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Hokage Office.
It didn't take long for Sasame to finish dealing with Konoha Village's affairs. Bored and idle, he felt like petting a cat.
He activated the Flying Thunder God Technique.
The Land of Waves Daimyō's palace.
The black cat Sasame had recently adopted was sleeping on the sofa. He raised an eyebrow. The black cat's eyes were unfocused and vacant. Clearly, she was currently in the sealing space, chatting with Matatabi, the Two-Tails.
Although Sasame had allowed her freedom, being stripped of her chakra meant it was impossible for her to escape the Daimyō's palace. Even if she did escape, how could she leave the Land of Waves and return to Cloud Village?
Sasame walked over and stroked the black cat's head. She suddenly startled awake, her face full of vigilance. Upon seeing her "owner," she could only retract her claws and let out a docile "Meow." Her face, whether from anger or shyness, gradually turned crimson.
Sasame picked her up and held her in his arms. The black cat struggled uneasily for a moment, but ultimately succumbed to his masterful cat-petting skills. She bit her little pink tongue, her entire body completely limp.
"It's lunchtime. Time to eat." Sasame patted the black cat's head. She understood and jumped out of his embrace.
"Let's eat fish." Sasame stood up, walked to the kitchen doorway, and called the cat. She immediately scurried over and rubbed her head against his leg. Although her eyes already held a murderous glare.
Sasame opened the refrigerator. Inside were various ingredients prepared by Uzumaki Ena, including fish. Sasame thought for a moment, deciding to make spicy fish. The fish in the refrigerator was indeed a snakehead fish.
Half an hour later, the spicy fish was freshly prepared. Sasame carried the dish out of the kitchen. The black cat followed him. Sasame placed the dish on the table, picked up a piece, and said, "Taste it." The black cat looked up, a hint of apprehension on her face, but obeying her "owner's" command, she opened her mouth and swallowed the fish. Her black pupils subtly narrowed.
It's so delicious! The black cat instinctively licked her lips. This was the first time she had tasted something so delicious. If she were somewhere else, she would truly want to savor it.
"Come to the table and eat it yourself," Sasame glanced at her and said. After that, he ignored her.
Lunch finished. Sasame stroked the black cat's belly, finding she had eaten quite a lot. So much so that she showed an expression of deep shame. After all, she truly couldn't resist. Sasame held the cat leash and walked her around the living room a few times, a form of post-meal exercise.
"Goodbye, little kitty." He ignored the black cat, who was agitated to the extreme, and turned to leave. For such a fiery cat, this was the way: dangling the bait, not rushing things.
Sasame turned and went to Uzumaki Ena's room. Perfect timing for a nap.
Two hours later, he returned to the Hokage Office. The afternoon passed leisurely. At five o'clock, a knock sounded.
"Sasame, are you done with work?" Kurenai Yuhi walked in, smiling, and asked.
"Yes," Sasame stood up. "I'm really looking forward to Kurenai-san's cooking."
"How do you know I'm cooking?" Kurenai Yuhi walked ahead of him, asking as they went.
"Because Kurenai-san is definitely the type to be a good wife and loving mother. Cooking is undoubtedly a basic skill," Sasame said casually.
"I'll accept Hokage-sama's compliment," Kurenai Yuhi opened the door, her red lips curving slightly, and even her tone became a little lighter. Clearly, she was quite pleased with the "good wife and loving mother" compliment.
"So, Kurenai-san really is cooking?" Sasame walked beside her to the Hokage Office entrance.
"Yes," Kurenai Yuhi stopped. "Next, I need to buy groceries. Hokage-sama, could you help me with a small favor?"
"No problem," Sasame clenched his fist. "Speaking of which, I do have strength." Kurenai Yuhi glanced at his completely unmuscular arm, and the corners of her lips couldn't help but rise slightly. He truly fit her imagination of a beautiful young man. A completely different feeling from a muscular man.
It took about half an hour for Kurenai Yuhi to buy a pile of groceries and return home. Sasame felt there was enough food for ten people. Kurenai Yuhi opened the door, smiling. "Welcome, Hokage-sama."
