"Tch, so you're not dead after all."
Tayuya stood in the doorway. Though she felt relieved seeing him, her face showed disappointment.
"Ugh, how many times do I have to tell you - don't touch my hair!" she snapped the next moment, glaring at Natsume like an angry mother cat, baring her little fangs fiercely.
"I'm teaching you a lesson," Natsume said with a smile. "When you're weak, others can do whatever they want with you."
"I'll kill you!" Tayuya raged impotently.
Natsume pressed his finger against her forehead, keeping her at bay while her short arms flailed uselessly.
"Alright, pack up. We're leaving," Natsume said, stepping past her.
Tayuya found this strange. Traveling at night?
A theory formed in her mind: "Hey, did you lose a fight and now you're running away in the night?"
"Is that really how weak you think I am?" Natsume brought his hand down in a chop.
"Ow, that hurts!" Tayuya clutched her head.
….
Thirty minutes later, they boarded the ship provided by the Gunma Company.
"I'm hungry. Let's eat," Natsume yawned. "Want some?"
"I don't want any!" Tayuya blurted out angrily.
She soon regretted it deeply.
Natsume cooked a table full of delicious dishes, then tied her to a chair and wouldn't let her have a single bite.
"Baka! This is bullshit!" Tayuya cursed, refusing to give in.
"Still so energetic?" Natsume smiled, putting down his chopsticks. "Why haven't you tried to assassinate me these past couple days?"
"Hmph, I'm waiting for the right moment!" Tayuya turned her head away.
"Is that so?" Natsume stood and released her water bonds. "Then eat up. I'll be waiting for your assassination attempt tonight."
Tayuya immediately grabbed her chopsticks and started wolfing down the food.
That night, Natsume closed his eyes, waiting for the would-be assassin.
After a while, Tayuya quietly slipped into the room.
The light came on.
"Your stealth skills are terrible," Natsume commented.
Tayuya froze, her red hair bristling with rage at his words.
"You've already failed." Natsume casually touched a point on her body, blocking her chakra. Thanks to Orochimaru's data, he understood the curse mark better than she did.
"Time for punishment." He picked Tayuya up and sat her on a chair before crouching down.
He grabbed her right foot, removed the white sock, and began tickling her sole with his fingers.
Tayuya burst into involuntary laughter.
"You... hahaha... bastard!"
"I'll kill you!"
"Please... hahaha... stop!"
Soon she couldn't take it anymore, her other foot kicking wildly as tears formed in her eyes.
Natsume finally let go after a few more minutes.
Tayuya slumped in the chair, her eyes dull.
Eventually she stood up angrily, declaring: "I'll definitely kill you!"
She grabbed her sock and limped away hatefully.
Natsume wore a satisfied expression. Life was good.
Just then, a puff of smoke revealed a slug the size of a fist.
"Lord Natsume," the slug looked up. "Lady Tsunade has departed for Konoha. She should arrive in about two days."
Natsume's eyes widened excitedly. He had missed her after so long.
"Thank you," he said gratefully.
The slug had practically become his inside source now. Perhaps because it found him more interesting than other contractors.
Natsume stroked his chin thoughtfully. Tsunade didn't know he knew of her movements.
Should he prepare a surprise?
…
The next morning, Natsume awoke.
After sailing through the night, they weren't far from the Land of Waves.
Leaving his room, he heard the melodious sound of a flute.
It was Tayuya practicing.
Clearly last night's punishment had given her endless motivation.
Now she was focused solely on getting stronger to turn the tables.
Tayuya excelled at summoning beasts and genjutsu, both controlled through her flute as a medium.
It was more like the sound-based ninja techniques of the Hidden Sound Village that Orochimaru had casually created.
But how to put it...
The Hidden Sound Village was mainly created to fund research.
Orochimaru hadn't put much effort into developing sound techniques, so they remained largely unexplored.
Even with the curse mark, Tayuya's limit would only be that of an ordinary jonin.
While being a jonin wasn't bad, it clearly didn't meet Natsume's standards.
