The Enlightened One Ch.80

— Lei Senju —

I was honestly surprised that Tsunade returned my embrace. The reason why I hugged her in the first place was to see how she felt about me. The Tsunade I remembered from the series… I expected her to either push me away when I tried to get close, or give me a powerful punch like she does to Jiraiya.

But… she actually cared about me.

The realization that I actually had family in this world… someone who cared about me all this time, it warmed my heart in ways I couldn’t possibly describe.

I slowly pulled away and looked down into the brown eyes of the woman. I could see tears threatening to spill out of the corners of her eyes and the sight made my heart speed up. I brought my fingers up to her eyes and wiped away the unspilled tears and she let me.

“You’re even more beautiful than I imagined, cousin.” I smiled and she looked momentarily surprised by my words.

“That’s probably because she refuses to age. Always in denial. Tsk tsk tsk, when will you learn-” Jiraiya crossed his arms and shook his head but before he could finish, Tsunade had stepped in front of him and sent a powerful blow into his gut, making him fall down while he clenched his stomach. “Gah! Y-You haven’t changed a bit!”

Tsunade glared down at him with a clenched fist before remembering herself. She turned around with a light blush as she looked at me nervously.

“Oh, don’t worry about me, I’ve already heard stories.” I held my hands up.

Again her eyes widened for a moment before hardening in a glare as she looked back down at Jiraiya. “And pray tell, who told you these stories?”

“Gramps…” I carelessly placed my hands behind my head. Tsunade tilted her head and I realized I hadn’t been specific enough. “Lord Third.”

Her eyes lit up as a tick mark formed on her forehead. “Then it seems Sensei and I must have a talk about bad mouthing others.”

I shivered at the threat in her words and sent a silent prayer for Gramps. He had created this monster and it was his responsibility to deal with her.

“This lady is a legendary shinobi…? She’s kind of boring.” Naruko walked over to me and whispered loudly into my ear. I could see a tick mark form on Tsunade’s forehead and was sure things were not going to end well.

“Who the hell do you think you’re talking about, brat?!” Tsunade shouted with her hands on her hips and an exasperated look on her face.

“Oh shoot, she heard me!” Naruko panicked and hid behind me. I facepalmed as my body shielded my girlfriend from my angry cousin. No shit she heard you, Naruko.

“Is this your friend?” Tsunade asked me as she pointed a finger at the blonde. “You should consider your friendships more carefully.”

Her words made me frown. I knew she had been watching me here and there as I grew up, so she definitely knows who Naruko is, and that’s without considering the likely chance that Tsunade knows Naruko is Minato and Kushina’s daughter.

“Lei does choose his friends carefully, but I’m not one of them!” Naruko smiled almost cheekily as she grabbed my arm and pulled it into her chest. “We’re more than that.”

Tsunade nearly gasped at the girl’s words and looked to me for confirmation. I let out a sigh and gave a small nod and watched as Tsunade’s eyes widened.

“You two… I see.” She whispered out thoughtfully before nodding to herself. “I’ll have to talk to you about that later.”

I smiled at my cousin. “I’m fine with that. There’s plenty I wanted to tell you anyway.” Tsunade returned my smile. There was something so calming about having the woman around. I didn’t know how to describe it, but even though I haven’t spent much time around her yet, she had an air around her that made her easy to talk to. Kind of like Mama Reiko.

A dark shade cast over my face as I remembered my time in the orphanage, my childhood. I still needed to go back to that orphanage, and I needed to talk to that woman. The last time we had spoken we had left on good terms, but with everything that had happened, I couldn’t help but put the blame on her. It wasn’t fair to her, I understood that. Even after everything Kuzan told me, I wanted to hear her side of the story before I casted any judgment toward her.

“You both may have to talk tomorrow.” Jiraiya let out a loud and long-drawn yawn. “We’ve been traveling all day, I’m going to get a drink and hit the sack. Tsunade, would you like to join me?” I didn’t miss how Jiraiya grew almost unnoticeably more serious as he addressed Tsunade. He definitely wanted to talk to her about something important.

Tsunade stared at him for a few seconds and it was clear she understood the gravity of his words. “I don’t see why not.”

