NARUTO: In the Era of Sannin

The evening sun painted the sky with shades of orange and pink as Yuichi stood outside the Senju Clan's residency area, hands casually tucked into his pockets.

He couldn't help but admire the open design of the compound, a stark contrast to the closed and guarded Uchiha residency. The comparisons were blatantly naked and he couldn't stop the comparison in his mind even if he wanted to do so.

The Senju compound was built with the idea of community in mind. The houses were crafted from polished wood and light-colored stone, each adorned with flowering plants and lush greenery. Vines climbed over wooden fences, and small gardens decorated every corner, exuding life and harmony.

Pathways crisscrossed the area, leading to open courtyards where villagers mingled freely with Senju clan members. Children played in the open spaces, their laughter echoing through the area, while elders sat on verandas, sipping tea and chatting leisurely. 

The openness of the residency reflected the values of the Senju, a clan deeply integrated into the village, welcoming all as equals. It was no wonder they were so beloved by the people.

Yuichi shifted his weight from one foot to the other, feeling a bit out of place. He wasn't used to this kind of warmth from a clan's residency. His eyes wandered to the towering oak tree near the entrance, its sprawling branches providing shade to a group of children chasing a small ball.

"I didn't think Tsunade would change the plan," Yuichi muttered to himself, running a hand through his hair. He had only asked for a simple dinner when he invited her, but now here he was, waiting hours earlier than expected. 

His heart thumped a little faster at the thought of seeing her.

Just then, he heard light footsteps approaching. Turning around, Yuichi's breath caught in his throat.

Tsunade stepped out from the compound, her usual confident demeanor softened by a hint of shyness. The dress she wore made her look more mature, far from her age, a glimpse of her future beauty. 

She wore a sleeveless lilac kimono-style dress with diamond patterns along the edges. The off-shoulder design revealed her collarbones, while the black high-neck inner layer balanced the elegance with modesty. A short dark skirt flowed beneath the kimono wrap, accentuating her athletic figure, while thigh-high black stockings complemented her long legs. 

She wore a pair of strappy black sandals that added to her charm, and a kunai pouch strapped to her upper thigh gave her an air of readiness despite the delicate outfit. Her blonde hair was tied back in her usual ponytail, though a few strands framed her face, making her look softer than usual.

"You… look stunning," Yuichi blurted out before he could stop himself. His voice was quiet, almost reverent, as if he was afraid to break the spell she had cast over him.

Tsunade's cheeks flushed a light pink as she looked away, avoiding his gaze. "T-Thanks. I… don't usually wear stuff like this. It's a little embarrassing." She tugged at the edge of her sleeve, her usual confidence wavering.

"No, it's perfect," Yuichi said quickly, his words earnest. "You look… really beautiful."

Tsunade's blush deepened, but she managed a small smile. "Don't get used to it," she said with a hump, though her tone lacked its usual sharpness.

The two stood in awkward silence for a moment before Tsunade cleared her throat. "Anyway, I thought it would be boring to just sit and eat somewhere, so I decided to change the plan."

"Change the plan?" Yuichi asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah," Tsunade said, her confidence returning slightly. "There's a summer festival in the village today. I figured we could check it out. You don't mind, do you?"

Yuichi blinked in surprise. The summer festival. Memories of the last time he attended one surfaced in his mind, most of them involving Jiraiya dragging him into the most embarrassing situation. But this time was different. This time, it was Tsunade who asked him.

"No, I don't mind," Yuichi said, offering her a small smile. "Let's go."

As they walked through the village, the atmosphere grew livelier. Yuichi who was around 5 '6 already was just a few inches above Tsunade, however they together looked great just like any other couple out in the festival.

Lanterns in shades of red and gold lined the streets, their warm glow illuminating the bustling crowd and radiating a subtle essence of festive joy in air.

Stalls selling colorful masks, skewered meat, and sweet dumplings filled the air with the aroma of roasted and sugary delights. Children ran around with sparklers, and shops with performers entertaining crowds with acrobatics and music.

Tsunade walked slightly ahead, her eyes darting from stall to stall. Yuichi followed, his gaze occasionally drifting back to her. She seemed different tonight, less like the confident, slightly aloof Tsunade he was used to and more like a girl her age.

"What are you staring at?" Tsunade asked suddenly, catching him off guard.

Yuichi coughed awkwardly, looking away. "Nothing. Just… surprised. I didn't think you'd be into festivals."

Tsunade shrugged, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "It's not that I'm into them. I just thought it'd be fun. Besides, you seemed like you could use a break."

"A break?" Yuichi asked, tilting his head.

"Yeah. You've been pushing yourself too hard lately. Training nonstop, working on the Rasengan, and whatever else you're doing. You'll burn out if you keep going like this."

Yuichi was taken aback by her words. He hadn't realized she had been paying attention to him so closely. "I… guess I have been overdoing it a little," he admitted.

"Exactly. So tonight, just relax and enjoy yourself," Tsunade said, giving him a playful nudge. "That's an order."

Yuichi chuckled softly. "Yes, ma'am."

They wandered through the festival, stopping occasionally to play games or try different snacks. At one stall, Yuichi tried his hand at a ring-toss game but failed miserably, much to Tsunade's amusement.

"You're terrible at this," she teased, watching him miss yet another ring.

"I'd like to see you do better," Yuichi shot back, though he couldn't help but smile at her laughter.

Tsunade stepped up to the stall, her expression confident. She picked up a ring, took careful aim, and tossed it perfectly onto the target.

"Hah! See? That's how it's done," she said, smirking at him.

Yuichi shook his head in mock defeat. "Alright, you win. What prize do you want?"

Tsunade glanced at the selection of prizes and pointed to a small, plush fox. "That one."

Yuichi handed it to her, and she hugged it to her chest with a rare, genuine smile. For a moment, Yuichi forgot about the festival, his training, and everything else. All he could see was her and her smile.

They went on to one after other stalls enjoying the festival and their moments together, and ended their stalls wandering after Tsunade lost some money in gambling where Yuichi had to step up and drag her out from the stall. 

As the night wore on, the two found themselves standing at the edge of the festival, watching the fireworks light up the sky. The bursts of color reflected in Tsunade's eyes, making them shine even brighter.

"Thanks for tonight," Yuichi said quietly. "This was… nice."

Tsunade glanced at him, her expression soft. "Yeah. It was."

For a moment, neither of them spoke, the sounds of the festival fading into the background as they stood side by side under the starry sky watching the fireworks together while holding each other's hand.