Chapter 28: Life goes on (Part I)

After his disaster of a first prototype, Tsunade had forbidden Riku to test new seals himself and use shadow clones instead. The thought had been more than sound and he didn’t voice any complaint to it. That saved his life because six more crates had ended up like the first one before his project became successful.

Upgrading the barrier seals had led to other ideas. The first was to carve a storage seal on the inside of a vambrace and to cover it to not be damaged. It was a small seal whose purpose was to contain quick to access objects, like pills, antidotes or more importantly kunais, shurikens and shurifuins. When he presented that to Tsunade she shared the news with the Anbu commander. The woman had again insisted for an Anbu special R&D seal division with Riku working exclusively for them. She had hoped that Tsunade would be more permissive than the Sandaime. She had been wrong. Konoha would have needed a new Anbu Commander that day were it not for the timely and lucky intervention of Shizune who came into the office to bring some medical documents.

Another idea he got was to apply the reinforcement seal to objects. Weapons and clothes. After many, many tests, Riku realized that the seal was mostly ineffective on metal unless it was chakra metal. And even that wasn’t a sure thing, a high chakra conductivity was necessary. So high that the price for a single kunai was indecent making the appliance of the seal not worth it. The clothes however gave a better result. While applying a seal to the inside of a flak jacket did the job well, Riku had theorized that actually weaving the seal into the cloth would give better results, he wasn’t able to check if it was true because he was pants at sewing. It works very well with rock for reasons he had yet to discover. Again; the Anbu commander nearly died that day when she asked or rather nearly begged Tsunade for Riku’s enrollment into Anbu into a non-combatant role. She was saved that time by Riku coming into the office to have lunch with Tsunade.

The third idea he got was still a work in progress. He had theorized after watching an Akimichi using their expansion jutsu that it could be possible to apply that to objects. His idea was to expand chakra paper to make bigger and more complex seals then shrink it back to its normal size and add it into a BoS. Karin had thought he was nuts but found the idea interesting. Unfortunately, she was busy at the hospital doing her own research and while she loved fuinjutsu and had an affinity for it, she wanted to prioritize her apprenticeship first. The only other source of help he had was Jiraiya and Riku refused to contact the man for the simple reason that he was still sour about the Icha Icha book he had sent him and which got him in trouble with Tsunade.

Regardless, that third idea led to a fourth idea even more outrageous which was dabbing heavily into space-time ninjutsu. More into the space aspect of it. He had theorized that it could be possible to expand the inside of a confined space. The idea was to create a mix between a regular barrier and the infinite space of the dimension of a storage seal. A simple 2 by 2 by 2 meters box’s inside could actually be infinite. ‘It’s bigger on the inside,’ he had explained simply to the Sandaime and Tsunade when all his technical babble went way over their heads. When he listed the practical application of such a seal they became dazed. Rumors of the Anbu commander drinking herself to a coma into her office afterwards had circulated a bit.

The fifth idea was built upon the fourth. If it was possible to manipulate space then it was possible to manipulate time too. He knew he could already do so indirectly and in a certain way thanks to the study of the storage seal’s dimension’s time behavior and how he not only bypassed the lack of Time but used it for his own purpose. In theory still, he could slow down the time, which didn’t have any purpose really or at least not at the top of his head or more importantly he could accelerate it. The idea that a wounded shinobi could enter that time compressed zone, spend days there recovering and go back to the real world where only a second passed was amazing. The potential was big, especially for war. It also opened the idea of a time seal that he could use on enemies or maybe add this time component to his Iryoken. As such he didn’t speak about it to anyone. That would have been pointless for two reasons. One he needed more knowledge on fuinjutsu than he currently had and Two, he knew it was a long term project and there was more important to do first. Most notably the chakra paper expansion seal, or jutsu.

His arsenal of shurifuins had welcomed two new additions. Both were barriers. One was a small barrier centered around the shurifuin, it was a quick defensive measure more than anything. The other was a four anchor barrier which replaced the tags attached to kunais he had used until then.

His fuinjutsu aside, he had mastered Tsunade’s perfect strength. All that was left was to build his chakra reserve to make the effect stronger and there wasn’t much he could do about it except exercising everyday with his chakra to almost the point of exhaustion. He had thought about developing further the seal he had helped Jiraiya make for healing Hiruzen’s arm but that was too much fuinjutsu in one go for him.

