Chapter 119: Taking a Master

“Lady Tsunade? I’ve brought you the case files,” Nurse Kodama’s voice called from outside the office door.

Originally, Nurse Haru was scheduled by Head Nurse Shiki to deliver the case files to Tsunade. However, just as the young nurses were eavesdropping by the corner, the voices from Tsunade’s office abruptly ceased. They waited a long time but heard no further sounds.

Caught halfway through their gossip, the young nurses’ curiosity was left unsatisfied.

Coincidentally, Nurse Haru had finished organizing the case files for Tsunade. The nurses at the station unanimously decided to send the most nosy of them all, Nurse Kodama, to replace the dutiful Nurse Haru, to sneak a peek into Tsunade’s office and, if possible, uncover some juicy gossip.

Inside the office, Tsunade, who was just about to give her boyfriend a good scolding, had to pause her actions.

Still, catching sight of Gato Mikaze’s smug and mischievous grin, Tsunade issued a warning.

“Wait until you’re alone—I’ll make you pay!”

After some thought, Tsunade decided not to hit Gato. Instead of punching, she reached out and gave the soft flesh at his waist a firm twist.

“Ugh!”

Gato gasped sharply.

“Hmph!”

Tsunade snorted, puffing her nose indignantly. Rising from the sofa in the lounge area, she swayed her alluring hips and returned to her desk.

After tidying her attire and making sure nothing was amiss, Tsunade composed herself and called out in a calm, steady voice.

“Come in.”

Nurse Kodama pushed open the door, clutching the case files to her chest. Excitement lit up her face, and the flames of gossip burned fiercely in her eyes.

In truth, Kodama had pressed her ear against the doorframe after knocking, listening intently. She hadn’t caught much, but the sharp intake of breath from Gato was unmistakable.

“Lady Tsunade, these are the case files that Head Nurse Shiki asked me to deliver. She said you needed them.”

Unfazed by Tsunade and Gato’s presence, Kodama stood in the office, pretending to wait for further instructions but secretly hoping to linger and sniff out more gossip.

Perhaps Kodama’s eagerness was too obvious, for Tsunade quickly caught on to her motives—she knew her young nurses all too well.

Glancing irritably at Gato, who was still rubbing the soft flesh on his waist, Tsunade turned to Kodama.

“Just leave the files on the desk and go. Make sure to close the door tightly behind you.”

“Yes, Lady Tsunade.”

“I promise to shut the door so tightly that no sound will escape into the corridor.”

Unable to suppress her gossiping nature, Kodama grinned mischievously one last time before cheerfully dashing out.

“Hmph, it’s all your fault, you scoundrel!” Tsunade muttered after Kodama left, tidying the case files and returning to the sofa in the lounge, beginning to grumble about her boyfriend.

She was also preparing to resume her plan to punish Gato, but now she preferred twisting over punching—she realized twisting his waist was more effective and immediate.

This time, Gato would not lie there quietly and let Tsunade twist him. He wasn’t some masochist, and given the choice, he’d rather take her punches than her fingers wrenching his side.

Just as Tsunade reached out to twist him again, Gato suddenly wrapped his arms around her slender waist, pulling her into his embrace. Then, he lowered his head and kissed her, silencing her startled gasp.

The office fell silent once more. Outside, the autumn wind rustled, carrying vibrant leaves fluttering down.

The sun had begun its descent in the sky, finally cooling the sweltering heat that had lingered over Konoha Village all day.

This time, Gato’s kiss was gentle, focused, and sincere.

All the earlier teasing and roughhousing were meant to lift Tsunade’s sour mood. Now, he simply wanted to lavish kisses on his girlfriend, his princess.

After an initial struggle, Tsunade melted into his tenderness, her body relaxing as she wrapped her arms around Gato’s waist, returning his passion.

After a long while, they broke their embrace but remained held close, Tsunade leaning against Gato’s chest as they whispered softly to each other.

“Don’t worry. Those young nurses won’t spread our gossip around,” Gato assured her.

He had seen the fiery gleam in Nurse Kodama’s eyes earlier—such a blatant tell was impossible to miss.

As a man with a thick skin, Gato could brush it off, but he still cared about Tsunade’s reputation.

“Besides, they’ll only gossip within the nurse station. Otherwise, do you think I’d bring them snacks every time I buy you some?” he joked.

“Hmph! If I hear any strange rumors, I’ll really give you a beating!” Tsunade threatened lightly, a hint of embarrassment in her voice.

Though the nurses were her subordinates, Tsunade wasn’t as shameless as Gato. She simply couldn’t bear the thought of their private moments being overheard.

“Feeling better now? About your little brother Shigure—if he gives you trouble, just leave him to me. I’ll set him straight,” Gato said, steering the conversation toward a pressing issue.

Tsunade frowned. “You and Shigure are both troublemakers who never give me peace.”

“Shigure just gets on my nerves, and you just bully me!” she retorted, thinking about the argument with her younger brother the previous night. The thought still made her angry—she wanted to teach him a lesson and remind him of his sister’s authority.

But Shigure wasn’t here now. Only her boyfriend was at her side.

Remembering how Gato had teased her just now, Tsunade opened her beautiful eyes wide and, regardless of whether he noticed, gave him a playful, exasperated eye-roll.

She wriggled a little in Gato’s arms but didn’t break free.

Then, from her slightly open blouse, she withdrew the mischievous hand that had been tormenting the big white rabbit and pinned it behind her back to stop its antics.

Still annoyed, she reached behind and grabbed the soft flesh on Gato’s waist—where she had twisted before—and gave it a hard pinch.

This was Tsunade venting the frustration caused by her brother on her boyfriend. Since Shigure wasn’t around to scoldI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.