In the Hokage Building.
"Natsume, everything has been handled," Kurenai Yuhi said softly as she gathered the papers on the desk with a slight bow.
So close to her, Natsume couldn't help but catch a glimpse of her profile.
At the same time, a pleasant fragrance drifted toward him.
"I just caught a whiff of rose perfume," Natsume suddenly asked.
"Eh?"
Kurenai didn't respond immediately. She noticed his gaze and felt a faint flutter in her heart.
"I just smelled rose perfume," Natsume smiled at her reaction. "Must be coming from you, Sister Red, right?"
"It's rose-scented perfume," Kurenai blinked, answering simply.
"Rose? Does that mean Big Sis Red has someone she likes?" Natsume smirked. "If so, I can help if you want."
"No!"
Kurenai quickly shook her head, a flicker of alarm crossing her face.
"Nobody?" Natsume pressed curiously. "Then Big Sis Red, what kind of guy are you looking for in a boyfriend?"
Kurenai hesitated briefly, suspecting whether he had something in mind.
Reflexively, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, hiding her flustered look.
"Why the sudden interest?"
"Just out of curiosity," Natsume shrugged casually. "I'm wondering what kind of man could attract such a beautiful lady like you, Big Sis Red."
Instantly, Kurenai grew extremely nervous.
What exactly did he mean by that?
Could there be another meaning beneath his words?
After a pause, Kurenai finally answered, "I don't have high standards. As long as he treats both me and my mother well, that would be enough."
Mother?
Natsume couldn't remember much about her.
All he vaguely recalled was her father, Shin Yuhi, who died during the Nine-Tails Incident.
Honestly, the name did sound a bit haphazard.
Was there also a brother named Tai Yuhi?
"Big Sis Red, seems like you're quite practical after all," Natsume thought for a moment before nodding slightly.
In the original story, she wasn't very active either—she dedicated herself entirely to being a devoted wife and mother.
Upon hearing his words, Kurenai fell silent.
A moment later, she replied, "Because I worry about what will happen to my mother if anything happens to me."
"I'm sorry," Natsume sensed her sudden melancholy and quickly apologized. "I didn't mean to bring it up."
Looking at his sincere expression, Kurenai couldn't help but smile gently.
Right now, he seemed less like the Hokage and more like a younger brother.
"By the way, Natsume, do you have anyone you like?"
Pushing aside her unease, Kurenai seized the chance to ask.
"I really like my teacher," Natsume pondered for a second before replying. "She's beautiful, outgoing, and has an incredible build."
Kurenai's eyes widened instantly.
Of course, she assumed he meant someone similar to Tsunade—not Tsunade herself.
After all, their relationship and generational gap made any direct connection impossible.
Still, these three qualities shocked or even stunned her, and coincidentally, she matched them perfectly.
As for mentioning her "incredible build" directly—others might sound perverted saying it, but coming from Natsume, it just seemed genuine.
Without thinking, Kurenai tightened her grip on the documents in her hands.
If he really meant it, should she give in?
She couldn't really call it love for Natsume, but she certainly held some affection toward him.
After all, such an outstanding teenager naturally stirred emotions.
Kurenai Yuhi knew she likely wouldn't refuse him.
Thinking about this, her face flushed slightly red.
"Natsume-kun, want to leave work together?"
Kurenai lowered her head, pretending to look at the documents as her gaze lowered to them.
Natsume was just about to accept when the door suddenly opened and Ino Yamanaka rushed in enthusiastically.
"Natsume-kun…"
She only noticed Kurenai then, hesitated briefly, then greeted, "Onee-san Kurenai."
"It's you, Ino."
A flicker of disappointment stirred in Kurenai's chest.
Such a rare chance had just been ruined.
Natsume is truly popular.
Suddenly, she felt a sense of crisis.
Still, she remained passive.
"I'll take my leave first, Hokage-sama."
Kurenai politely bowed slightly before turning around and leaving with grace.
She wasn't ready yet to openly rival a young girl.
Moreover, she worried it might cause Natsume's displeasure.
After all, he'd mentioned liking girls who were bold and outgoing.
"Natsume-kun, I've mastered the [Mystical Palm Technique]!"
Right after Kurenai closed the door, Ino immediately stepped forward, her delicate face glowing with smiles.
"Congratulations."
Looking at her vibrant and youthful appearance, Natsume praised, "To master the [Mystical Palm Technique] at your age definitely makes you a genius."
"Compared to Natsume-kun, I still have a long way to go."
Ino spoke humbly but couldn't hide her inner joy—her smile grew even brighter and more radiant.
Praise from others usually didn't mean much, but coming from Natsume-kun?
She naturally couldn't help getting excited.
"I can't use Medical Ninjutsu at all."
Instinctively, Natsume stretched out his hand and pinched her cheek.
He only realized what he'd done afterward.
This wasn't Hinata.
Ino froze on the spot, eyes wide, her face flushing deep red.
Despite their good relationship, they hardly ever had such close contact.
This sudden intimacy left Ino completely stunned.
"I'm sorry."
Natsume withdrew his hand and said, "You looked too cute just now, so I couldn't help myself."
"It's… okay."
