Naruto: Starting with Tsunade

Chapter 303 Introducing a Succulent to a Partner

"Uh, I mean, what's the harm in trying it out?"

Aokiji was so proactive in helping her, partly because the shrine maiden's actions were truly admirable, and partly because he was lusting after her body.

Given the opportunity, I'd naturally like to study such peculiar beings as priestesses.

Who knows, it might become an opportunity for me to level up in the future.

First, establish a foundation of affection by helping her eliminate the demons; then, it will be natural to study the priestess's body.

Aokiji looked at Orochimaru with anticipation.

Having a research-oriented best friend is so great...

Shui Lian pondered, as if deep in thought.

Sometimes, you have to give it a push. Aokiji said very proactively, "If you don't say anything, I'll take that as your consent..."

Looking at Aokiji's headband, as if making a connection, Shui Lian said, "You're Konoha ninjas, aren't you...?"

Startled by this seemingly random remark, Aokiji replied, "Yes, what's wrong?"

"In the past, Konoha once helped the priestess seal away the demon."

Upon hearing this, Aokiji and the others were all taken aback: "Who is it?"

Shui Lian replied, "Hashirama Senju."

"This is really interesting..." Orochimaru chuckled hoarsely, looking at Tsunade. "Don't you think so?"

"grandfather……"

Tsunade lowered her head and murmured softly.

Shui Lian began to talk about it: "This happened before I was born..."

Thinking about a certain protagonist later on, Aokiji casually stated, "Perhaps, our presence here is also part of fate."

Each time a demon is resurrected, its power surpasses that of the past, and sometimes the priestess borrows the power of others.

Perhaps thinking of this connection, Shui Lian agreed to Aokiji's offer: "Perhaps, then I'll trouble you..."

She had already foreseen the scene of Aokiji's death. Although thinking this was somewhat unfair to the person in front of her, to some extent, at least she didn't have to worry about him dying at the hands of the demon.

"No, no, you're too kind. I'm helping you partly because your deeds are worthy of respect, and partly because I'm also looking for a reward."

Aokiji grinned as he looked around at the impressive decorations, thinking that the Land of Demons seemed quite wealthy.

"Aokiji, how could you say such rude things..."

Tsunade's lips twitched, maintaining maximum restraint; her boyfriend's behavior was truly maddening.

She felt that the sacrifices of the priestesses throughout history to seal away evil spirits without expecting anything in return were a noble and great thing.

How could Aokiji possibly mention money? That's so vulgar.

Why are you glaring at me? I'm just stating the facts.

Aokiji feigned grievance and said, "I am the future head of the Uchiha clan. In order for the clan members to have a good life, I naturally need to start accumulating some wealth now."

Tsunade exposed her, saying, "Stop using the Uchiha clan as a shield. I think you're just greedy."

"..."

Tsunade waved her hand dismissively and said magnanimously, "Lady Suiren, you don't need to pay any attention to this guy. We don't expect anything in return for this mission."

Aokiji: ...

That spendthrift woman...

Shui Lian smiled and said, "It's alright. It's only natural to ask for something in return. The shrine has accumulated quite a bit of wealth. Take whatever you want."

This money was all donated to her annually by the local people in gratitude for her outstanding contributions.

In reality, she did nothing; she spent her days at the shrine meditating, practicing sealing techniques, and so on...

Little did she know that her inaction was far better than the exploitative practices of other lords.

The boss is so generous...

Aokiji's eyes sparkled as he flattered her, "Oh, as expected of the priestess! As long as I'm here, no demon will be able to touch a single hair on your head."

Tsunade gave him a disapproving look, telling him to shut up, then said somewhat apologetically to Suiren, "This isn't really appropriate..."

"I have never touched this money, and I have no interest in it," Shui Lian said calmly, shaking her head.

The fact that she could say such things made everyone sigh, "She is truly a fresh and unconventional woman."

Aokiji's cheeks were puffed out and his lips were tightly closed, as if he was trying hard to suppress a laugh.

Seeing Aokiji's expression, Shui Lian looked directly at him and asked, "Does what I said make you laugh?"

"It's nothing..."

Aokiji gave a casual remark, then, glancing at Shui Lian's heavily pregnant belly, changed the subject: "Speaking of which, since the priestess possesses the power to seal away demons, uh, why doesn't she have a few children...?"

"Hey, Aokiji..."

Tsunade pressed Aokiji's head down, telling him not to be so rude, which was also a way of giving Aokiji a way out.

Shui Lian didn't take Aokiji's rude behavior too seriously. On the contrary, she saw it as frankness. Her smile was calm and warm: "The way a priestess is born is different from that of ordinary humans. Only one is born in her lifetime."

