"Didn't you recognize her, Tsunade-nee?"
Takumi asked back. "She's the Nibi's Jinchuriki from Kumogakure."
"She's a Jinchuriki?"
Tsunade finally reacted, but she truly didn't recognize Kumogakure's Jinchuriki.
After all, she had been living in seclusion in a remote town for many years, never paying attention to the situations in various countries, so naturally, she didn't know about the changes in Jinchuriki across villages.
"If she's Kumogakure's Jinchuriki, why is she with you?"
Tsunade frowned, asking, then pulled the blanket away, seeing the chains binding Yugito. "Did you capture her? Why didn't you hand her over to the Torture and Interrogation Force?"
"In a way, yes, but handing her to the Torture and Interrogation Force isn't very reliable."
Takumi calmly explained. "She's a perfect Jinchuriki who can fully control the Biju. If something goes wrong, she could easily rampage in the village."
"Currently, in the village, only the Hokage, a few others, and I can suppress her. So I have to keep her within my sight at all times to prevent her from going berserk."
Tsunade thought carefully.
The situation was indeed as Takumi said.
It was unknown how Kumogakure managed it.
Both of their Jinchuriki could perfectly control their Biju.
Compared to Jinchuriki from other villages, especially Sunagakure's Shukaku, which would rampage from time to time, Kumogakure's seemed exceptionally refined.
Even Konoha's Kyubi made Hiruzen and others worry about possible rampages.
The Kyubi Rampage twelve years ago had caused too much loss for Konoha.
"In that case, forget it."
Tsunade, after all, was a mature woman and a qualified Shinobi. She immediately understood the importance of the matter and also understood why Takumi was holding the other person to sleep.
But as a woman, there was still one thing she felt needed to be declared.
"Woman, I advise you to know your place. Although Takumi is very outstanding, someone like you is absolutely unworthy."
Tsunade looked down at Yugito from above. "So, abandon any inappropriate aspirations in your heart. He is mine."
Tsunade domineeringly declared her sovereignty over Takumi.
Yugito was dumbfounded.
"Hah?! What nonsense are you talking?"
She looked at Tsunade, who had solemnly declared, with an absurd expression. "How could I possibly like this little... little brat!"
Halfway through, a certain magnificent image suddenly appeared in her mind, interrupting her train of thought.
But her attitude only made Tsunade more convinced she had seen through the other's thoughts.
She couldn't help but snort coldly. "I'm warning you for the last time. If I discover you have inappropriate thoughts, I will definitely not spare you."
"Hmph!"
Yugito turned her head disdainfully, but the lingering blush on her face held no persuasive power.
'The legendary Sannin, Princess Tsunade, unexpectedly liked such a young boy.'
'It was truly surprising.'
'If this information were spread...'
A dangerous glint flashed in her eyes.
Boom!
A ferocious fist brushed past her ear, the wind pressure blowing her hair back, revealing her stunned face.
In that instant, she truly felt the threat of death.
"What were you just thinking?"
Tsunade retracted her fist, a smile on her face, but anyone could feel her killing intent.
Takumi didn't dare speak at that moment, silently sitting and being a little transparent.
Afraid of drawing the two women's conflict onto himself.
Although not afraid, it was unnecessary.
This wasn't cowardice.
Takumi wasn't cowardly.
But Yugito was.
"Uh, nothing..."
She shook her head repeatedly, not daring to look up at Tsunade, looking guilty.
"Hmph!"
Tsunade snorted coldly and said to Takumi, "Since you have official business here, I won't disturb you for now. I'll come find you when you have some free time."
"Ah, okay."
Takumi was momentarily stunned, then quickly agreed.
Tsunade turned and strode away, her footsteps crisp and heavy… one could feel the owner of those steps was still angry.
'Sigh... A miscalculation.'
Takumi sighed.
He hadn't expected Tsunade to come looking for him this morning, and from the looks of it, if Yugito hadn't been there, he might have been able to properly enjoy Tsunade's greatness.
Unfortunately.
There's no 'ifs'.
But there would be opportunities.
Once the matter with Yugito was resolved, he could finally enjoy Tsunade's greatness again after a long time.
After breakfast, Takumi decided to go out.
The bed was broken, so he at least needed to buy a new one. He didn't want to sleep on the floor, it was uncomfortable.
Of course, he had to bring Yugito along when going out.
"Yo, out for a stroll again today?"
Familiar neighbors saw Takumi and greeted him with a smile. "Is she the Jinchuriki you caught? Didn't expect her to look so young."
"Right, but don't get too close. She's still dangerous."