"Kurenai-san, you're too kind," Sasame could only shake his head, as his hands were full of groceries.
Kurenai Yuhi entered, lifted her foot, and took off her high heels. Sasame clearly saw her black-stockinged feet and calves.
"Come in," Kurenai Yuhi, her fair feet on the floor, took the groceries from his hands. Sasame took off his shoes, closed the door, and then walked into the living room.
"Kurenai-san, where's your mother?" He scanned the room but didn't find a second person.
"Mother went to a friend's house for dinner," Kurenai Yuhi's face flushed slightly as she quickly brushed past Sasame and entered the kitchen, leaving only a faint fragrance behind.
Sasame inwardly thought, This excuse is a bit too outlandish, isn't it? The Hokage is visiting, and you go to a friend's house? However, he didn't expose Kurenai Yuhi's intentions. He sat on the sofa.
A moment later, Kurenai Yuhi reappeared. "What would you like to drink, Sasame? How about black tea?" she asked.
Sasame nodded. "Whatever the host prefers; I have no preference."
Kurenai Yuhi walked to the coffee table, knelt, took out black tea, and began to brew it. Sasame looked down, admiring the snow-white view.
"Do you wear this outfit at home too?"
"No," Kurenai Yuhi said subconsciously, looking up. After speaking, a hint of blush appeared on her face. Because she usually dressed quite casually at home.
"In front of Hokage-sama, I thought I should wear this," Kurenai Yuhi noticed his questioning gaze and explained, "Other clothes might seem a bit rude."
"What are you talking about?" Sasame shook his head. "With Kurenai-san's beauty, no outfit would be rude."
"I..." Kurenai Yuhi wanted to speak but held back.
"Or perhaps Kurenai-san just sees me as an outsider?" Sasame raised an eyebrow and asked with a smile.
"No!" Kurenai Yuhi quickly waved her hand. "I've always treated you, Sasame, as my own younger brother." After she spoke, she realized she had fallen into a trap.
"Have some tea," Kurenai Yuhi bit her lip, placed the teacup in front of Sasame, and said, "I'm going to change." She turned and entered the room, leaning against the wall, her face feeling hot.
"How did I get controlled by a child?" Kurenai Yuhi slapped her cheeks. "This can't go on." She opened her wardrobe and took out her usual home clothes: a rather loose kimono nightgown. In terms of sexiness, it couldn't compare to a hip-skirt. But it was just too casual. However, with Sasame present, she still didn't take off her underwear.
Kurenai Yuhi left the room. Sasame looked up and chuckled. "Very cute. Completely different from your professional look at work."
"Thank you," Kurenai Yuhi turned and walked into the room, quite satisfied.
Sasame drank his black tea, waiting for dinner to be served. He was actually a little bored. After waiting for a moment, he got up and went to the kitchen.
"Is there anything I can help with?" Sasame asked, standing at the doorway.
"No," Kurenai Yuhi, wearing an apron, said without looking back. "Just leave it to me."
"What? Are you afraid I'll mess things up?" Sasame looked at her. "My cooking is excellent, you know."
"You can cook?" Kurenai Yuhi stopped what she was doing and asked.
"Of course," Sasame walked forward, casually picked up a fish, and said, "Take a look." He held the fish tail with one hand and quickly sliced with a knife in the other. A moment later, thin fish slices were cut out. Kurenai Yuhi's eyes lit up. Sasame's movements were very skilled. This definitely wasn't something one could learn overnight; it required long-term practice. Instantly, in Kurenai Yuhi's heart, Sasame's evaluation rose significantly. In the ninja world, such a ninja was truly rare. He was the most ideal husband candidate.
"How's that?" Sasame asked, somewhat proudly.
"I underestimated you," Kurenai Yuhi saw his boasting expression and couldn't help but smile. He was still just a boy, after all.
"Then I'll leave the chopping to you," Kurenai Yuhi thought for a moment and said. She actually quite liked the feeling of them both being busy together. It reminded her of the times she watched her father cook in the kitchen. Truly nostalgic. Sasame's help tonight gave her a sense of home again.
