"Little sister, you really are very young." Tsunade gazed at Tian Yuan's flat chest.
Tian Yuan exhaled in relief—he hadn't been discovered. Now he had to retrieve the yukata from Tsunade's hand, or standing up in the water would expose his secret: he was a boy.
"Look how big sister's is." Tsunade teased.
Tian Yuan felt as if his nose would bleed. In his mind he was a genuine adult.
"Tsunade, must you do this?" Tian Yuan screamed inside, though his face could only show embarrassment. If this continued, he feared the worst.
The more uninhibited Tsunade became, the more dangerous his secret discovery would be. He shuddered at the thought of Tsunade's wrath.
"Tsunade-sama, this little one seems anxious. Let her leave." Shizune spoke from the side.
Tian Yuan silently cheered—thank you, Shizune. Now it was up to Tsunade.
"All right, little sister, go find your parents." Tsunade nodded. "You must be worried."
"O-okay." Tian Yuan nodded. "My yukata?"
"I'll help you put it back on." Tsunade smiled, ignoring his protests. As she attempted to dress him, Tian Yuan struggled—any close movement risked discovery.
Suddenly his foot slipped and he toppled backward. Tsunade caught him, then froze, her eyes widening. Shizune's cheeks flushed.
"It's a boy." Shizune whispered.
"Oh—little brother." Tsunade's smile froze, turning into a chill. Tian Yuan's heart sank.
"I thought bathing here was the same for everyone." Tian Yuan stammered, desperately improvising.
"Oh, little brother, where are your parents?" Tsunade forced a smile.
"I'm alone right now." Tian Yuan answered honestly—he truly was alone in the Hokage world.
"I see. I pity you, but punishment is necessary." Wrapped in her own yukata, Tsunade approached Tian Yuan.
A merciless discipline session began.
"You came to the women's baths."
"You should've said earlier."
"Kids need early lessons."
After a moment, a bruised and battered boy staggered out into the dimming sky.
"I'm alive—thank goodness." Tian Yuan sighed. Tsunade had shown mercy only because he was a child; otherwise the lesson would have been far worse.
"Comrade, comrade at last." Nearby, Jiraiya—face smeared with blood—his eyes gleaming, exclaimed, "Why didn't I think to disguise myself as a girl?"
"Lord Jiraiya, you'd never pull it off." Tian Yuan replied. As a handsome child, it worked; Jiraiya as a woman would be absurd.
"True." Jiraiya nodded. "Then how about I adopt you as my little brother?"
"No." Tian Yuan shook his head. "I don't want to be like you."
"Nonsense—I'm one of the Legendary Sannin. Many have begged me to take them." Jiraiya protested.
"Um, Lord Jiraiya." Tian Yuan chimed in.
"What?" Jiraiya asked.
"Let's not mention the little brother thing right now. Can you take me to the hospital?" Exhausted, Tian Yuan collapsed again—the punishment was too much.
"This kid." Jiraiya caught him and hurried toward Konoha Hospital.
In the bathhouse dressing room:
"Tsunade-sama, the little brother has been taken by Lord Jiraiya." Shizune reported.
Both women re-dressed. Though Tsunade's blows were superficial, they had strained the boy's body. She intended to follow him to the hospital, but Jiraiya had already departed.
"Let's go to Konoha Hospital." Tsunade said. "Shizune, investigate this kid's background."
"Yes, Tsunade-sama." Shizune replied.
…
Konoha Hospital.
"Tsunade, why did you hit him so hard? He's only eight." Jiraiya scolded.
"Are you blaming me? You're a pervert too. Want another punch?" Tsunade shot back.
"Hold on—he's my little brother, so I'm looking out for him." Jiraiya said quickly, wary of her strength. He often felt he might die under her punches.
"What little brother? He never agreed." Tsunade rolled her eyes.
"This little brother, I'll claim him." Jiraiya announced.
"You think he's like you?" Tsunade asked. "His parents died long ago. His personality is cheerful and thick-skinned, his talent average but he works hard and hates bullies."
"Heh—don't say it so plainly. I just like him." Jiraiya chuckled.
"You already have Minato as a disciple." Tsunade pointed out.
"Different—Tian Yuan isn't a disciple. He's a little brother. Do you understand?" Jiraiya snapped. "By the way, when will Tian Yuan wake up?"
"Soon. I have treated him. He can be discharged any time." Tsunade said.
"Then let him stay until tomorrow." Jiraiya decided.
"Tsunade-sama, Jiraiya-sama, Tian Yuan is awake." Shizune announced from the doorway.
"Let's go see this kid."
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]