The morning sun filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting dappled shadows across the bedroom floor.
When Tsunade opened her eyes, her first sensation was a heavy, crushing pressure—Saiki's arm was draped across her waist.
He was hugging her from behind like a koala, deep in a heavy sleep.
She let out a helpless sigh and tried to move his arm.
"Mm..." Saiki let out a muffled hum, his grip tightening. He nuzzled the back of her neck. "Five more minutes..."
His hot breath hit her ear, making her skin tingle. She gave him a sharp nudge with her elbow.
"Get up! I have to go to work!"
"It's early..." Saiki whispered, his lips ghosting over her shoulder and neck.
Tsunade's body went rigid as her shame turned into annoyance.
She grabbed Saiki's wrist and twisted—a move designed to dislocate a joint, but for Saiki, it was just a tickle.
"Ow, ow, ow..." Saiki fake-cried, but he didn't loosen his grip for a second.
"Stop acting! That doesn't even hurt," Tsunade snapped, looking back at him with disdain.
"Then let go of me!" Saiki countered.
"No!" Tsunade's stubborn streak flared up.
A wicked smirk appeared on Saiki's face. "You said it, not me. Don't blame me for being 'impolite'."
Saiki contracted his hips and delivered a powerful, upward thrust.
Kushina's lower abdomen actually bulged slightly from the impact.
The sudden jolt made Tsunade scream, though she quickly clamped her hand over her mouth.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and Saiki had kept his "holy sword" tucked deep within Tsunade's well-lubricated sheath all night long.
Tsunade's face turned a violent shade of pink. "You! Stop! It's morning!"
"Is morning the problem?" he teased.
She glared at him, her amber eyes wide. "Am I giving you too much face, brat?!"
Tsunade might have accepted him, but her temper remained a force of nature.
However, Saiki knew exactly how to handle her. He thrust his hips a few more times with meaningful force.
"Ahn!" Tsunade cried out again. She released his hands to brace herself against his stomach, trying to stop his "rebellion."
But Saiki had his other arm locked around her waist. She wasn't going anywhere.
They wrestled on the bed for a while until Tsunade was breathless and panting. Saiki remained unmoveable.
Finally, she surrendered. She turned around to face him. "Are you getting up or not?"
Saiki opened his eyes and looked at her pouting face. "I'll get up for a kiss."
"You—" Tsunade fumed, but seeing his handsome, sleepy face, her heart softened.
她 clicked her lips against his. "There. Now get up."
"Not enough," Saiki said, pushing his luck.
Tsunade narrowed her eyes, a dangerous aura beginning to leak from her body. "Three... two..."
"Okay, okay! I'm up! I'm up!" Saiki laughed, finally releasing her.
With a wet pop, Tsunade finally separated from him, her legs clamping together instinctively.
She scrambled out of bed, grabbing her scattered clothes and dressing with frantic speed.
Her back was to him, her movements jerky, the blush on her neck reaching all the way down to her spine.
Saiki lay on his side, propping his head on one hand as he admired the view.
The morning light traced the flawless curves of her back, her narrow waist, and her round, fleshy buttocks.
"Stop staring!" Tsunade barked, sensing his gaze. She threw a pillow at his head.
Saiki caught it with a grin and finally climbed out of bed.
He walked up behind her, still bare-chested, and wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder.
"I really don't want you to go to work," he whispered into her ear.
Tsunade shivered but managed to stay composed, swatting his hands away. "Stop it. There's an important council meeting today. The Mist front..."
She stopped, her hand subconsciously moving to her lower belly.
It was flat and firm.
But a wave of unease washed over her.
Everything from last night... he had put all of it inside. If she ended up...
The image of her standing on the Hokage Rock as a pregnant leader made her face feel like it was on fire.
It would be so humiliating... yet, deep down, a tiny part of her felt a spark of anticipation.
She turned and gave Saiki a fierce glare. "This is all your fault!"
Saiki looked innocent. "What did I do?"
"You—!" Tsunade couldn't bring herself to say it. She shoved him toward the door. "Out! I'm changing!"
"I saw everything last night..."
"SHUT UP!"
Saiki was booted from the bedroom, a triumphant smirk on his lips.
He headed downstairs, but before he reached the kitchen, a body slammed into him.
"Lord Saiki!"
Shizune crashed into his chest like a frightened rabbit. She hugged his waist tight, her shoulders shaking.
Saiki blinked, then gently patted her back. "What's wrong?"
"You... you're really back..." Shizune looked up, her eyes red and teary. "Lady Tsunade said you were training, but I was so scared... I was afraid you'd end up like Lord Dan..."
She couldn't finish the sentence, gripping his shirt as if he would evaporate.
Saiki felt a wave of pity for her.
This girl had carried a lot of stress over the last two years.
He leaned down and wiped the tears from her face.
"I'm sorry for making you worry," he said earnestly. "I promise, I won't leave for that long ever again."
Shizune nodded vigorously, finally managing a smile.
She looked him up and down. "Lord Saiki, you grew so much!"
"You grew too," Saiki laughed, ruffling her hair.
It was true. Shizune had transitioned from a little girl into a young woman. She was taller, and her features were more refined.
