Sunagakure's Forces

"Commander Chiyo, may I ask what we're going to do?" a kunoichi asked.

Her hair was dark green and tied up in a high tuft, with tawny locks on either side of her forehead that hung like pendants. She had a perfect figure and beautiful, fair skin. Surely everyone had guessed who she was by now.

Pakura, Sunagakure's favored prodigy, was a genius who had combined the Wind and Fire natures to create Scorch Release. She was only around twenty years old, but her chakra reserves had already reached a jōnin's level.

Chiyo hadn't wanted to answer. They were going to ambush the road Konoha would have to take and lay Explosive Tag traps. The fewer people who knew about it, the better.

Her brows furrowed as she turned her head slightly to look at the kunoichi who had spoken. When she saw it was Pakura, her expression relaxed. "Oh, it's you, Pakura. Ha ha! Grandma's taking you all to set some traps."

"Traps? Isn't it a little late to set them now? Konoha isn't full of fools, after all," Pakura said, puzzled.

Chiyo smiled. "Konoha just won a major victory, and their judgment may be clouded. If their commander is careless, the traps might have a surprising effect."

Pakura's eyes shifted thoughtfully. It was true. Everyone knew that overconfidence led to defeat, yet the same thing kept happening again and again.

As the saying went, what had happened before would happen again; what had been done before would be done again. There was nothing new under the sun.

Pakura nodded, asking no more questions. She followed Chiyo and set to work in earnest.

Chiyo nodded in approval too, her gaze on Pakura full of warmth. Sunagakure's current Kazekage was the strongest Kazekage, and he had two disciples: Pakura, the Scorch Release user, and Rasa, the Magnet Release user.

Pakura was closer to the Council of Elders, while Rasa was closer to the common people. As one of the Council of Elders, Chiyo naturally favored Pakura.

That boy Rasa was like a hypocrite, always going on about the people and dismissing the contributions of their elders.

At the thought, Chiyo shook her head. The forces continued on, aiming to reach their destination as soon as possible and conceal the Explosive Tag traps as well as they could.

Konoha

Everyone left the conference room. Uchiha Kō called out to Tsunade. "Tsunade."

"Hm?" Tsunade glanced back at Uchiha Kō, beaming. She was happy not only because he had backed her up when she made her suggestion.

Her teacher had also recognized his abilities. Kō had earned the higher-ups' respect and recognition through his own talent. That was no small feat.

It also meant Kō had entered Konoha's inner circle. Whenever war broke out, people would think of Uchiha Kō, and his standing had risen considerably!

"Kō, is something the matter?" Tsunade asked, her eyes curving into a charming smile.

Uchiha Kō smiled. "Yeah, there's something I need to discuss with you. It's important. Could we talk at home?"

Tsunade paused, then smiled. "Sure!" She turned to Jiraiya and Orochimaru. "Are you two coming?"

Jiraiya started to say something, but in the end he just scratched his head and forced a smile. "I think I'll pass. The Great Toad Sage suddenly told me to go to Mount Myoboku."

Orochimaru clicked his tongue and shook his head. "I have some things to research, so I won't be joining you."

With that, Jiraiya vanished in a flash of teleportation, while Orochimaru used the Body Flicker Technique to leave.

Seeing that no one was nearby, Tsunade stepped closer and wrapped both arms around Uchiha Kō's. Her breasts pressed softly against him as she smiled. "Let's go!"

Uchiha Kō blinked, then smiled. "All right!" With Tsunade leading him, he set off for the Senju Clan Compound.

Inside the Hokage Building, Sarutobi Hiruzen lifted his pipe, took a deep drag, and exhaled. He saw Uchiha Kō walking with Tsunade, their behavior intimate, and sighed.

"Jiraiya, looks like you never stood a chance." He shook his head, returned to his seat, and continued reviewing the documents.

Uchiha Kō took the opportunity to ask the system, "System, system, do you have any blast-proof gear?"

Ding! The host's request has been received. Searching the shop...

Ding! 2090 Blast-Proof Suit. Blocks all damage caused by explosions and offers maximum defense. Can withstand three attacks from a Kage Level fighter. Cost: 10,000 points.

Would the host like to purchase it?

Uchiha Kō's heart gave a jolt when he saw the price. He hadn't expected there to be one! But that price...

He snapped out of it and looked at Tsunade's radiant smile and alluring figure—and her ample... Well, he'd made up his mind. He had to buy it! The battlefield was full of dangers. Just warning his future brother-in-law might not be enough!

So he thought, "Purchase!" The system sounded much more cheerful.

Ding! Congratulations, host! You have obtained a 2090 Blast-Proof Suit. Its size will match the person in your mind; once taken out, it will fit them perfectly. Remaining points:

Ding! Congratulations, host! You have spent more than 10,000 points and completed the achievement "Spending Money Like Water." Reward: one random talent.

Ding! Talent draw in progress... Draw complete. Reward: Space-Time Talent (undeveloped).

Uchiha Kō felt that the money had been well spent only after seeing that he'd received a talent!

He thought, "Future brother-in-law, I'll keep you safe this time!" In a good mood, he smiled and soon arrived back at the Senju Clan Compound with Tsunade.

The guards at the Senju Clan Compound saw the young lady had returned, holding... well, Uchiha Kō's arm. That was fine, then. One opened the gate while the other went to announce their arrival.

Before the two of them even reached the door, Mito appeared there.

When they saw Uzumaki Mito, they quickened their pace.

"Grandma!" Tsunade called, but she still didn't let go of Uchiha Kō's arm.

Uzumaki Mito nodded, her gaze teasing. Uchiha Kō coughed twice.

Only then did Tsunade look at Uchiha Kō, wondering what was wrong.

Uchiha Kō awkwardly said, "Your hand."

"My hand?" Tsunade looked down at her hands, still wrapped around Uchiha Kō's arm. She quickly let go and looked at her grandmother.

"Grandma, I didn't mean to. It's because Kō just backed me up..." Before Tsunade could finish, Uzumaki Mito interrupted her.

"Tsunade, go inside first. I have something to discuss with Kō." Uzumaki Mito smiled.

Tsunade was about to say something when Uzumaki Mito narrowed her eyes. The pressure of their bloodline bore down on Tsunade. She glanced at Uchiha Kō worriedly, then gritted her teeth and went inside.

Uchiha Kō smiled faintly. "Grandma Mito."

Uzumaki Mito nodded. "Come with me." She led Uchiha Kō to the gazebo in the courtyard.

Uzumaki Mito raised her right hand, and a sealing barrier appeared. The scenery around them shifted, and all the nearby flowers and trees vanished.

Everything around them turned golden. Uzumaki Mito and Uchiha Kō sat on stone stools, neither saying a word.

After a while, Uzumaki Mito sighed. "Kō, tell me honestly. How do you feel about Tsunade?"

Uchiha Kō's heart skipped a beat. He'd expected Uzumaki Mito to ask him this and had thought up plenty of answers, but now that he had to respond, he felt terribly nervous.