NOVEL WEB Chapter 62: Chapter 62
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Tsunade's arrival instantly captured everyone's attention.
It was impossible not to stare—her beauty and figure were simply too striking.
Trailing behind her was Shizune, but most of the students hardly noticed her presence at all.
"Huh?" Sakura squinted at Tsunade for a moment, then suddenly widened her eyes. "Doesn't she look familiar to you guys?"
"She looks exactly like that legendary kunoichi," murmured Shino, adjusting his sunglasses.
"It's Lady Tsunade, one of Konoha's Legendary Sannin," Shikamaru said, his eyes slightly widened in surprise.
"For real?! That's really Lady Tsunade?" Sakura nearly squealed in excitement, practically itching to run over.
Despite Tsunade's reputation for gambling and drinking, she was also a renowned kunoichi and the most accomplished medical ninja in the world. In Konoha, while Hiruzen Sarutobi was the idol of many boys, Tsunade was the ultimate inspiration for many girls.
"When Ino finds out, she's going to be furious she missed this," Shikamaru said with a smirk.
Tsunade was Ino's number-one idol, without question.
"Is she strong?" Naruto asked, scratching the back of his head.
"Lady Tsunade's the best medical ninja in the entire shinobi world!" Sakura exclaimed, eyes sparkling. "She's also the granddaughter of the First Hokage, Lord Hashirama, and she trained under the Third Hokage, Lord Hiruzen!"
"The Third Hokage's student?" Naruto perked up for a second but then waved a hand dismissively. "Too bad she's just a medical ninja."
In Naruto's mind, medical ninja were always stuck behind the front lines, never actually fighting.
"Why would she come here, though?" Kiba asked, puzzled. "I thought Lady Tsunade hadn't returned to Konoha for years."
"Looks like she's headed for Kitazawa-sensei," Shikamaru observed as Tsunade strode purposefully toward their teacher.
"Wait… Kitazawa-sensei knows Lady Tsunade?" Sakura stared in shock.
Sure, Kitazawa was a great teacher—but he was still a Chūnin. To see someone like Tsunade speaking with him felt unreal.
Shikamaru and the others also exchanged bewildered glances, equally astonished.
"Lady Tsunade," Kitazawa greeted her as she approached.
Her face was calm, nearly expressionless, but there was no hiding the effortless grace in the way she moved. Even in a modest outfit, her curves and figure drew every eye. Her legs were covered, but it only accentuated the trim line of her waist and the fullness of her hips.
"When does your class finish?" Tsunade asked, giving the noisy students a quick glance.
"In about fifteen minutes," Kitazawa said after a moment's thought. "I can set them to self-training so we can talk."
"No need," Tsunade replied with a dismissive wave. "Do what you need to. I'll wait the fifteen minutes."
"As you wish," Kitazawa said, offering a polite nod.
He turned back toward his students.
"Kitazawa-sensei!" Sakura called out immediately, curiosity bubbling in her voice. "Why is Lady Tsunade looking for you?"
"Grown-up matters," Kitazawa said, flicking her lightly on the forehead. "You lot just focus on your training."
"But Ino's not here—who am I supposed to train with?" Sakura pouted, rubbing the spot he'd tapped.
"Shikamaru," Kitazawa said promptly, pointing at him. "You'll fill in for Ino."
"Huh?" Shikamaru stared, stunned.
"Or you can spar with Naruto instead," Kitazawa added, smiling faintly.
"Awesome!" Naruto shouted, pumping his fist. "I haven't sparred with Shikamaru yet!"
"Forget that," Shikamaru muttered hastily. "I'll go train with Sakura."
There was no way he wanted to be battered by Naruto's relentless energy. Sparring with Naruto was like wrestling a hyperactive bull.
"Huh? Boring…" Naruto grumbled, looking disappointed.
Meanwhile, not far away, Tsunade and Shizune were quietly observing the lively scene.
"Teaching's really changed these days," Tsunade said, crossing her arms over her chest. "Back when I was in the Academy, classes were never like this."
"Mine either," Shizune agreed.
Though she'd dropped out of the Academy after Tsunade spirited her away, Shizune was still amazed by Kitazawa's unconventional methods.