Dinner was served. Two people, four dishes.
"We definitely won't finish all this," Sasame glanced at the food. "I should have bought less if I knew Auntie was out."
"It's fine. We can just eat the leftovers tomorrow," Kurenai Yuhi handed him a pair of chopsticks. "Try my cooking."
"Okay," Sasame picked up a piece of fried fish, bit into it, and said, "It tastes good."
"That's good then," Kurenai Yuhi breathed a sigh of relief. "Eat more; you need to eat well; you're still growing." Sasame couldn't refute her. He nodded and said no more.
The meal finished. Kurenai Yuhi cleared the dishes. Sasame tried to help but was refused, so he could only let her do it. Bored, he closed his eyes and observed his Sage Body. With Ōtsutsuki Kaguya's help, his physique had been enhanced. The most obvious change was the refined chakra added to his body: Ōtsutsuki chakra. It was clearly of a different quality than his original chakra. It was like a large car and a small car. They were incomparable. If enough time passed, Sasame's original chakra would be completely replaced, and eventually, his Sage Body would evolve again.
Speaking of this, he suddenly thought of Hinata Hyuga. She seemed to lack precisely Ōtsutsuki chakra. Ōtsutsuki Kaguya would most likely not give it to her, but he could. He just wondered if she could handle it at her current age and with her body. Perhaps he should go to the moon someday and deal with Toneri Ōtsutsuki.
Kurenai Yuhi washed the dishes, cleaned the kitchen, then washed her hands and came to the living room. She was slightly startled. Sasame was leaning against the sofa, eyes closed, seemingly asleep.
"Is he too tired?" Kurenai Yuhi remembered the last time Sasame was so tired he fell asleep in the Hokage Office. She had even massaged him for a while then. She hadn't expected him to fall asleep on her sofa again today. However, it implicitly showed Sasame's trust in her.
Kurenai Yuhi looked at his handsome, almost inhuman face, and her heart suddenly stirred. She bit her lip, then brushed her hair aside and gently kissed him. Then she quickly retreated, looking guilty as she watched him. But Sasame didn't wake up. Kurenai Yuhi's panic gradually subsided. Good thing he didn't find out... or so she thought. With Sasame's strength, it would be difficult for him not to notice. But he didn't expose her. Because he was curious if Kurenai Yuhi would do anything else. Unfortunately, she didn't. Kurenai Yuhi was still a traditional kunoichi, after all. Sasame also stopped pretending. He opened his eyes. "When did Kurenai-san arrive?" he asked.
"Just finished washing the dishes," Kurenai Yuhi smiled faintly, her expression unchanged from usual.
"Oh," Sasame saw this and said, "If there's nothing else, I'll head back, lest Teacher worry." Kurenai Yuhi opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say. Ask him to stay overnight? She couldn't bring herself to that level yet. She could only watch Sasame leave.
Another two days passed. Sasame took some time to visit the black market, or exchange office, in the Land of Fire's capital. As he was wondering how to find the Akatsuki, a young ninja walked up to him. He wore a Hidden Rain Village forehead protector, and after carefully examining Sasame's mask, he asked, "Is that Lord Kishi?" Sasame nodded. "It is."
"I am sent by Lady Angel to greet you," the young ninja said respectfully. "Please follow me." "Angel" referred to Konan. Hidden Rain Village ninjas called her that. Sasame followed him out of the capital.
"Teacher." Three figures landed in front of the young ninja. Sasame raised an eyebrow. They were three very young girls, their faces still holding undisguised childishness. He felt they were a year or two younger than Naruto Uzumaki. However, they all wore Hidden Rain Village forehead protectors, so they should already be Genin.
"These are my three students," the young ninja introduced. "Ajisai, Suiren, and Fuyo." Sasame's eyes narrowed. He remembered who these three were. In the original work, they participated in the Chunin Exams. But not Naruto Uzumaki's exam; the second one he didn't participate in, which was anime original. Suiren and Fuyo had no significant plot. Ajisai, however, had some screen time, albeit as a corpse. Because after she died, she was made into one of the Six Paths of Pain, the Animal Path, and was jokingly referred to as the "Loli Path" by many netizens. Besides that, Sasame remembered she had a summoning animal: a panda.