"Don't we need men?"

It wasn't Aokiji who said this, but Orochimaru who was standing next to him.

Mito nodded, which was taken as an admission.

"This is truly incredible." Orochimaru's golden vertical pupils revealed a look of great interest.

Aokiji looked at Shuilian in surprise.

He clearly remembered that Shion had asked Naruto to lend him his power.

Isn't it that power?

If it reproduces asexually, wouldn't it be just like a paramecium?

Aokiji really wanted to just say it out loud.

…………

a few days later.

That night.

The bright moon hangs high in the sky, radiating its pure light.

The shrine, second floor.

Aokiji crossed his arms and rested them on the railing, looking down at the soldiers of the Land of Demons patrolling below. Bored, he yawned.

"Hey, we're on a mission right now, so get serious."

Tsunade delivered a swift chop to Nao, scolding him.

Aokiji was jolted awake, completely wide awake: "It hurts, doesn't it?"

Tsunade snorted, "That's what I mean by pain."

Shui Lian was giving birth in the room right behind the two of them. It was a critical moment, and they couldn't afford to be careless.

The soul and body of the demon are sealed separately.

The soul resides in the shrine of the Land of Fire, while the body resides in the shrine of the neighboring Land of Swamp.

Aokiji and Tsunade protect Suiren, who is giving birth, while Orochimaru and Jiraiya are assigned to guard the shrine where the spirit of the demon will be sealed tonight.

Because of his absolute confidence in his own strength, Aokiji carried out this mission with great composure: "You don't understand. My casualness just now was a deliberate attempt to create an opening and lure the enemy into a trap."

Tsunade snorted, "I think that's just you making excuses."

"Don't believe me if you want."

Aokiji spread his hands, having nothing to do. He looked up at the night sky. The moon was bright and clear tonight. Thinking of something, he put away his nonchalant attitude and smiled lightly, "The moonlight is really beautiful tonight."

Tsunade, confused, thought he was talking nonsense: "Stop giving me this rambling."

Aokiji pouted, feeling bored: "How unromantic. I thought you'd at least blush when you heard me say that."

Tsunade looked completely bewildered: "You said the moon is beautiful, what does that have to do with me blushing?"

Did you know that when a man tells a woman that the moon is beautiful tonight, it's actually a way of confessing his feelings?

Tsunade was taken aback: "Confess your feelings?"

Aokiji smiled and explained, "It's probably similar to saying 'I love you'."

Tsunade tilted her head, looking like she was struggling.

Playing the lute to a cow, Aokiji sighed, "Alas, one cannot discuss ice with a summer insect."

"Summer insects?" Tsunade muttered, then snapped angrily, "Hey, you said insects!"

As the saying goes, "He has no brains."

A "V" mark appeared on Tsunade's forehead: "Don't even think about touching my chest again."

Aokiji readily agreed: "But I think girls are cuter when they're a little silly."

"Fine, you dare call me stupid..." Tsunade puffed out her cheeks, looking like an angry baby: "You're the stupid one."

At this moment, the white-bodied slug with a blue stripe on its back, perched on Tsunade's shoulder, uttered a soft, wet voice: "Lady Tsunade and Lady Aokiji really like to flirt, don't they?"

It is Tsunade's summoning beast, named Katsuyu, which is only one character different from its species, slug. It has the ability to create clones, and each clone is a part of the body, and they can communicate with each other telepathically.

It was because of this ability that Tsunade was able to summon a live slug clone.

There was a slug clinging to her body, and another live slug in the room behind her, in case of emergencies.

Tsunade retorted, "It wasn't flirting at all."

"Yes, yes..."

While saying that, the slug was thinking something else entirely.

Since he had nothing better to do anyway, the bored Aokiji teased the live slug: "Speaking of which, you must be female, live slug."

Slugs are genderless creatures, but in this world, it's a different story.

"What's wrong?"

The slug's voice was soft and gentle, but I always felt that the gaze Aokiji cast at me was malicious.

"Live slug, have any of your kind ever confessed their love to you?"

"Idiot, why are you asking that question?"

Tsunade was cursing, but her facial expression betrayed her thoughts, revealing a gossipy look.

The slug looked at Aokiji strangely: "Lord Aokiji, why do you ask such a question?"

Aokiji, the fun-loving guy, said with great interest, "Just consider me a bit gossipy."

The slug did not answer the question directly: "A creature like me, even if I wanted to find one, I probably wouldn't have any of my kind."

As one of the three holy lands, the Living Slug is quite different from the other two. The most typical example is that the Holy Land has many juniors besides itself.

"Oh~ really? How about I introduce you to someone?" Aokiji said with a mischievous grin.

(End of this chapter)