"Natsume-sensei, are we going out on a mission tomorrow?"
Naruto, already revived, asked excitedly.
Anyway, 3,000 ryō didn't really matter to him.
That little sting faded fast.
"If you want cat-catching, weeding, and cow-milking D-ranks, I can pick them up for you."
Natsume drawled.
"What about C-rank?"
Naruto boomed, "We're so strong—no way we're doing D-ranks."
"By the rules, a genin squad can only take D-ranks at first."
Seeing his disappointment, Natsume added, "But I'm the Hokage's aide. Never mind C-rank—I can get you A-ranks."
"Awesome!"
Naruto's eyes lit up. "Then let's go tomorrow!"
"No rush."
Natsume shook his head. "Higher-level missions need the Hokage's approval. Go prepare. I'll let you know in a few days."
Sasuke gave him a look, said nothing, and left.
"Natsume-sensei, the higher the better!"
Naruto shouted as he walked off.
Natsume smiled and looked away.
"Hinata, I'll walk you home."
"Mm."
Hinata nodded, glanced around—too many people. She didn't dare hold his hand, following with a hint of disappointment.
At the Hyuga compound gates, Hanabi Hyuga ran out.
"Onee-chan!"
She threw herself into Hinata's arms and looked up. "Mom said you applied to graduate early. How'd it go?"
"It's approved."
Hinata pointed at her forehead protector.
"Wow! Let me see!"
Hanabi chirped.
Hinata took off the headband around her neck and handed it over.
Hanabi touched it like a treasure, face adorably tense.
"Hanabi."
Natsume teased, "I'm a whole person standing here—didn't you see me?"
"I saw you!"
Hanabi pouted. "But why are you with my sister?"
"I'm her squad leader."
Arms folded, Natsume asked, "So are you going to be nicer to me now?"
Hanabi froze.
She knew what a squad leader was.
But she hadn't expected it to be Natsume.
What a coincidence!
"I'm sorry, Natsume-nii! That was my bad!"
Her pale eyes shifted, then she shouted with sincere earnestness.
Seeing this, Hinata's lips curved into a smile.
"Little rascal."
Natsume patted Hanabi's head, then noticed Hinata's expression and ruffled her hair too.
Can't play favorites.
"Alright, I'm heading back."
He waved and left.
…
Hokage's office.
Tsunade looked up as Natsume came in. "Back this late?"
"Just ran a test."
He came up to her. "All three students are pretty strong. Their future achievements won't be beneath ours."
"Oh? That high?"
Tsunade was surprised. "You're not joking?"
She, fine—within normal ninja parameters.
But Natsume was different.
He'd inherited the Senju clan's monstrous physique, plus Wood Release and Sage Mode—there were few in the entire shinobi world who could match him.
"Of course."
Natsume smiled. "They'll surprise you."
Putting Hinata aside, Naruto and Sasuke alone—once they grew—would be terrifying.
And if their generous father, the Sage of Six Paths, acknowledged them and gave them an instant power-up on the spot…
Tsunade wasn't fully convinced, but she nodded.
If it was as he said, then Konoha would be invincible.
"Since you're back, let's clock out."
She stood and yawned. "I waited so long I got sleepy."
"Sorry."
Natsume quickly took her hand. "You don't have to wait for me."
"What are you talking about?"
Tsunade glared. "We're family."
Warmth flowed through him.
He swept her up by the waist, flashed the Flying Thunder God, and the two appeared at home.
Shizune glanced over, then looked away.
Cold dog food, smacked in her face.
Expressionless, she walked into the kitchen.
Soon, dinner was ready.
"How's this?"
Natsume blew to cool it and held it to Tsunade's lips.
"Pretty good."
She ate happily, eyes on Natsume, delighted.
"…"
Shizune felt a barrage of critical hits.
The living room was spacious, but there was no room left for her.
Better not stay!
"Shizune, you eat too."
Natsume noticed she'd put down her chopsticks. "I already had ramen, so you'll have to eat more tonight."
I'm already full!
Shizune screamed inwardly, smiled faintly outwardly, and said, "No problem."
She downed two big bowls and ran for it that very night.
On the sofa—
Tsunade slipped off her slippers and rested her bare feet on Natsume's thigh.
"Why do you have so many weird tastes?"
"What weird tastes?"
Natsume caressed her smooth instep.
Tsunade's legs straightened reflexively, her dainty toes curling.
"Shizune—why did you tease her?"
"You were enjoying it too."
He warmed her feet with both hands as he retorted.
"No, I wasn't."
She relaxed, voice content. "You started it. I couldn't stop you in time."
"Don't think you can slander people just because you're Hokage."
He refused to admit anything.
"Stubborn."
She nudged him lightly with her foot.
He caught her jade-white foot and kept kneading.
Feeling comfortable, Tsunade shifted her hips to settle in better.
Her eyes danced; she smiled. "You really are a foot-fetishist."
"I'm not."
He looked up at the gentle sway of her top as she breathed.
"I smell a lie."
Tsunade sniffed lazily.
Natsume arched a brow, set her foot down, crouched, and brought his face close to hers, nearly nose to nose.
"Wait!"
Tsunade panicked. "This is the living room!"
Her breath tickled his face.
Her rare flustered look pleased him.
"What about it?"
He looked into her eyes, amused.
But Tsunade was no ordinary girl.
She steadied fast, raised a fist by his face, and said, "Don't forget what you promised me."
"Then what do I do?"
He changed tactics at once, clutching his chest. "Ah—I feel awful—I think I'm dying!"
"Don't say that!"
