Uchiha Yorin: "???"
If not for his Sharingan confirming this was really Pakura—and not some transformation trick—Yorin would have suspected an inept assassin had come for his head.
Yorin: "Wait… Pakura?"
It was strange.
If it were Tsunade, that made sense. They'd just upgraded to "lovers," and she'd just watched a shameless Mist "homewrecker" try to pry him away. Spurred by a heavy sense of crisis, a night raid to wring Yorin dry and boost her favorability would be perfectly reasonable.
And Mei had a reason too.
Even though he'd comforted her gently, in the dead of night the insecurity would return; feeling empty, lonely, and cold made sense.
But Pakura?
Her mood was stable, and unlike Tsunade she hadn't leveled up from "more-than-friends, not-yet-lovers" to "lover." In theory, Pakura had no reason to night-raid Yorin and do this and that.
In theory. In practice—different story.
"If I pretend nothing happened, then by the time the future arrives there won't be a 'me' in it, right?"
Under Yorin's baffled gaze, Pakura said, "Mei Terumi and Tsunade are both exceptional women. If they go on the offensive and I do nothing, I'll be shut out soon enough."
Yorin: "But there's a premise here…"
He wanted to say: if you're going to enter the harem's political contest, there's one premise—
Pakura: "I like you."
Yorin: "Eh."
Pakura: "Yes. I like you."
Yorin: "But…"
Pakura: "Right, I wasn't someone you especially flirted with. I'm not like Mei Terumi, as if 'it has to be you or I'll die.' But does that mean I can't fall for you? There's no such rule.
"And more importantly, Yorin-kun—don't you know you're incredibly attractive? If 'handsome' could be quantified, you're at least thirty-two points.
"Of course I'm not some shallow face-chaser who freezes at the sight of a hottie. It's your madness, your grand ambition, your sense of justice and your drive that drew me in.
"Oh—and your sense of humor."
Yorin suspected she'd just dissed a certain Sakura, but he had no proof.
Faced with such a sincere confession from a beautiful girl, what could he say? All he managed was a soft "Wow."
Desert girls really don't mince words—this was a fastball straight down the middle.
And, fitting for the Scorch Release Pakura, truly a heroine among women: sensing a shift in the situation, she didn't hesitate—she pushed in head first. That decisiveness earned absolute respect.
Pakura: "Alright, Yorin—my piece is said. Now the choice is yours.
"What is your choice? If it's a no, then keep your mouth shut and pretend nothing happened.
"It's already embarrassing for a girl to confess—if it's a failure on top of that, that's social death.
"If you dare blab, I'll put everything I have into taking you down."
By the last line she was blushing; though she was a bold Sand kunoichi, a powerful heroine—of course she'd still feel shy in this situation.
So.
What was Yorin's choice?
Facing him, she couldn't help feeling nervous—until Yorin's face softened into a warm, delighted, aggressively excited smile.
Pakura relaxed, confirming again: this kind of maniac is exactly why she likes him.
After all, she's a shinobi too.
For a life lived licking blood from the blade, you need some thrills to wash away the lingering stink of blood and the crushing, suffocating karma.
"Don't worry."
Uchiha Yorin told her, "How could I let a girl lose face? I'm the Uchiha who respects women the most in the world."
"Hmph." Pakura smiled without answering, but her eyes clearly said: "Really? I don't buy it."
In that case—
The eyes matched.
He's the right man.
Fight!!!
Yorin and Pakura traded a look—and a world-shaking, beyond-Kage battle began!
Seals!
Lightning Release: Chidori vs. Scorch Release: Great Steaming Explosive Blast!
Uchiha-ryū Wild Blade Sixteen-Strike vs. Sand-nin Body Arts · Centipede Surge!
Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet vs. Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!!!
The two beyond-Kage tore the room apart from one end to the other—the heaven itself wore thin!!!
…
A few hours later.
"It's dawn."
"Yeah."
"Traveling today… might be tough."
"Yeah."
"Ugh—hope we didn't delay anything important."
"Relax. I calculated the time—we're fine."
"Oh."
"Mm."
"In that case…"
Yorin and Pakura locked eyes again.
Fight!!!
…
Five days later.
Due to certain irresistible forces, the route they'd planned to finish in three days took five. Only then did Yorin and the "harem Sannin" straggle back to Konoha. First stop: the Hokage's office to see best bro Minato—coordinate the sister-in-law's due-date "plan," and introduce Pakura and Mei.
Yorin is good at life admin. With Pakura and Mei in Akatsuki, he felt they should also "be on file" in Konoha. No need for extra stipends—base pay is fine.
…
Watching the cloying sweetness between Yorin and the trio that could choke a single dog, Minato gave him the most resentful look.
He worked very hard not to say:
"So the reason you stayed out so long wasn't…?"
"I've been worrying myself bald in the village—my hairline retreated another millimeter—and you were out there with arms full, flirting?"
Yorin: "Don't mention it—just doing my duty. All for the village."
"…"
Minato went silent again for a few seconds.
Fine. Whether it's Pakura or Mei, they're top-tier.
Bringing in elites like this is contributing to the village… Why does saying that taste like ashes?
Back when he'd just become Hokage, he was fired up—ambitious to build something grand. Why did he now feel his heart slipping—and even catch himself longing for retirement?
~~~
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