Konoha's Protector

Part 22: Sake

It had been around two weeks since shizune had been captured and Kakashi and Akira had brought her back safely

In two weeks nothing had changed, things started settling down, Tsunade's paperwork continued and so did Akira's rigorous training.

Tsunade did come by to the basement from time to time to borrow and return books from Akira, and overtime she noticed it started to look more lived in. Akira had started to cover the chalkboards and soft boards with various things she was learning, from battle strategies to new technique theories to healing techniques.
The place was still kept spotless of course.

Tsunade had started to trust Akira lot more since she helped Kakshi save shizune.

She still wonders what would have happened if she hadn't been there, as Kakashi had given her a detailed report, which stated that without Akira, Shizune could have gotten seriously hurt.
She still sort of regretted not going herself. Shizune was counting on her and she couldn't even step out of the village.

No. No. No point wandering in the past.
Tsunade knew better than most that every ninja has to take terrible decisions midst battle, and even though she had stumbled upon them in the past, she couldnt help but dread them every bit as much as she did before.

Still traumatised by her past she felt like it would definitely have destroyed her soul if she would have lost shizune as well.

She shook her head brushing her thoughts away, she had a buttload of paper work to do after all.

She then remembered her conversation with Jiraiya a few days ago when he had returned to the village for a few days.

Flashback

Both of them had gone out for a drink like they do most often, later taking a seat on a nearby bench

"So, what happened with shizune sure was unanticipated ?" He started

"Yeah....I thought i was gonna lose her for a second, Akira really came through...."

"so the girls growing on you huh?"

Tsunade gave a small smile, looking down

"Hmm...She seems okay, she hasnt done anything suspicious, she follows every order to perfection, and shes not even a bother at all. More so, she dosent wait to receive orders, shell do the right thing without me even asking her to, thats what sets her a part." Tsuande said remembering the incident a few days back

"Right, not like the common sheep." Jiraiya remarked

" Yea, exactly that. Its hard not to imagine what could have happened if she hadn't shown up to help Kakashi." Tsunade said her expression turning grim

"Don't worry about it anymore, in the end everyones safe, thats all that matters. Lets just be grateful Akira's always on the lookout in case of any danger. Honestly, I trust that girl, Im not around a lot that i know her as well as you, but i can sense it, she means well." Jiraiya stated in a satisfied tone.

"Hmm, i get what you're saying, I feel it too, although theres still a lot we don't know about her. " Tsuande said 

"All in due time..." Jiraiya said with a sigh as he stretched his hands and back from sitting for too long

"Huh, look, just the person we've been talking about." Jiraiya remarked as

Tsunade turned to see Akira's figure walking along the adjacent path toward them.

"Tsunade sama, Jiraiya  sama." Akira gave the two of them a small bow of respect

"Hey Akira, what you up to?" Jiraiya asked in a contrastingly informal tone