Adopted by Tsunade [227-229] (Patreon)

Chapter 227: Kurenai’s Change

Mōryō raged in impotent fury.

No matter how it struggled, it couldn’t break free from the bindings.

It had still been able to roar a few times, but vines stuffed its mouth and the sound turned into muffled whimpers.

Shion’s cheeks flushed slightly as she withdrew her gaze.

Mōryō in its current state… wasn’t exactly kid-friendly.

She exhaled, feeling a great weight lift off her.

Like this, she wouldn’t need to sacrifice her life to seal it, right?

 She just didn’t know how Natsume planned to deal with it.

She—or rather, priestesses through the ages—understood that Mōryō couldn’t be killed.

But in any case, at least things were safe for the moment.

As for the guards around her, each wore a dazed look like they’d never seen the world.

Which, to be fair, was true.

The Land of Demons was too remote.

They knew very little of many things.

In their understanding, they truly believed Mōryō was invincible.

Even if Natsume was Hokage, he couldn’t earn their trust.

But now the facts were right before their eyes. They could only stare, dumbfounded, as their worldview was rebuilt.

Natsume stroked his chin.

Wood Release could handle Mōryō, but because of its special nature, it couldn’t be killed.

The best solution was of course sealing techniques.

Same approach as with Satori, the monster from the Box of Ultimate Bliss.

Back then they only did that because Kaguya wasn’t around.

Now, there was no need to go to such trouble.

Natsume leaned in toward her, glanced at her delicate, cool face—inside the God Tree’s realm, he’d certainly doodled to his heart’s content.

“Kaguya, help me compress Mōryō into a pure energy state,” he said, lowering his voice a little.

Kaguya raised her hand; a black sphere flew out from her palm.

Mōryō, bound by vines and branches, began to struggle violently.

An unprecedented sense of crisis welled up from the depths of its being, chilling it to the bone.

But struggling was useless.

The black sphere swelled and wrapped around it.

The outer vines and branches broke apart first, turning into nothingness.

Natsume arched a brow.

As a Wood Release user, he could tell exactly what had happened to them.

He had to admit, Kaguya’s power was terrifying.

Mōryō steadily disintegrated.

Its pure soul power was laid bare to the air.

Under Kaguya’s control, it was quickly compressed and gathered together.

She lowered her head, took Natsume’s wrist, and placed a transparent soul jewel into his palm.

Though her face showed no expression, Natsume could still sense her gentleness, and the faint fragrance that drifted from her.

He’d investigated—it wasn’t perfume. It was the faint scent from Kaguya’s smooth, alabaster skin.

Aliens really are amazing.

“Thanks.”

Natsume put the soul jewel away.

Given Kaguya’s former personality, she would never have given such a brimming source of energy to an outsider.

After all, it could be converted into chakra.

Which could only mean Natsume was no longer an outsider, but one of her own.

“That… that huge thing, how… how did it disappear?”

Shion’s eyes went wide; her hands instinctively gestured to show the size.

That single minute had been indescribable to her.

Every priestess, once old enough to understand, was indoctrinated with how terrifying Mōryō was, that once it revived, it had to be sealed with one’s life, and so on.

In other words, Mōryō had been Shion’s lifelong nightmare.

Even when Natsume had pinned it down with Wood Release earlier, she had only thought it would be sealed again, not destroyed.

But in the blink of an eye, Mōryō had been completely erased from the shinobi world.

Shion and it shared an origin, so she could sense whether it lived or died.

And so she fell into an even greater shock.

“Congratulations. You don’t have to worry anymore.”

Natsume smiled.

Shion instinctively lowered her hands, stood blankly for a moment, then, once she came back to herself, her eyes turned misty.

She rushed to Natsume and hugged him, her voice choked with tears: “Thank you!”

“We’re all family. No need to be polite.”

Natsume froze for a beat. He understood her reaction.

After all, she was just a young girl, with her life threatened by Mōryō since childhood.

