Since there was an extra person, Natsume prepared two more dishes.
By the time he finished cooking, Shizune had already returned from Konoha Hospital.
The three women were deep in a conversation about children, leaving Natsume unable to get a word in.
"Thank you for the meal."
After finishing dinner, Mikoto Uchiha rose and bowed politely. "I forgot to let Sasuke know before I left, so I can't stay any longer with Lady Tsunade."
"Then go back quickly."
Tsunade took her hand and said, "Today I really appreciate you teaching me so much."
"Lady Tsunade, don't say that," Mikoto Uchiha smiled. "It's my honor to do this."
Looking at the two chatting happily, Natsume couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu.
Hmm, just like two sisters.
The only shame is that they couldn't be as close as Ena Uzumaki and Mikoto Uchiha were.
Shizune was a special case.
After seeing Mikoto Uchiha off at the door, Tsunade turned around and walked back into the hall.
"What reason did you use?" Natsume asked curiously.
"I said it was adoption." Tsunade sighed helplessly. "There's no other way around it."
"If you want to go public, I'm fine with it."
Natsume stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"No way." Tsunade gently pushed him away and asked, "How would others look at us then?"
"I'll cut the tongue of anyone who dares to gossip."
Natsume tightened his grip and pulled their bodies closer together.
"What are you saying?" Seeing this, Tsunade's face flushed slightly as she placed her hand on his arm. "It's not even nighttime yet."
"I can give you a massage," Natsume winked. "You must be tired after working all day."
"Not now."
Tsunade gently pushed him away and said, "I need to feed our daughter first."
Natsume immediately looked unhappy.
"You're such a shameless flirt."
Tsunade immediately laughed and tapped his forehead with her finger. "If you keep doing this, it'll affect our daughter."
"Aren't you using the Yin Seal anyway?" Natsume still had experience on his side.
All thanks to Ena Uzumaki.
"What ridiculous things have you been thinking about all day?" Tsunade frowned and asked. "Is the Yin Seal meant for this purpose?"
She generally avoided using the Yin Seal.
After all, theoretically, it was a technique that drained her future vitality.
After speaking, seeing his expression filled with disappointment, Tsunade leaned toward him and gently kissed the corner of his mouth.
"Mm."
A moment later.
Tsunade caught her breath and walked toward the room.
Natsume scratched his head.
After some thought, he went to the kitchen.
When Tsunade finished feeding Senka her dinner and came out, she saw Shizune looking exhausted.
With tear stains at the corners of her eyes, it seemed like she'd been crying.
"Stay away from me."
Tsunade said with a disgusted expression. "You're so gross! Haven't you showered yet?"
"Together, together!"
Ignoring Tsunade's protests, Natsume hugged her and headed to the bathroom.
Shizune followed behind, dragging her weary body.
Evening fell.
"I'm back."
Mikoto Uchiha opened the door.
But the room was empty—Sasuke wasn't inside.
She didn't meet with any mishaps either.
As she walked down the corridor, she spotted Sasuke Uchiha in the backyard training with his katana.
After being utterly crushed by the Third Raikage, he finally understood the root of his shortcomings.
Even his Mangekyo Sharingan could barely follow the Third Raikage's movements,
and Sasuke himself couldn't keep up.
In fact, the Uchiha clan also excelled in taijutsu, swordsmanship, and ninjutsu.
Much of their strength stemmed from the Sharingan's predictive edge.
Without the Sharingan offering an absolute advantage, his other skills seemed disappointingly average—
especially against someone as skilled as the Third Raikage.
Sasuke wasn't disheartened.
Because he believed that if he could defeat the Third Raikage, Itachi Uchiha wouldn't be far behind.
"Mom."
Sasuke noticed Mikoto Uchiha, paused briefly from his training, and said, "You're back?"
"Mm-hmm."
Mikoto quickly approached him and used her silk scarf to wipe off his sweat. "Have you eaten yet?"
"I did."
Sasuke replied, "I had dinner with Neesan Izumi."
"Izumi?"
Mikoto raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Though Izumi Uchiha was a member of the Uchiha clan, she had always followed only Natsume's orders.
And she rarely stayed at home.
So, Mikoto was taken aback.
"Yeah, I asked her about some things today,"
Sasuke scratched his head, then added, "I also encountered a formidable Anbu operative."
"How strong?"
Mikoto smiled gently.
"Without activating my Mangekyo Sharingan, I couldn't beat him."
Sasuke frowned, "And I feel like I've met him somewhere before."
Mikoto fell into thought.
She could roughly guess who it was—
Shisui Uchiha.
