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When Uchiha Tsukiko stepped out of the Hokage Building, the snow beneath her sandals made a crisp crunch.
Cold wind brushed across her face, but it couldn't erase the satisfied smile on her lips.
Just moments ago, Danzo's face had turned so dark it looked like it could grind ink.
That feelingâsuccessfully irritating one of Konoha's most powerful eldersâwas far more exciting than catching small-time criminals in the Military Police.
"Tch⊠when those old fogies gather together, even the air starts smelling rotten," Tsukiko muttered.
She shoved her hands into her sleeves and strolled down the snowy street like an old man enjoying a winter walk.
As for whether Danzo would take revenge?
Tsukiko snorted.
She wasn't worried at all.
With Flying Thunder God and her own mysterious abilities, escaping was easy.
If things ever became truly dangerous, she could simply grab Kushina and teleport away.
The ninja world was huge.
Surely there would always be a place to live freely.
Soon, she arrived at the Hokage Residence.
Just as she reached the door, laughter drifted from inside.
Tsukiko blinked in surprise.
She pushed the door open.
Inside the warm living room, Kushina Uzumaki sat comfortably against a cushion.
Across from her sat another familiar figure.
Uchiha Mikoto.
"Aunt Mikoto?" Tsukiko said, momentarily surprised.
Then she instantly brightened.
She kicked off her shoes and dashed over before plopping down between them like an energetic sparrow.
"Aunt Mikoto! What brings you here today?" Tsukiko asked cheerfully.
"Shouldn't you be supervising little Itachi's studies right now?"
Without waiting for an answer, Tsukiko grabbed a wagashi sweet from the table and stuffed it into her mouth.
Her curious eyes drifted toward Mikoto.
The Uchiha clan truly had incredible genes.
Even after becoming a mother, Mikoto remained graceful and beautiful. Her calm temperament made her look like a refined noble lady.
"Haha, Itachi studies too seriously," Mikoto said with a gentle smile.
"Sometimes I need a break too."
She looked warmly at Tsukiko.
"I was just telling Kushina that you've become quite famous in Konoha lately."
"Even Fugaku mentioned it after returning home."
Tsukiko raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"He said the Uchiha clan has produced a genius who was personally taught a forbidden technique by the Hokage," Mikoto continued.
"It seems the clan leader is under a lot of pressure now."
Kushina immediately wrapped her arm around Tsukiko's shoulders proudly.
"Of course she's amazing!" Kushina laughed loudly.
"After all, I raised her!"
Tsukiko almost choked.
"Sister Kushina, if you keep praising me like that, my ego will grow all the way up to Hokage Rock."
Kushina laughed even harder.
Tsukiko leaned comfortably against Kushina's shoulder before glancing at Mikoto again.
"Aunt Mikoto," she said casually, "if Clan Head Fugaku is under so much pressure, why don't you stay here for a few days?"
"This house is huge anyway."
"Brother Minato is always busy."
"The three of us chatting together would definitely be more fun."
Mikoto blinked.
Then she laughed softly.
"You really are getting bolder and bolder."
"If Fugaku heard that, he might lose sleep from anger."
"Let him," Tsukiko said lazily.
"He has Itachi to keep him company."
Then she suddenly sat up proudly.
"Oh right!"
"I helped Brother Minato solve a big problem today."
Kushina leaned closer immediately.
"What problem?"
Tsukiko grinned mischievously.
"It involved Danzo."
That was enough to grab Kushina's attention instantly.
Tsukiko began dramatically retelling what had happened in the Hokage office.
She exaggerated every detail.
Especially the part where she called Danzo a "door guardian."
When she even imitated Danzo's hoarse voice, Kushina burst into uncontrollable laughter.
"Hahaha! A door guardian?!" Kushina gasped between laughs.
"You really said that to his face?!"
Mikoto covered her mouth, laughing softly.
"That's dangerous, Tsukiko."
"Danzo is not someone who forgets grudges easily."
Tsukiko waved her hand dismissively.
"Relax."
"Even Brother Minato agrees I'm good at escaping."
Inside her mind she added:
If Danzo really sends someoneâŠ
I'll make sure they regret it.
