Chapter 300: 293: Fire and Yang
The Land of Tea.
Footsteps sounded in an enclosed corridor. A young woman pushed open a door, she found the room's occupant sitting alone, drinking. Her face was slightly flushed, and she gazed boredly at the pond outside on the other side.
It was already morning, and warm sunlight streamed in from outside, dispelling the shadows in the room.
"Tsunade-sama, you can't drink so early in the morning." Shizune said as she walked into the room holding a pink piglet, a deep resentment in her eyes as she looked at Tsunade drinking.
"What's the matter? Why don't you take this fine morning to relax yourself? You're really boring, Shizune." Tsunade ignored Shizune's admonishment as she took a sip from her cup. It seemed more like indulgence than real drinking.
Seeing the tense silence, Shizune sighed as well. Perhaps she had heard some disturbing rumors and was indulging herself because of that. Were the recent unfortunate events in Konoha weighing on her? Or the situation in the Land of Demons? Maybe both.
"The past is over. Tsunade-sama, you must look forward to the future." Shizune said worriedly.
"Don't worry, I haven't fallen so far as to need comfort from a little girl." Tsunade waved hand, clearly not taking Shizune's words to heart. But the sake seemed to have taken on a bitter taste in her mouth.
Shizune had no choice but to sit to the side, setting the piglet down as she began tidying up the room. As she was organizing things, the door on the other side of the enclosed corridor opened. Tsunade and Shizune looked up subconsciously to see an older man with white hair entering.