“She’s been spending more and more time in her office, Katsuyu-chan. Know anything about that?” Riku asked the thumb size slug on his shoulder. He liked having her around and often summoned her just because. It was rare some days to see him without her.

“No, Ri-kun and even if I did, you know I wouldn’t tell you.”

“If it’s damaging her health…”

“In that case I would.”

He reached Tsunade’s office and slowly and silently opened the door. Looking inside he saw her with her head on the desk sleeping. Sighing he entered the room, leaving the door open and went to her. Getting around the desk he pondered for a moment if he should wake her up or not. Deciding not to, he delicately picked her up in his arms. He dodged a punch on reflex by tilting his head to the side then left the office, her Anbu guard probably watching and protecting from the shadows. She didn’t wake up one bit during the fifteen minutes walk back to Senju manor. Going inside through the open sliding door of the living room. He brought her to her room and into her futon. Only then did she wake up.

“Hmm. Riku?”

“Yes, sensei, it’s me.”

“What are you doing in…” she finally realized where she was and was confused a bit. “Why am I in my bedroom?”

“You missed dinner. That was four hours ago. I went to check on you and I found you sleeping on your desk so I brought you home.”

“Oh. Thank you.” she said embarrassed and flustered.

“Honestly sensei, if you feel tired, just make a shadow clone and go to bed. Don’t sleep in your office.” he replied with exasperation.

“Noted.” she said with a yawn but raising from her futon.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m going to eat something, I’m hungry.”

“That's what happens when you miss dinner. You should just go back to sleep.”

“Well, too bad I’m awake now.”

“How about you go take a bath? The heating tag that I put in it last month is still working and the water is still hot.”

“That’s… Hmm. That’s a good idea.”

“You better not fall asleep in there!” he said as he watched her go.

“Who do you thank me for?” she replied without turning around.

“...She’s going to fall asleep, isn’t she?”

“Tsunade-sama is going to fall asleep.” Katsuyu confirmed.

“At least she’s not drunk.” he commented tiredly and left for the kitchen to warm up dinner’s leftovers.

“Difficult for her ever since you put under a seal all her bottles of sake.”

“Katsuyu-chan, she’s the Hokage. She could order any shinobi to go fetch one for her.”

The slug didn’t comment on that and chose to stay silent. It didn’t take long for Riku to do his task. He put a bowl of hot vegetable soup and a big glass of fresh water onto a tray and brought it to Tsunade’s room. Usually no food wHere to find itself outside the kitchen or the living room which also double as a dining room, This was a rule but considering the situation and because it was for her, Riku broke it. When he went to the bathroom to check if everything was alright, he knocked gently on the door. Getting no answer he decided to lockpick the lock and got inside. As expected, Tsunade was sitting in the huge bathtub and was asleep. He already pictured the result of his sensei’s stubbornness in the morning and that almost started a headache. From what he saw she fell asleep after washing herself which was a blessing. Seeing her and transporting her naked was one thing. Washing her was another. Not like he would mind, of course. Tsunade was still the most beautiful woman he had ever met. He was certain that it wouldn’t go well with her though.

Creating three shadow clones, he ordered two to pull her out of the bath and the third to use a towel to dry her. Once done, the two clones brought her back to her bedroom and put her inside her futon. To his surprise, she grabbed one of the clones in her sleep and pulled him down to cuddle with him. Unfortunately she hugged it with so much strength that he popped. Sighing to himself, Riku dispelled the other two. He put the cover of the futon over her and laid down above it. His intent was to wake up before her and leave before hell fell upon him. He wished Katsuyu a good night and fell asleep after the slug went back to Shikkotsu forest.

Against all expectation he wasn’t punched to oblivion when she woke up the next morning. Neither did she yelled at him until he went deaf. She was just confused as to why she had slept naked.

“You fell asleep in the bath and let’s leave it at that, sensei.”

Considering the options she had for a moment, she agreed as indicated by her shoulders which shrugged. He served her a glass of orange juice accompanied by eggs, rice, grilled fish and a banana.

“Don’t you think it’s too much?”