Now that the threat was gone, of course she was happy.

At the same time, Natsume had avenged her mother, Miroku.

After a short while, Shion let him go. She wiped her tears, cheeks a little flushed.

“Hinata, give the Demon Breaker Bow to Shinobu.”

Natsume turned to Hinata.

Because there were so many stone soldiers, she was still shooting.

Her little face was pale, a sheen of sweat on her forehead, and her movements were much slower than before.

For her age, she was clearly at her limit.

But not wanting to disappoint Natsume, she kept forcing herself to continue.

Hearing him, Hinata stopped.

She took a step forward; her legs trembled and she nearly fell.

Natsume hurried to support her and took the Demon Breaker Bow from her.

“You little girl, why do you insist on pushing yourself so hard?”

He reached out and wiped the sweat from Hinata’s face.

The slight coolness made her shiver; she lowered her head, a bit embarrassed.

Kaguya took the bow and casually drew it.

The bow quivered violently. Countless arrows shot out at once, wiping out the remaining stone soldiers.

A massive, visible tide of energy surged wildly into the bow.

Shion felt her worldview shatter yet again.

This ninja named Shinobu… wasn’t she way too ridiculous?

 Could a human really possess such terrifying power?

Natsume handed the Demon Breaker Bow back to Hinata.

“Shinobu, erase everyone’s memories except Shion’s.”

Shion was family, so it was fine.

But the guards were hard to say.

After all, shinobi had many methods.

For now, Natsume didn’t want Kaguya exposed.

Thus ended the grand play he had written, directed, and starred in.

To the outside world, Shion would proclaim that with Natsume’s Wood Release, Mōryō had been sealed again.

As for Kaguya—she wouldn’t be mentioned at all.

…

Two days later.

Grand Hall of the Priestess of the Land of Demons.

“Shion, this is the daimyō of the Land of Snow, Kazahana Koyuki.”

Natsume pointed to the newly arrived Kazahana Koyuki. “From now on, cooperation between our two countries will be handled by her.”

“Mm.”

Shion nodded. “I’ll be in your care, Sister Koyuki.”

Though she ruled the Land of Demons, she knew nothing aside from sealing Mōryō.

Under Natsume’s tutelage over the years, Kazahana Koyuki had grown tremendously.

She had a real knack for economics; putting her in charge of modernizing the Land of Demons was no problem.

“It’s no trouble.”

Kazahana Koyuki smiled.

She’d of course heard of Shion’s name.

But she never expected that someday they’d be addressing each other as sisters.

Quite amusing.

Thinking this, she subconsciously glanced at Natsume.

But her stolen glance was caught.

A faint blush spread across her lovely cheeks.

Natsume paused for a moment.

Although this flower was beautiful, he wasn’t in the mood now.

Mainly because he’d been tormented too thoroughly by Kaguya.

Shion noticed her expression. Her eyes turned, and she more or less understood what she was thinking.

Seems like they could have a chat.

After a brief meeting, Natsume didn’t linger. He planned to head back.

As for Kaguya and Hinata, they had left the day before yesterday.

At the palace gates.

Natsume gave Kazahana Koyuki a few instructions.

The Land of Demons was undeveloped.

It had abundant natural resources.

Therefore, the priorities were simple.

First, build roads.

Second, mine resources.

As for other resources, take it slow.

“Any questions?”

When Natsume finished, he looked at her.

Kazahana Koyuki shook her head.

“Then I—”

Natsume didn’t finish before being cut off.

Kazahana Koyuki rose on tiptoe, her delicate arms looping around his neck, her cheeks and ears flushed bright red.

Her rosy lips pressed tightly against Natsume’s.

After a while, she let go.

Head lowered, not daring to meet his gaze, she murmured softly, “Goodbye.”

Then turned and ran.

Natsume was a bit surprised—he hadn’t expected her to be so bold.

The corner of his mouth curled.

If he recalled correctly, Kazahana Koyuki had already turned eighteen this year.

He shook his head.

