The meal took a turn the moment Tsunade opened the sake bottle.

  Hanekawa, being six years old, filled up quickly. But Tsunade? She was on her third glass, the sharp scent of alcohol mixing with the lingering aroma of food.

  "Stop drinking, Teacher," Hanekawa said, unable to help himself.

  "What are you fussing about, brat?" Tsunade asked, her face already flushed. She swirled her glass lazily. "I know my limits. It won't affect your training."

  "Drinking too much is bad for your health," Hanekawa countered, narrowing his eyes. Before she could respond, he reached out and snatched the sake bottle from the table.

  "Give that back!" Tsunade leaned forward, swaying slightly. "Remember, students should not disobey their teachers!"

  As she moved, her clothes shifted, revealing pale skin that caught Hanekawa's attention for just a moment—long enough for her to snatch the bottle back with a smug expression.

  Cheap shot, Hanekawa thought bitterly. Using distraction tactics? That's not how martial ethics work.

  "You're still too young to fight your teacher," Tsunade said, taking another sip.

  Hanekawa sighed. There was nothing to be done about a drunk Sannin. He'd learned what "out of reach" truly meant.

  "What? Are you angry?" Tsunade asked, glancing at him over the rim of her glass.

  "No," Hanekawa said flatly.

  "Then smile for me." She reached over and pinched his cheek before he could protest. "You're so funny!"

  "I'm not a toy," Hanekawa said, glaring at her.

  "That's exactly what students are for," Tsunade declared with a bright smile, clearly pleased with herself.

  Is this a pirate ship? Did I just get kidnapped? Hanekawa thought. I'll get her back later. For now, patience.

  Dinner finally wound down in what Tsunade seemed to consider a cheerful atmosphere.

  "I'll wash the dishes," Hanekawa announced, clearing the table.

  "Very responsible," Tsunade nodded approvingly, then promptly collapsed onto the sofa with a satisfied sigh. "Taking a student was definitely the right choice."

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  By the time Hanekawa returned from the kitchen, Tsunade was fast asleep, her previous rowdiness replaced by the peaceful expression of a sleeping beauty.

  "Teacher?" he called out tentatively.

  Tsunade's eyes remained closed, but her arms suddenly wrapped around him, pulling him against her chest. Hanekawa bounced off her like he'd hit a wall.

  Oh no. No, no, no—

  "Don't make noise. I'm sleeping," Tsunade mumbled, already drifting back under.

  Hanekawa carefully extracted himself from her grip, taking a deep breath. The scent of sake and something floral lingered around him.

  "I knew this would happen," he muttered, looking at the sleeping Sannin. Well, I've got two months of vacation after the exams. Plenty of time to figure this out.

  He didn't bother her further and headed home.

  ---

  "You're back early," Yuhi Shinku observed as Hanekawa entered. He glanced around. "Where's Lady Tsunade?"

  "She took me as her student," Hanekawa said simply.

  Yuhi Shinku's expression froze. He stood up quickly, eyes wide. "Wait—what did you just say? Who took you as a student?"

  "Lady Tsunade," Hanekawa repeated. "She's my teacher now."

  For a moment, Shinku just stared at him. Then he burst into laughter—the kind of uncontrolled, delighted laughter that made Hanekawa wince.

  What's so funny about that?

  "This is excellent news!" Shinku finally managed, wiping his eyes. "Tsunade Senju, one of the Legendary Sannin, taking you as her disciple... Hanekawa, work hard. Don't disappoint her."

  "I won't," Hanekawa promised.

  "Where's Kurenai?" he asked.

  "Doing homework in her room," Shinku said, still grinning like an idiot.

  Hanekawa found her hunched over her desk, surrounded by papers. She looked up as he entered.

  "Why are you doing homework on the first day of vacation?" he asked seriously. "Homework should be done two days before school starts. That's the law."

  Kurenai laughed despite herself. "There's no such law!"

  "There is," Hanekawa insisted gravely. "In fact, there are four things I refuse to do regarding homework. First, anything too simple—"

  "Stop!" Kurenai was already giggling, her earlier frustration forgotten. After she caught her breath, she asked, "Why are you back so early? You usually study longer."

  "No studying today," Hanekawa said casually. "I became a disciple."

  Kurenai's eyes widened. "You took Lady Tsunade as your teacher?"

  "Yes."

  "That's amazing!" she exclaimed. "That's Lady Tsunade!"

  "She's very troublesome," Hanekawa sighed.

  Kurenai's expression suggested she had an overwhelming urge to hit him.

  ---

  Night had fallen when Tsunade woke.

  She stared at the unfamiliar ceiling for a moment, her thoughts slowly returning. A blanket covered her—Hanekawa's doing, clearly. She sat up and waved her hand. A precise stream of chakra hit the light switch, and the room brightened.

  On the coffee table lay a note in careful handwriting:

  Go back to your room and sleep when you wake up. I'll come back tomorrow morning.

  Tsunade stared at those words for a long moment, something warm settling in her chest. She folded the note carefully and placed it on the table.

  "That kid," she murmured, a small smile playing at her lips.