Tsunade sat up straight, pinning him to the sofa back, expression fierce.
"I'll remember."
He swallowed.
"Thinking naughty thoughts again."
She rolled her eyes and, seeing his look, asked, "So what do you want to do?"
"We can take another route."
He whispered a few words in her ear.
"Pervert!"
A vein bulged on her forehead, and she hammered down with a punch.
Natsume flew off the sofa and hit the floor.
"Why didn't you dodge?"
Tsunade, startled, hurried to help him up.
"Why would I?"
He wrapped an arm around her slender waist. "Don't you owe me compensation?"
"You're impossible."
Her expression shifted, then she finally nodded.
Because she thought of the future.
During pregnancy, this might be the only way to help him.
"Big sis, you're the best!"
Natsume had helped awaken Uzumaki Hinae's eyes, but Tsunade was different.
With her personality, there was no way she'd agree otherwise.
This chance was like finding a path in desperation.
He picked Tsunade up from behind, carried her into the room, and opened the window.
Tsunade bit her lip. Her long legs lifted from the floor, her whole body supported by the one she loved.
Her eyes turned hazy as she looked at the night sky. No moon—but the stars were bright.
Natsume set her down gently on the edge of the bed, his hands roaming her curves with familiar reverence.
Tsunade's breath hitched as he peeled away her clothes, layer by layer, exposing her flushed skin to the cool night air. Her swollen belly, a testament to their growing family, made her even more radiant in his eyes. He kissed her neck, trailing down her back, whispering assurances of how beautiful she was, how much he needed her. Tsunade arched into his touch, her initial hesitation melting into desire. She knew this was the safest way for them now, to avoid any risk to the pregnancy—and the thought of pleasing him like this sent a thrill through her.
He positioned her on all fours, her hands gripping the bedsheets as he knelt behind her.
Natsume's fingers, slick with a gentle lubricant he'd prepared, explored her entrance carefully, teasing and preparing her with slow, deliberate circles.
Tsunade moaned softly, her body relaxing under his expert care. "Natsume... be gentle," she murmured, though her voice carried a note of eager anticipation. He nodded, pressing kisses along her spine as he aligned himself. With a slow, controlled thrust, he entered her from behind, filling her in a way that was both intimate and intense.
The sensation was tight, overwhelming at first, but Tsunade pushed back against him, matching his rhythm as pleasure built.
Their bodies moved in sync, Natsume's hands steady on her hips, guiding her as he thrust deeper, each motion drawing gasps and sighs from her lips.
Sweat beaded on their skin, the room filling with the sounds of their shared passion—the slap of flesh, the ragged breaths, the occasional whisper of affection. Tsunade's fingers clenched the sheets tighter, her body trembling as waves of ecstasy washed over her. Natsume's pace quickened, his own release building, but he held back, focusing on her pleasure first. He reached around, his fingers finding her most sensitive spot, rubbing in firm circles that made her cry out, her climax crashing through her like a storm.
Only then did he let go, thrusting one final time as he spilled inside her, their bodies locked in a shuddering embrace.
After a long while—
Her eyes suddenly lit up. She gripped Natsume's arms.
Huge, bright stars fell one after another, the whole sky seeming to tremble.
"A meteor shower."
Natsume sighed.
He hadn't expected a spur-of-the-moment idea to lead to such a sight.
Even an hour of waiting was worth it.
"Time for a bath and bed."
Tsunade exhaled. She could still feel Natsume's warmth pressed against her back.
Holding her so long, their bodies felt feverish.
Even a ninja's stamina had limits.
"Mm. Let's go sightseeing again next time."
Natsume parted the golden strands stuck together by sweat.
But before they moved, Tsunade turned to him with a mischievous glint in her eyes, her body still humming from their connection.
She slid down, her hands gently pushing him back onto the bed. "Let me take care of you first," she whispered, her voice husky with lingering desire.
Natsume watched, entranced, as she leaned in, her lips brushing against his spent length. She started slow, her tongue tracing the remnants of their passion, cleaning him with deliberate, sensual licks.
Her mouth enveloped him fully, warm and inviting, sucking gently to draw out every last trace while her hands massaged his thighs. Natsume groaned, his fingers threading through her hair as she worked, the act both tender and erotic.
She didn't rush, savoring the taste of him, her eyes locking with his in a moment of intimate vulnerability. When she finally pulled back, licking her lips with a satisfied smile, they both felt a deeper bond, the night air cooling their heated skin.
Night fell into peace.
…
A new day.
Natsume squinted.
The sunlight was bright.
He suddenly realized they'd been too busy to close the window last night.
He looked at Tsunade. She was still asleep.
He reached out and caressed her cheek.
After a moment, she sensed him, but didn't open her eyes. Instead, she curled her shapely body into his arms.
Drowsy, she smiled from the heart. "Good morning."
He steadied his thoughts, resisting temptation, and said softly, "Time to get up."
Tsunade didn't answer, resting her head on his shoulder, golden hair a tousled mess.
Neither of them cared.
Natsume stared, entranced.
After a long while, Tsunade finally woke properly. Unbothered, she rose, showing off a pink-smooth, curvy figure.
She glanced at him and slowly dressed.
"Are you torturing me on purpose?"
He tugged a corner of his mouth.
"I am."
She smiled smugly. "Serves you right for being so over the top last night. Now suffer by yourself."
Before Natsume could respond, she slipped out of the room.
"Wicked woman!"
He angrily ate two extra bowls of rice.
Under his resentful gaze, Tsunade tiptoed up and pecked the corner of his mouth.
"Morning, my little man."