The sky gradually turned from azure blue to fiery red with the sunset glow.
Tsunade's breathing grew more and more even.
Qingguang lowered his head. Before his eyes were Tsunade's long lashes. With each slow breath, the pristine peaks rose and fell.
He understood. Tsunade was definitely testing his Will of Fire!
By the time Tsunade woke, night had fallen, and a new moon hung in the sky.
"Hm?"
First came a puzzled sound. Tsunade raised her head blankly, the hair at her temple damp with drool and stuck to her cheek.
Only when she saw what had happened did Tsunade suddenly remember that she seemed to have slept all afternoon leaning against Qingguang's shoulder. Her heart immediately began pounding wildly.
Just as Tsunade was at a loss, unsure how to explain herself, Qingguang spoke, easing her embarrassment.
"Boss, we should head home. Nawaki and Kushina are still waiting for you."
"Cough, yes. I'll head back first, then."
Tsunade hurried to her feet and brushed the strands of hair stuck to her face aside.
"Thanks for today. I'll head back now. You should hurry home and get some rest, too."
Seeing that her drool had soaked Qingguang's left shoulder, Tsunade wanted to dig a hole and bury herself. She turned and leaped straight down from Kage Rock.
Qingguang gazed at the moon and estimated the time. Then he suddenly realized there was a serious problem.
"Oh no, tonight..."
A nimble figure flashed past atop Kage Rock.
In the laboratory beneath the Hokage Building.
Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed away at his pipe, bored, while Orochimaru sat in a chair, poring over the experimental data in his hands.
Only when the door opened and Qingguang appeared did Hiruzen get up and approach him.
"Qingguang, you're late."
Today was Qingguang's third injection of Hashirama Cells. Given his personality, how could he be late without a reason?
Suspicious, Hiruzen scrutinized Qingguang, his gaze finally settling on the damp front of his clothes.
Water stains?
Could they have been left by Water Release? Had Qingguang been out fighting?
His clothes also smelled of the forest.
Who had Qingguang been fighting behind his back?
Hiruzen regarded Qingguang as his loyal hound and would never allow him to slip even slightly from his control.
Even Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, his thoughts unreadable.
Feeling their gazes, Qingguang blushed faintly and lowered his head. His fingers fidgeted with his clothes.
"Actually, I went with Boss to see Senior Momoka today. We chatted for a while on Kage Rock this afternoon, and she fell asleep leaning on my shoulder. She looked so tired, so I didn't wake her..."
Seeing Qingguang's reaction, Hiruzen froze, then immediately understood. He stepped forward and patted Qingguang on the back, smiling broadly.
"I get it, I get it. Your uncle's been there, too. Back in my day, your aunt and I went on plenty of romantic dates~"
"Thinking back on it now, sigh..."
"Unfortunately, after we got married and had Shinnosuke, your aunt became a completely different person. She got more and more short-tempered. Even if I smoke at home, she'll scold me."
Hiruzen suddenly stopped talking and gave Qingguang a thumbs-up.
"Don't worry. Tsunade's a Medical Ninja, and there's nothing wrong with her being a few years older than you. Who knows? When you're old, she might still be as youthful and beautiful as Lady Mito was back then."
"You're together now, so it's only natural to meet her seniors. That old-fashioned Momoka didn't give you a hard time, did she?" Hiruzen asked, leaning closer.
"No, not at all..."
Hearing Qingguang's answer, Hiruzen couldn't help letting out a chuckle. "Heh."
"You brat. You're the dream guy of who knows how many girls in the village. At least that old geezer knew better."
"Don't worry. I absolutely approve of your marriage to Tsunade. When you two get married, I'll personally officiate!"
Hearing this from Qingguang, Hiruzen grinned so widely his mouth nearly split.
His adopted son had actually gotten together with Tsunade. This would expand his political power once again, making it even stronger.
After the two married, Hiruzen was confident he could be like Teacher Tobirama in the old days, relying no longer on his current alliances but on the greater tide of power to suppress the Ninja Clans and show them the political iron fist they had once feared!
Qingguang lowered his head, looking bashful and saying nothing. In his heart, he silently apologized.
Boss, I'm sorry. The plan can't be exposed, so I'll have to sacrifice your reputation a little.
"Uncle Hiruzen, please don't tell anyone about this. We still..."
Before Qingguang could finish, Hiruzen understood again and cut him off.
"Don't worry, I get it. You don't have much experience with this, and you're still young. Take your time. I understand. It's better to get married later and suffer later~ Hahaha!"
Qingguang said nothing, only nodding over and over.
Hiruzen wasn't the only one stunned. Orochimaru, sitting nearby, was too.
The scroll slipped from Orochimaru's hands.
His snake-like pupils widened, his eyes unfocused, and his expression went blank. His mind had completely stopped working.
Qingguang, you actually managed to tame Tsunade and get together with her. You're amazing.
He silently gave Qingguang a thumbs-up, his face full of admiration.
A tigress like that—only Qingguang could... No, it was probably Qingguang who'd been tamed!
At that moment, Orochimaru felt he'd seen through the truth. At the same time, new questions and hopes arose in his mind.
If the two of them had a child, it would be descended from the Uchiha and Senju. Just how exceptional would that child's talent as a ninja be!?
Thinking of this, Orochimaru wholeheartedly approved of the match, too. With his standing, perhaps he could even become the child's godfather one day.
As for Jiraiya, Hiruzen and Orochimaru tacitly failed to think of the man who spent every day hanging around bars and the geisha district of Utamachi, a lecher who liked to peep at women in the hot springs.
Sorry, they really weren't close!
A wanderer like Jiraiya would be better off with the Toads of Mount Myōboku. That was fine. He could just keep looking for his Child of Prophecy.
This was a matter of great importance to peace in the Shinobi World!
Before long, Qingguang was lying on the operating table while Hiruzen sat to one side, merrily puffing away.
"Qingguang-kun, are you ready? The operation is about to begin. This time, the dose will be 20% higher than last time."
"It's still well within the range of absolute safety."
"Senior Orochimaru, I trust you. Begin."
The solution in the syringe was a little greener than last time.
As the needle pierced Qingguang's skin and entered his vein, the liquid flowed in drop by drop.
Qingguang could see the points for Wood Release on his status panel rising rapidly.
[Wood Release: 2025+100+103+115...]
He began reallocating points, adding them one by one to his Sharingan.
In the end, he stopped when it reached [Sharingan: 9999/10000].
He couldn't awaken the Mangekyo here. Now wasn't the time to reveal it in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru.
Before you continue