"Of course, because Grandpa trusts me a lot, and it won't be long before I become the Tsuchikage."
Kurotsuchi said proudly, puffing out her small but noticeable chest.
But after noticing Tsunade's wealth and generosity, she quietly restrained herself.
"Big talk you've got there."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, "Still, I believe you can do it. Good luck!"
"Mm, thank you, Lady Tsunade!"
Kurotsuchi hadn't expected the Hokage of Konoha to be so gentle.
She thought back over the shinobi she'd met in Konoha and found everyone there quite nice, even to an outsider like her.
Having gotten the information she wanted so easily, Kurotsuchi left the Hokage building satisfied.
Since she was leaving the next day, she didn't wander Konoha's streets again; instead she had Aoba take her to meet some of his old friends.
That night they had a long-overdue gathering.
The next day, Kurotsuchi set off to return to Iwagakure.
But that was only the beginning, as Konoha and Iwa grew closer, Kurotsuchi would come by from time to time.
———
With Kurotsuchi's departure, the intel about Uchiha Madara spread like wildfire through the ninja world.
Although the villages paid attention, it didn't cause huge waves. After that, Black Zetsu never appeared again, and life in the ninja world returned to its quiet routine.
The other Four Great Villages kept to their corners and developed their own strengths.
Konoha's trade port with Kirigakure, Konoha Street in Sunagakure, and the ninja bases were all successfully established, bringing Konoha huge economic income again.
That money improved Konoha's infrastructure, and using ninja abilities, a theme park modeled after Roran was completed in just half a year.
Many mid-tier shinobi discovered new paths, it turned out the shinobi world wasn't only about fighting and killing.
As time passed, the peace in the ninja world lasted for a full year.
With Konoha as the big brother, the five great villages had almost no disputes that year, not even small skirmishes.
Kirigakure and Sunagakure were effectively looking to Konoha; Iwagakure's relationship with Konoha grew ambiguous.
Rumors that the Tsuchikage's granddaughter had joined the Hokage disciple harem spread widely in both Konoha and Iwa.
Only Kumogakure seemed to be bullied into isolation, left behind like some awkward kid in the corner, quietly developing and not daring to cause trouble for fear of attracting attention.
Although Kumo had always been bold, they still saw the situation clearly.
But the calm only lasted a year.
That year was peaceful for the ninja world, but Aoba's life was extraordinary.
———
[Morning]
Aoba woke up in the middle of great turmoil.
Seasoned from many battles, he felt every muscle ache, as if emptied out.
Too intense, last night had been brutal.
He looked at Tsunade, sleeping beside him.
Her fair, soft skin was exposed in large areas to the air.
She had her eyes closed, cheeks faintly flushed.
The snowy peaks naturally drooped and lay against Aoba.
Over the past year their relationship had naturally come together.
Of course Shizune's crucial assist had helped. Otherwise, with Tsunade's usual stopping short at the final step, it would've taken a lot longer.
He recalled the day he first became the traitor student, it had been dramatic.
Half a year ago, Shizune thought Tsunade was dithering, so she came up with an idea on a whim.
That night, when Aoba appeared in Shizune's bedroom, he did not see Shizune ready and waiting; in the dim light he only saw a high mound under the covers and smelled the familiar smell of alcohol in the air.
"Shizune-nee, did you drink?", Aoba asked as he walked toward the bed.
But when he pulled back the covers and really saw the person on the bed, his expression froze.
"Sensei?"
Tsunade was sprawled on her back, pajamas creased in many places.
The collar was open, a slender waist supporting a pair of ample snowy mounds leaning to each side.
Tsunade blinked drowsily, squinted, and studied the stunned Aoba for a moment.
"You brat, what are you doing in my room at this hour?"
Aoba glanced around and realized he'd not made a mistake, this was Shizune's bedroom.
"Sensei, this is Shizune-nee's room."
"What Shizune's room? This is my room!"
Tsunade frowned, clearly displeased, but she reached out and dragged him into the covers.
"But since you're here, stay and sleep with me a bit. I haven't held you in a while."
When she said it, her voice sounded like she was being playful.
Completely drunk.
Feeling the familiar squeeze, Aoba could only hold her and try to lull her to sleep first.
Yet he wondered whether Tsunade had come to him of her own will or had been tossed over by Shizune drunk.
"You're not being honest!!"
Not long after his eyes narrowed, Tsunade suddenly pouted and glared at Aoba.
Only then did he realize, by some muscle memory, his hand had already wandered to a place it shouldn't have.
"Can't blame me, Sensei's just too pretty," Aoba shifted a little more.
"What kind of excuse is that?"
Tsunade's red lips parted as she snapped, but she quickly gave a childish laugh.
"If you talk nicely… you'll get rewarded!"
With that she slowly flipped over and sat on Aoba's waist.
She leaned forward on her own.
Warm red lips pressed against his.
The scent of alcohol hit his nose.
Before long Aoba felt his breathing tighten, there were still two big mountains between them.
He instinctively hugged Tsunade's soft, slender waist.
"Are you thinking dirty thoughts?"
Tsunade's body tensed instantly; her face reddened, but perhaps because she was drunk she didn't dodge as she usually would.
Aoba felt awkward.
If a man could still stay composed in this situation, something would be wrong with him.
But facing such an adorable, drunk Tsunade, he inexplicably felt guilty.
"Sensei, maybe I should go find Shizune-nee."
"Find Shizune?"
Tsunade's voice rose a few degrees; the drunkenness seemed to fade, and her gaze turned cold.
Aoba swallowed nervously and apologized carefully, "Sorry, Sensei, I said the wrong thing…"
"Heh."
Tsunade sneered, squinted, and reached out to pinch the throat that held Aoba's fate.
"If you lost that thing, would you stop being such a flirt?"