Let it be.

For now, he had to repay his debt to Kaguya first.

He performed the Flying Thunder God and returned to Konoha.

“Lord Natsume, you ret—”

Kurenai, sitting on the sofa, stood up immediately, but stopped mid-sentence.

“Kurenai, what’s wrong?”

Natsume blinked.

Kurenai’s smile froze, a struggle flickering in her eyes.

Because she saw a lipstick mark at the corner of Natsume’s mouth.

As a daimyō, Kazahana Koyuki, per the Land of Snow’s traditions, wore heavy makeup daily.

Kurenai immediately misunderstood.

But on second thought, it wasn’t unexpected.

Natsume was so exceptional—how could there be no girls?

Still, she didn’t intend to back down.

Kurenai walked up to him, reached out, and brushed his lips with her fingertip.

“You’ve got lipstick on. If others saw, it wouldn’t be good.”

She withdrew her hand, a faint smile on her face, seemingly unbothered.

“Thanks.”

Natsume felt a little embarrassed, but not too much.

Maybe subconsciously he believed Kurenai wouldn’t—or didn’t dare to—spread it around.

She was a fairly traditional shinobi.

“Lord Natsume, I’ve finished writing the mission report for the Land of Demons.”

Kurenai pulled out a file and handed it to him.

As always, Kaguya wasn’t mentioned.

Yep—the Hokage was brazenly cheating.

What could anyone do?

Konoha, the judges, the shinobi—they were all his people.

Even the client Shion was.

How could anyone compete!

Natsume leaned back and read the report.

Kurenai’s work was its usual high standard—flawless.

“This will do. Well written.”

Natsume nodded. “Kurenai, I’m feeling more and more like this Hokage can’t do without you.”

“Mm.”

Kurenai smiled. “As the Hokage’s secretary, of course I won’t leave the Hokage.”

She bent forward to pick up the file, conveniently showcasing her cleavage.

Natsume let his eyes roam as he pleased.

Kurenai didn’t get angry, and handed him another intel report.

It was about Shimura Danzō.

It said he’d been captured by Kumogakure, current status unknown.

[Because of your actions, the fates of Mōryō, Shion, Kazahana Koyuki, Kurenai Yuhi, Hidan, and Kakuzu have changed. You gained a total of 220 Fate Points.]

Natsume paused, giving Kurenai a meaningful look.

Didn’t expect you to be included too.

What changed, exactly?

 Chapter 228: Konan’s New Mission

Amegakure.

Rain year-round.

Even in autumn, nothing changed.

Within the steel-built structures, a group carried corpses to the base of the tallest tower.

Moments later, white paper drifted down in the rain.

“Lady Angel!”

All the shinobi knelt and cried out.

The paper coalesced into a winged, blue-violet–haired young woman.

Konan.

She glanced at the seven corpses on the ground.

All shinobi.

From various villages.

Among them were shinobi from the Five Great Nations.

They had all come to gather intel.

Though Amegakure was of little consequence in the Five Villages’ eyes, its leader, Hanzō the Salamander—a so-called demigod—couldn’t be ignored.

Since the Second Shinobi World War, he had vanished.

The major villages wanted to know what he was up to, so they never stopped sending agents.

But in the end, it was all futile.

Any shinobi entering Amegakure would be seen by God’s eyes.

Konan raised her hand; countless paper sheets lifted the seven corpses and followed her toward the tower.

“Nagato.”

She stopped and said, “These seven are recent infiltrators. They’ve been dealt with.”

Deva Path Pain turned, Rinnegan sweeping over the seven bodies.

After a few seconds of silence, his expression didn’t change as he pointed to two. “Keep these as backups for the Six Paths bodies.”

Konan nodded. With a thought, the two bodies flew up the tower to the storage area.

The other five would be moved to other towers.

This tower was for Nagato’s exclusive use.

If any of the Paths of Pain were damaged, replacement bodies would be made from here.

“Nagato, I received two pieces of intel about Tailed Beasts.”

