Chapter 290: Tsunade Understands Everything
Chapter 290: Tsunade Understands Everything
On the sixth day since meeting Mu Yue, Tsunade still woke up at noon as usual.
After finishing the meal prepared by Shizune, Tsunade subconsciously glanced at the clock. The hour hand pointed to twelve, and the minute hand was almost halfway through its journey.
"If she was busy yesterday, perhaps she'll come at twelve today, just like in the beginning," Tsunade thought to herself.
After her meal, Tsunade sat on the wooden veranda under the eaves, occasionally glancing toward the entrance of the yard, looking for any sign of a golden figure.
"So lazy. You can't procrastinate when it comes to studying. The more you delay, the more it becomes a habit," Tsunade thought, attributing the gradual lateness of Mu Yue's visits to this reason.
"Lady Tsunade, I think you make sense," Shizune said, trying to correct Tsunade's irregular sleep pattern. "Why don't you start getting up earlier and set an example for Teacher Mu Yue?"
"I don't need to study anymore, so it's fine for me to sleep a little more," Tsunade replied, adamant that early mornings were out of the question.
It was already two in the afternoon, and Tsunade still hadn't caught sight of Mu Yue, either because he was still busy or hadn't planned to study for long today.
"Maybe he's still not done with yesterday's business," Tsunade considered a possibility.
This was a normal and reasonable assumption, as that was often the case with most adults.
The thought of having to settle for restaurant food or Shizune's cooking again made Tsunade sigh inwardly.
As her mood soured, Tsunade noticed the once sunny sky turn gloomy, with dark clouds rolling in.
Drops of rain, large as beans, began to fall, and their pace quickened.
Along with the downpour came flashes of lightning, crashes of thunder, and howling winds.
"What awful weather. It was fine just a moment ago," Tsunade complained as she stepped inside with Shizune.
Despite the raging storm outside, neither the battle-hardened Tsunade nor the nine-year-old Shizune was afraid of the thunder. They quietly went about their own business indoors. Shizune browsed through medical ninjutsu documents, while the bored Tsunade pondered ways to improve her Seal of Darkness.
Tsunade was not one to sit idle for long. After an hour of studying, she couldn't help but tease Shizune, finally feeling a little more content.
Tsunade glanced at the clock again. It was already past three in the afternoon.
"He must still be tied up with yesterday's business, and with this heavy rain, I doubt he'll come today," Tsunade speculated.
If it were her, she would want to do nothing but lie down and relax in such pouring rain.
Although being a ninja meant one could move about in the rain without any issues, Tsunade felt that the atmosphere during heavy rainfall was not conducive to getting things done. It was better suited for lounging or playing.
With that thought, Tsunade's heart calmed, and she realized it wasn't a big deal if she couldn't eat the mouthwatering, illusion-like cuisine today.
"Shizune, I have an important mission for you," Tsunade said, looking at Shizune with a serious expression.
Having never seen such a solemn look on Tsunade's face, Shizune instantly mirrored her mentor's seriousness. "Lady Tsunade, please tell me. I will definitely complete the mission!"
"Go and learn how to make Mu Yue's dishes, the kind that tastes exactly like his," Tsunade said gravely.
"I refuse," Shizune replied.
"But you just said you'd complete any mission I gave you," Tsunade pointed out.
"I don't think this counts as an important mission, and Teacher Mu Yue might not even teach me how to cook. Even if he does, I might not be able to replicate his dishes," Shizune argued. She didn't believe that Mu Yue's culinary skills were something one could pick up easily, and she wasn't particularly talented in the kitchen herself.
"You won't know until you try. It's important for young people to be adventurous. Just ask him directly," Tsunade advised.
Shizune turned to Tsunade, wanting to invite Mu Yue in, but hesitated as this was technically Tsunade's home, not hers.
"Ahem, come in," Tsunade said, masking her surprise with a composed expression.
As Mu Yue entered, Tsunade noticed that despite carrying an umbrella, his clothes bore signs of the heavy rain—his pant legs and back were damp, and his hair held a hint of moisture.
"Sorry for the intrusion." Mu Yue left his umbrella outside, wrung out his clothes, and changed his shoes before stepping into Tsunade's home.
"Teacher Mu Yue, let me help you dry off," Shizune offered, handing him a dry towel.
"Thank you, Shizune," Mu Yue said with a smile as he crouched down.
He didn't refuse Shizune's kindness, especially since she had been the recipient of his sweets and meals. It was only fair to give her a chance to reciprocate.
"Are you done with the matter you mentioned yesterday?" Tsunade asked, hands folded across her ample chest, her tone curious.
"Yes," Mu Yue affirmed with a nod.
"Why did you still come over in this downpour?" Tsunade inquired further.
"Well, I wasted a lot of time yesterday due to various errands, and I didn't get to study with you, Lady Tsunade. I would have come even if it were raining shuriken," Mu Yue replied, his tone light and playful.
Tsunade laughed at his words. "If it were really raining shuriken, you'd be drenched to the bone in no time!"
Even though ninjas were strong, facing a relentless barrage of shuriken would require the use of defensive ninjutsu. No one could withstand such an assault unprotected.
"That's why it's even more important for me to learn medical ninjutsu from you, Lady Tsunade. I could heal and run at the same time; perhaps that would work," Mu Yue said, standing up after Shizune finished drying him off.
"Today, we'll also study for two hours," Mu Yue said, taking out 200,000 ryo and handing it to Tsunade.
"Why don't you study for a longer time today? It's raining, and I don't feel like going out. We can extend the lesson a little," Tsunade suggested after a moment's thought.
Perhaps this was her small way of making it up to Mu Yue for her recent unfounded suspicions.
"Because I'm almost out of money," Mu Yue admitted frankly.
"I work as a teacher at the Ninja Academy, and I rarely take on extra missions outside of the academy. So, I don't have much money on hand right now. After today, I won't be able to come to you for lessons for a long time. I'll have to wait until the school pays my salary a month after the new term starts," he explained.
Tsunade suddenly understood everything—why Mu Yue had come early for six-hour lessons at first and why his visits had become increasingly later and shorter.
It all boiled down to money. Mu Yue's rate was 100,000 ryo per hour, a price that could fund a B-rank mission.
She didn't know the extent of Mu Yue's abilities, but if he worked at the Ninja Academy, his earnings wouldn't be substantial, as the academy didn't pay based on strength but rather position and performance.
Tsunade felt a twinge of guilt. She hadn't expected that Mu Yue's changing study schedule would be due to financial constraints. After all, she had never been one to worry about money, frequently indulging in her gambling habit despite often losing.
"After today, I won't be able to come for a month, which means I won't get to eat that delicious food for a whole month!" Tsunade realized, her expression turning solemn as she grasped the severity of the situation.
She tugged at her hair, knowing how difficult it would be to go back to mundane meals after experiencing such exquisite cuisine.
(End of Chapter)
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