Chapter 159 (Patreon)

Yujiro descended onto Giant Turtle Island with Tsunade and Konan.

By then, the Fourth Raikage had arrived with several of his most trusted shinobi.

“Lord Yujiro,” A began, his voice unusually sincere, “I would be honored if you remained here a little longer.”

The Raikage’s respect for Yujiro had become unmistakable.

They had once stood as enemies. For a Kage to acknowledge a former enemy so openly spoke volumes about the impression Yujiro had left on him.

“Stay a little longer?” Yujiro clicked his tongue and glanced around the island. Then he looked toward the two women beside him. “What do you think?”

“I think we should decline,” Tsunade answered gently. “The others at home are still waiting for you.”

The moment A heard that, understanding dawned in his eyes.

So that was how it was.

“Raikage, I appreciate the offer, but I won’t impose on you any longer.” Yujiro gave him an easy smile.

“Very well. If that is your decision, I won’t try to stop you.”

A then turned his gaze toward someone standing to his right.

“Samui!”

“Yes, Lord Raikage.”

Samui blinked in surprise. She had no idea why she had suddenly been called forward, but she obediently stepped out from among the Cloud shinobi.

“You will escort Lord Yujiro back to Konoha,” A declared. After a brief pause, he added in the same solemn tone, “Once you arrive, remain at his side and serve as his personal attendant.”

“What?”

Samui stared at him, certain she must have misheard.

A’s expression darkened. “Is there a problem? You would disobey a direct order?”

“No, I wouldn’t dare. It’s just…”

Her eyes drifted toward Yujiro. He was watching her with a faintly amused expression, and she quickly lowered her gaze again.

“It’s just…”

The words remained trapped in her throat. No matter how long she hesitated, she could not bring herself to finish.

The Raikage stepped forward until he stood directly before Yujiro.

“Samui is my subordinate,” he said. “I was also the one who previously ordered her to approach you under the pretense of serving as your attendant. None of that was her decision.”

His expression was grave and entirely without evasion.

“I ask that you accept her. If you still bear any resentment over that deception, direct it at me—not her.”

“There’s nothing to resent.” Yujiro waved the matter aside.

“Then it’s settled.” A’s stern features finally eased into a smile. “If there is ever anything else you require, you need only ask. As long as Kumogakure possesses it, it is yours—whether it is an object or someone’s service.”

Yujiro regarded the unexpectedly forthright Raikage, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.

So, he had finally won A over.

If the man had been this cooperative from the beginning, it would have spared them both a great deal of trouble. Yujiro had never cared for pointless fighting and bloodshed.

A turned back toward Samui.

“Listen carefully. From this day forward, you are to obey Lord Yujiro’s instructions.”

Samui pressed her lips together. “Understood… Lord Raikage.”

She knew exactly what A intended. By placing her at Yujiro’s side, he hoped to strengthen the peace between Kumogakure and Konoha.

The arrangement left a trace of resentment in her heart, but strangely, she was not as opposed to it as she thought she should have been.

Even so, the moment she imagined what her new life might involve, she clenched her teeth.

She had to hold her ground. She absolutely could not allow Yujiro to have his way with her.

But the Raikage had just ordered her to obey Yujiro.

What was she supposed to do now?

For a time, Samui’s thoughts were in complete disarray.

Yujiro, on the other hand, was untroubled by the Raikage assigning him another attendant.

There was already no shortage of women in his household. One more would hardly make a difference.

Tsunade and Konan did not share his indifference. The instant Samui joined their group for the journey home, both women felt an unmistakable sense of danger.

This could not continue.

They understood better than anyone how much of an advantage came from remaining close to Yujiro. Konan had already seized that advantage, and Tsunade’s thoughts immediately began racing.

One week later, Yujiro finally returned to Konoha with Tsunade, Konan, and their newest companion, Samui.

“I’m back.”

Standing before the familiar village gates, Yujiro smiled from the heart.

Konoha had not always been a pleasant place. Yet after years of reform and careful development, the village had gradually become one vast, welcoming family.

It was the kind of warmth almost anyone would cherish, and Yujiro was no exception—especially when he was the one who had worked to create it.

He led the three women straight back to his modest residence.

He had been away for nearly three months. Although he rarely admitted such things aloud, he had missed everyone waiting for him there.

The moment the women of the household saw that Yujiro had returned, their excitement filled the entire building.

When Yugito Nii learned that Samui would also be joining the household as an attendant, she welcomed the news enthusiastically. She practically raised both hands in approval—and if she had been showing Matatabi’s tail, it would undoubtedly have been swaying as well.

Until now, Yugito had been the only woman in the household from Kumogakure. At last, someone from her own village would be living there with her.

Seeing how cheerful Yugito was, the last trace of unease in Samui’s heart gradually faded.

Before arriving, she had feared that Yujiro might treat the women around him cruelly. Yet the Yugito standing before her was relaxed, lively, and genuinely happy. There was not the slightest sign that she had been mistreated.

As Samui watched her former comrade’s bright expression, a small part of her even began to wonder whether living here might not be so bad after all.

She did not yet realize that thought had taken root.

That evening, everyone gathered for a lively dinner to celebrate Yujiro’s return.

Yujiro was eager to test his newly acquired [Gene Recombination], but after being gone for three months, he could hardly reject the women’s enthusiastic welcome.

The experiment would have to wait until tomorrow.

Besides, he already suspected that he would not be getting much sleep that night.

The following day, Yujiro slept until noon.

Once he had recovered his energy, he left the residence at an unhurried pace.

Only a few minutes after his departure, Tsunade slipped away and quietly sought out Kurenai Yūhi.

“Lady Tsunade?” Kurenai looked at her curiously. “Did you need something?”

“Kurenai, if you don’t make your move soon, it’ll be too late!”

Tsunade glanced from side to side, making absolutely certain no one was watching before leaning closer and speaking in an urgent whisper.

“Make my move…?” Kurenai’s expression stiffened.

Lately, she had begun to dread being alone with Tsunade. Almost every private conversation between them somehow returned to this very subject.

“Listen. Here’s what you need to do…”

Tsunade lowered her voice even further and began laying out her plan. Despite her misgivings, Kurenai found herself listening carefully.

Meanwhile, in the courtyard, Samui had changed into her new maid uniform and was following Yugito’s instructions as she learned how to perform her duties properly.

Yūgao and Izumi were still sound asleep. Pakura and Mei Terumī had yet to wake as well.

With most of the others resting, the newly reunited Cloud kunoichi—Yugito and Samui—were responsible for the household duties that day.

Hinata Hyūga had already left early in the morning to train at the practice grounds.

Peace and contentment settled over the residence.

By that time, Yujiro had already reached the ANBU training grounds in the hills behind Konoha.

He had also instructed the ANBU to summon several of the village’s most important shinobi.

Minato Namikaze, Shisui Uchiha, Itachi Uchiha, and Fugaku Uchiha were all waiting for him on the training field. Each of them had come at Yujiro’s personal request.

They were not alone. A sizeable crowd had gathered around the field, eager to learn why they had been called there.

Now, the real event was about to begin.