Konan finished with the bodies and spoke. “You should decide.”

“Speak.”

Deva Path Pain’s tone was flat.

Even the Tailed Beasts were the same to him.

In his view, though the beasts were scattered across the villages, they were his—sooner or later.

For now, others were merely safekeeping them.

Such was God’s confidence.

“Kumogakure’s Two-Tails Jinchūriki died at the hands of the foreign demon, Mōryō, in the Land of Demons.”

Konan thought a moment. “White Zetsu didn’t witness it, but someone did. After interrogation with certain methods, it appears to be true.”

“No matter. The Two-Tails’ revival time is short. It won’t affect our plans.”

Pain was indifferent, looking out over the distant rain.

“Mm.”

Konan nodded, then asked, “The Three-Tails’ Jinchūriki, Yagura, is on the verge of death. Should we do something?”

The Three-Tails?

Pain’s face paused.

He recalled that last time, the man claiming to be Uchiha Madara had suffered a crushing defeat near the Three-Tails.

He’d returned quite battered.

He’d reported a mysterious Wood Release user.

Though Pain didn’t care much, anyone who could defeat “Uchiha Madara” had some skill.

Perhaps they could recruit him to Akatsuki.

They were still short on manpower; the money wasn’t coming in as expected.

“Konan, pick two people and go yourself.”

Pain said, “If you encounter the Wood Release shinobi Madara mentioned, bring him back.”

Akatsuki’s recruitment primarily involved fighting and talk-no-jutsu.

For example, Sasori—back then, before he remade himself—was beaten soundly by Konan, then persuaded to join.

Deidara was similarly cornered by Uchiha Itachi, Hoshigaki Kisame, and Sasori.

Sending Konan now was because this involved Uchiha Madara.

Though beneath the mask was Uchiha Obito.

Konan had never trusted him.

After his crushing defeat in Kirigakure, she felt he was hiding something.

But with no evidence, she’d let it go.

Pain knew this, so he sent her.

If she met the Wood Release shinobi, they could learn what happened back then.

If not, bringing back the Three-Tails was fine too.

“Mm.”

A ripple passed through Konan’s amber eyes.

She was indeed interested.

Not in the Wood Release shinobi per se, but in Uchiha Madara.

She wanted to know why he was so fixated on Kirigakure.

Maybe she could glean his true identity.

“I’ll head out.”

Konan turned and left the tower.

She stood at the doorway, gazing at the ceaseless rain, thinking.

She had some sense of Madara’s abilities.

Anyone who could defeat him wasn’t weak.

“I’ll bring Kakuzu and Hidan.”

After a moment’s thought, she decided.

Kakuzu was a jack-of-all-trades, wielding all five elements, and had five lives.

Hidan, a Jashinist, possessed immortality; if he got an opponent’s blood, he could perform a sacrifice.

With a strong teammate, that ability was nigh-unbeatable.

…

The day after the Mōryō incident concluded—

News spread across the shinobi world.

Compared to Natsume and Shion sealing Mōryō, the deaths of two Jinchūriki were what other villages relished discussing.

Of course, except for Kumogakure, everyone was gloating.

A Jinchūriki’s death and a Tailed Beast’s rebirth meant losing a major fighting force for years.

Given Kumo’s usual overbearing conduct, many were happy to see it.

Still, with the Eight-Tails’ Jinchūriki and the Fourth Raikage, they wouldn’t weaken too much.

So no village took the opportunity to start a war.

Hokage’s Office, Konoha.

After Kurenai left, the room turned quiet.

Natsume casually picked up a file.

From Jiraiya.

He’d left Konoha not long ago to track the villain who destroyed Mount Myōboku.

Mainly because the Great Toad Sage kept urging him.

It made Jiraiya deeply uneasy.

Thus he was no longer sure whether Natsume was the Child of Prophecy; he planned to find the Child of Destruction first.

Otherwise, if Mount Myōboku vanished, he’d lose his purpose in life.

