Let Nature Take Its Course

"Hokage-sama, please have a seat."

In a spacious, imposing courtyard within the Senju compound, Minako Uzumaki was hosting Uchiha guests for the first time ever. Quite a few members of the Senju Clan had gathered outside, wandering back and forth around the courtyard.

It gave Uchiha Takeyasu the distinct impression that if Minako Uzumaki smashed her teacup as a signal, eight hundred armed men would immediately rush in from outside and chop him into mincemeat.

"Hokage-sama, please have some tea."

The beautiful young woman in a dark kimono calmly placed a teacup before Uchiha Takeyasu. She then smiled apologetically. "Please don't mind the clansmen outside."

"If Senju people showed up at the Uchiha compound, it probably wouldn't be any better."

"Coming here wasn't easy for me either. I had to put a great deal of effort into persuading Naori."

Uchiha Takeyasu smiled at Minako Uzumaki, who appeared gentle and virtuous, neither arrogant nor impatient, and handled everything in an orderly manner. As he lamented that such a flower had been planted in Senju Moriki's pile of manure, he also felt somewhat helpless over Uchiha Naori, who had been cowed by the family rules at home.

"If I don't return by the appointed time, things will get even more troublesome afterward."

"Hokage-sama has it hard too."

Minako Uzumaki covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes curving into crescents. "But please rest assured, Minako is your secretary. I'll keep track of the time and definitely won't make you miss the time to return home."

"Then I'll have to trouble Secretary Minako."

"Hokage-sama, you may simply call me Minako. You'll be Tsunade's teacher in the future, so there's no need to be so formal."

The young woman's gentle, melodious voice stirred something in the boy's heart—after all, he had accidentally seen Minako Uzumaki's lovely, curvaceous body beneath her kimono.

If the two lovely wives at home were unripe apples, then the elegant, alluring married woman before him was a ripe, juicy peach.

(My goal is the future grown-up Tsunade...)

(Wait, before that, hadn't I also thought about Tsunade's mother?)

(As for married women... I should still let nature take its course.)

Thinking of Minako Uzumaki and Senju Tsunade playing a pile-on game with him, and even Mito Uzumaki suddenly joining in—the tempting, shocking scene of three generations of women joining the fray—Uchiha Takeyasu, who had long decided to use lust to solve his bloodthirsty problem, lifted his teacup and took a sip to calm himself down.

"Minako, you don't need to be so polite either. We can use our titles while working, but in private, we can be more casual. I'm not used to being addressed with honorifics all the time by someone who feels like an older sister."

Naturally, it was good to grow closer. Worried that Tsunade might be neglected by Uchiha Takeyasu because of the Senju surname, the beautiful young woman blinked. "Then, Takeyasu-san?"

"Mm, Minako."

The more intimate forms of address made their interaction feel increasingly natural.

Before long, Mito Uzumaki emerged after changing her clothes. Majestic and beautiful, her crown-like coiffure sat atop her head, while her purple kimono was adorned with intricate floral patterns. Her exquisite face carried an effortless authority, and her noble, elegant bearing made her seem like a queen walking through a palace, holding the power of life and death over all her subjects.

Uchiha Takeyasu noticed that behind her followed a delicate, spirited blond girl dressed in simple casual clothes.

"Tsunade, this is the Third Generation, and he will also be your teacher from now on."

The quirky, bold, outgoing Senju Tsunade curiously examined the evil Uchiha Hokage, whom her clansmen often disparaged. Whenever they mentioned the matter, their expressions looked as though something they cherished had been thoroughly violated.

This left Senju Tsunade both curious and confused—the Uchiha Clan didn't seem particularly remarkable at the Ninja Academy, aside from being a little smug. Why did everyone have such strong objections?

And what was so great about being Hokage anyway?

Though Senju Tsunade was puzzled, she still had to observe proper etiquette. Otherwise, Mito Uzumaki would make her stand as punishment.

"Hello, Hokage-sama. I am Senju Tsunade."

The girl's poised introduction drew a faint smile from Uchiha Takeyasu. "Hello, Tsunade. I'm Uchiha Takeyasu. You'll be studying under me alongside Orochimaru and the others in the future, so don't start complaining."

"My teammates are Orochimaru and the others?!"

Senju Tsunade's face lit up. She instinctively waved her little fist and said happily, "Then I'll let Orochimaru and the others know that written exam scores at the Ninja Academy don't mean anything. Real battles with real blades are what make a true ninja."

But before the delighted expression on the girl's face could last two seconds, one authoritative yet gentle gaze and another gentle yet sharp gaze fell upon her. Senju Tsunade's little face stiffened, and she became a quiet, obedient little lady again.

"Takeyasu-san, Tsunade is just a little competitive. She's actually quite popular at the Ninja Academy."

Worried that Uchiha Takeyasu might think Senju Tsunade bullied her classmates at school by relying on her status and strength, Minako Uzumaki hurriedly explained.

Uchiha Takeyasu reassured her, "Please don't worry, Minako. I know what kind of child Tsunade is."

The way the two addressed each other surprised Mito Uzumaki somewhat, but she did not dwell on it. Instead, she was rather pleased. The closer Minako Uzumaki and Uchiha Takeyasu were, the more beneficial it would be for Senju Tsunade.

Mito Uzumaki then took the initiative to speak about Senju Tsunade's time at the Ninja Academy.

Whenever some embarrassing stories were mentioned, Senju Tsunade would puff out her little cheeks slightly, expressing her displeasure with her lively eyes. Then she would glance at her teacher, wearing an embarrassed little expression.

Conversely, when her outstanding performances were mentioned, she would raise her little chin, looking so proud that she nearly had "Praise me already" written across her face.

After they chatted for a while, the attendants brought out the food. Once they had eaten, Uchiha Takeyasu took his leave and returned home. Senju Tsunade yawned and nestled against Minako Uzumaki's chest as mother and daughter headed toward their room.

Under the scattered moonlight, Mito Uzumaki walked to a separate courtyard. Lying within was Senju Moriki, haggard-faced, his hair disheveled and utterly devoid of dignity.

"How much longer are you going to keep looking like this?"

The sharp voice seemed to reach his ears from beyond the heavens. Senju Moriki opened his dim eyes. Seeing Mito Uzumaki looking down at him, he said nothing and turned his head away.

"Today, the Third Generation wanted to take Tsunade as his disciple. I agreed."

"That's my child! How could you hand her over to those evil Uchiha!"

Senju Moriki, reeking of sour sweat, abruptly sat upright. Anger surfaced on his dirty, disheveled face. "They'll ruin Tsunade!"

"The evil Uchiha you speak of is already Konoha's rightful Third Generation and Konoha's strongest. Watch your words!"

Mito Uzumaki wrinkled her nose at the foul stench, her disappointment in Senju Moriki plain to see. "If Tsunade isn't going to study under the Hokage, is she supposed to follow you instead?"

"Look at the state you're in!"

Mito Uzumaki no longer wished to say another word. She paused at the door and left him with one final remark.

"If you keep this up, I'll send you to Blood Prison in Hozuki Castle of Kusagakure for a while. Don't disappoint me."

Senju Moriki stared blankly at Mito Uzumaki's departing figure. What filled his mind was not turning over a new leaf, but a rumor he had once heard as a joke.

Within Hozuki Castle of Kusagakure, there was a Box of Paradise capable of granting any wish.