“Then it’s a date! You three kids head off to sleep now!” Jiraiya grinned as he started to walk away. I could see Shizune’s jaw drop at his words. I’d feel that way if I was called a kid at almost thirty years old too.

“Actually.” I spoke and watched as two of the Legendary Sannin stopped in their tracks and looked back at me. “I want to come too.”

“Didn’t you hear me, it’s a date!” Jiraiya chuckled. He walked back over to me and yoinked me and wrapped his arms around my shoulders. “Don’t interrupt my chances kid!” He whispered and I rolled my eyes. Any chances he had with Tsunade were pretty much dead in the water at this point, plus knowing her, she wouldn’t be giving it up that easily.

“I insist.” I gave the man a wry smile as I lightly pushed him back. He frowned at me but nodded nonetheless. I was tired of being left in the dark. If the old man had something that he wanted Jiraiya to tell Tsunade, I wanted to hear it.

“Wait, then can we come?!” Naruko pointed at Shizune.

“No.” Jiraiya shook his head, shutting down all chances for them.

“That’s not fair!” Naruko stamped her foot on the ground and crossed her arms under her bust.

“Life isn’t fair, kid! The sooner you learn that, the easier things get!” Jiraiya laughed as he walked away. Tsunade and I shared a look and she gave me a fond smile and a nod before she followed the man. I turned around and walked back over to Naruko.

“Lei… can’t I come with you?” Naruko asked quietly and I pulled her into a hug which surprised her, but she wasted no when it came to showing her affection. She squeezed me tight and rested her head in the crook of my neck for a few seconds before I pulled back a bit. I still had my arms wrapped around her, but the looseness in my hold made her have to pull back so she could look up at me.

“I’m sorry, you can’t.” I answered her and watched as she pouted at me. I let out a chuckle and ran my hand through her hair. “We’re going to talk about some serious stuff. Stuff I don’t want you to get involved in.”

“But I want to be involved, Lei! I want to help.” Naruko pleaded and I gave her a thankful smile. As thankful as I was, I wouldn’t change my mind. I didn’t want Naruko involved in some of the darker shit, or any of my girls for that matter. I would be a fool to think I can always keep them in the light and protect them, but unnecessarily bringing them into things that don’t concern them is not something I would be doing ever.

“I know you do, Naruko, and you will help me. Just go with this woman…” I trailed off as I looked over at Shizune, who’s name I shouldn’t know yet.

“Shizune, it’s a pleasure, Lord Senju.” The black-haired woman smiled and bowed slightly.

“Likewise, and please, just call me Lei.” I returned her smile.

“Thank you kindly, Lord Lei.” That was the best I was going to get, I could tell that just by looking at the almost playful smile on her face. She was undoubtedly fucking with me.

I briefly looked back and noticed Tsunade and Jiraiya were almost out of sight and were about to turn a corner. “I’ll talk to you later.” I hurried and gave Naruko a light peck on her cheek before I ran after the two.

It didn’t take me long to reach the two and Jiraiya barely acknowledged my arrival while Tsunade just gave me a small smile.

Internally I was frowning. I didn’t like splitting off from any of my girls, least of all when outside of the safety of the village. That being said, I knew Shizune was a Jonin-level medical Shinobi and one that was personally trained by Tsunade. Naruko herself wasn’t a slouch, so they should be able to defend themselves well.

Plus, I had some insurance to ensure that I would be alerted if Naruko fell into any danger. I had little bugs made of wood in the front and back of her shirt. After what happened in the Forest of Death, I’d be damned if I left any of my girls unchecked. Satsuki and Hinata also had bugs on them and the three girls knew about the bugs and knew I was doing it for their safety. I could see through the eyes of these bugs at any time and even inherit their memories at will. I didn’t like getting in the way of their privacy, but the girls had been perfectly fine with it. Plus we all practically live together. Any privacy we once had has dissolved in acid once we got together.

Eventually Jiraiya pointed at a bar and we made our way inside. With how late it was, it didn’t take long for us to be seated, but to my surprise the place was relatively crowded. There were spots like this in Konoha that were usually filled to the brim at this time of night, but this village isn’t that big so I hadn’t expected one place to have this many people.