Except...
Saiki's gaze drifted downward.
Yep. Still a flat chest.
Shizune noticed where his eyes were going. Her face turned red, and she jumped back, covering her chest. "L-Lord Saiki!"
"Ahem." Saiki looked away awkwardly. "Anyway... I'm making breakfast. Go see if Sister Tsunade is ready."
As Shizune walked away, she sniffed the air. Strange. Why does Lord Saiki smell like Lady Tsunade?
But she couldn't possibly imagine the truth of their relationship. She dismissed it as her own imagination.
Once Shizune was gone, Saiki entered the kitchen.
He checked the time. Kushina should be waking up soon.
Saiki wove several hand signs.
Sage Chakra flowed through his body. He closed his eyes, and his consciousness divided.
Flower-Flower Fruit: Twin Bloom.
Simultaneously, across the village at Kushina's house.
A second "Saiki" opened his eyes.
He lay beside Kushina, watching her sleep—her red hair scattered across the pillow, her lips slightly pouted. She looked peaceful.
His senses were synchronized.
Everything both bodies saw, heard, and felt was transmitted in real-time to his core consciousness.
In Tsunade's kitchen, the original Saiki was frying eggs and chopping vegetables.
In Kushina's bed, the clone Saiki sat up and headed to the kitchen to prepare a second breakfast.
Dual-track operation, zero latency.
It was a bizarre sensation—smelling bacon in one house and miso soup in another; feeling the heat of one stove and the cool morning air of another window.
It was as if he were living two lives at once.
"Mngh..."
Movement came from the bedroom.
Kushina rolled over and groggily opened her eyes.
When she saw the empty spot beside her, she blinked. Then she heard the sounds of cooking.
She sat up, rubbing her eyes, her face still full of sleep.
The memories of last night flooded back—the intimacy, the passion, and the way she had passed out from exhaustion.
"That little demon..." Kushina whispered, blushing.
"You're awake?" Saiki's clone walked in with a tray, a tender smile on his face. "Breakfast is ready."
Kushina glared at him and threw a pillow. "You... you were so out of control last night!"
Saiki caught the pillow effortlessly and sat on the edge of the bed. "Are you hungry? I made that miso soup you like."
"I'm not hungry!" Kushina looked away, but her stomach betrayed her with a loud growl.
Her face turned even redder.
Saiki laughed, setting the tray on the nightstand. "Alright, my fault. Let's eat, okay?"
"Get out!" Kushina pushed him. "I need to change!"
"I saw everything last night..."
"SAIKI!"
Seeing her so flustered, the clone finally laughed and raised his hands. "Okay, okay. I'm going."
He stepped out and closed the door.
Leaning against the hallway wall, he "watched" through the sensory link as Kushina dressed with a bright red face. He couldn't stop smiling.
In the other kitchen, the original Saiki was smiling too.
"Lord Saiki, what are you laughing at?" Shizune asked curiously as she set the table.
"Nothing." Saiki plated the eggs. "Go tell Lady Tsunade it's time to eat."
"On it!"
Both breakfasts were served almost simultaneously.
Tsunade walked out, dressed in her usual gear. She was stunned by the spread: eggs, grilled fish, miso soup, rice, and pickles.
"You made all of this?" she asked, surprised.
"Who else?" Saiki pulled out a chair for her. "Taste it."
Tsunade sat and took a bite. It was perfect—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside.
She took a sip of the soup. It was delicious.
"Not bad," she admitted with a rare compliment.
Across town, the clone served Kushina.
Kushina walked out wearing her Sealing Corps uniform, her red hair tied high. She looked sharp and professional.
"Eat up, or you'll be late for work," the clone said, handing her chopsticks.
Kushina sat down, sipping her soup and stealing glances at him.
The sunlight hit his face, making him look gentle and handsome.
"So..." she whispered. "What are your plans for today?"
"I have to see a few people," Saiki said. "There are things I need to settle."
"Oh." Kushina lowered her head and kept eating.
Both meals finished at the same time.
Tsunade put down her chopsticks and wiped her mouth. "I have to go."
"Be careful out there," Saiki said, walking her to the door.
Tsunade put on her shoes and looked at him, wanting to say something but hesitating. Finally, she just nodded. "Come home early tonight."
"I will."
The door closed.
The original Saiki stood in the entryway while Shizune did the dishes.
Across town, the clone walked Kushina to her gate.
"I'm off," Kushina said, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.
"Mm." Saiki reached out and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "I'll pick you up after work."
Kushina blushed, nodded, and walked away quickly.
The clone Saiki closed the door, and his body dissolved into a shower of flower petals.
Inside the Leaf estate, the original Saiki opened his eyes.
The rush of the clone's experiences hit him all at once, making him dizzy for a moment.
Managing two lives was mentally taxing.
He rubbed his temples and walked into the kitchen.
"Shizune, I'm heading out."
"Where are you going, Lord Saiki?"
"To see an old friend," Saiki said, a wave of tenderness in his eyes. "Someone I haven't seen in two years."
The direction of the orphanage.
Nono'u.
He wondered how the gentle Director had been faring.