The Tale of an ordinary ninja

The estate's study was filled with the soft rustle of papers and the occasional sound of a quill scratching against parchment. Akira sat at the large oak desk beside his mother, Umiko, their heads bowed over ledgers and scrolls. The warm afternoon sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting a golden hue over the room. Despite the seriousness of their task—calculating their annual profits—the atmosphere was calm and familiar, punctuated by the occasional light chatter between mother and son.

"Akira," Umiko said with a satisfied smile, her finger tracing a column of numbers, "it seems we've doubled our profits from last year. Our hard work is paying off."

Akira leaned over to verify the figures, nodding in agreement. "It seems so, Mother. Our new textile line has been especially successful. The designs are getting a lot of recognition in the Land of Fire. We've even received inquiries from merchants about expanding to other countries."

Umiko's brows furrowed slightly, a thoughtful look crossing her face. "That's encouraging, but we must be cautious. Rapid expansion without careful planning can lead to overextension and failure. I'll need to discuss this with your father when he returns."

Satisfied with her answer, she looked at Akira with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "But enough about business. What's going on in your life, my dear son?"

Akira blinked, slightly caught off guard by the shift in topic. "Well… things are going well. My training with Lady Mochizuki has been rigorous, but I've come a long way. I've also been excelling in my academic studies, managing to secure first place in my class. And I've made a few good friends too—Kaede, my cousin, has been a great companion. We get along well since she's family."

Umiko smiled knowingly, but her tone turned teasing. "What about Tsunade?"

At the mention of her name, Akira froze for a second, his pen pausing mid-stroke. His ears turned pink as he cleared his throat, trying to sound nonchalant. "Tsunade? She's been really helpful with my training. She's taught me a lot about taijutsu and combat strategies."

"Is that all?" Umiko leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand, her playful smirk growing. "Akira, are you keeping secrets from your dear mother? Oh, how you've grown… hiding things from me already!" She placed a hand dramatically over her heart and even wiped away an imaginary tear.

Akira sighed, knowing there was no way out of this conversation. His mother's teasing wasn't going to stop until he came clean. "Mom…" he began, his voice barely above a whisper. "I asked Tsunade to be my girlfriend… and she said yes."

There was a brief pause as Umiko's face lit up like a firework. "Oh, my precious boy!" she exclaimed, clasping her hands together. "Already charming girls and making bold moves! You're turning into quite the romantic, aren't you? Just like your father when he was your age."

"Mom, please don't tease me," Akira muttered, his face turning as pink as his hair as he tried to hide his embarrassment.

But Umiko was far from done. She leaned closer, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Tell me everything! How did you ask her? What did she say? Did you hold hands? Oh, my heart can't take this—it's too adorable!"

"Mom!" Akira groaned, burying his face in his hands.

Unable to resist her son's endearing shyness, Umiko swept him into a tight hug. "Oh, my sweet boy, I'm so proud of you! It's wonderful that you were honest about your feelings. And I'm glad she feels the same way. Now listen to me carefully—relationships are like tending to a garden. You must nurture it, be patient, and treasure her always. Keep her happy, Akira."

Akira's voice was firm, despite his lingering blush. "I will, Mom. I promise."

Their heartfelt moment was interrupted by a polite knock on the door. Both turned to see Lady Mochizuki stepping inside, her sharp yet calm demeanor immediately commanding attention.

"Umiko, did I interrupt the mother-son bonding time?" she asked, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

"Yes, Mochizuki," Umiko replied, folding her arms with mock indignation. "Do you mind?"

Mochizuki raised an eyebrow. "You're as dramatic as ever, I see."

"And you're as serious as ever," Umiko shot back, though her tone carried warmth. "Some things never change."

Akira chuckled softly at their banter before addressing his sensei. "Sensei, I thought you said I could take the day off since you're leaving on a mission?"

"That's why I'm here," Lady Mochizuki replied. "I'll be escorting your mother on a business trip to the Land of Iron."

Akira's expression shifted to concern. "Mom, you're going alone? Where's Dad?"

Umiko sighed. "Your father had to leave early this morning for a meeting with the merchants of the Land of Fire. He won't return for three days. This deal is too important to miss—it's not just profitable for us but beneficial for the entire village. Don't worry, Mochi will protect me."

Akira frowned, clearly uneasy. "Mom, I know Sensei is capable, but I don't like the idea of you going alone. How about I come along? I can learn more about business negotiations, and it'll also be a good opportunity for me to train with Sensei."

Umiko smirked knowingly. "Ah, I see. So your real motive is to train with Lady Mochizuki, huh? You're not as subtle as you think, my dear."

"Mom!" Akira groaned, exasperated but amused.

Lady Mochizuki chuckled quietly. "He has a point, Umiko. Maybe this trip will do him some good."