Just because Sasuke's power had been artificially boosted through the Mangekyo Sharingan didn't mean he was weak.
A regular three-tomoe Sharingan alone was enough to handle most jonins.
"You should learn more from him," Mikoto said, snapping out of her thoughts.
"I will."
Sasuke nodded seriously.
He had just taken a brutal beating and received advice from Mikoto—so he accepted it easily.
Oh—
Also, Naruto Uzumaki was currently learning Sage Mode at Ryuchi Cave.
Once he mastered it and returned, the gap might widen even further.
At that moment, Sasuke had never been more focused.
"Don't stay up training too late."
Mikoto glanced at the sky and said, "No more than two hours. Then take a bath and go to sleep."
After Sasuke agreed, she went back to her room.
Gazing at the light white kimono on the bed, she thought of Natsume.
She wondered when he would come by again.
Thinking this, Mikoto walked into the bathroom.
She took off her black stockings.
Previously, she never wore them.
But Natsume preferred them.
After finishing her bath, Mikoto changed into the new kimono.
Hmm, quite refreshing.
It felt almost like swimwear.
To avoid being seen by Sasuke, she made sure the door was locked.
As for Natsume, he possessed the [Flying Thunder God Technique].
Mikoto Uchiha wasn't worried about him.
The only thing she worried about was whether or not he would return tonight.
She wasn't sure how much time had passed when she caught a whiff of a familiar scent.
"Sasuke is outside," Natsume softly warned.
"Is he back?" Mikoto instinctively whispered.
"Come here."
Natsume pulled her close, peeking through the crack in the door at Sasuke Uchiha.
He stood in the hall, channeling chakra into his samurai sword.
Specifically Lightning Release chakra, which resonated with the blade to help him attune to it.
"He's been like this ever since that mysterious ninja defeated him," Mikoto said, concern flashing in her eyes. "But given his current state, it'll be hard for him to improve quickly."
"Hmm, then we'll have to take the back entrance," Natsume said, slipping an arm around her waist. "Need me to give him a little extra tutoring?"
"Ah?"
Mikoto hadn't quite processed what he meant at first. She covered her mouth and stammered, "W-wouldn't that be… improper?"
"What's improper about it?" Natsume asked with a smile. "Afraid someone might find out?"
"Mm…"
Mikoto nodded slightly.
"No big deal," Natsume said, ruffling her hair. "I'm Hokage after all—no one will dare say anything."
"Just shut the door…" Mikoto took a deep breath, her graceful figure shifting subtly with the motion. "So we don't disturb Sasuke."
"You just keep quiet," Natsume grinned. "Besides, there's going to be a little tuition fee involved."
Mikoto looked reluctant but resigned.
The sound of thunder gradually faded.
Sasuke exhaled deeply, feeling once again closer to his sword.
After all, it had been forged from the Fangs of Lightning—one of the seven legendary ninja blades.
Even if not a divine treasure, it remained an exceptional weapon.
Understanding and becoming familiar with it better could indeed unleash greater power.
Sasuke sheathed the blade, instinctively glancing toward Mikoto's room.
He thought he'd heard something a moment ago.
"Mom, are you asleep?"
Sasuke hesitated before asking cautiously.
His voice was barely above a whisper.
Receiving no reply, he assumed she must've already gone to sleep.
Though he couldn't help wondering why she'd gone to bed so early tonight.
Sasuke got up and made his way to the bathroom.
Water splashed as it flowed.
The night felt particularly quiet.
Lying on her back, Mikoto gazed blankly at the ceiling.
Her tense body finally relaxed.
Moonlight had risen halfway across the sky.
Some hardworking souls still hadn't gone to bed.
A new day.
Hokage Building.
Natsume yawned.
"Didn't sleep well last night?" Kurenai Yuhi noticed and asked, concerned.
"That's right," Natsume replied with a smile.
"There's something… off about that smile of yours," Kurenai paused, holding back the words "suspiciously smug."
"Off how?" Natsume tilted his head slightly, asking curiously.
"Never mind."
"Kurenai Yuhi noticed his usual handsome smile had returned and waved her hand quickly, saying,
"This is the stockings I bought for you, right?"
Natsume didn't ask further. His gaze fell on her exposed calves.
"Yeah."
Kurenai nodded, feeling a slight shyness in her heart.
Natsume had bought thigh-high stockings.
She wasn't used to wearing them.
"Not bad," Natsume said, nodding with satisfaction.
Under his intense gaze, Kurenai felt like he was about to reach out at any moment. Uneasy, she quickly changed the subject. "There's an encrypted file."
Encrypted meant only the Hokage could view it.
Natsume arched a brow.