Ino lowered her head nervously, her voice trembling slightly, "I… really like it."
The last part was so soft it barely registered.
Fortunately, Natsume's extraordinary abilities allowed him to hear every word clearly.
So, seeing Ino flustered and panic-stricken, he reached out and gently ruffled her hair.
Ino's body stiffened immediately, her heart pounding rapidly.
Unlike Hinata, she didn't pass out.
Instead, an indescribable happiness welled up within her.
Yay!
He's finally mine!
I beat Sakura to it!
The corners of Ino's lips kept curling into a smile as she shyly asked, "N-Natsume-kun… would you like to walk home together?"
"I was just finishing up work."
Natsume quickly straightened up his desk and replied, "Let's go."
Though he hadn't gotten around to answering Kurenai, heading home with Ino wasn't a bad option either.
The two left the Hokage Building together.
Natsume had relied heavily on the [Flying Thunder God Technique] lately, hardly walking at all.
Occasionally walking actually felt quite refreshing.
Ino Yamanaka stood beside him on his left, her eyes absentmindedly drifting toward his hand.
So beautiful. She couldn't help but want to hold it.
Biting her lip, she looked hesitant.
Just then, she noticed a carriage approaching.
Ino immediately grabbed Natsume's hand and pulled him back a step, warning, "Mr. Natsume, watch out."
Although she'd found the courage to take that crucial first step, that was already all she could handle.
"Thanks," Natsume smiled.
Ino's hand was small and soft.
Slightly damp from sweat, yet radiating warmth.
Compared to Hinata Hyuga's shyness, Ino was definitely more proactive.
In that regard, she was much like Sakura Haruno.
In the original story, both girls had been very forward when pursuing Sasuke Uchiha.
"I'm... I'm fine," Ino inwardly rejoiced upon realizing Natsume hadn't let go.
Even surprising herself with her boldness, the result proved worth it.
The two held hands for a bit before Ino hastily pulled her hand away—two familiar figures approached.
"Hokage-sama!"
Shikamaru Nara instantly dropped his usual lazy expression and bowed respectfully.
"Hi… Hokage-sama."
Choji Akimichi was more laid-back, speaking with potato chips still in his mouth.
"Did you finish school already?"
Natsume nodded and asked.
"Yeah, we got dismissed early."
Shikamaru resumed his usual lazy look as he glanced at Ino.
If he wasn't mistaken, they just held hands.
Something's definitely going on.
Gaining the Hokage's favor would be a massive advantage for the Ino–Shika–Cho trio.
"Choji and I are gonna grab some food first—we'll leave you two alone."
With that, Shikamaru dragged Choji away.
This left Ino deeply flushed with embarrassment.
But noticing Natsume remained silent about it, she quickly brightened up.
"Mr. Natsume, want to come over for dinner tonight?"
Ino rushed forward again, grabbing his hand.
"Some other time," Natsume replied after thinking briefly.
"Okay!"
Ino showed absolutely no disappointment. Her earlier tension melted away as she returned to her usual self.
They continued walking, chatting happily along the way.
"See you later, Mr. Natsume!"
Ino waved goodbye.
"Mm."
Watching her cheerful figure disappear, Natsume couldn't help but smile.
He then activated the [Flying Thunder God Technique] and returned home.
"Sister."
Natsume called out while changing shoes.
"Heard you," Tsunade casually responded.
Approaching closer, he found her sinking deeply into the sofa.
Given her curvaceous figure, the sight was particularly striking and visually stunning.
Natsume gently lifted her legs and sat down, placing her delicate feet in his lap.
Gently, he began stroking the top of her foot.
Tsunade instinctively twitched her legs, though it had little effect—she could only let him play with her smooth soles.
"Did Jiraiya come looking for you today?"
She rolled onto her front, opened her eyes, and looked at Natsume with a smile on her lips. Because his expression was so serious and careful, she loved how he treated her like something precious.
"No."
Natsume shook his head. "When will he be back?"
Speaking of this, he felt slightly surprised—he had expected Jiraiya to come looking for him right away.
Tsunade paused for a moment, her expression darkening slightly. This clearly showed that Jiraiya didn't trust her—or rather, didn't trust Natsume. Could Mount Myoboku really be more important than Konoha? Even toward the Hokage, he remained doubtful.
"Do you know why Jiraiya's been running around the ninja world these past few years?"
Jiraiya didn't believe in Natsume, but Tsunade did—even unconditionally.
"Same here," Natsume shook his head. "I'm curious too. Was it a task assigned by Lord Third?"
"It was a mission from Mount Myoboku." Tsunade sighed. "He's been following the prophecy of the Great Toad Sage, searching for the Child of the Prophecy who can save the ninja world."
"Then naturally, he hasn't found him yet."
Natsume reached for Tsunade's ankle, feeling her smooth skin, then gently tickled her palm.
"That tickles!"
Tsunade gave a slight shiver and shot him a glare. The sensation made her toes curl instinctively.
"Naturally, he hasn't found him yet," Tsunade continued. "If he *had* found him, he'd have returned to Konoha by now. But this time, he's back because he believes *you're* the Child of the Prophecy."
[Three thousand words.]
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