"Ajisai," the young ninja instructed. "Summon your summoning animals."
"Yes," Ajisai bit her thumb, summoning four summoning animals. All were tigers.
"Lord, please," the young ninja raised a hand. "Traveling by summoning animal will be much faster." Sasame didn't refuse and swung himself onto a tiger. They rode swiftly. They eventually left the Land of Fire and entered the Land of Rain. But they didn't go to Hidden Rain Village; instead, they went to an unknown canyon.
"Lord Kishi, please come in," the young ninja stopped. "Lady Angel is waiting for you inside." Sasame twitched his lips. Your angel lives in a cave? She's not a snake spirit. But Konan not letting him go to Hidden Rain Village was understandable. Sasame entered the cave. After passing through a somewhat dim passage, it suddenly opened up into a very spacious interior. This was because there was a colossal being inside: the Gedo Statue. In other words, the husk of the Ten-Tails. Sasame was seeing it with his own eyes for the first time. His past life didn't count; he had only seen it on a screen then. Standing in front of it now, he could truly feel its immense size. Even a part of it was enough to be shocking. His only complaint was that it was too ugly. But since its original form was a tree, it was understandable.
Paper sheets flew from a distance, coalescing into Konan's form in front of Sasame. She didn't explain the Gedo Statue's purpose but simply told him to follow. On the other side of the cave hall, Sasame saw Nagato, or more precisely, Deva Path Pain. He was made from Yahiko's corpse. Short orange hair, with chakra receivers shaped like piercings on his face. His strength was the greatest among the Six Paths, capable of using the classic Rinnegan abilities: Shinra Tensei, Bansho Ten'in, and Chibaku Tensei.
"Our organization is called Akatsuki," Konan introduced calmly. "This is our leader, Deva Path Pain."
"Leader, nice to meet you," Sasame greeted with a smile. Deva Path Pain showed no particular reaction, only a slight nod, not even bothering to speak.
"This is your ring," Konan threw a ring. "It represents your identity and codename: Santai." Santai was Hidan's previous codename, but since he was dead, Sasame inherited it.
"And this ninjutsu, Genjutsu: Demonic Illusion, Body Double," Konan threw another scroll. "From now on, the leader will send you missions via the ring."
"Okay," Sasame took the scroll and the ring, but didn't put it on.
"Akatsuki missions are always done in pairs. Your teammate is Kakuzu," Konan continued, unconcerned. "What do you think?"
"Not bad, quite formidable," Sasame nodded. "Do I have any missions now?"
"Earning money," Konan's placid eyes blinked. "Akatsuki's main mission right now is earning money. You're the head of the Sunny Day Merchant Guild. Do you have a way?" He's finally getting to the point.Sasame chuckled. "If it's ordinary commissioned missions, the remuneration isn't actually very high. Unless it's like Hidden Mist Village, where everyone participates, but the Land of Water doesn't need that many people right now."
"No way?" Konan frowned and asked.
"Not necessarily no way," Sasame pondered for a moment. "The Sunny Day Merchant Guild offers loan services, provided there's collateral."
"How much?" Konan's heart stirred, and she asked.
"Up to a billion," Sasame casually stated a number, then added, "If you want to borrow more, you'll need to provide more trustworthy collateral." Konan's eyes immediately brightened. The highest bounties on the black market currently started at tens of millions. To reach the level of the Five Kage was at most two or three hundred million. A billion was undoubtedly an astronomical figure. And they could borrow even more.
"If Akatsuki wants to borrow, I can make the arrangements," Sasame continued. Konan subconsciously looked at Deva Path Pain. Nagato, controlling him from behind, pondered for a moment, then nodded. In two more years, their plan would begin. At that time, they would be at war with the entire world. Money, naturally, wouldn't need to be repaid. Of course, Nagato believed he had integrity. The money could be repaid. But only after he had completely taken over the ninja world. By then, Akatsuki would not lack money and could repay the debt.
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