Umiko threw her hands up in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. I won't object to your company. But you'll need your sensei's approval first."

"It's fine with me," Mochizuki said with a nod. "In fact, the Land of Iron offers a unique learning opportunity. Their warriors, the samurai, don't use ninjutsu. Instead, they channel chakra into their swords to enhance their techniques. Since you've already mastered the Leaf's kenjutsu style, this trip could provide valuable insight."

"Samurai?" Akira's eyes widened, his curiosity piqued. "That sounds amazing!"

Lady Mochizuki smiled. "If you're this eager, be prepared. Their techniques require precision and discipline—it won't be an easy road."

Excitement bubbled within Akira as he envisioned the journey ahead. The chance to observe and perhaps learn a new fighting style filled him with anticipation, and the prospect of spending time with his mother and sensei made the opportunity all the more meaningful. As the conversation ended, Akira could hardly contain his curiosity and eagerness for the adventure that awaited.

The sun was beginning to set over the village, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, as Akira made his way to the Senju compound. The vast estate, surrounded by lush greenery and elegant architecture, exuded an air of grandeur. Akira was no stranger to the compound, but today his visit carried a bittersweet purpose. He was leaving for the Land of Iron with his mother and wanted to bid Tsunade farewell before his journey.

As he approached the training yard, he saw Tsunade practicing her taijutsu, her movements sharp and precise. She was dressed in her usual training attire, her golden hair tied neatly behind her, her forehead protector gleaming in the fading sunlight. The sight of her filled Akira with a warm sense of pride and affection.

"Tsunade!" he called out, waving.

She turned, a grin spreading across her face. "Akira! What brings you here?" She jogged over, her expression lighting up at the sight of him.

"I wanted to see you before I leave," Akira began, his tone soft but sincere. "I'm traveling to the Land of Iron with my mother as part of her entourage. It's a business trip, but I'll also be training with Lady Mochizuki while I'm there."

Tsunade's smile faltered for a moment, concern flickering in her amber eyes. "The Land of Iron? That's pretty far. Are you sure you'll be safe?"

Akira chuckled softly, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I'll be fine. Sensei will be with us, and she's one of the best. Besides, I've been training hard. I can handle myself."

Tsunade sighed, but a small smile returned to her lips. "I know you're capable, but still… be careful, okay?" She leaned in suddenly and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. "Good luck, Akira. Come back in one piece."

Akira felt his cheeks flush as he gazed at her, a warm, tingling sensation spreading through him. Gathering his courage, he leaned in and returned the gesture, kissing her cheek gently. "I'll come back as soon as I can. You be careful too, okay? I know you're strong, but don't push yourself too hard."

Tsunade rolled her eyes playfully but couldn't hide the blush on her face. "You're sounding like an overprotective boyfriend already," she teased.

They sat down on a nearby bench, the conversation shifting to lighter topics. Tsunade began recounting her recent experiences with her new team.

"I'm being trained by the Hokage himself," she said, her voice filled with pride. "Can you believe it? My sensei is the Hiruzen Sarutobi."

"That's incredible, Tsunade," Akira said earnestly. "You're already on the path to becoming one of the strongest kunoichi."

Tsunade smiled, but there was a hint of exasperation as she continued. "But my teammates… they're a handful. Jiraiya is… well, Jiraiya. He's always making some ridiculous comment or trying to show off. And Orochimaru, on the other hand, is quiet but incredibly sharp. It's like he's always ten steps ahead of everyone. They're complete opposites, but somehow, we're starting to work together."

Akira laughed. "It sounds like you've got your hands full with them."

"Oh, you have no idea," Tsunade groaned, but her smile betrayed her affection for her team. "But I think we'll manage. Hiruzen-sensei is already pushing us hard. I just hope I can keep up."

"You will," Akira said confidently, taking her hand in his. "You're strong, Tsunade. And you've got the determination to match. I know you'll make everyone proud."

Tsunade glanced at their intertwined hands, her heart fluttering at his words. "Thanks, Akira. That means a lot."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, watching the sun dip below the horizon. The soft chirping of crickets filled the air as the village lights began to twinkle in the distance.

"I'll miss you," Tsunade admitted quietly, her voice almost a whisper.

"I'll miss you too," Akira replied, his tone equally soft. "But it's not goodbye forever. I'll be back before you know it."

They stood up, their hands lingering together for a moment longer before they reluctantly let go. As Akira turned to leave, Tsunade called out, her voice filled with warmth. "Take care, Akira. And remember, I'll be waiting for you."

He turned back, smiling. "And I'll be counting the days until I see you again."

As Akira walked away, his heart felt lighter, filled with the warmth of their parting. The memory of her kiss and her words stayed with him, fueling his determination for the journey ahead.