"Commander Chiyo, may I ask what we're here to do?" a kunoichi asked.
Her hair was dark green and tied up in a high tuft, with pendant-like locks of yellow-brown hair framing either side of her forehead. She had a perfect figure and fair, beautiful features. Surely everyone had guessed who she was.
Pakura, the pride of Sunagakure, was a genius who had fused Wind and Fire into Scorch Release. She was only around twenty, yet her chakra reserves were already at the level of an elite jōnin.
Chiyo hadn't wanted to answer. They were going to ambush Konoha along a road its forces were bound to take and set up Explosive Tag traps. The fewer people who knew about it, the better.
Furrowing her brow, she turned slightly toward the kunoichi who had spoken. When she saw it was Pakura, her expression relaxed. "Oh, it's you, Pakura. Haha, Grandma's taking you all to set up some traps."
"Traps? Isn't it a little late to set them now? Konoha isn't full of fools," Pakura asked, puzzled.
Chiyo smiled. "Konoha has just won a major victory, so their minds are likely to be unsettled. If their commander lets their guard down, the traps might just do the trick."
Pakura's eyes shifted thoughtfully. It was true—pride came before a fall. Everyone knew that, yet the same mistake kept happening again and again.
Just as the saying went: what has happened will happen again; what has been done will be done again. There is nothing new under the sun.
Pakura nodded, satisfied. She asked no more questions, following Chiyo and getting down to work.
Chiyo nodded in approval, looking at Pakura with affection. Sunagakure's current Kazekage was the strongest Kazekage, and he had two students: Pakura of Scorch Release and Rasa of Magnet Release.
Pakura was closer to the elders, while Rasa was closer to the common people. As one of the elders, Chiyo naturally liked Pakura more.
That boy Rasa was like a hypocrite. He was always going on about the people and dismissing the contributions of his elders.
Thinking of this, Chiyo shook her head. The forces continued on, eager to reach their destination early and make the Explosive Tag traps even harder to spot.
Konoha
Everyone left the conference room. Uchiha Xiao called out to Tsunade. "Tsunade."
"Hm?" Tsunade turned to look at Uchiha Xiao, delighted. It wasn't just because he had spoken up for her when she'd made her suggestion.
Her teacher had also acknowledged his abilities. Xiao had won over the higher-ups through his own talent, and that was no small feat.
It meant that Xiao had entered Konoha's inner circle. Whenever war broke out, they would think of Uchiha Xiao, and his standing had risen considerably.
"Xiao, is something wrong?" Tsunade asked, her eyes curving into a captivating smile.
Uchiha Xiao smiled. "Yeah. There's something important I need to talk about. Could we discuss it back at your place?"
Tsunade blinked, then smiled. "Sure!" She turned to Jiraiya and Orochimaru. "Are you two coming?"
Jiraiya hesitated, then forced a smile and scratched his head. "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'll pass."
With that, Jiraiya teleported away, while Orochimaru used the Body Flicker Technique to leave.
Seeing that no one was nearby, Tsunade stepped forward and wrapped both arms around Uchiha Xiao's. Her soft breasts pressed against him. She smiled. "Let's go!"
Uchiha Xiao was startled, then smiled. "All right!" With Tsunade leading him, he headed toward the Senju Clan Compound.
Inside the Hokage Building, Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe and blew out the smoke. He saw Uchiha Xiao and Tsunade walking together, acting intimately, and sighed.
"Jiraiya, it looks like you never stood a chance." He shook his head and returned to his seat to keep reviewing the documents.
Uchiha Xiao took the opportunity to ask the system, "System, system, do you have any blast-proof gear?"
Ding! Host's request received. Searching the shop...
Ding! 2090 Blast-Proof Suit. Blocks all damage caused by explosions and provides maximum defense. Can withstand three attacks from Kage Level opponents. Cost: 10,000 points.
Would the host like to purchase it?
Uchiha Xiao's heart gave a jolt when he saw the price. He couldn't believe it was actually available! But that price...
He quickly came back to himself, looking 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 seemed to perk up.
Ding! Congratulations, host. You have obtained the 2090 Blast-Proof Suit. It can be adjusted to fit the size of a person in your mind. Once taken out, it will fit them perfectly. Remaining points: 10,050.
Ding! Congratulations, host. You have spent over 10,000 points and completed the achievement "Big Spender." Reward: one random talent.
Ding! Drawing talent... Drawing complete. Reward: Space-Time Talent (undeveloped).
Seeing that he'd earned a talent as a reward, Uchiha Xiao finally felt the money had been well spent!
Future brother-in-law, I'll keep you safe this time! He was in high spirits, the corners of his mouth lifting as he soon arrived back at the Senju Clan Compound with Tsunade.
The guards at the Senju Clan Compound saw their young lady return, holding the arm of—uh, Uchiha Xiao. That was fine, then. One opened the gate while the other went to announce their arrival.
Mito appeared before the two of them even reached the door.
When they saw Uzumaki Mito, they quickened their pace.
"Grandma!" Tsunade called, but she didn't let go of Uchiha Xiao's arm.
Uzumaki Mito nodded, her gaze tinged with amusement. Uchiha Xiao coughed twice.
Only then did Tsunade look at Uchiha Xiao. What was wrong?
Uchiha Xiao awkwardly said, "Your hand."
"My hand?" Tsunade looked down at her hands, still wrapped around Uchiha Xiao's arm. She quickly let go and looked at her grandmother.
"Grandma, it's not what you think. It's because Xiao just spoke up for me..." Before Tsunade could finish, Uzumaki Mito interrupted her.
"Tsunade, go on inside first. I have something to discuss with Xiao." Uzumaki Mito smiled.
Tsunade was about to say more when Uzumaki Mito narrowed her eyes. The weight of their bloodline pressed down on Tsunade. She glanced at Uchiha Xiao with concern, then gritted her teeth and went inside.
Uchiha Xiao smiled faintly. "Grandma Mito."
Uzumaki Mito nodded. "Come with me." She led Uchiha Xiao 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 Xiao sat on stone stools, neither saying a word.
After a while, Uzumaki Mito sighed. "Xiao, tell me the truth. How do you feel about Tsunade?"
Uchiha Xiao's heart gave a start. He'd known Uzumaki Mito would ask, and he'd thought up plenty of things to say. But now that he actually had to answer, he was terribly nervous.