"No wonder he's the one who proposed the idea of Psychological Medical Ninja," Tsunade mused. "Old-school shinobi thinking can be so rigid—it's no wonder people never connected medical ninjutsu with psychological support."
"That's true," Shizune sighed. "If the Psychological Medic system really takes off, it could help so many people."
Her thoughts drifted immediately to Tsunade's own secret struggle—hemophobia. But she wisely kept that particular thought to herself.
"Hmph!" Tsunade scowled. "The biggest problem is money. Why did that old man give him control of the funds?"
Shizune hesitated.
'Isn't it obvious why?'
'Has she forgotten our gigantic chest full of IOUs and debts?'
Shizune sighed inwardly.
Traveling with Tsunade meant constant debt, skipping meals, and running from angry creditors. Honestly, if Kitazawa was in charge of the money, it might be the best thing that ever happened to her.
'I just hope he can stand up to Lady Tsunade's… unique "persuasive" methods,' Shizune thought wearily.
Fifteen minutes flew by in no time.
Soon, Ino, Hinata, and Sasuke returned from their training session at the Academy's artificial lake, just as class was wrapping up.
"What?! Lady Tsunade was here?!" Ino gasped, her eyes lighting up with excitement the moment she heard.
Meanwhile, Sasuke remained expressionless. Though he had heard of Tsunade's legendary status, his admiration was reserved solely for Itachi and Fugaku.
Hinata, however, glanced toward Tsunade with quiet curiosity, wondering what business someone so famous could possibly have with their teacher.
"Alright, class is dismissed," Kitazawa called out, clapping his hands. "Go on home. We'll pick things up tomorrow."
The students of Class 1A reluctantly gathered their things and dispersed—though more than a few snuck glances back at the woman standing nearby.
"Looks like you're still a celebrity, Lady Tsunade," Kitazawa said, walking up to her with a faint smile.
"Old reputation, nothing more," Tsunade replied casually. But without missing a beat, she extended her hand and narrowed her eyes. "Now, hand over the money."
Shizune flinched slightly, wanting to speak up on Kitazawa's behalf—but unsure how to jump in.
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow. "What money?"
Even if she was a living legend, there still had to be some rules.
"The Hokage said you're in charge of managing the budget for the Psychological Medical Ninja initiative," Tsunade said bluntly. "I need funds. So give them to me."
'That old man never even gave me a heads-up,' Kitazawa thought, annoyed. Still, if Hiruzen didn't inform him, it likely meant Tsunade's request was at least tangentially related to the budget proposal he submitted.
"What exactly do you need the funds for?" he asked.
"That's none of your concern," Tsunade coughed lightly and deflected.
Kitazawa didn't let her off the hook. "Has Lady Tsunade even read the funding proposal I wrote?"
"Nope!" Tsunade replied, her tone sharp and completely unapologetic.
"In that case," Kitazawa said with a calm smile, "I'm afraid I can't authorize anything. According to protocol, all disbursements must be directly tied to project-related expenses. If you don't specify the use, I can't release the funds."
Tsunade took a step closer, standing on tiptoe to glare at him eye-to-eye. Her presence was overwhelming, and a faint, alluring fragrance drifted with her.
At this range, Kitazawa couldn't help but catch a glimpse of the smooth, fair skin along her neckline—an imposing view of feminine strength and beauty that could make any lesser man falter.
But he didn't flinch.
He knew her too well. Unless someone crossed a moral line, Tsunade didn't truly lash out. Not seriously.
"So you really won't hand it over?" she asked, voice low and threatening.
"No," Kitazawa replied evenly. "If I gave it without documentation, I'd have to answer to the Hokage—and I'd rather not get roasted by him and you."
Tsunade's fists clenched at her sides, her expression darkening. She looked one breath away from smashing him into the ground.
Shizune, standing off to the side, blinked in surprise—and then, amused, gave Kitazawa a subtle thumbs-up. It was the first time she'd seen anyone push back against Tsunade and live to tell the tale.
"That damn old man!" Tsunade suddenly roared, fury erupting like a volcano. "I knew he was up to something shady!"
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