Accompanied by a rustling sound, Tsunade took off Tōshirō's shirt, revealing his well-built muscles.
"I didn't expect your body to be so toned," Tsunade said, pinching Tōshirō's biceps.
Tōshirō smiled, "Not too bad, I work out regularly."
Tsunade noticed another piece of clothing and prepared to remove the bandage on his arm.
"Do I need to take this off too?"
"Of course."
"But my arm isn't injured."
Tsunade, being cautious, said, "Since we're checking, we might as well check everything."
Tōshirō nodded knowingly, "So, do I need to take off my pants too?"
Tsunade was taken aback, "Why would you take off your pants?"
Tōshirō explained, "Didn't you say you wanted to do a full-body check?"
"Uh... Let's skip the lower part for now," Tsunade's cheeks reddened. "We'll check that another time."
When is "another time"?Tōshirō unwrapped the bandage on his right hand.
Tsunade noticed the dark patterns on Tōshirō's body and was slightly startled, "What's that on your right hand? It doesn't look like paint."
"Oh, you mean this?"
Tōshirō didn't hide anything and gave a brief explanation.
However, he modified the story slightly, changing the idea of learning sage techniques with money to normal training.
Tsunade was surprised, "I've never heard you mention this before."
Tōshirō chuckled, "You never asked, did you?"
Tsunade pouted, "Alright~"
Tōshirō waved his hand as if showing off, "Do you want me to show you a bit?"
"No way, I don't want to feel inferior," Tsunade pursed her lips.
She had only heard of sage techniques, while he was already learning them.
Sometimes she couldn't help but feel frustrated comparing herself to others, but then she realized he was her boyfriend, and her perspective shifted to acceptance.
After thoroughly examining Tōshirō's upper body, Tsunade patted his chest and concluded, "Very good, you seem healthy, with no aftereffects."
Tōshirō put his clothes back on, "I told you, I'm fine."
Tsunade looked at the Ocean Heart in her hand and had an idea, "Tōshirō, wait a moment. I have a gift for you too."
Tōshirō was surprised, "Huh, I get a gift too?"
"Of course, I can't just take your things for free."
Tsunade took out the necklace from her chest and handed it to him.
Seeing the crystal necklace, Tōshirō raised his brows in surprise, "This is..."
"This is my grandfather's keepsake. Now, I'm giving it to you."
"Isn't this a bit much..."
Tōshirō remembered this necklace had a curse—whoever received it died, except for the protagonist. The last two owners had graves with grass growing over them for ages.
Tsunade's face radiated a pure smile, "This is my lucky necklace. Just as it brought me luck, I hope it will bring you luck too."
No way, this necklace is practically cursed!
Just like not believing in ghosts but still respecting them, Tōshirō wasn't superstitious, but he wasn't about to tempt fate either.
He tried to refuse, "This is too precious. I really can't accept it."
"It's okay. Please take it," Tsunade held the Ocean Heart tightly, a gentle smile on her face. "I've already received something even better now~"
Tōshirō really didn't want this cursed necklace.
But Tsunade's enthusiasm was hard to resist. He could only accept it reluctantly, "Alright, since you insist..."
At this moment, Tōshirō felt as if he had swallowed two pounds of arsenic, his eyes even welling up.
Tsunade thought Tōshirō was simply moved to tears, her smile softening, "Come a bit closer, I'll put it on for you."
Tōshirō sniffed and leaned forward.
Tsunade personally put the cursed necklace on her boyfriend and asked, "How do you feel now?"
Tōshirō forced a smile, "I feel like crying..."
"If you say that, I'll feel embarrassed."
Tsunade turned her head slightly, her cheeks flushed. She hadn't expected him to be so moved by her gift, and her heart warmed like sunlight on a winter day.
Since things had come to this, Tōshirō tried to change the mood, "Since you just put a necklace on me, let me do the same for you."
Tsunade nodded.
Tōshirō formed hand seals, summoning an ice mirror.
Then he moved behind Tsunade. The Ocean Heart necklace wasn't made of rope but metal, so he needed to undo the clasp first.
Looking at the two of them in the mirror, Tsunade smiled with her lips pursed, her fair cheeks tinged with a light blush, "We look like a married couple~"
After spending some time, Tōshirō managed to put the Ocean Heart on Tsunade. Resting his head on her shoulder, he said with a smile, "This necklace suits you well."
Tsunade closed her eyes, gently touched the necklace, a faint smile on her lips.
Their faces pressed together, sharing intimate whispers, entangled in tender affection.
"Can you please not move for a moment?"
His soft voice reached her ear, a warm breath brushing past, leaving Tsunade in a daze.
Tōshirō held her shoulders.
She straightened up instinctively.
Tōshirō spoke softly, "Relax."
Tsunade looked puzzled, "Sure, but why are you holding my shoulders?"
"As a return for your checkup earlier, I wanted to reward you by giving you a shoulder massage."
