At that moment, the sound of high heels clicking on the tile floor rang out.
Ryun was just about to light his cigarette, to ignite his desire, when a voice sounded, "Ryun Uchiha!!! How many cigarettes have you smoked! How many times have I told you, that thing is harmful to your health, but you just don't listen!"
Hearing this, Ryun's whole body twitched. His hand shook, and the cigarette fell to the floor with a clatter. He closed his lighter, the flame disappearing, and a sheepish smile appeared on his face. "W, wife, you're not asleep yet! Ahem, you know, there's an operation tonight. I'm just waiting, and, so I... I..."
"So you smoked, right! Hmph! You're just like that big smoker, Teacher Hiruzen! All you know is smoking!" Tsunade stepped forward, extending her delicate hand, her stubborn little face pouting as she looked at Ryun.
Itachi Uchiha stood to the side, lowering his head as much as possible. He was afraid he might laugh out loud. At the same time, he firmly decided in his heart who his primary target to win over would be in the future.
Ryun helplessly took out a pack of cigarettes from his trouser pocket. Tsunade did not leave. The corner of Ryun's mouth twitched, and he pulled out another pack from a different pocket.
Tsunade nodded with satisfaction. She was just about to leave, but then she snorted. Ryun's eyes flashed with a trace of cunning, and he proudly showed off his slipper to Itachi.
Itachi's pupils contracted, clearly seeing that Ryun's slipper had a sliding compartment in the sole. Then he released a genjutsu, pulling his teacher's wife into an illusionary space. "Teacher's wife, Teacher's slipper has a sliding compartment."
After saying that, everything returned to normal, as if nothing had happened. But Ryun sensed the genjutsu fluctuation from Itachi just now. He was about to ask Itachi what he had done.
But then Tsunade turned around with a fierce expression, pushed Ryun down, and pulled the slipper off his foot. Ryun was shocked. "Wait a minute!"
Tsunade gave it a shake downwards. Clatter! A metal box slid open. Inside one slipper were twenty cigarettes, neatly arranged.
"It's over! Completely done for!" Ryun clutched his head. He was somewhat confused. Tsunade was clearly about to leave, so why did she turn back and take off his shoe!
Connecting it to the Yin attribute chakra fluctuation that came from Itachi earlier, his anger flared. He stared at Itachi, who was bowing at a ninety-degree angle. He was just about to take action.
But then Tsunade said, "Ryun Uchiha, you've got some nerve!"
Instantly, his body stiffened. He turned to look at his wife, Tsunade. "Well, you see, wife, let me explain!"
Then, Tsunade said, "Itachi, how did the report go?"
Itachi replied without hesitation, "The report has been fully delivered!"
"Then you can head back for now! Your teacher and I have some things to deal with!" Tsunade's eyes carried a murderous aura.
"Yes, I'll be leaving now!" With that, Itachi turned and walked towards the villa door without looking back.
"Don't! Itachi, actually, I think you might have some more things to report. How about you stay a bit longer?" Ryun's gaze held a pleading look.
Itachi stopped walking. Seeing this, Ryun was almost excited enough to stand up. But then Itachi said with a serious face, "Lord Hokage, I will write the remaining details into a document and send it to your home tomorrow!"
After saying that, he opened the villa door. Click, thud! Just like that, he turned and left, as if he had resolved himself to something!
The corner of Ryun's mouth twitched. He swallowed a mouthful of saliva and turned his stiffened head to look at Tsunade. "W, wife, listen to my explanation!"
Tsunade snorted coldly, dragged him by the foot, pulled him into a bedroom on the first floor, and then closed the door!
First, a series of Ryun's miserable cries rang out. Then came Tsunade's seductive sounds. It continued until the next morning when Ryun, supporting himself against the wall, walked out, and it finally ended.
Tsunade was now asleep. Ryun took out a cigarette and lit it. He took a drag and looked at the sky. "A beautiful woman's affection is the hardest to bear!"
Earlier, Tsunade used her fists to persuade Ryun. Not long after, Ryun talked (slept) Tsunade into being persuaded. That's how this crisis was resolved. Otherwise, it would have been dangerous!
"Very good, Itachi Uchiha. Very good indeed. Backstabbing your teacher, me. Excellent. It seems the training intensity still needs to be increased! Your certificate for Kage-level strength, it seems, will have to be postponed for another two years before being issued."
"Although your strength is sufficient, you still need to settle and mature a bit more!" Ryun was thinking about how to hold Itachi back.
Then, Itachi used a crow to send over the letter. It detailed the entire operation from beginning to end, including a summary. After reading it, Ryun sighed and gave up the idea of holding Itachi back.
This kid is talented. Getting his Kage-level certification earlier means he can take on deeper-level missions sooner and contribute more to Konoha.
Itachi's crow also brought an extra piece of paper, clearly waiting for Ryun's approval.
Ryun only wrote six words. "Well handled. Proceed."
Then he folded the letter paper, stamped it with his seal, and had the crow take it back.