Natsume set the file down and headed to Shikkotsu Forest.

“Lord Natsume.”

His arrival was sensed by a giant slug not far off.

It was half his height—huge—yet still only a split body of the Slug Sage.

“I’m here to see the Slug Sage.”

Natsume smiled politely, then left it behind and walked deeper into the forest.

Soon, the Slug Sage’s endless body filled his vision.

“Lord Natsume.”

Though its voice was gentle, its size made it thunderous.

“You said before you needed me—what is it?”

The Slug Sage couldn’t wait to ask.

It remembered what Natsume had said when he summoned it at the Land of Swamps not long ago.

If it were the Great Toad Sage, he’d have forgotten already.

Loneliness caused trouble.

“It’s something big.”

Natsume looked at it. “How are our relations with the other two Sacred Grounds?”

The Slug Sage froze.

Clearly, it hadn’t expected that question.

“Not bad.”

It thought a moment.

“The big three unexplored sage regions have maintained an alliance for over a thousand years. If you need to ask something of them, I can pass the message on your behalf.”

Don’t fight, don’t steal, and be good to contractors.

Natsume thought, as expected, only Shikkotsu Forest was easy to get along with.

No need to mention Mount Myōboku—it constantly ordered contractors around.

Ryūchi Cave was slightly better, but hot-tempered.

Like Manda.

Orochimaru had to prepare sacrifices every time he summoned it.

In danger, it didn’t care if its contractor lived or died—it would bolt.

Compared to that, Shikkotsu Forest was paradise.

Of course, that was related to the Slug Sage’s personality.

Having lived too long and being solitary, it treated contractors well—at least as normal partners.

“Is the alliance solid?”

Natsume smiled. “If one day Mount Myōboku faced an unprecedented enemy, would you help?”

A ripple of surprise and gravity flashed in the Slug Sage’s eyes.

It asked slowly, “You know the Great Toad’s prophecy as well?”

“Myōboku’s contractor Jiraiya is a Konoha ninja. He told me.”

Natsume casually explained.

“I see.”

After a pause, the Slug Sage said, “If the person only targeted Mount Myōboku, I might keep my head down. But if they came for the Three Sacred Grounds, then I couldn’t run.”

Natsume raised a brow.

That answer was within expectations.

An alliance was one thing; risking one’s life was another.

After living for millennia, they cherished life.

Including Ryūchi Cave—it likely felt the same.

Those snakes were even more ruthless.

Why risk their lives for the Great Toad Sage?

Of course, that assumed it only involved Mount Myōboku, not all three.

“You’re asking this because you know who the person from the prophecy is?”

The Slug Sage unconsciously lifted its head, looking down at him.

“Slug Sage, do you still have your Skynet Login Device?”

Natsume met its gaze, speaking evenly.

“How… how do you know about the Skynet Login Device?!”

The Slug Sage’s massive body trembled, and Shikkotsu Forest seemed to quake.

Only one person knew that secret.

The Emperor of the Ancient Land.

The Slug Sage had told no second person—or creature.

It was, after all, a betrayal of the Three Sacred Grounds.

It had thought that after Ōtsutsuki Isshiki and Kaguya perished together, this secret died with them.

Now, to hear it again naturally made it panic.

“Why don’t you take a look at it?”

Natsume smiled.

As soon as he entered Shikkotsu Forest, he sensed the custom Skynet device he’d once given the Slug Sage.

Because the God Tree was gone, it had stopped working.

But now the server was on Kaguya.

He could bring it back online.

The Slug Sage’s heart thumped.

An ominous premonition washed over it.

If Skynet came back, that would mean that woman had returned.

But that was impossible.

The moon was still intact in the sky.

The Slug Sage fell silent a while, then trembled again.

The ground split, and a huge black cube rose up.

It was the special Skynet Login Device Natsume had given it.

It lowered its head; a feeler tapped the black cube.

The startup chime sounded.

The Slug Sage froze, terror on its face.