Hearing her boyfriend wanted to massage her, Tsunade's mind wandered, "This is my first time. Be gentle."
Tōshirō said gently, "Of course, I'll be very gentle."
"Alright, you can start."
"If it hurts, let me know."
"Okay."
At first, Tsunade was a bit nervous, but as Tōshirō's hands kneaded her shoulders more deeply, she began to enjoy it, sinking into the sensation.
"Does it hurt?"
"A bit at first, but once I got used to it, it felt really good."
When Tsunade said this, she probably didn't realize how seductive her tone sounded, making Tōshirō apply a bit more pressure.
"Wait, this is too intense!"
If Tsunade hadn't said anything, it might have been fine, but her reaction only made Tōshirō more mischievous, pressing even harder.
"Come on, don't be shy."
"No, no! If you keep going, I really can't take it anymore. Please, I'm begging you!"
Tsunade's cute reaction was so amusing that Tōshirō couldn't resist teasing her more.
Though she initially protested, after enduring a few more rounds, Tsunade soon melted into the feeling, her expression becoming hazy and relaxed.
"Mmm..."
Just as Tsunade was enjoying herself, a sudden pain in her chest snapped her back:
"You said you were just giving me a shoulder massage, but you're taking advantage of me, aren't you?"
Tōshirō gave an awkward smile and quickly pulled his hands back.
As he was thinking of an explanation, he suddenly felt something push him over. He lost his balance and fell onto the grass.
In the next moment, Tsunade was on top of him, resting her chin on her hand, her smile as radiant as a flower:
"Tōshirō, did you enjoy taking advantage of me?"
Her moist eyes sparkled with a seductive allure, and combined with her charming voice, Tōshirō's face turned a little red.
Seeing this, Tsunade's smile grew even wider.
Tōshirō realized he was being flirted with.
Damn it, he had to flirt back!
He flipped her over, pressing Tsunade beneath him, holding her face gently in his hands. Just as he was about to move in, the intimate moment was interrupted by Tsunade's sudden thought:
"Wait, did you wash your hands?"
The question caught Tōshirō off guard. "Uh, no. Why?"
After eating barbecue with Tsunade and the others, he'd gone straight back to the clan, played a match, and rushed here for their date. Naturally, he hadn't had time to wash his hands.
Tsunade's face darkened instantly:
"Are you trying to get yourself killed?"
Tōshirō: "???"
"You touched my face with the same dirty hands you used to dig through who-knows-what. It's over. I'm tainted... I'm not pure anymore!"
Tōshirō wanted to retort:
"Come on, you're making it sound really misleading!"
Tsunade pushed him off, standing up abruptly.
Tōshirō looked completely lost:
"What are you doing?"
"I'm going to find a stream to wash my face."
Tōshirō: "..."
Tsunade pointed at his nose:
"And you, come wash your hands too! Otherwise, you're not allowed to touch me!"
Tōshirō: "..."
Tsunade, you're a Leo, not a Virgo!
The Forest of Death was eerily quiet.
Rustle.
The sound of his own footsteps was the only noise Orochimaru heard on his way.
"I should be close to the Akahara by now."
Orochimaru muttered to himself.
He'd heard about a type of plant called Red Clover that grew there.
Legend had it that this magical plant could grant any wish.
Of course, Orochimaru wasn't naive enough to believe such an outlandish tale.
His real reason for seeking out the Red Clover was pure curiosity and the fact that he was a bit bored, looking for something to do.
As for the dangers in the Forest of Death, he barely considered them a threat.
When he was just a Genin, he had already crossed this forest with ease. Now, as a Jonin, it would be even simpler.
Walking cautiously, Orochimaru kept his senses sharp, his eyes unintentionally catching sight of a small stream.
His ultimate goal was the Akahara, so he didn't think much of the stream—until something caught his eye.
There were two figures near the stream.
Orochimaru hesitated.
Besides himself, who else would willingly come to the Forest of Death?
After all, except during the Chūnin Exams, the forest was off-limits. Anyone here was likely sneaking in, just like he had.
So why were these two here now? What was their purpose?
Driven by curiosity, Orochimaru moved closer, only to see a man and a woman embracing—kissing passionately.
The couple was quite vigilant. Despite Orochimaru's cautious approach, they immediately noticed him.
"Um, sorry to interrupt."
Realizing he had walked in on a make-out session, Orochimaru lost all interest. He greeted them casually and turned to leave.
He couldn't understand why two people would sneak into the Forest of Death just to make out like thieves, but such matters were not within his sphere of interest.
So, without hesitation, he left...
But as he walked away...
???
Wait a minute. Why did those two look so familiar?
Orochimaru's body stiffened, wondering if he was dreaming.
He turned back, and their eyes met.
There was a brief, awkward moment of recognition.
Orochimaru: "???"
Tsunade: "???"
Tōshirō: "???"
Uh... Well, this was awkward.
(End of Chapter)
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