Mikoto looked at Tsukiko quietly.
Then she sighed gently.
"But I'm still relieved you're staying near Kushina."
"Lately the atmosphere in the village has been tense."
Kushina nodded.
"As long as Tsukiko is here, those old foxes won't get any advantage over me."
Then Kushina suddenly squinted suspiciously.
"By the wayâŠ"
"You teased Danzo like that."
"Did Minato really just watch?"
Tsukiko burst out laughing.
"He was trying so hard not to laugh that his pen almost slipped."
She leaned back comfortably and rested her head on Mikoto's lap.
Neither woman stopped her.
Tsukiko closed her eyes contentedly.
"Aunt Mikoto, Sister KushinaâŠ"
"When spring comes, let's go see the flowers at the Fire Country capital."
"We'll leave Brother Minato and Clan Head Fugaku here to deal with paperwork."
"The three of us will go enjoy ourselves."
Mikoto shook her head helplessly.
"Only you could imagine something like that."
But her hand gently brushed Tsukiko's hair.
A faint smile appeared on her face.
Tsukiko rolled slightly and looked up.
"Aunt Mikoto⊠since you said I'm biasedâŠ"
"How about I stay at your house tonight?"
Mikoto blinked in surprise.
"That⊠might not be appropriate."
"If Fugaku suddenly sees another person in the houseâŠ"
Before she finished speakingâ
Kushina clapped her hands.
"That's a great idea!"
"Mikoto, you're pregnant now. Fugaku doesn't know how to take care of people anyway."
"Let Tsukiko keep you company."
Tsukiko immediately grabbed Mikoto's hands.
"I promise I won't cause trouble!"
"I'll just keep Auntie company and help take care of her."
Mikoto sighed helplessly.
"You two are impossibleâŠ"
But her resistance softened.
"Fine," she finally said.
"But if you make too much noise tonight, I'm kicking you out."
"Deal!" Tsukiko cheered.
---
Night slowly fell over the Uchiha clan compound.
A warm light glowed inside the clan leader's residence.
Tsukiko sat beside Mikoto on the bed.
"Auntie, is the pressure okay?" she asked while gently massaging Mikoto's shoulders.
Mikoto sighed comfortably.
"A little lighterâŠ"
Tsukiko adjusted her strength.
"You have such good skin, Auntie."
"You really know how to flatter people," Mikoto replied softly.
Soon Mikoto leaned back slightly, relaxed.
The quiet atmosphere of the room felt peaceful.
Outside, snow continued falling softly.
"Go to sleep early," Mikoto said eventually.
"You still have work tomorrow."
Tsukiko lay down beside her.
"Good night, Auntie."
The room soon fell silent.
Tsukiko closed her eyes with a peaceful smile.
For her, this quiet life was worth more than becoming Hokage.
---
Morning sunlight entered through the paper doors.
Tsukiko stretched lazily.
But when she turned, Mikoto was already gone.
"Huh?"
She walked out into the hallway.
And immediately sensed a strange atmosphere.
At the corner stood Uchiha Itachi.
His expression was calm as usual.
But Tsukiko quickly noticed the dark circles under his eyes.
"Morning, Itachi!" Tsukiko waved cheerfully.
"Did you have a good discussion with your father last night?"
Itachi's mouth twitched slightly.
He looked extremely tired.
"Sister TsukikoâŠ"
"Don't you ever go home to sleep?"
Tsukiko laughed.
"Don't be so stingy."
But before the conversation continuedâ
A gentle voice called from the courtyard.
"Itachi-kun! Are you home?"
Both turned.
Standing at the gate was a young girl holding a bag of dumplings.
Uchiha Izumi.
The moment Itachi saw her, his expression softened.
The exhaustion disappeared.
"I'm here," he said quickly.
Then he turned to Tsukiko.
"Sister Tsukiko, excuse me."
He walked away immediately.
Tsukiko watched the two of them from the hallway.
Then she rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
"Tsk tskâŠ"
"Is this the power of childhood friends?"
She shrugged and turned toward the kitchen.
From inside came the warm smell of Mikoto's miso soup.
And Tsukiko smiled.
For nowâ
This peaceful life in Konoha was more than enough.