Impossible?!

It finally understood who the Great Toad’s prophecy referred to.

Kaguya.

She possessed the shinobi world’s most unique eyes—the Rinne Sharingan.

And had both motive and strength to destroy Mount Myōboku.

Chapter 229: Tsunade

The Slug Sage stood stunned for a moment, then came back to itself.

It almost instinctively leaned close to Natsume.

“You knew all along, didn’t you?”

A gale blasted out.

Natsume’s clothes and hair whipped backward.

At this range, the Slug Sage seemed even more massive—and pale.

Good thing it didn’t have bad breath.

Otherwise, Natsume felt he’d die on the spot.

He instinctively took a few steps back and nodded. “I did.”

Getting the answer, the Slug Sage’s voice trembled. “You… have you met Kaguya?”

It wanted to ask whether he’d betrayed humanity—but then thought better of it. It had betrayed the others first.

“Yes.”

Natsume smiled. “I’ve met her, and I know where she is right now.”

“…”

The Slug Sage collapsed to the ground, speechless for a long time.

Not only alive… but here in the shinobi world?

A powerful sense of crisis enveloped it.

According to the prophecy, Kaguya meant to strike Myōboku.

Would Ryūchi Cave and Shikkotsu Forest be spared?

How could they be?

With what?

The Slug Sage looked at Natsume again.

Based on Kaguya’s behavior a thousand years ago…

Perhaps Natsume was the Emperor of the Land Ancestor reincarnation.

In any case, if he’d come to it, he clearly had a purpose.

“You’re telling me this… for what?”

After a moment’s silence, it continued, “Just to keep me from helping? But given Kaguya’s power, what difference would it make if I helped?”

It had considered the possibility that Kaguya hadn’t fully recovered.

But if she dared to move against Myōboku, perhaps she surpassed the Great Toad Sage by far.

By that logic, there was no need to fear it or the White Snake Sage.

Be an inside agent again?

 No need.

For now, the shinobi world had no Isshiki and no enemy Kaguya cared about.

“Cooperation.”

Natsume paused. “The same kind as a thousand years ago.”

“Who… who are you really?!”

The Slug Sage shuddered.

If not for the age mismatch, it would suspect Natsume was the Ancient Land’s Emperor.

“I’m Natsume, Hokage of Konoha, and a contractor of Shikkotsu Forest.”

Natsume smiled. “Don’t worry—I won’t harm you. Neither will Kaguya.”

Kaguya?

Calling her by name?

The Slug Sage blinked.

Was his relationship with Kaguya even closer than the Emperor’s?

Impossible.

Hagoromo and Hamura had openly acknowledged the Emperor as their father.

“How can you guarantee Kaguya won’t strike Shikkotsu Forest?”

The Slug Sage thought and asked.

It believed Natsume wouldn’t harm it.

It had basically watched him grow up and knew his character.

But a heartless alien like Kaguya—why would she listen to him?

Natsume thought and took out a pink omamori.

“I got this from Kaguya.”

He raised his hand. “If it’s damaged, Kaguya will descend.”

“Wha—”

The Slug Sage’s face changed drastically, but before it could finish—

Natsume chopped down with a palm.

Chakra surged out.

In an instant, Shikkotsu Forest seemed to freeze.

Boundless might descended; space quaked.

Because the charm was damaged, Kaguya thought Natsume was hurt, and descended in a fury.

Boom.

The ground under the Slug Sage split apart.

Under sheer pressure, it couldn’t even resist.

This was Kaguya at full power!

The Slug Sage howled internally.

It was done for!

It had thought Kaguya was wounded, but clearly not.

Unbelievable.

What had really happened in her battle with Isshiki back then?

“Kaguya.”

Natsume quickly called out, “I’m fine—don’t attack.”

“…”

Kaguya withdrew her hand and landed before him.

Her Byakugan scanned up and down; indeed, he was unhurt.

“I’m unhappy.”

Kaguya’s tone was cool. “Don’t call me like this again.”