Since becoming Hokage, he'd rarely used encryption.
He hadn't hidden anything from Kurenai.
Except regarding Akatsuki.
Now that he thought about it, after being part of it for so long, he really should've received a mission by now.
He just didn't know what yet.
Actually, he'd been waiting for news from the Akatsuki organization.
But as the Hokage, it wasn't convenient for him to stay at the Thousand Sunny Merchant Guild too often.
So Ena Uzumaki received messages on his behalf and relayed them to Konoha Village.
As for Nagato's use of the Rinnegan Projection Technique, it was mainly used for Akatsuki meetings.
Rarely used otherwise.
Natsume opened the file.
It was a bounty mission.
The target: Chiriku of the Fire Temple.
Once a member of the Twelve Guardian Ninja of the Land of Fire, his power was no joke.
A black market bounty of thirty million ryo had been placed on his head.
In the original story, he died at the hands of Kakuzu and Hidan.
Oh...
Worth noting—Asuma Sarutobi died trying to save him, leaving Kurenai a widow.
Now, apparently, time had shifted earlier.
But thinking carefully, knowing Kakuzu's nature, Chiriku wouldn't escape forever.
Natsume glanced at Kurenai.
She was leaning over him, their gazes locking instantly.
"Why... why are you staring like that?"
Sensing something unusual in his gaze, Kurenai instinctively asked.
"How's Asuma doing lately?"
Natsume asked with a smile. "I remember you two were pretty close."
Taken aback, Kurenai was startled by the sudden question.
Looking at Natsume, she suddenly smirked.
Was he jealous?
"We don't have anything going on,"
Kurenai replied seriously. "If you want to know how he is, you can ask the Anbu."
"Just making conversation."
Seeing her reaction, Natsume laughed too. "Sister Kurenai, go call Sasuke over here."
She glared at him before walking away, suddenly radiating a mature charm that made one's heart race.
Soon after, Sasuke Uchiha entered the Hokage's office.
"Teacher," he greeted, bowing slightly. "Did you call for me?"
"You've gotten incredibly strong—already at Jonin level."
Natsume picked up a file and asked, "Your teammates are busy right now. Are you confident enough to handle a high-risk mission alone?"
"Yes!"
Sasuke Uchiha answered without hesitation.
Rather than nervous, he actually seemed excited.
"This is an S-class mission."
Natsume said casually, "Protect Chiriku, the head priest of the Fire Temple."
"Understood!"
Sasuke Uchiha took the document, glanced through it, and said, "I'll head out immediately."
"Then go."
Natsume didn't try to stop him.
Even Sasuke would need at least two days to reach there without the Flying Thunder God Technique.
There was plenty of time to spare.
As for Chiriku, sending a letter ahead would suffice.
With Konoha's reputation, he'd definitely take our warning seriously if we told him he might be targeted.
"Will he be okay on his own?"
After Sasuke left, Kurenai asked, "Should we send Anbu ninjas to protect him?"
"No need."
Natsume replied with a smile. "Kurenai, don't underestimate him. He might even be stronger than you."
Actually, that last part could probably be omitted.
Kurenai Yuhi—she was arguably Konoha's most renowned public genjutsu specialist.
The Uchiha weren't purely a clan of genjutsu specialists.
They relied more on fire-style techniques.
In the original story, Kurenai had once fought against Itachi Uchiha.
And she had been utterly defeated.
"It seems I'm becoming less and less useful as your secretary," Kurenai sighed. "Even a child surpasses me now."
"That's not true!" Natsume countered. "Sister Kurenai, you're extremely capable."
"Then thank you for the Hokage-sama's praise," Kurenai said with a smile.
Clearly, she felt flattered.
For her, as long as she remained useful to Natsume, her position as secretary would remain secure.
"I need to go out for a while."
Natsume stood up, reached out and gently caressed her black stockings, saying, "I'll leave Konoha's affairs in your hands for the next couple of days."
[Flying Thunder God Technique]
And vanished.
Kurenai shivered slightly, wanting to say something but finding herself too late.
Her face flushed red as she adjusted her stockings, muttering, "I really don't see what the appeal of this is."
Land of Grass.
Kakuzu, who was reading quietly, suddenly sharpened his eyes.
"Who's there?"
"It's me."
Natsume walked over slowly.
In the original story, Kakuzu actually had two main hobbies.
Reading books and collecting money.
"There's something I need to clarify," Kakuzu said, closing his book. "Leave Chiriku's bounty to me."
"No problem."
Natsume smiled indulgently. "Money's just a number to me, after all."
...
Without another word, Kakuzu turned and walked away.
[Four thousand words]
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