We sat at a booth. I sat beside Tsunade with me on the outside, while Jiraiya sat across from us.

“Would you three like anything?” A fairly beautiful woman with a large bust and a good amount of cleavage asked us. Tsunade rolled her eyes as Jiraiya openly stared at the woman’s cleavage with a perverted smile.

“Your most expensive bottle of sake, and some of your time if I can have it.” Jiraiya winked at the woman who forced a giggle.

“Oh my, quite the ladies man you are.” She lightly slapped his shoulder and I deadpanned at the scene. I could respect the man’s game, but weren’t we supposed to talk about important stuff?

“The only lady’s man I’m trying to be tonight is yours.” Jiraiya grinned.

“Jiraiya, another one out of you and I’ll make sure you’re never a ladies man again.” Tsunade narrowed her eyes at her teammate and I watched as he paled. I could see it in his eyes. Painful recollection. She had done it before, and she’d do it again.

“… Just the sake please.” Jiraiya dropped his head and the waitress gave a more genuine giggle as she walked away.

“You almost had her.” I offered the older man encouraging words and he pouted at me.

“Yeah, until this old jealous teammate of mine got in my—Argh!” Jiraiya growled in pain as she scrunched his face and placed it on the table. Did she just… kick his leg? Or did she kick somewhere else? I don’t think I want to know.

“Enough about Jiraiya.” Tsunade crossed her arms under her massive bust and closed her eyes. I’d be lying if I said my eyes didn’t fall down to them for a brief moment. “Tell me about yourself.” She smiled at me and I made sure I was looking at her face by the time her eyes opened.

“Hm. Where should I start?” I pondered quietly.

“From the beginning.” Tsunade leaned forward on her hand as she looked deep into my eyes. “I want to hear everything.”

Her words made my heart flutter. I knew she was dealing with her own problems which is why I had never been upset about her being out of my life for so long. That being said, I half-expected her to turn me away and cast me aside when I actually met her. She had completely surpassed my expectations and was even showing interest in everything she missed.

“Alright, I’ll start from the beginning.” I said with a genuine smile of love as I leaned back in my seat. I started from my time in the orphanage and told them about the friends I made and the woman who took care of us, even though it hurt to talk about. Then I talked about my meeting with Naruko and Hinata and how we became friends after that.

I enjoyed reminiscing about how my girls and I came to be. If there was one thing I was proud of in this world, it was them. I told them about my time at the academy and the day Satsuki joined our group. Then about our graduation and the day Hinata became my girlfriend.

“Wait… I thought that girl Naruko was your girlfriend.” Tsunade tilted her head in confusion but I could see realization fill her brown eyes before she even finished her question.

“Well he’s part of a nearly extinct clan, and let’s be honest, you’re not going to have any children anytime soon.” Jiraiya said with a considerate frown. His words may have come across as a jab to some people, but Tsunade only looked downcast. I didn’t blame her for being upset. I couldn’t even comprehend losing a lover.

If Hinata, Naruko, or Satsuki died… I would stop at nothing to bring them back. I didn’t want to see the type of person I would become if that happened. A desperate, mad man with nothing to lose.

“Yeah, the girls are my world, and considering my situation, I thought it would be best to just accept all of them.” I chuckled nervously. I knew Tsunade didn’t like perverts and I had just earned her affection. The last thing I wanted was to upset her.

Tsunade let out a sigh and took a sip of the sake in her cup. “As long as you take those girls' feelings into consideration then all will be fine. Just remember that women are not trophies, and never take romantic advice from this idiot.” She jabbed a thumb at the man across from us and he just shrugged.

Jiraiya may be a legend and a man who can write some really good soft core porn, but I wouldn’t take any relationship advice from him anytime soon. Never take a poor man’s financial advice and all that good stuff.

I continued the tale of my life thus far. I told them about how I got with Naruko, and then Satsuki after, and how we were all on the same team. Then I spoke about the events of Waves. I noticed Jiraiya leaned forward a bit as I told my perspective of the events.