As for how to strengthen her, they would need to focus on genjutsu and summoning techniques.
Especially the latter.
Besides the three great sage regions, there were other impressive summoning beasts.
Though they couldn't compare to piloting mechs, they were still sufficient.
In the afternoon, the ship docked at the Land of Waves port.
Natsume took Tayuya to the daimyo's residence.
Since the daimyo was now under control, it had become the headquarters of the Gunma Company.
Hinae and Karin had also moved there.
However, the transfer of power hadn't yet taken place.
The reason was simple.
Hinae was still getting familiar with everything.
The Land of Waves was small, just an island.
The daimyo's residence wasn't far.
Ten minutes later, Natsume and Tayuya entered the courtyard.
Karin was practicing ninjutsu in the training ground, while Hinae was in the study.
No need to guess who to see first.
"Tayuya, wait here."
After saying this, Natsume slipped into the room.
Hinae was reviewing various documents from the Gunma Company.
Learning she would become its leader, she was very happy and serious about it.
Seven years had passed since Natsume rescued her.
But she still hadn't been able to help much.
Now finally having official work, she burst forth with unprecedented enthusiasm.
Natsume silently ran behind her, lifted her hair, and gently blew on her neck.
Hinae's heart fluttered, immediately knowing who it was, and didn't stop him.
"What are you reading?"
Natsume whispered in her ear, his arms encircling her waist.
"The... company documents."
Hinae bit her pink lips lightly, a faint blush appearing on her face.
"How long have you been reading?"
Natsume reached out his hand, sliding across her delicate oval face, finally gripping her chin.
"Two hours."
Hinae opened her mouth to answer.
Natsume's thumb took the opportunity to slip in, pressing down on her tongue.
"Good girl."
He smiled and withdrew his thumb, glistening with moisture.
Hinae lowered her head to continue reading.
"You must be tired after so long. Let me give you a massage."
Natsume stood up, walked in front of her, crouched down, disappearing from her line of sight.
He raised an eyebrow.
Hinae was very obedient today, wearing a red form-fitting qipao.
Most eye-catching were her waist and hip curves, and her beautiful legs in flesh-colored stockings.
Natsume began his work.
"Mmmmm..." Hinae's soft moans filled the air as Natsume's skilled hands worked their magic, kneading her supple flesh. Her breath hitched as his fingers traced delicate patterns across her sensitive skin.
"N-Natsume..." she whimpered, her body trembling beneath his touch. The thin silk of her qipao did little to hide her arousal as her nipples stiffened into hard peaks, dampening the fabric. To his surprise, small wet spots began forming where her breasts strained against the red silk.
"You're... leaking," he murmured in fascination, watching as drops of creamy white liquid seeped through the delicate material. Unable to resist, he lowered his head and wrapped his lips around one hardened peak, sucking gently through the silk.
"Ahhh!" Hinae cried out, arching her back as pleasure coursed through her. Her hands flew to his head, fingers tangling in his hair as he continued to nurse at her breast. The sweet taste of her milk filled his mouth as he suckled harder, drawing more of the warm liquid from her body.
"Please... more..." she begged breathlessly, holding him closer. Natsume obliged, alternating between her breasts as he drank deeply of her essence. Her thighs squeezed together as waves of arousal washed over her with each pull of his mouth.
The wet sounds of his sucking mixed with her desperate moans echoed through the room. Her body writhed beneath him as he feasted on her milk, his tongue swirling around her sensitive nipples between deep draws that made her gasp and shudder.
"You taste so sweet," he growled against her skin, his voice thick with desire. "I could drink from you forever." His words made her whimper as another gush of milk flowed into his eager mouth.
Hinae's head fell back, lost in the intense sensations as Natsume continued to nurse from her breasts. Her fingers clutched at his shoulders, her stockinged legs trembling as pleasure built within her core. The massage forgotten, they remained locked together in this intimate embrace, connected by the flow of her sweet milk into his hungry mouth...
As a result, dinner was delayed by an hour.
Because two more dishes were added.