The next morning, sunlight filtered through the blinds.
When Kushina woke up, her mind was still foggy from the previous night's passion. She blinked and felt a warmth beside her. Turning her head, she saw Saiki lying on his side, propping his head on one hand, watching her silently.
The dawn light traced his handsome profile. His deep eyes were fixed on her with a rare, tender softness.
"Morning, Sensei Kushina," Saiki said, his voice a low, morning rasp.
Kushina's face turned bright red instantly.
"M-Morning..." she whispered, pulling the blanket over half her face, leaving only her shy eyes visible.
Saiki chuckled, gently pulled the blanket down, and leaned in for a lingering morning kiss. It was light and brief, but full of adoration.
"Sleep a bit longer," he said, getting out of bed. "I'll make breakfast."
"Mm..." Kushina watched him dress and walk out of the room, her heart overflowing with happiness. She snuggled back into the bed, inhaling the scent of him on the pillows.
Thinking about last night—from the kitchen to the sofa to the bedroom—she felt a wave of sweet fulfillment. This was her first time truly and completely "possessing" him. It wasn't a hurried session born of tragedy; it was a total surrender of mind and body. It was worth it. Everything was worth it.
In the kitchen, Saiki tied on an apron. His movements were skilled, but his expression carried a hidden weight.
He was lying. Last night, he hadn't actually stayed at Kushina's. After they had finished and she had fallen asleep, he had slipped away to Tsunade's. He had rushed back here before dawn to make it look like he had never left.
It was a scumbag move. But he had no choice.
Tsunade was easier to handle—with Shizune around, he couldn't be too intimate anyway, and Tsunade was a late sleeper who didn't care about morning kisses.
At the Tsunade estate, his clone had prepared breakfast with Shizune, ate with Tsunade, and seen her off to the Hokage Building. Meanwhile, his original body had raced back here to play the "I woke up next to you" scene.
He hated the deception, hated the feeling of juggling women like a circus act. But things had gone too far; he had to keep playing the part to ensure no one got hurt. He had to maintain this fragile, artificial harmony.
Soon, breakfast was ready—simple ramen, fried eggs, and hot milk.
When Saiki brought the tray into the bedroom, Kushina was at her vanity, brushing her hair. Seeing her in her nightgown with her red hair flowing, Saiki felt another pang of guilt.
"Time to eat," he said, setting the tray on the table.
Kushina sat across from him, beaming. The atmosphere was as cozy as a long-married couple.
"Saiki," Kushina said tentatively, "will you... come back tonight?"
Saiki's hand paused. He looked at the cautious, hopeful light in her eyes and felt a sharp sting in his chest.
"The schedule is up in the air," he said, keeping his voice as natural as possible. "There are missions to settle. But..."
He reached across and squeezed her hand. "I will find time for you. I promise."
Kushina's eyes sparkled. She nodded vigorously. "Mm! I'll wait for you!"
After seeing Kushina off to work, Saiki stood in the entryway for a long time.
His clone sent back data—Tsunade was already at the office. During breakfast, she had asked the clone what his plans were; the clone had used "dropping off supplies at the orphanage" as an excuse to dodge her.
Now, he had to go to the Hokage Building for a high-level briefing.
The meeting room was thick with tension. The core leadership of Konoha was assembled: Tsunade at the head, with Saiki beside her. On the left sat Jiraiya, Minato, Shikaku Nara, Choza Akimichi, and Inoichi Yamanaka. On the right were Fugaku Uchiha, Hiashi Hyuga, and several village elders.
Every gaze in the room flickered toward the white-clad youth beside the Hokage. Awe, complexity, fear, and gratitude were all present.
Minato Namikaze's gaze was the most tortured. He looked at Saiki and remembered the sounds he had heard outside Kushina's door—the flowers he had left on the steps that were never picked up. A vine of resentment twisted in his heart, but he was a professional. He kept his face a mask of calm.
Fugaku Uchiha watched Saiki with genuine gratitude. Although Saiki couldn't restore his "manhood," he had saved his life and the honor of the Uchiha. He would never forget that debt.
The topic was the post-war landscape.
"The Cloud has retreated, but the Raikage and his heir are dead, and the Eight-Tails is our prisoner. They won't just let that go," Shikaku analyzed. "The Mist is a hollow shell, but that makes them unpredictable and dangerous."
