Doing Business with the Fourth Kazekage

The morning sun slanted through the thin mist, carrying a warm breeze through the joyful leaves, its scent of grass and earth swirling as it sent blades of grass soaring into the azure sky.

In a forest clearing, warm sunlight streamed through the dense, ancient trees. A woman carrying a child emerged, walking slowly.

Her tall figure had shed its youthful immaturity, her beautiful features framed by an air of heroism. She possessed a lazy charm when relaxed, and a cool aloofness when her face hardened, as striking and elegant as a flower on a high peak.

Fine mist of blood sprinkled down on either side. Dozens of masked corpses, their throats slit, lay scattered around.

Several figures appeared, some crouching, others standing on the branches and roots of the giant ancient trees. An Anbu member wearing a fox mask casually tossed a corpse aside. The gaze through the mask's eyeholes lingered for a moment on the child on the woman's back.

"We can only escort you this far, Lord Tsunade."

The woman turned her head, her golden hair shimmering warmly in the sunlight. She gently adjusted the child on her back, making him sleep more comfortably. She nodded slightly and said nonchalantly, "Mm, you can head back."

The leading Anbu captain made a gesture, and the Anbu members behind him, carrying their spoils, retreated. She repeated the Third Hokage's instructions, "The Hokage ordered me to remind you, please make sure Uchiha Qing Xuan returns in two years."

"Got it."

This time, Tsunade didn't even turn her head, taking the two girls behind her and walking away slowly as if on a leisurely outing.

Only after their figures had completely disappeared into the silhouette of the ancient forest did the Anbu captain withdraw his gaze and leave silently using the Body Flicker Technique.

"We can only escort you this far, Lord Tsunade."

The woman turned her head, her golden hair shimmering warmly in the sunlight. She gently adjusted the child on her back, making him sleep more comfortably. She nodded slightly and said nonchalantly, "Mm, you can head back."

The leading Anbu captain made a gesture, and the Anbu members behind him, carrying their spoils, retreated. She repeated the Third Hokage's instructions, "The Hokage ordered me to remind you, please make sure Uchiha Qing Xuan returns in two years."

"Got it."

This time, Tsunade didn't even turn her head, taking the two girls behind her and walking away slowly as if on a leisurely outing.

Only after their figures had completely disappeared into the silhouette of the ancient forest did the Anbu captain withdraw his gaze and leave silently using the Body Flicker Technique.

Golden hair swayed back and forth, brushing past his eyes. When a ray of sunlight, carrying moist air, landed on his face, Qing Xuan yawned and weakly opened his eyes.

He weakly pushed away the hair that was constantly fiddling in front of him, his thoughts still lingering on last night.

He truly couldn't understand why, even though he had prevented Hizashi Hyuga's death, the system hadn't given any notification that his and Neji's fates had changed. Instead, Hyuga Hiashi, who was completely unrelated, had provided a Silver Treasure Chest...

What kind of bizarre twist was this?

Qing Xuan let out another weak yawn. The headache and the feeling of weakness made his entire mind sluggish. He could only adjust his posture to make himself more comfortable.

The sunlight felt warm on his body. The golden tips of his hair carried a reassuring fragrance that made him feel drowsy again. There was also a soft touch, as if he were back in his mother's embrace...

Qing Xuan let out another comfortable yawn, wanting to go back to sleep like a child who didn't want to get out of bed.

When had he become so lazy?

Thinking this, his tired eyes were about to close again...

Sunlight, hair, his mother's embrace...?!!

Wait!

His eyes snapped open, scanning his surroundings with a hint of confusion and disbelief, which eventually turned into a look of utter bewilderment.

Where the hell am I?

"Yo! You awake?"

A teasing voice came through the soft, warm sensation, entering Qing Xuan's mind through his ear, which was pressed close.

"Tsunade..."

Qing Xuan looked sideways at the lush ancient trees receding behind him and asked weakly, "Where are you taking me?"

Then he felt a slap on his backside.

"I told you to call me Mother!"

Two light laughs came from behind him, followed by the voice filled with spirited cheerfulness, "Of course, I'm taking you out to see the world!"

"Sigh--"

Qing Xuan sighed helplessly, already guessing the answer in his heart.

"Did you poison me?"

"It's just a mild sedative that affects the nerves. Don't worry, there are no side effects."

I'll believe that when pigs fly!

Qing Xuan felt his limp, powerless body and sighed inwardly again.

He had clearly gained the Third Elder's trust step by step. As long as he grew stronger, with the support of the entire Uchiha Clan, all of Konoha would be his!

In the end, he was still abducted by this female hooligan...

I'm so unwilling!

Changing maps is the most annoying thing.

"The Third Hokage agreed to let you take me?"

Tsunade clicked her tongue dismissively, "That old geezer couldn't stop me."

Qing Xuan ignored her. While this woman's strength and status were top-tier in all of Konohagakure, it was impossible for the Third Hokage to let him go so easily!

Forget it! I'm already out anyway.

Qing Xuan resigned himself to his fate and sighed, asking, "Where's Bai? Didn't Bai try to stop you?"

"Heh!" Tsunade seemed even more energized at the mention of Bai. "I didn't expect the most loyal person to you in all of Uchiha to be this little girl! Did Liu Yun leave her to you? How come I didn't know?"

She turned her gaze to the girl behind her, who was covering her mouth and chuckling. "This child is very qualified! After I explained the situation to her, she agreed."

"Huh?" This was something Qing Xuan hadn't expected.

"Lord Tsunade makes a lot of sense. I also think it's too dangerous for Young Master Qing Xuan to stay in Konohagakure right now," Bai's voice came from behind.

"You're already a mature tool, learning to think independently," Qing Xuan mumbled, pouting. He reached out to pull Tsunade's hair, but she gently swatted his hand away.

"Stop messing around! We're on our way! Be careful, or I'll beat you!"

Not threatening at all.

Bored, Qing Xuan nudged his head against her back. Finally, he managed to turn his head towards Bai and raised an eyebrow at her. "What? Suddenly enlightened and want to take it a step further?"

This sudden flirtation made the young girl blush uncontrollably. She tried to calm her restless heart and said seriously, "No! I just want to be Young Master Qing Xuan's tool!"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk."

Tsunade shook her head, feeling that her silly son was far inferior to his father when it came to flirting with girls.

Qing Xuan could only cough awkwardly to change the subject. "So, where are we going? Mother."

Perhaps it was the anticipation of what they were about to do, or perhaps it was just the word "Mother," but Tsunade's tone became much more cheerful. She lifted Qing Xuan up and said, "We're going to collect a debt, of course!"

"Someone owes us money?"

"Uh-huh!"

"That's ridiculous? Where's the first stop?"

"Sunagakure, I guess! We're going to talk business with the Fourth Kazekage!"