I mentioned defeating the Mist Shinobi, then raiding the beach with our reinforcements, and even talked about our abrupt meeting with Mei.

Tsunade gave me the deadest look I had seen her give thus far as I told her how I managed to pull Mei Terumi, one of the strongest Shinobi in the world.

“Kid… you’re something else.” Jiraiya grinned.

“Didn’t I tell you this story already?” I tilted my head. He wanted to know a while back because he had plans of making another book with my experience with Mei as the climax, which was badass!

“You did, but a tale like that being non-fiction always gets to me.” Jiraiya wiped an unshed tear out of his eye. “You may actually be the chosen one as foretold by the great sages of Mount Myoboku so long ago!”

I stilled my reaction. I didn’t expect him to so openly reference the child of prophecy, especially not when referring to me. Even Tsunade widened her eyes at his words before looking at me with eyes filled with consideration.

I for one knew that I was not the Child of Prophecy. That honor went to Naruko Uzumaki. Though I’d be lying if I said I didn’t intend to remain stronger than her, even when she gains full access to Kurama’s chakra.

My recollection of the events of Waves eventually led to Orochimaru who both Sannin were not happy to hear about. I understood their frustration toward their old teammate and made an effort to breeze past it as soon as possible. With that out of the way, I wrapped things up by telling them about my experience in the Chunin Exams thus far. I’ll admit, it took me longer than I wanted to explain what happened in the Forest of Death to them, but they never rushed me or spoke. They listened quietly until I was done with everything.

When I had finished, to my surprise Tsunade grabbed my head and pulled into her bosom. I was caught off guard, and almost pushed away but her hold on me was strong. She ran a soft hand through my hair as I relaxed in her embrace. I didn’t and wouldn’t shed any tears… I had run out of those.

We stayed quiet for a long while before Jiraiya eventually grinned at us and tapped the table.

“You have an idea and I bet it’s stupid.” Tsunade spoke before he could even get out a word and I watched as Jiraiya deflated.

“… It’s not stupid.” Jiraiya pouted. “In fact I think you’ll like this game more than any of us.”

Tsunade leveled a calculating stare at him before eventually sighing and gesturing for him to go ahead with whatever bullshit he was going to spout.

“Let’s make a bet.” Jiraiya grinned which made Tsunade narrow her eyes with a confident smile.

“I’ll always take a bet, Jiraiya, as long as it’s not perverted.” Tsunade leaned forward and put her hand under her bust. Unintentionally pushing her large rack up and stealing Jiraiya’s attention. Ah… she wasn’t doing it unintentionally was she?

“Ahem.” Jiraiya coughed into his hand. “I was thinking of something simple.” The man reached into his pocket and pulled out a ryo coin. “Heads or tails?”

“Tails.” Tsunade said immediately and Jiraiya nodded. “How much coin do you want to put on this?” I could see there was a greedy glint that flashed in his eyes.

“You… you’ve done this before.” Tsunade frowned. “You think you’re going to win so you put just enough for a visit to the private rooms filled with escorts.”

Jiraiya grew red and turned away. “No! Lies!”

Tsunade and I shared a look. “I don’t have much.” The woman admitted, which made Jiraiya frown.

“Don’t worry, I’ll put money in for you.” I smiled at her and her eyes widened. She grabbed my shoulders and shook me.

“Really?! You’ll do that?!” She continued to shake me and she couldn’t tell I was nodding because of how violently she was shaking me.

“Yeah, no big deal.” I waved her off and she finally let go of me.

“You’re the best cousin a woman could ask for! Where have you been all my life!” Tsunade hugged me against her large breasts again and I forced myself to think about the women I already had in my life. Cousin or not, Tsunade was hot, and only a gay man wouldn’t be turned on in this situation. But I’m loyal!

“Tails, and one hundred thousand ryo on the line!” Tsunade slammed her hand on the table and my eyes shot wide open. This woman…! She was betting the equivalent of a million yen just because I said I would pay!

Well… it’s not like I don’t have the money.

I let out a sigh and accepted my fate. Tsunade was going to lose me my money, but I could accept that. Jiraiya would have enough funds to visit escort places for the next six months even if he splurged.

