Chapter 45: I Can Secretly Call You Behind Sasuko's Back
In the Hokage's office, sunlight streamed through the windows onto piles of documents.
"Haah..." Tsunade lazily stretched, her ample chest rising and falling with the motion.
She rubbed her tired eyes, glancing at the cup of tea on her desk that had long gone cold.
"It's already been half a year..." she murmured to herself.
Nearly six months had passed since taking the Hokage position. The woman who once lived for alcohol and avoided responsibility had gradually adapted to this burden.
Even Shizune was amazed she'd managed to quit her years-long drinking habit—replacing the alcohol on her desk was a steaming cup of tea.
Shizune stood nearby holding documents: "Lady Tsunade, here are today's mission reports."
"Just put them there..." Tsunade waved her hand, fatigue evident in her voice.
Tap tap tap
Clear knocking sounds rang out.
"Come in." Tsunade responded lazily, her fingertips still gently massaging her temples.
The door opened softly as a black-haired, black-eyed youth stepped in.
"Long time no see, Fifth Hokage."
Tsunade shot to her feet, her office chair creaking.
Her pupils contracted sharply, chest heaving: "It's you..."
What was this dangerous guy here for now?
Seeing this, Yu smiled: "No need to be so formal."
He then turned to look at Shizune nearby, smiling slightly.
Shizune felt her breath catch—when did Konoha have such a beautiful young man? She momentarily forgot to react.
Only when she felt Lady Tsunade's gaze did she hurriedly lower her head, saying quietly: "H-hello..."
Several pages of documents slipped from her hands, scattering on the floor.
Tsunade glanced at Shizune's infatuated appearance and sighed internally.
This foolish subordinate had no idea that this seemingly harmless, handsome youth had caused earth-shaking changes in Konoha in just two days.
Her amber eyes narrowed slightly, muscles unconsciously tensing: "What are you here for now?"
Yu spoke unhurriedly: "Fifth Hokage, I'm here to discuss children's enrollment. Also..." He paused, adding, "to return some of the jutsu scrolls I previously borrowed."
Before he finished speaking, space in the office suddenly twisted, and stacks of ancient scrolls appeared out of thin air like magic tricks, neatly arranged on the floor.
Tsunade's gaze sharpened, immediately understanding: "Uchiha Sasuko's?"
"And Uzumaki Naruko. I hope to have them placed in the same class."
"Also, please take good care of them, Fifth Hokage."
Tsunade carefully examined the youth before her.
Compared to their last meeting, the suffocating killing intent around him had indeed diminished considerably, but his movements still carried subtle coldness—like a sharp blade sheathed.
Tsunade said in a low voice: "Understood. I'll make arrangements."
"Then I'll trouble you."
Space rippled, and the next second, Yu's figure had vanished.
"Whew—"
Only after confirming he'd truly left did Tsunade finally exhale deeply, collapsing into her chair.
Though that guy had been polite this time, the invisible pressure still made her back break out in cold sweat.
Shizune was still reminiscing about the youth's appearance: "Lady Tsunade, who exactly was that young man just now..."
"You infatuated fool!" Tsunade irritably gave her another knock on the head. "That guy is Uchiha Yu!"
"He's...!" Shizune's eyes widened as all her documents scattered to the floor with a "whoosh."
That "monster youth" who struck terror into Konoha's leadership, who supposedly single-handedly... yet he looked so gentle and refined.
Seeing Shizune's dumbstruck expression, Tsunade shook her head helplessly and drained her teacup.
Space twisted as Yu's figure quietly appeared in his home courtyard.
Evening sunlight bathed the yard where two little girls played and frolicked by the cherry blossom tree.
Sasuko maintained her usual tsundere demeanor, putting on an aloof expression.
Naruko was like a little sun, her face always bright with energetic smiles, never running out of things to say.
Yu leaned against the doorframe watching for a while, his lips unconsciously curving upward.
He slowly approached the two little girls, crouching down to say gently: "Sasuko, Naruko, I have good news for you."
Both girls turned their heads simultaneously, two pairs of big eyes blinking at him.
"Starting tomorrow, you can go to ninja academy together." Yu reached out to ruffle both their heads. "Are you happy?"
"Yay!" Naruko immediately cheered, her azure eyes sparkling. "I can go to school with Sasuko!" She excitedly tried to grab Sasuko's hand, only to be slapped away with a "smack."
"Hmph." Sasuko turned her face away, pretending indifference. "Who wants to go with you, dummy..."
Yu narrowed his eyes, pinching Sasuko's soft cheek with a hint of reminder in his voice.
"Sasuko—"
Sasuko's small body clearly stiffened. She secretly glanced up, meeting Yu's amused dark eyes.
Those eyes seemed to say: What did you promise me before?
"I-I know!" Sasuko muttered awkwardly, her face slightly red.
She reluctantly turned around and quickly said to Naruko: "See you tomorrow."
Naruko was initially stunned, her azure eyes blinking, then she broke into a brilliant smile: "Mm, see you tomorrow."
Only then did Yu nod satisfactorily, reminding them: "Alright, tomorrow's your first day of school. Remember to sleep early and wake up early."
As he said those last few words, his gaze meaningfully fell on Sasuko.
Sasuko clearly understood the deeper meaning in Yu's words. Her round black eyes glared at Yu in embarrassment before she huffily turned away, her pink lips unconsciously pouting.
It... it was all because of that night... that sudden... Thinking of this, Sasuko felt her cheeks burn even hotter.
"What are you daydreaming about?" Yu's voice suddenly rang out beside her ear, startling Sasuko.
"N-nothing!" She frantically waved her hands and rushed toward the house.
Halfway there, she suddenly stopped and turned back to glare at Yu angrily: "Yu is... is a big dummy!" Then she slammed the door shut with a "bang."
Naruko blinked her azure eyes, tugging at Yu's sleeve: "Yu-ni... Yu, what's wrong with Sasuko?"
Yu was also somewhat puzzled, his slender fingers unconsciously stroking his chin. He'd only reminded her about sleeping early because of her late rising the other day—surely that wasn't enough to make her angry?
"Probably... because she's shy?"
Then he noticed Naruko's change in address, crouching down to meet her eyes curiously: "By the way Naruko, didn't you used to call me 'Yu-nii'? Why did you suddenly change?"
Naruko immediately tensed up, twisting her fingers as her face flushed red.
She secretly glanced toward Sasuko's room, then leaned close to Yu's ear to whisper: "Sa-Sasuko said... if I kept calling you Yu-nii... she wouldn't talk to me anymore..."
Then she quickly added:
"But... but if Yu doesn't like it... I can secretly call you that behind Sasuko's back..."
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