“Sorry.”

Natsume apologized at once.

He stepped forward and kissed the corner of her lips.

“I’ll add five more days. How about that?”

To make it up to her, he could only sacrifice himself again.

Kaguya’s beautiful eyes flickered; the corner of her mouth curved faintly.

The icy facade melted a bit.

Clearly, she was satisfied.

The Slug Sage was dumbstruck.

It knew Natsume attracted women.

Like Tsunade and Hinata.

It had witnessed it firsthand.

But Kaguya!

She wasn’t human—she was an alien.

And yet… this?

The Slug Sage felt a surge of respect.

Perhaps Natsume had never betrayed humanity—he was saving it.

“Why did you summon me?” Kaguya looked at the Slug Sage.

“To kill it?”

The killing intent smothering it made its massive body tremble.

It felt like it would die in the next second.

Lord Natsume, help!

“No.”

Natsume took her hand, speaking softly. “I called you to add weight to my argument.”

Kaguya understood.

Though it felt meaningless to her, she’d been paid and could play along.

She nodded and fell silent.

Her yielding posture left the Slug Sage speechless.

It suspected Natsume wasn’t human. How else could Kaguya be so obedient?

The Slug Sage straightened up again. “Lord Natsume, what do you want me to do?”

It readily betrayed the Three Sacred Grounds.

After all, their alliance was flimsy.

Given the situation, joining Kaguya’s camp wasn’t as bad as it sounded.

Especially with Natsume as a buffer.

“Nothing.”

Natsume smiled. “If the other two Sacred Grounds make any moves, let me know.”

“No problem.”

The Slug Sage agreed immediately.

Conversation over.

Under the Slug Sage’s dumbfounded gaze, Kaguya scooped Natsume up at the waist and vanished.

[Because of your actions, the Slug Sage’s fate has changed. You gained 50 Fate Points.]

…

Night fell.

Natsume appeared at his front door.

He nearly stumbled.

He grabbed the doorframe.

Fortunately, only half a day had passed outside this time.

He’d held out.

Natsume changed his shoes, walked into the living room—and froze.

Tsunade, in a thin nightgown, was sitting on the sofa.

One foot propped on the coffee table, hem draped naturally, revealing pale, smooth, shapely thighs.

His gaze climbed higher; her cheeks were slightly flushed, a glass of wine in hand.

“You can’t drink,” Natsume said, stepping forward to take the glass.

“Wine is fine.”

Tsunade turned, her limpid eyes glimmering as if moist.

“Where’d you get the wine?”

Natsume sniffed the glass. A faint bouquet lingered.

The shinobi world did have wine.

“From Sunagakure.”

Tsunade smiled. Paired with her slightly tipsy look, it took on a teasing charm.

“Just this once.”

Natsume knew it was hard for her to quit drinking.

Besides, with her constitution, it wouldn’t affect the child in her belly.

“Yay.”

Tsunade leaned close, her delicately flushed face suddenly becoming sultry.

Like a kitten, she extended her pink tongue and slowly licked the rim of the glass.

“…?”

Natsume paused, heat in his eyes. “I haven’t eaten yet.”

He’d been starving in the God Tree realm for nearly half a month.

Tsunade blinked.

He held back?

Not bad today.

It surprised her a little.

But she said no more.

It was dinner time, after all.

“Let’s eat.”

Tsunade set the glass down, lifted her arms, lips parted slightly. “Carry me.”

Natsume immediately bent to lift her, one arm under her waist, the other under her hips.

Her warm, soft, curvy body filled his embrace.

A fresh fragrance flooded his nose.

He carried her to the table and seated her.

“Thanks~”

Tsunade’s eyes arced into a pretty curve, her tone stretched, practically a purr.

Natsume couldn’t help himself and gave her a swat.

“Bastard!”

Tsunade glared, arms crossing her chest on reflex. “Aren’t you afraid Shizune will see?”

“You started it.”

