Chương 312: Chapter 312
"Ah, nothing beats a drink after a hard day's work!" Tsunade exclaimed, downing her cup of sake with satisfaction. She grabbed a skewer of grilled chicken, took a bite, and poured herself another drink.
Before she could take another sip, a hand reached over and took the bottle of sake, pouring a cup for itself before setting the bottle back down in front of her.
"Who—" She looked up, her voice trailing off. "Oh, it's you?"
Standing before her was Yoichi, the very person she had been meaning to find.
"Just passing by and thought I'd drop in," he replied, taking a seat across from her. He casually grabbed a skewer and started eating. "There were still some loose ends to tie up from last time. After today, I'll be heading back."
"Back? Back where?"
"Home, of course," Yoichi said with a light chuckle. "This was just a trip, and I've seen enough. It's time to return."
He downed his cup of sake and removed the necklace around his neck, holding it up with a smile. "By the way, I should thank you for this necklace. Now I have a gift for my wife when I get back."
Tsunade's expression shifted slightly, her curiosity piqued. "Where's your home? You've helped me so much—when I have time, I'd like to visit with Nawaki to thank you properly."
"No need. Even if I told you, you'd never be able to find it. After all, I'm an onmyoji," he said with a smirk.
Yoichi placed a small box on the table. "This is the key to the secret technique I gave you. It requires this genetic serum to complete. There are only two doses, just enough for you and your brother. Don't try to analyze it or replicate it—it'd be impossible without the right materials and data."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed as she examined the box. Unable to suppress her curiosity, she asked, "What's your purpose? Why… why are you being so good to me? And was it you who arranged for Itachi to find me?"
She had her doubts at first, but considering Yoichi's seemingly miraculous abilities—like resurrecting the dead and granting her access to powerful techniques—she couldn't fathom his true intentions. Was it really all for a necklace identical to hers?
"It's a long story," Yoichi said, chuckling. He retrieved a small device from his storage ring—a miniature camera—and began playing a video.
On the small screen, Tsunade saw herself from a different time.
[Video Playback]
The Tsunade in the video was gambling with a young girl named Yoko. Unbeknownst to her, Yoichi was recording everything silently from behind.
"Yoko, this time let mommy roll the dice, and you guess if it's big or small. If you lose, I'll keep your allowance!"
The little girl tilted her head. "No way! Mommy cheats every time. Unless you let daddy be the referee!"
"Shh!"
The Tsunade in the video shushed her daughter nervously, glancing around. "Don't let your daddy know we're gambling, or he'll scold you."
"Daddy only scolds you, not me. Right, daddy?"
"That's right!"
Hearing Yoichi's voice behind her, the Tsunade in the video froze. She turned around with an awkward smile and began making excuses. "It's all her idea! I was just—"
[Video Ends]
Tsunade stared at the screen, dumbfounded. When the video ended, she looked up at Yoichi with wide eyes. "What… what was that? How am I in that video?"
Yoichi calmly put the camera away. "It's not something you'll believe easily, but as an onmyoji, I can travel through time and space. That video was from another timeline. The people in it are my wife and daughter."
He smiled warmly. "Her name is Yoko. Isn't she adorable? Unlike her mother, she has incredible luck—she's never lost a gamble and even finds money on the street."
"Yoko…" Tsunade murmured, feeling an inexplicable affection for the girl in the video. The Tsunade she saw felt so familiar—exactly like something she herself would do.
After a long silence, Tsunade finally spoke, her voice laced with complexity. "So, in another timeline… I'm your wife?"
"That's right."
"And that's why you're helping me?"
"Exactly."
Tsunade's emotions churned. Part of her wanted to reject the idea, yet she couldn't dismiss the evidence. The resurrection of Nawaki, the powerful secret technique—none of it seemed like something a liar would concoct.
Finally, she shook her head. "It doesn't matter. Whatever life I have in another world has nothing to do with me. I only need to live this life well."
"That's the Tsunade I know," Yoichi said with a smile, raising his cup in a toast. Tsunade laughed softly, raising her own cup. After downing her drink, she glanced at him with a flushed face.
"You're smooth with words. Did you use that charm to win over the other me?"
"It wasn't just words," Yoichi said, pointing to the necklace.
The two continued drinking, their conversation flowing more easily as the alcohol loosened their tongues. Yoichi knew Tsunade well enough to navigate her moods, and the drinks helped bridge the gap between them. By the end of the night, they had finished over twenty bottles of sake.
Yoichi, with his resilient body, remained sober. Tsunade, however, was heavily intoxicated, slumped over the table, her face flushed.
"Boss, the bill!" Yoichi called out, paying before lifting Tsunade onto his back. As the cold night air hit her, she stirred slightly, and Yoichi channeled some life energy into her, helping her regain a bit of clarity.
"Go rest. Remember to use this tomorrow," he said, handing her the box with the genetic serum.
"Can't walk… need help," Tsunade murmured, leaning against him.
"I'll take you home," Yoichi replied, carrying her to the Senju compound. Finding the place spotless—likely Shizune's handiwork—he brought Tsunade to her room and laid her on the bed.
As he was about to leave, Tsunade grabbed his hand. "Don't go… talk with me a bit longer," she muttered, her face still flushed.
Yoichi hesitated briefly before sitting beside her.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The Next Morning
The sunlight streaming through the window woke Tsunade. As she sat up, memories of the previous night flooded back. Her body ached slightly, and she winced.
"Damn that guy," she muttered, rubbing her temples.
Shaking her head, she noticed the box of genetic serum Yoichi had left and the seal on her arm. After breaking the seal, a warm, revitalizing energy surged through her body, restoring her vitality.
"So, this is your gift to me," she murmured, touching her face. Though she hadn't looked in the mirror, she felt rejuvenated.
"Don't think you've won me over with this!" she huffed, though a smile crept onto her face.
Meanwhile, Shizune sat downstairs, dark circles under her eyes. Tsunade noticed and asked, "Shizune, didn't you sleep well?"
"No, Tsunade-sama. I need a break today," Shizune replied with a complicated look.
Realizing what might have happened, Tsunade coughed awkwardly. "Take the day off. You deserve it," she said before hurrying out of the house, muttering, "Drinking really causes trouble!"
"Have you finished exploring, Itachi?" Yoichi asked.
"Yes, I spent some time with Sasuke yesterday. He's quite attached to me," Itachi replied with a smile.
Yoichi nodded. "If there's nothing else, let's head back."
"Understood, father."
(End of Chapter)
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