"Yes, Lady Tsunade. What about the other two scrolls?" Shizune asked.
"Let the Old Man decide for himself. I'm not the Hokage, so don't throw every problem at me."
"...Understood." Shizune took her orders and hurried away.
The atmosphere in the hot spring pool had changed; the sense of relaxation was gone.
Tenten looked at Tsunade worriedly, then at Hinata, appearing as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.
Tsunade drained the rest of the wine in her cup and let out a long sigh that carried the scent of alcohol. She looked at Hinata and Tenten, a slightly tired but still bold smile returning to her face.
"Alright, girls, let's end today's soak here. I have urgent business, so I'll head out first."
She stood up, the sound of splashing water accompanying the display of her impressive curves, but she didn't care at all, grabbing a nearby bathrobe to wrap herself up.
"Thank you for the good wine. I enjoyed our chat very much," Tsunade said to them.
"Come by and visit often when you have time."
Hinata nodded. "Okay."
Tenten also hurriedly said her goodbyes.
Tsunade waved her hand and strode out of the hot spring courtyard, her back carrying an Aura of swiftness and decisiveness.
Leaving Hinata and Tenten still in the pool, Tenten felt somewhat dazed and uneasy.
"Hinata... is Lady Tsunade... going to deal with Orochimaru? And the Village is so dangerous right now..."
"It's fine. The sky won't fall, and even if it does, the tall ones will hold it up. Don't worry," Hinata comforted Tenten as she also got up to leave the hot spring.
Tenten remained in the water, a bit dazed, the emergency intelligence Shizune had reported echoing in her mind.
Orochimaru, spies, outer reconnaissance—these words sent a chill through her. Had the situation already become this severe?
She instinctively looked at Hinata, who had already stood up and was drying her hair with a towel.
Hinata's movements were unhurried; even after hearing such shocking news, she remained calm.
Little White had vanished from the edge of the hot spring at some point and was now coiled on her clothes, which were placed in a dry spot by the pool.
Tenten stood up from the hot spring, water droplets sliding down her petite frame. She picked up a towel to wrap herself and began drying her body, though she remained somewhat silent.
Once the two had changed into dry clothes, Hinata looked toward the courtyard exit.
"Let's go, it's time to head back."
The two walked side by side out of the shop. Tenten unconsciously began observing her surroundings, feeling a bit tense. After walking silently for a while, Tenten seemed to still be processing the information she had heard at the hot spring.
Finally, they reached a fork in the road.
"Then I'll head back first, Hinata." Tenten stopped and gave Hinata a smile. Although she still had a lot on her mind, she had regained her usual cheerfulness.
"Thank you for today! For taking me to see Lady Tsunade, treating me to the hot spring, and even letting me touch Little White!" She took one last look at Little White.
"Mm," Hinata nodded slightly. "Be careful on the way."
"You too!" Tenten waved and turned to run toward her home, her figure quickly disappearing around the street corner.
Hinata stood there, watching Tenten leave. Only when her Chakra signature had faded into the distance did Hinata start walking toward home.
Everything was fine today, except that Tenten got scared at the end, making the conclusion less than lighthearted, she muttered to herself.
"It seems the Village being too tense is no good; it's easy to scare the little ones."
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