“I’ll match that!” Jiraiya grinned wider after a moment of surprise and he flipped the coin. We all watched it quietly as it landed back on his hand then he slapped it on the table. Slowly he removed his hand and our eyes went wide—Tails.

“You won!” I cheered as I looked at my cousin who was still staring at the coin with surprise. “Come on, you just won a hundred thousand ryo! Why aren’t you happy?” I chuckled and tilted my head, then I looked at Jiraiya to see not a face of defeat, but a serious expression as he looked at the coin. “What’s going on?” I asked as I realized there has been a shift in the mood.

“Jiraiya… whatever you wanted to talk to me about, it can wait until tomorrow.” Tsunade suddenly said before standing up. She looked down at me. “Lei, please let me out.”

I eyed her with confusion but did what she wanted. I slid out of the booth and watched as the woman walked away and out of the place. I sat back down and looked at Jiraiya. “Are you going to tell me what that was about?”

Jiraiya stayed quiet for a moment before eventually looking up from the coin and at me. He let out a laugh as if the mood hadn’t grown as serious as it had before he too stood up. “Nothing to concern yourself with, kid. I lost a lot of ryo though… I’m going to hit the sack. You got the bill right?” He asked before walking out and leaving me alone.

I stared at the exit for a while after he left before pulling out my wallet and paying for our drinks. I walked out of the place completely confused. One second we were all having fun and the next everything was downcast.

Where did things go wrong?

— Tsunade Senju —

Tsunade walked up the stairs and through the hall of the inn they were staying at, all the while her gaze was fixated on the floor. It was happening again.

All her life Tsunade had loved betting. It was something she and her grandfather would do a lot together, and when he died, she continued to do it. It brought her comfort and peace of mind, even though she rarely ever won…

Tsunade was cursed when it came to gambling and betting. Every time she made a bet, it was as if every force in the world wanted her to lose.

A cruel frown tugged down on her lips as she remembered her brother and lover’s deaths. Before they both died, she had done the same thing for them. She had given them her grandfather’s necklace and placed a kiss on their foreheads after they declared to be Hokage. Yet they both died.

She had bet on their futures and she lost.

But both tragedies also had another thing in common. Before she had given Nawaki and Dan her necklace, she had won a bet. At the time she thought nothing of it, but after she lost the two people she cared about most in the world, she started to believe she was cursed.

Ever since then, anytime she won a bet something bad would happen. She would lose her wallet, or even run into enemy Shinobi, or Shizune would be attacked while she was alone.

Things never went the way they were supposed to when she won a bet.

And tonight, she finally found someone to give her love to again, to dote on and cherish like her own dear little brother… and within the same night, she won a bet.

It was a sign, and Tsunade had been hurt enough to recognize it. Something bad was going to happen to Lei… and she couldn’t bear the thought of that.

She couldn’t lose another person she loved… not again.

Tsunade reached her room and walked in to see Shizune lying on one of the two beds in the room. “Lady Tsunade.” Shizune got out of bed and greeted her. The girl was in nothing but sleepwear, but neither of them were uncomfortable in each other’s presence, not after how long they had spent together.

“Shizune…” Tsunade started before stopping. The words died in her throat.

“Lady Tsunade? Is something wrong?” Shizune walked forward and took a hold of her sensei’s hands.

Tsunade had to try her best to stop any sadness from showing, but even after all her years of being a Shinobi, she could tell that she was failing miserably.

“Shizune… I won a bet.” That was all Tsunade needed to say for Shizune to understand why she was so upset.

The two stayed quiet and Tsunade could tell Shizune didn’t know what to say.

“I will not go through the loss of someone else.” Tsunade bit out as tears spilled out of her eyes. “We’re leav-”

*KNOCK*

Both women locked eyes on the door to the room.

“Hey… Tsunade, it’s me… I just wanted to check on you.” The voice belonged to Lei and Tsunade felt her heart still at his appearance. She couldn’t risk having anything happen to him, it always seemed that the people close to her were in danger, and the last thing she wanted was for Lei to stay so close to her with his life at stake.

— Chapter End —

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