Inside the office, documents were scattered all over the floor, making it look a bit messy.
Behind the large desk, a symbol of the Hokage's authority, Di Yan sat comfortably in the main seat.
Cuddled in his arms was Shizune, almost naked, with disheveled hair and a tear-streaked face!
Shizune was like a startled little animal.
She was completely curled up in Di Yan's embrace.
Her body was still trembling slightly.
When the door was suddenly pushed open, she instinctively looked up.
Their eyes met!
Shizune's eyes, red and swollen from crying, instantly widened even further.
They were filled with endless shame, fear.
And a sense of collapse and despair at being caught in her most humiliating moment by the person closest to her.
Her lips trembled, but she couldn't make a sound.
It was as if her entire being was about to shatter.
For a moment, Shizune just... "Ho... Hokage-sama..."
After a long while, an extremely faint whimper, like a cry of blood, finally squeezed out of Shizune's throat.
Tsunade, meanwhile, was struck as if by lightning, frozen in place.
She looked at Shizune's helpless and desperate appearance.
She looked at Di Yan's expression, which was matter-of-fact and even carried a hint of playful amusement.
Her heart felt as if it was instantly gripped by a cold, large hand.
Then mercilessly dragged into the deepest, darkest ice cave!
The last shred of hope... was completely shattered.
She had originally thought that her surrender.
Would at least ensure the safety of those around her.
She thought Di Yan's goal was at least clear.
With her as the 'Empress' and the Hokage.
Perhaps he wouldn't... But she was wrong.
Terribly wrong.
This man's greed and desire for control had no bottom line.
He not only wanted to conquer Konoha and conquer her.
He also wanted to brand everything she cherished, everyone important around her.
One by one, with his mark.
And bring them under his control!
Shizune... her most trusted, closest assistant and junior... He actually... A huge sense of powerlessness and overwhelming rage instantly engulfed Tsunade.
Making her almost lose control and erupt.
But her remaining sanity and the heavy responsibility on her shoulders.
Were like the strongest chains.
Firmly locking down her surging anger and Chakra.
She could only grit her teeth, her nails digging deeply into her palms.
Even drawing blood.
It took all her strength to barely maintain a calm facade.
On the other hand.
Di Yan looked at Tsunade, who stood stiffly at the door.
He seemed unsurprised by her sudden intrusion.
Instead, it was as if he had seen something amusing.
He even deliberately tightened his arm around Shizune.
Pulling her closer to him, as if asserting his ownership.
"Oh? You're back~?"
Di Yan's tone was as light as if he was just discussing the weather, "Good timing, I just 'appointed' Shizune as my personal secretary."
"From now on, you two sisters can... get along better."
Sisters?
What a joke, Shizune has always been her junior.
These words were like the final sprinkle of salt.
Harshly scattered on Tsunade and Shizune's bleeding wounds.
Shizune let out a desperate wail.
Completely burying her face, not daring to look at Tsunade again.
Tsunade saw Shizune's broken and desperate appearance.
And then saw Di Yan's calm, even playful, smiling face.
Tsunade's suppressed anger and humiliation finally broke through the critical point!
She lunged forward.
Snatching the almost naked Shizune from Di Yan's arms.
And tightly wrapped her trembling body in her wide Hokage robe.
Like a lioness protecting her cub.
She glared at Di Yan, her emerald eyes almost spitting fire:
"You... how could you not even spare Shizune?"
Di Yan was completely unfazed by Tsunade's anger.
He even leisurely adjusted his sitting posture and spread his hands, saying:
"I told you, Shizune is a good secretary, excellent in ability, and with a good personality; I like her very much."
"Keeping her by my side is just right."
Shizune felt Tsunade's warm embrace and protective stance.
A wave of grievance and shame surged through her again.
She buried her face deep in Tsunade's chest, sobbing softly.
She didn't dare to look up or speak.
Tsunade trembled with rage.
She wanted to reprimand him sharply.
She wanted to curse this shameless bastard.
But the words caught in her throat again.
What could she say?
Wasn't she herself a plaything in this man's hand, a bird in his cage?
With her own surrender and compromise, what right did she have to criticize his treatment of Shizune?
A huge sense of powerlessness and sorrow instantly overwhelmed her.
All her anger turned into deep despair and self-mockery.
For a moment, the two women, both trapped and relying on each other.
Could only embrace each other tightly, sobbing silently.
Tears soaked their clothes.
Their cries were filled with unspeakable pain, humiliation, and confusion about the future.
Di Yan looked at the scene of the two sisters, deeply affectionate and crying together.
He seemed to feel a bit of a headache, and also a bit helpless.
He stood up and walked over to the two of them.
He stretched out his arms, somewhat forcefully, yet with a strange, embracing posture.
And pulled both Tsunade and Shizune, who were embracing each other, into his arms.
Tsunade instinctively struggled a bit.
But Di Yan's arms were as firm as iron bands.
Feeling Shizune still trembling in his arms, and considering the possible consequences of resistance.
Tsunade eventually gave up.
Her body stiffly allowed Di Yan to hold her.
She just turned her head away, unwilling to look at him.
Shizune was even stiffer, like a stone, not daring to move.
Feeling the aura of the two powerful presences beside her.
Her emotions were extremely complicated.
"Alright, alright, why are you crying?"
Di Yan's voice softened for once, with an almost coaxing tone, "Following me, being my Empress, being my secretary, would I mistreat you two?
"In the future, you'll enjoy endless honor and wealth; I promise I will never let you suffer any grievances."
These words sounded like a huge irony in Tsunade's ears.
She suddenly turned her head and bit down on Di Yan's shoulder.
Although she didn't use Chakra, she used all her strength.
As if to vent all her indignation.
"Pah! Who cares! You're shameless!"
Tsunade released her bite and cursed bitterly.
Tears still hung in the corners of her eyes.
Di Yan winced in pain but wasn't angry at all.
Instead, he chuckled, tightening his arms even more:
"I am shameless; I only want you two. You are all mine, and you can't escape."
These almost rogue-like words of love made Tsunade choke with anger again.