Seeing this scene, Aoba naturally couldn't hold himself back any longer.
He had only suddenly remembered that Konan, after all, was once the deputy leader of the Akatsuki organization, he should at least let her know.
And the room, originally calm and elegant, in an instant, was filled with the most primal and wild atmosphere.
———
Aoba's hand slipped through the space under Konan's slender neck and wrapped around her shoulder.
He could feel her slightly quickened breath brushing against his arm, tickling a little, it actually felt kind of nice.
Konan leaned drowsily against Aoba's chest, feeling that warmth and sense of safety that only his embrace could give her.
"Aoba, if the Akatsuki ever makes a move against Konoha, I'll stand on your side."
Hearing Konan's words, Aoba froze for a moment, then smiled and stroked her hair.
"Konan-nee, you don't actually need to feel torn about this. I didn't tell you something before, because I was worried it'd make you uneasy."
Konan's pale, delicate face was still heavy with fatigue, but at the sound of his voice, her expression shifted slightly. She looked at him in mild surprise.
"What is it?"
"When I went to Amegakure that time and talked with Pain alone, we made a deal."
"A deal?"
Konan blinked, "What kind of deal?"
Aoba briefly explained, "The Akatsuki won't touch Konoha's Tailed Beasts. After collecting all the others, Pain will fight me one-on-one. Whoever wins gets the Tailed Beasts."
"This…", Konan was momentarily stunned, she hadn't expected him to have kept something like this from her.
"But that still means you two are going to fight, doesn't it?"
"Well, that can't be helped. Our ideals are different. The best way to resolve that kind of situation is to fight. Besides…"
Aoba's face broke into a confident smile, "I'm definitely going to win."
Nagato's strength was solidly within the upper ranks of Kage-level.
'Perfect as a whetstone.'
He could test for himself just how high his own power now stood.
Konan wanted to stop the two from fighting so suddenly, but since both sides had already agreed to it, she couldn't really interfere.
"I believe in you. But… I still hope you two won't go too far."
Knowing full well Aoba's terrifying strength, Konan wasn't worried he'd lose, only that their conflict might deepen beyond repair.
"I know," Aoba gave her a reassuring look.
———
[The Next Day]
After finishing various arrangements, Tsunade, Aoba, and Kurotsuchi set out from Konoha, beginning their journey toward the Land of Iron.
Tsunade wore the Hokage hat emblazoned with the "Fire" kanji, and over her shoulders draped the white Hokage cloak.
After Aoba's "deep and meaningful discussion and comfort" last night, her vigilance toward the Akatsuki had lessened quite a bit.
She was, frankly, treating this whole operation as a honeymoon trip.
Although her body still felt sore and weak from being "plowed through" the night before, Tsunade was utterly at ease now.
She had long grown tired of the Hokage's seat.
Most days, she just sat in her office, signing important documents when necessary, monotony incarnate.
Now that she finally had a reason to leave the village, she intended to truly enjoy herself.
When planning their route yesterday, she'd already investigated, there just so happened to be a brand-new casino along the way.
During her years as Hokage, she hadn't even stepped foot in one.
Otherwise, even with Konoha's recent prosperity, she would've bankrupted the village herself.
This trip was a rare opportunity, she had to indulge a little.
Still, she wouldn't go overboard. She hadn't brought much money anyway; once she lost it all, she'd stop.
Tsunade's thoughts drifted farther and farther away.
Until, at last, they circled back to Aoba.
Come to think of it, this was the first proper mission she'd ever done outside the village together with this brat.
Although, there was that lightbulb named Kurotsuchi tagging along.
After they'd only walked a short while, Tsunade noticed the scenery around them wasn't bad.
"Alright, we've been traveling a while. Let's set up camp and take a break."
"Huh? But we just left the village not long ago!"
Kurotsuchi blinked and looked back, she could still clearly see the Hokage Rock from here.
Tsunade stretched lazily, her magnificent curves outlined perfectly, "It's almost lunchtime. You have to fill your stomach and rest your body if you want the energy to keep going."
"Fine."
Kurotsuchi wasn't in charge, so she didn't argue.
"Kurotsuchi, go catch some fish. However many you catch, I'll grill that many for you," Aoba said with a grin.
"Really?"
Kurotsuchi's eyes lit up instantly, "Then I'll go now!"
With that, she darted off into the nearby forest, determined to catch dozens of fish, just to see if he could actually grill them all.
Aoba spread out a blanket on the ground and waved to Tsunade.
"Sensei, come rest for a bit."
Tsunade didn't bother with politeness. She took off her hat and leaned lazily against Aoba's chest.
Aoba began to massage her shoulders as a matter of course.
It was worth noting, Tsunade's outfit today was a little different from usual.
Under her white Hokage cloak, she wore a short white T-shirt.
That shirt had been Aoba's idea last night, he'd told her to change into it.
After hearing Kurotsuchi talk about how Tsunade used to look when she was young, he'd gotten curious and asked her to transform into her younger self for a bit.
He had to admit, whether she was flat-chested young Tsunade, youthful Tsunade, or mature Tsunade, they each had their own charm.
But he liked this outfit the best.
Under the T-shirt was a layer of fishnet.
Compared to her usual somewhat old-fashioned attire, the T-shirt made her look much younger and more playful.
Standing next to each other, they could have passed for siblings.
And with that Hokage cloak on top, she exuded a graceful, heroic allure, plus that natural air of authority.
Yes, tonight, she should keep this outfit on.
"Sensei, maybe you should take it easy for the next few days. I feel like your body can't take too much strain."
Last night, Tsunade hadn't used her Yin Seal, so her stamina had definitely dropped, explaining why she'd seemed tired this morning.
"How could that be? I've just been cooped up in the village too long. Traveling again has worn me out a little," Tsunade gave him a reproachful glare.
"Is that so?", Aoba looked at her flushed red lips.
"What are you—"
Aoba leaned down and pressed his lips against hers. Tsunade's face reddened as she lightly pushed his cheek away with her hand.
"I just wanted to check if Sensei's mouth is hard or not."
"Hmph!"
'This pervy brat… Doesn't he already know how hard my mouth is?'
Besides, who knew when Kurotsuchi might come back, if she saw this, Tsunade honestly wouldn't know how to explain it.
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