Natsume sat beside her, unruffled. “I was only counterattacking.”

“Hmph!”

Tsunade huffed. “A few days away and you dare hit your elder sister?”

“I wouldn’t dare.”

Natsume leaned in and licked the corner of her lips. “There’s still wine.”

Just as Tsunade was about to speak, her face stiffened. She turned and saw Shizune, equally frozen.

Holding a dish, she didn’t know whether to interrupt.

“Shizune.”

Natsume greeted her casually.

Shizune nodded, stepped forward to set the dish down. “Two more dishes.”

She turned and hurried back to the kitchen.

“You really don’t treat her as an outsider,” Tsunade sighed.

“Shizune isn’t an outsider, is she?”

Natsume reached to tuck a golden lock behind Tsunade’s ear.

Tsunade shot him a glance. “That’s not what I meant.”

She had wanted to say Shizune had walked in on them being intimate too many times lately.

“It can’t be helped.”

Natsume knew what she meant and shrugged. “Unless you have her move out.”

Tsunade propped her chin on one hand and looked at him. “Have you ever had thoughts about her?”

The sudden question startled Natsume. He shot her a look. “What nonsense are you spouting?”

Heaven and earth as witness.

He really hadn’t.

Compared to Tsunade, Shizune fell far short.

Among the series’ female cast, she was average.

From childhood, Natsume had been devoted to winning Tsunade.

Naturally, he’d overlooked Shizune.

Tsunade smiled.

She knew Natsume well.

She could tell he wasn’t lying.

It was just that Shizune had been off lately…

Tsunade frowned slightly and dropped it.

A moment later, all the dishes were served.

“For you.”

Natsume poured her a glass of wine. “Just two glasses. Any more isn’t good.”

“Two it is!”

Tsunade bit her lower lip, slipped off her shoes, and kicked Natsume under the table.

Clearly personal.

Natsume shot her a warning look.

Tsunade smirked.

Shizune glanced left and right—forget it, just eat.

But moments later, the hand holding her chopsticks trembled slightly.

Caught in the crossfire.

Her face flushed instantly.

Yet she didn’t retreat.

She counterattacked.

Natsume blinked.

He could feel Tsunade’s and Shizune’s kicks.

He hadn’t expected a third… participant.

Most absurd of all, Tsunade didn’t stop her.

Natsume gave Tsunade a look.

“Eat properly.”

Shizune tensed, head lowering, frozen.

What had she been doing?!

A hint of satisfaction flashed in Tsunade’s eyes.

Natsume’s reaction surprised her—he could restrain himself.

Through the rim of her glass, her gaze turned silky as she looked at him.

She wanted to express her longing.

Natsume paused.

He finished eating quickly. “I’m going back to the room.”

Not long after, Tsunade set down her chopsticks. “I’m full. I’ll leave the rest to you.”

Shizune opened her mouth, then sighed inwardly.

Tsunade opened the door to find Natsume wrapped in a quilt.

She burst into laughter, shoulders shaking.

He looked like a certain kind of cute pet.

Adorable and silly.

Natsume lifted the quilt. “I’ve warmed the bed for you.”

Tears shimmered in Tsunade’s eyes.

The next second—

She slipped under the covers.

Her cheeks wine-red, she licked her lips. “Be careful. Don’t startle our daughter.”

She’d been pregnant for nearly four months and could sense the baby’s gender.

Her belly wasn’t obvious—just slightly rounded.

Holding her, Natsume smiled gently. “You can think about what to name our daughter.”

“Isn’t naming the dad’s job?”

Tsunade’s slender fingers tapped his chest.

“Who made that rule?”

Natsume suddenly thought of something. “Just don’t name her Natsuki.”

He still remembered how Tsunade had wanted him to change his name to Natsuki long ago.

“If you don’t like it, you do it!”

Tsunade shot him a glare, then bit his shoulder.

War broke out.

Natsume wouldn’t back down and counterattacked.

Only after Tsunade begged for mercy did he let her go.