Naruto: Wooing Tsunade from Day One!-Chapter 365: Tsunade Takes a Disciple

"You don't need to worry about me. As long as it's your choice, I'll support it," Nagato said softly, having resolved his inner turmoil. Even if Nonō went to Konoha, their bond wouldn't be broken.

"You're willing to let go?"

Tsunade turned to Nagato, her gaze filled with subtle admiration. She saw the maturity in his response—a lesson learned from Kawakaze on how to treat someone you care for.

"I'm willing to let go. Konoha is also my home, and besides, I trust Nonō to be safe under your care."

Nagato forced a small, reluctant smile. Deep down, how could he truly let go?

"You big idiot," Konan muttered under her breath. Neither Nagato nor Nonō was particularly sharp about these things. Meanwhile, Tsunade was clearly having fun, her feigned seriousness just a game to her.

"Lady Tsunade, I want to stay here," Nonō finally said, her resolve strengthening. "I'm afraid I can't be your disciple anymore."

Hearing Nagato's words had made up her mind. After so much hardship, she couldn't bear the thought of parting from him again, even if studying under Tsunade had been a dream of hers for so long.

"No."

Tsunade suddenly stood up, her abrupt movement startling Nonō, who took several steps back. The uncharacteristic behavior caught everyone's attention, snapping Nagato fully out of his daze.

He glanced at Yahiko and the others, who wore expressions of eager anticipation, their intentions transparent. Only Konan rolled her eyes, silently berating Nagato for being so dense.

Nagato managed an awkward, embarrassed look but didn't dare say anything to remind Nonō, letting the moment unfold as it would.

"Are you sure you don't want me to return to Konoha?"

"There are so many ninjas in Konoha who are better than me. I'm sure you can find a disciple you like."

Nonō felt cornered and desperately hoped that Nagato would step in to help her.

If he had still been oblivious to the situation, Nagato would have readily tried to persuade Tsunade on her behalf. But now that he had grasped what was really happening, he wouldn't dare ruin Sensei's wife's mood. Instead, he averted his gaze, unable to meet Nonō's pleading eyes. He knew this was a golden opportunity for her, no matter how hard it was for her to decide.

"I want you to be my disciple," Tsunade said firmly, barely managing to keep the corners of her mouth from curling into a smile.

"But I don't want to leave Nagato and go back to Konoha alone!" Nonō shouted, closing her eyes in frustration.

"Hahaha!"

Tsunade was the first to burst into laughter, and Nagato's face flushed red with embarrassment.

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"What are you all laughing at?"

Nonō opened her eyes, confused. The angry response she'd feared from Tsunade hadn't come at all.

"We're laughing at how silly you are," Konan said, covering her forehead with a sigh. This older sister still hadn't figured out the situation.

"What I mean is, you don't have to go back to Konoha," Tsunade clarified, her tone softening. "But you can be my disciple. What do you say? Are you willing?"

Tsunade had taken Nonō's character into account and finally made up her mind.

"Yes, I am!"

Nonō's surprise was so overwhelming that she completely forgot about her previous unease. She grinned like a child receiving an unexpected gift.

"Cough... You're willing to become my sister's disciple?"

Nawaki gave a light cough, bringing everyone back to the moment.

"Sensei, I, Nonō Yakushi, humbly bow before you."

Nonō immediately knelt down with respect, bowing deeply before Tsunade.

"Good girl," Tsunade said with a warm smile.

"I don't have anything precious to give you, but I'll leave you with this notebook."

Tsunade handed Nonō a small, well-worn notebook. Though she hadn't planned on taking a disciple, this was something she always carried with her—her personal notes and insights on Medical Ninjutsu.

"Thank you, Sensei."

Nonō flipped through the pages and immediately recognized how invaluable the notebook was. It held the wisdom and experience of the greatest Medical-nin in the Ninja World.

"You're welcome. If I can't keep you by my side, I might as well give you some real skills. Study hard and don't go out and disgrace me in the future."

Tsunade patted Nonō's head, a rare gesture of warmth. This was her first officially accepted disciple. Nagato and Misaki didn't count—one was her husband's student, and the other was her future sister-in-law.

"I will work hard."

Nonō stood straight and respectfully stepped aside, her happiness so evident that she couldn't stop smiling.

"Nagato, please give Nonō some guidance when you have time. If she doesn't learn well, I'll hold you responsible."

Tsunade's tone was partly serious and partly teasing, but she genuinely trusted Nagato's ability to help Nonō.

"Sensei's wife, don't worry. I'll take care of it."

Nagato and Nonō exchanged amused smiles, looking almost foolishly happy.

"Okay, stop smiling like idiots." Tsunade waved a hand dismissively, though her tone remained light. "You've done a good job over the past year. Your Sensei has praised you highly, though he acts like it's all his own doing. He's so full of himself."

She refrained from mentioning Kawakaze's slightly embarrassing plea for her to handle this situation.

"It's all thanks to Sensei's guidance," Yahiko said, taking the opportunity to join in. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of disappointment at Kawakaze's absence, though he understood the necessity.

"I'm here. Konoha can't be left unattended. Let's wait until there's a chance later," Tsunade said, easily reading the group's thoughts and offering reassurance.

"It's fine, Sensei's wife. You being here has solved our big problem," Konan chimed in, latching onto Tsunade's arm affectionately. Her clingy demeanor was undeniable.

"I don't have that kind of ability. It's still your Sensei who made me come," Tsunade admitted. She spoke the truth—this had been Kawakaze's plan all along. He'd foreseen Akatsukigakure's challenges after they pressured their two allies.

"Ōnoki and Rasa should not dare to cause trouble again. It's just that Sensei's wife's reputation might be affected," Yahiko said, guilt flickering in his voice. He valued the Hokage's standing highly.

"What? Just because I lost once, does that mean people won't take me seriously?" Tsunade asked, feigning indifference.

In reality, she wasn't bothered. Nagato's astonishing strength spoke for itself, and she still had hidden powers to rely on. This setback wasn't entirely a loss.

"How could it be? Sensei's wife's reputation is still very strong," Yahiko replied, attempting to flatter her. For a moment, he felt like he was back with the Hatake Clan, offering compliments to keep the peace.

"That's right. I'm the Hokage," Tsunade said with a slight tilt of her head, her pride shining through. She showed no sign of being weighed down by the passage of time.

The group's chatter grew livelier as they sat together in the hut, sharing stories and laughs. Eventually, Kawakaze joined the conversation through Katsuyu, adding his own remarks from afar.

It wasn't until dawn that the group finally dispersed, still energized despite the late hour.

Tsunade dispersed the Wood Release hut with a wave, leaving no trace that anyone had been there.