The roar of crashing waterfalls echoed through the dense forest.
Rivers of water plunged from cliffs high above, smashing against ancient stone, birthing towers of white mist that danced into the treetops. The Forest of the Waterfall Village was cloaked in towering trees hundreds of years old. Vines coiled tightly around their trunks, forming a nearly impenetrable wall of nature.
Through this wild domain, two figures flew from branch to branch.
Each step—precise.
Each leap—silent.
Their movement seamless and swift, like shadows weaving through the forest canopy.
Leading was a woman with flowing blonde hair, each strand catching slivers of sunlight that pierced the leaves above. Her form was graceful yet dangerous, feline in motion—but every time she landed, the branches quivered slightly beneath her power.
But what truly… demanded attention—
Was her overwhelmingly formidable chest, rising and falling with every stride.
Trailing behind her was a tall young man with messy white hair and a face annoyingly handsome. His eyes were half-lidded in lazy indifference, yet glimmered with subtle sharpness.
Satoru Hoshino.
He glided across the treetops with unshaken rhythm, breathing calm, as if he were simply taking a stroll.
Tsunade glanced back, catching his stare.
"Oi, brat. Just where exactly are your eyes looking?"
Satoru grinned, shrugging innocently.
"Just admiring the scenery, sensei."
Tsunade snorted.
"Scenery, huh? Or something a bit… closer?"
She didn't press the matter further—but her pace suddenly increased by 80%, testing if the kid could keep up.
He did.
Perfectly. Not a step too fast, not a breath out of rhythm.
She narrowed her eyes, then sharply slowed, checking his reflexes.
Satoru matched her pace instantly, without pause.
Good stamina. Steady breathing. He's syncing his rhythm to mine perfectly… This one's been through some hellish training.
Her voice came lazily over her shoulder:
"Didn't think you were good at anything besides swinging that sword. Your taijutsu's decent."
Satoru's tone remained casual:
"If all you can do is swing a sword without the endurance to back it up…
You're not a swordsman. You're a walking suicide."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"Who taught you that? Jiraiya?"
Satoru smiled faintly.
"Self-taught."
"Hmph. Cocky little…"
She didn't believe him—yet she didn't push.
Then Satoru spoke up:
"Why not take the route through the Grass Village? Wouldn't that be faster?"
Tsunade gave a dry chuckle.
"This mission involves war. We can't afford to be seen."
Satoru nodded, understanding.
The two continued bounding through the forest. Creatures stirred at their passing. Snakes snapped from below, birds took flight in panic—but neither of them broke stride. Dodging came as naturally as breathing.
2. Conversations Between Branches
As they continued deeper into the wilderness, the roar of the waterfalls created a backdrop both majestic and dangerous.
Satoru's eyes trailed the woman ahead of him.
He'd read about her.
Tsunade.
The tragedies.
Her fallen lover—Dan.
Her lost little brother—Nawaki.
In his mind:
Should I ask her? About her view of Jiraiya? Orochimaru? The village itself?
But after a second of hesitation, he decided—
No.
Because this wasn't a story anymore.
This was real.
These people were real.
He wanted to understand her on his own terms—not through the borrowed memories of a past life.
If I ask now… she'll only put up walls.
Let time open the door instead.
Suddenly, Tsunade's voice cut through the rustling leaves.
"Hey, brat. Tell me—what do you think a ninja really is?"
Satoru blinked, caught off guard.
A philosophical question?
He took a moment.
Then answered.
"A ninja… is someone who lives in the shadows, fighting for the light."
"But there are some—who stay in the dark for so long… they forget what they were fighting for."
Tsunade fell silent for a moment.
A flicker of something complex passed through her gaze.
"Hmph… sounds philosophical. But are you sure about that? Can ninja really fight for the light? Or are we just pawns—used until we're no longer useful, then discarded?"
Satoru understood immediately.
She was talking about Dan.About her little brother—Nawaki.
He looked at Tsunade and saw it.
Beneath that steel resolve…There was still a scar that never truly healed.
He smiled—not the usual cocky smirk, but something softer.
"Maybe ninja are just pawns…But if they can protect the people they love…Then maybe being a pawn isn't such a bad thing."
Tsunade paused.
His words cut deep, like a sudden gust of wind brushing dust off an old wound.
That's right… Dan died protecting Konoha. My brother too…
She inhaled slowly, holding back emotions long buried. Her chuckle was faint—but there was a strange lightness in it.
"Not bad, brat. Sharp tongue."
Satoru shrugged with a smile.
"Thanks for the compliment, sensei."
Tsunade glanced sideways at him, a different idea flashing in her mind.
She squinted playfully, lips curling.
"So? A good-looking kid like you… got a girlfriend yet?"
Satoru missed a step.
He almost slipped off the branch.
"Wha— Are you… serious right now?"
Tsunade burst out laughing, clearly amused by his stunned face.
"Well? Answer me."
Satoru gave an exaggerated shrug.
"Not yet. But I have a feeling the line's about to get pretty long."
Tsunade laughed harder and scoffed.
"Confident, huh? But to me, you seem more like the type who loves teasing people than someone who actually knows how to love."
Satoru sighed dramatically.
"Tch… No one in this world understands me…"
Tsunade chuckled again. But then her expression shifted slightly, as if remembering something.
"Lately, I've been hearing about someone named Eren. Who is he?"
Satoru blinked—but then replied casually:
"He's my older brother. A warrior. One who's survived countless battles."
Tsunade frowned slightly.
"Your brother? I don't recall any clan named Hoshino."
Satoru gave a quiet laugh.
"That's because our clan was never recorded in the history books."
Tsunade studied him for a moment, then nodded.
She didn't pry further.
Everyone had secrets.
"And Danzo? What do you think of him?"
Satoru hesitated. Then spoke plainly:
"I think… he's dangerous."
"So you don't trust him?"
Satoru shook his head.
"I trust Hokage-sama. As for Danzo… I'll reserve judgment."
Tsunade narrowed her eyes slightly.She could tell—he was choosing his words very carefully.
This kid… he's not simple.
In her mind, she compared him to other young ninja she'd met over the years.
Satoru wasn't just strong.He had a sharp mind. A cold edge.He couldn't be swayed easily. He wouldn't be controlled.
Tsunade allowed herself a small smile.
This one… I feel a little better about Konoha's future now.
He's a rare talent. A shinobi who might one day bring honor to the village.
The two of them continued forward, but something had changed.The space between them now carried a quiet respect.
But then—
"Aaaaahhhhh!"
A scream echoed through the forest, sharp and frantic—cutting through the calm like a blade.
Tsunade and Satoru halted in unison, their gazes sharpening.
Tsunade scanned ahead, her voice tense:
"Something's wrong."
Satoru narrowed his eyes, activating his Observation Haki. His senses reached forward like threads.
One strong chakra signature…And another—flickering. Dying.
A chill ran through him.
"Let's check it out."
Tsunade nodded. Instantly, the two of them launched forward—moving at full speed through the trees.
🔥 End of Chapter 114 🔥