take the Beef Ramen, extra meat. Shizune, what about you?" Hikari said, deciding for her without hesitation.

Tsunade blinked but said nothing.

Ramen wasn't really her thing.

She thought back to her days of wandering: dining like a queen when flush with cash, and skipping meals when dodging debt collectors. Ramen rarely featured in her diet.

"I'll have the Seafood Fish Ball Ramen, thank you!" Shizune made her order and glanced at Tsunade.

'How strange. Since when has Tsunade-sama been so obedient?'

'Maybe Hikari's performance really impressed her.'

Looking at Kamizuki Hikari, who seemed full of energy, Shizune nodded inwardly.

'Impressive stamina, to still be so lively after Tsunade-sama's... exertions.'

'Truly a man among men.'

"Eh? Hikari, when did you get back?" Teuchi's daughter, Ayame, appeared in the back, her face lighting up at the sight of him.

Hikari smiled, then pulled a small box from his sleeve.

"I was on official business in the Land of Fire's capital. Picked up a little something for you—see if you like it?"

Tsunade and Shizune: What the hell?! Flirting with another girl right in front of two beautiful women—Hikari, do you have no sense of shame?

Ayame opened the box to reveal a glittering piece of jewelry, her face lighting up.

"It's so pretty! This must've cost a fortune!"

"No matter how exquisite, a jewel is nothing if it doesn't find the right person. For it to shine on you, Ayame, is its true blessing."

"Thank you, Hikari-nii!" Ayame happily put the necklace on. Honestly, Hikari had good taste—the shiny gold accessory looked elegant, not gaudy.

"As long as you like it, Ayame."

"Dad, give Hikari extra meat! Look how thin he's gotten!"

Tsunade and Shizune: Thin?! This guy's practically a pig now! Girl, are your eyes working properly?!

Back in the kitchen, Teuchi was grinding his teeth.

This punk. Comes back and immediately starts sweet-talking his daughter? Guys like this should've died out there!

"Uncle Teuchi, be generous with the meat, okay? Even Ayame can see I've lost weight—you wouldn't starve me, would you?"

"Hikari! Don't talk to Dad like that—you know he'll get mad!"

"Alright, alright. I won't talk to the old man anymore. Still, Ayame, you've gotten prettier since I last saw you. Someday, some lucky guy's gonna steal you away."

"Aww, you're exaggerating, Hikari-nii~"

*SLAM!*

Teuchi violently set a bowl of noodles on the counter, startling Ayame. She was about to complain when she saw his thunderous expression and immediately shrank back.

"Now, now, Uncle Teuchi, no need to be so grumpy!" Hikari said with a cheeky grin. "The world is so beautiful, yet you're so angry—that's not good for your health."

"Hmph! You wanna know why I'm angry?!" Teuchi glared at Hikari, his fury mounting.

"From now on, stay away from Ayame. Finish your ramen, then don't come back."

"Dad!" Ayame cried out, shocked by how harsh his words were.

"Alright, alright, Uncle Teuchi. Look how scared you've made Ayame. How about this—I won't freeload anymore, okay? Honestly, so petty for your age—it's not good for your health."

"You'd better mean it." Teuchi swiftly pulled out a ledger from under the counter. "Alright then. That'll be 100,000 ryō."

"Wait, wait, hold on! Uncle, don't try to scam me here! I'm warning you—I've had training!" Hikari took the ledger and flipped through it. His eyes widened at the dense entries. Finally, he put it back, puzzled.

"I don't remember eating this much..."

Teuchi said flatly, "Maybe you didn't. But Naruto and Maito Gai's team put everything on your tab. I run a small business here—no tabs allowed!"

-----

Read 40 advanced Chapters on my P@treon.

[email protected]/KakuzuTL