Takumi used his body to block Yugito, saying it was to prevent them from getting close, but actually, he was blocking their unrestrained gazes.
Yugito didn't know his thoughts, but with those gazes blocked, she indeed felt much better.
Although she didn't particularly care in her heart, being watched like a monkey would eventually affect her state.
"It's fine. With you here, we're very at ease."
The neighbors weren't afraid at all, fully displaying their trust in Takumi.
But they still obediently stood in place, not rashly approaching.
Takumi then led Yugito to the furniture market.
"Want to take a look? Fresh fruit! I'll give you a 20% discount if you buy!"
A fruit stand auntie showed a kind smile, placing two plump pears in Takumi's hands. "Try them. Fresh stock today, clean and hygienic. Most importantly, very juicy."
"Thank you."
Takumi couldn't refuse and accepted.
"Takumi... hubby, want to eat noodles? I'll make noodles for you."
Ayame, seeing Takumi from afar, waved at him repeatedly.
Seeing Yugito, she didn't have any jealous thoughts.
Because the fact that Takumi personally took on the risk of guarding a dangerous prisoner had spread throughout the village.
And Yugito was wrapped in chains, so she naturally wouldn't have any other thoughts.
"I've already eaten today. Next time."
Takumi said with a smile, casually patting her head.
"She called you hubby?"
After they walked away, Yugito looked back, then turned to Takumi, confused. "Then what is Tsunade to you?"
"These things are not for you to concern yourself with."
Takumi said calmly, then waved at someone approaching. "Kakashi-senpai."
"Oh? It's you."
Kakashi looked up from his copy of Icha Icha Paradise, saw Takumi and Yugito behind him, and smiled. "What brings you out?"
He secretly remained alert. Although he trusted Takumi's strength, as a Shinobi facing a potentially dangerous situation, he naturally had to be prepared.
"My bed broke. Planning to buy a new one today."
"Oh?"
Kakashi showed a meaningful smile.
Takumi knew he was misunderstanding and explained helplessly, "It was Tsunade-sama. She came to my house this morning, thought I was under attack, and ended up punching the bed into pieces."
"Ah, so that's what happened."
Kakashi showed a smile, it was clear he didn't fully believe Takumi's explanation.
In fact, the explanation was half-truth, half-lie.
"By the way, any results from interrogating those Kumogakure's Shinobi? Any gains?"
Seeing Kakashi not buying the explanation, Takumi quickly changed the subject. "With the Torture and Interrogation Force's skills, after a night, there should be some news, right?"
"I don't know."
Kakashi shook his head simply. "I haven't run into anyone from the Torture and Interrogation Force, and casually prying into those matters isn't good either."
"True."
Takumi nodded. "Then I won't disturb your rare rest, senpai."
"You too. Hurry up and buy the bed. I think she probably doesn't like sleeping on the floor."
Kakashi said somewhat teasingly, lowering his head to read his novel again.
"Never expected the legendary Copy Ninja Kakashi to be like this."
Yugito couldn't help but sigh. "I heard he was a genius, but today I feel somewhat disappointed."
"As an outsider, who cares about your thoughts."
Takumi rolled his eyes and continued forward.
Then he ran into a few more familiar faces.
"Yo, Takumi! Where are you going? Want to go eat ramen together?" Naruto asked enthusiastically, waving.
Takumi waved back at Naruto. "You go ahead. I've already had breakfast."
"Takumi! Want to train with me? Burn with the heat of youth together?!" Lee, running on his hands, stopped in front of Takumi.
Takumi showed him the chain in his hand and said to Lee, "I have things to do. Let's skip it this time."
"Takumi-kun, where are you going? I'll accompany you!"
Sakura and Ino came together, smiling at Takumi, but their gazes at Yugito were full of threat.
'Even we haven't spent the night at Takumi's house!'
Their inner resentment was obviously something Yugito couldn't understand.
"No, I have things to do. I have a mission to attend to later."
Takumi refused the two girls.
Mainly because if they held his arms, he couldn't hold the chain properly.
"Takumi-kun, this is cake I made myself. Do you want some?"
Rin handed a beautifully wrapped gift bag to Takumi, tilting her head to look at Yugito behind him.
Kind-hearted, seeing the chains on Yugito, a trace of pity flashed in her eyes.
The other's identity as a Jinchuriki resonated with her in some way.
Though she had been forced, not willing.
And she had died because of it.
While the other was a Jinchuriki who could control the Biju's power, vastly different from her.
"Is she the Jinchuriki?"
Rin couldn't help but ask.