Ryun watched the direction the crow flew off in, calculating other matters in his heart.
Better not push the Third Raikage too hard for now. Although Konoha's strength isn't afraid of him, if that old fellow, before he dies, comes to Konoha to cause trouble, it would still be a rather troublesome matter.
He predicted that the Third Raikage, with his time running out, would definitely not be content to die in bed. Most likely, he would find a way to die on the battlefield. Most likely, he would charge towards Iwagakure.
Because the Third Raikage also understood that Konoha had no ambition to annex his Kumogakure. But Iwagakure's thieving ambitions never died. Although Ōnoki was also old, one must not forget, he was a long-lived old man who could survive into the Boruto era!
Right now, Ōnoki of Iwagakure is still in his prime! Facing such an enemy, he wouldn't want to die and then have Ōnoki attack!
Originally, Kumogakure could still rely on Konoha to restrain Iwagakure's expansionist ambitions. But their series of actions had already disgusted Konoha and caused Konoha to abandon them!
Therefore, Ryun speculated that the day the Third Raikage passed away would be the day war erupted between Kumogakure and Iwagakure. When that time came, Ōnoki would certainly ask him for help. So should he agree? Or sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight?
Actually, the latter was most in line with Konoha's interests. But last time, during the combined Kiri and Kumo army's attack on Konoha, Iwagakure did help. If he didn't help now, wouldn't that be too unjust?
"Never mind. If that day really comes, I will personally intervene to protect Iwagakure once, to prevent their army from being slaughtered."
"As for their desire to annex Kumogakure, that won't be so easy either." Ryun ran simulations of the future in his heart. After making his decision, he stood up.
Then he heard footsteps coming from upstairs. It was Ju!
Ryun's eyes lit up. He immediately snuffed out the cigarette in his hand and walked towards the staircase. "Ju, you're awake! Are you hungry? Daddy will make breakfast for you right now."
Ju Uchiha's nose twitched. Then she frowned. "Dad! You smoked again! It smells awful!" As she spoke, Ju pouted and fanned the air.
Ryun coughed twice. "Ahem, last night there was a special operation in the village, led by your dad. I couldn't sleep, so I smoked a couple of cigarettes!"
"Huh? An operation! Was Itachi big brother involved too!" She suddenly remembered her father pulling Itachi into the study to talk for a long time!
"Yes. Itachi not only completed the mission this time, but he did it in a way that left no room for criticism. He is truly a trustworthy junior!" Ryun voiced his opinion of Itachi.
He was that kind of person. When it was time to praise, he was unstinting. When it was time to scold, he was also undisguised.
Hearing her father praise Itachi Uchiha, Ju's lips curved upward. "Dad, I'm hungry! I want a love lunch box. Oh, and make two!"
"Huh? Two? Ju, can you finish that much?" Ryun was puzzled. The love lunch boxes he made were portioned according to Ju's appetite.
Two boys could barely finish them, but Ju could eat one entirely without leaving a scrap, and the key was she didn't get fat!
"Who said I'm eating both? One is for Itachi big brother. He worked so hard on the mission last night, he definitely didn't eat properly! And he has class today. I have to bring him one. Besides, Dad, you're his superior, shouldn't you show some appreciation?" Ju hummed.
The corner of Ryun's mouth twitched. He didn't quite understand how Itachi and his daughter had gotten so close!
However, he didn't think too much about it. After all, his daughter had contact with too few people. Since childhood, Itachi had been playing with her. Maybe it was just childhood friendship at work.
So what if they're childhood friends? That doesn't necessarily mean they'll get married. Ah, forget it, forget it. Two it is, then!
After successfully hypnotizing himself, Ryun started making the lunch boxes. Ju sat on the sofa, scrolling through her phone, looking at recent events.
She also searched for last night's operation. Nothing came up. So it must have been a confidential mission, the news sealed.
The young girl's heart couldn't help but feel envious of Itachi Uchiha. "As expected of the number one among the Uchiha clan's younger generation! Only 13 years old, and already able to carry out confidential missions!"
The young girl started scrolling through her phone again, looking at the male idol rankings. Ryun Uchiha's name was at the top of the list. The comments below were all things like "Strongest, most handsome, most awesome."
But Ju curled her lip. He wasn't as great as they said. Her old man was actually pretty ordinary!
However, she didn't look at her dad's comment section for too long. She went to the comment section for the third-place holder, Itachi Uchiha. Inside were comments praising him as the most handsome noble young master, young and powerful, and so on.
Ju silently gave a like. Then she smelled a familiar fragrance. She knew it too well. Her father's love lunch boxes were both delicious and beautiful!
"Dad!" Ju obediently stood at the kitchen door. Seeing her, Ryun smiled and said, "Just wait a little longer, it's almost ready, Ju."
"Mhmm!" Ju Uchiha nodded and continued waiting. Soon, two lunch boxes were finished, and he handed them to Ju.
Ryun asked, "Are they heavy?" His eyes held a touch of heartache.
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