“Perhaps but if it helps you go through your day so you won’t fall asleep again on your desk, I’d say it’s not. Now eat, sensei.” and before she could protest he gave her an incentive. “I was being kind last night but if you keep on doing this, I’m going to take pictures and sell them. I’m sure a certain tawdry toad would pay a fortune for a single one of those.” His narrowed eyes indicated he was serious with his threat. She didn’t believe him though. She knew him and he would kill or try to kill Jiraiya before he got a glimpse of her like that. Now, Riku had used the stick and it was time for the carrot. “If you get back on time for dinner, I’ll give you a massage.”

That made her perked up greatly. Riku was very good with his hands and the massages he gave were greatly relaxing. Ever since her boobs became bigger, the back pain had been killing her more often. A good massage was perfect to relieve it.

“Fine! I’ll be on time.” she said, trying to not sound interested in the prospect.

‘You better.’

He heard the door to the manor open and knew that it was probably Shizune and Karin getting back from their night shift. He had been ready for their return and had made light sandwiches. Picking them up from the kitchen’s counter he went to the corridor separating the kitchen and the living room and connected to the entrance. Shizune was thankful and took her sandwich without stopping on her way to the bathroom for a well needed hot bath. Karin on the other hand just hugged him and pulled herself up with her arms around his neck then circling his waist with her legs.

“That bad a night, huh?”

“Hmm.” was the affirmative grunt he got as she rubbed her cheeks against his.

Putting his hands on her hips to hold her, he walked awkwardly to his own bedroom, removed the cover and sheets and laid her down on his bed. Feeling the soft mattress, she let go of him and he pulled the sheets up. She was out like a light on the spot.

Going back to the kitchen he saw Tsunade was done with the totality of her breakfast and picked her empty plate and glass to wash them.

“Sensei, I think it’s time I began to work on my Iryoken.” he said as she left.

“...This saturday. You’re not training in it without me present. Too many things could go wrong.”

“Alright.”

With that said she left for goods this time. Or tried.

“Wait!” Riku quickly dried his hand and picked a page from his BoS. “Inside the storage seal are the new Anbu armors. All reinforced. There is also their tag and shurifuin orders.”

Tsunade nodded, took the page, folded it delicately and put it in her cleavage. Thinking that she was good to go she wasn’t prepared for more. Riku hugged her for a brief moment then let her go.

“You needed that.”

“Did I, now?” she said with an eyebrow raised in question.

“You hugged a clone so hard in your sleep yesterday that you popped it.” he replied flatly. “Honestly, sensei. Just accept them and move along.”

She looked at him for a moment then nodded and left the manor. Riku could now start his day properly. Or so he thought when the thought of a tired Shizune in the bathroom crossed his mind. Just like he had done for Tsunade the previous night he went to check on her. This time was different, however. His senpai had answered when he knocked on the bathroom door.

“Worried I might drown in my sleep?” she joked through the door.

“Of course! I already have sensei to deal with, I’d like to not have to deal with someone else even if that person is you, Shizune-senpai.”

“Hmm I’m fine. I’d love for a massage though.” she not so subtly hinted at him doing it.

“Only if you’re naked, senpai!” he said, trying to get himself out of it.

“DEAL!”

“W-wha?! You are not supposed to agree!”

“Don’t care!”

“I’m going to tell sensei you have the whole collection of Icha-”

“Don’t care!”

“I’ll…” he didn’t know what excuse or threat he could use to get himself out of the predicament. Despite how strung up she was with Tsunade, and how shy she was in public, Shizune was quite the shameless one in private. Only for Riku though but he didn’t know that. She just loved to tease him.

“You’ll what?”

“I’ll… molest you?” he said with no confidence. He had blurted that before his brain could finish his thinking session.

“Better do a good job, I’m really pent up!”

Riku’s eyes twitched and he swore that he would do just as he had said. He was almost fifteen and his hormones were raging. He had learned to control himself in Tsunade’s presence but that was just that: control. It was more his survival instinct kicking in than anything in truth, because when he spent time with Karin or Hinata ( or Ino but he would never admit it to himself) sometimes he just wanted to push them down and have his wicked way with them. Yugao and Anko too. Especially the latter for obvious reasons though he would pick Yugao ten out of ten of ten. Izumo and Kotetsu kept egging him on about his ‘girlfriends’ and that was driving him nuts.

Sighing in defeat he went to Shizune’s room and unseal the massage oils.