"The Stone has stopped their offensive, but Onoki is a fox; he's waiting for us to show a weakness," Jiraiya added. "And the Sand is still stirring on the border, waiting to bite."
"The key issue," Tsunade said, pointing to the map, "is the prisoners. We have the Eight-Tails and the Five-Tails. How we handle them dictates our leverage in every treaty."
The room erupted into debate.
Some wanted mercy: exchange the prisoners for peace and reparations.
Some wanted iron: push the advantage and force unequal treaties to cripple the other nations forever.
Shikaku argued for balance: pressure the Cloud and Mist, but soothe the Stone and Sand to avoid a four-front war.
Saiki sat silently through the noise, his eyes closed. Finally, the room went quiet as everyone turned to him. They knew that whatever they decided, the execution depended on the boy who could erase armies.
Saiki opened his eyes. His gaze swept the room with an authority that brooked no argument.
"The Cloud, Mist, Stone, and Sand have two choices."
The room was deathly still.
"First: Surrender. Hand over the instigators of the war, pay full reparations to the Leaf, and sign permanent non-aggression pacts."
"Second," Saiki paused, "I visit their villages personally. And I erase them from history."
Total silence.
Village erasure. Two words that carried the weight of a million corpses. No one dared to argue. They all knew he could do it.
"As for the Jinchuriki," Saiki continued, "keep them in the dungeon. Once the nations make their choice, we decide their fate."
"If they surrender, do we return them?" an elder asked timidly.
"Depends on my mood," Saiki replied bluntly.
Tsunade spoke up, her voice firm. "We follow Saiki's lead. Issue the ultimatum in the name of the Leaf. Ten days. Either surrender and pay, or we come to your gates."
She paused. "As for my formal inauguration as the Fourth Hokage, we will hold the ceremony once this is settled."
No one objected. The meeting was adjourned.
Saiki and Tsunade had a quick lunch in her office. She was buried in work, so he left early to head for the orphanage.
The sun was high as he arrived. The children were playing, their laughter filling the yard. Saiki entered with bags of gifts and was instantly swarmed.
Nono'u walked out, sighing helplessly at the extravagance. "Wasting money again..."
"For the kids, it's an investment," Saiki smiled, ruffling a boy's hair.
After the distribution, Nono'u led Saiki to her private room. She closed the door and turned to him with a gentle smile. "What brings you here today?"
Saiki didn't answer. He stepped forward and pulled her narrow waist into his arms, burying his face in her shoulder. Nono'u realized immediately—he was seeking comfort. She stroked his back like he was a child. "What's wrong? Are you tired?"
"I don't spend enough time with you," Saiki mumbled.
Nono'u chuckled, her smile like a spring breeze. "It's okay. You have many responsibilities. I understand."
The words made Saiki's guilt reach a breaking point. He was a scumbag. A greedy, lying bastard juggling multiple women. And yet Nono'u was always there, patient and undemanding.
"Sister Director," Saiki whispered, "did the seeds I left inside you last time... sprout?"
Nono'u's face turned scarlet. A few days before the Mist front, Saiki had indeed pumped her full of his life essence.
"It's not that easy..." she whispered, her fingers twisting her habit. "And... do you really want a child with me that badly?"
Saiki looked her in the eye. "I love you. But I'm away so often... I want a part of me to stay with you, to take care of you when I can't."
The sentiment was a bit naive, but it made Nono'u's eyes water. She stroked his face. "You're still such a boy... yet you want to be a father..."
Saiki leaned in and kissed her. It was a tender, desperate kiss. Nono'u responded, her arms finding his neck. His hands began to roam over her voluptuous frame, tracing the mature curves beneath her nun's habit.
He moved from her lips to her neck and collarbone, before focusing on her heavy breasts, sucking on them through the fabric.
"Mngh..." Nono'u let out a suppressed moan.
After the kiss, she stepped back. To Saiki's surprise, she began to unfasten her habit. The heavy cloth fell to the floor, leaving her in a simple white slip. She didn't stop, unbuttoning the slip until she was completely exposed.
The perfect body of a mature woman was revealed—heavy snowy peaks, a slender waist, rounded hips, and long legs. Her skin was flushed pink with shame, yet she stood proud before him.
"Sister Director..." Saiki's voice was raspy.
Nono'u walked to the bed, lay down, and opened her arms and legs. She wore a look of motherly indulgence. "Come."
Saiki stripped and lunged. He pulled her into a crushing hug, kissing her with a frantic need. Her body was ready, sensitive and mature. When he entered, she didn't resist at all; she wrapped her legs around his waist and matched his rhythm.
"Ahn... Saiki..." she gasped, trying to keep her voice down—the walls weren't thick, and the kids were outside.
Saiki leaned into her ear. "It's okay, Sister. I've sealed the room. No one can hear you. Let it out."
Nono'u blinked, then surrendered to her passion.
"Ah... Saiki... deeper...!"
"Sister... you're so incredible..."
After the storm, they lay together. Saiki's hand rested on her flat stomach, stroking it gently.
"You put it all inside again..." Nono'u whispered with a fond smile. "I suppose we'll have to try a few more times to be sure."
Saiki felt a mix of joy and heartache. He kissed her forehead. "I love you, Nono'u."
"I know," she whispered. "Sleep for a bit. You're exhausted."
He was indeed tired—mentally more than physically. He fell into a short, restless sleep in her arms. He dreamed of all his women discovering the truth and looking at him with disappointment...
He woke with a start in the late afternoon. Nono'u was already dressed, tidying the room. She gave him a tender smile. "Awake? Want to stay for dinner?"
Saiki shook his head and dressed. "I have to go."
"Mm. Be careful on the road." She gave him a gentle hug at the door.
Leaving the orphanage, Saiki headed toward Tsume's house. He wanted to check on her, but fate intervened.
At the corner of the street, a familiar figure appeared.
"Saiki-kun!"
Rin Nohara was standing in the sunlight, wearing her medical uniform, her short brown hair messy. She wore a look of pure delight.
"Rin," Saiki stopped. "What's up?"
"I..." Rin's face pinked. "I just got off work. I saw you and wanted to say hi." She took a breath. "Would you... like to come over? I made some snacks... I'd love for you to try them..."
The invitation was sudden. Saiki realized he had neglected her lately. Between the war and his other women, he had barely seen her.
"Sure," he nodded.
Rin's eyes ignited with a joy like a blooming sunflower. "Really? Great! This way!"
She led the way with a light, bouncy step. Saiki followed, watching her—she was such an innocent girl.
But he didn't know...
In the shadows across the street, a pair of crimson eyes was watching them with a burning intensity. He was careful not to look directly at Saiki to avoid detection.
Obito Uchiha. He was trembling under the eaves. Black Zetsu stood beside him, a hideous smile on his half-black face.
"See, Obito?" Zetsu hissed. "The Rin you love so much is inviting that man into her home. A man and a woman alone in a private room... do I need to explain what happens next?"
Obito's knuckles turned white. His Sharingan spun with a manic, three-tomoe rhythm.
"That Saiki took everything from you—honor, power, and now... Rin. He is taking your final light."
"Shut up..." Obito rasped.
"Do you really want this?" Zetsu whispered into his ear like a demon. "You love her, you'd die for her... yet she only has eyes for that monster. Why? Because he's stronger?"
Obito's breathing became heavy and ragged.
"What if I gave you the power to oppose him? The power to take Rin back? Would you want it?"
Obito whipped around, staring at Zetsu. "You... you can really give me that?"
Zetsu laughed, a cold and satisfied sound. "Of course. If you are willing to pay a small price."
Obito looked back at Saiki and Rin's disappearing silhouettes. He saw Rin's radiant smile—an expression of adoration she had never directed at him.
Jealousy, like a toxic fire, incinerated his last shred of logic.
"What is the price?" he asked, his voice cold.
Zetsu's smile widened. "You'll find out soon enough..."
Inside Rin's small house, she was happily brewing tea and serving snacks. The place was clean and smelled of lavender.
"Saiki-kun, try this! It's my first time making strawberry daifuku!" She pushed the plate toward him expectantly.
Saiki took a bite. It was sweet and perfectly textured. "It's delicious."
Rin blushed harder, looking as if she'd received a medal of honor. They sat on the sofa, drinking tea and chatting about nothing. The atmosphere was peaceful.
But Saiki failed to notice one thing.
As Rin poured his second cup, her fingers gave a microscopic tremor.
Inside her body, the curse mark implanted by Black Zetsu was beginning to wake up.
In the shadows outside the window, Obito Uchiha watched through his Sharingan, the last spark of light in his eyes finally dying out.
It was replaced by a bottomless, yawning darkness.