Kurenai let out an unhappy whimper, muttered, "Stop that," and burrowed straight into Uchiha Yan's arms.
Uchiha Yan gave up on teasing Kurenai and glanced at the time. It was still early.
He simply held Kurenai and went back to sleep.
After being kept busy all night, Kurenai had finally recovered some of her strength.
She forced her eyes open and looked at Uchiha Yan. Suddenly, her eyes darted around, and a mischievous smile appeared.
She carefully slipped out of Uchiha Yan's arms.
The moment Kurenai's feet touched the floor and she took her first proper step, she winced in pain.
Yesterday, Uchiha Yan had been like a bull. He had nearly worn her out completely.
Kurenai went into the bathroom and started washing up.
As she looked in the mirror, she examined the countless marks left on her neck and collarbone the night before.
Kurenai couldn't help but give a soft scoff.
At that moment, Uchiha Yan suddenly felt his arms holding nothing.
When he opened his eyes, he found that the beauty beside him had vanished without a trace.
He heard the sound of water from the bathroom and smiled knowingly.
He went straight in.
Kurenai jumped in fright at first, then shot Uchiha Yan a withering look.
"Stop it. We have a mission today, remember?"
Uchiha Yan didn't bother holding back, either. He went straight to stand behind Kurenai.
The bath lasted a full half hour.
Kurenai emerged with a flushed face, her hair still dripping wet.
Uchiha Yan took out a towel and awkwardly began drying the droplets from her hair.
Kurenai glanced at the marks on the bedsheets, and her face reddened even more.
After Uchiha Yan finished drying her hair, Kurenai unceremoniously cast him aside once he was no longer useful and kicked him out.
Uchiha Yan could only leave the bedroom helplessly and get dressed for the outing.
He looked at the marks on his back and neck and shook his head helplessly.
He deliberately put on a high-collared outfit to avoid any awkward situations.
Meanwhile, in the bedroom, Kurenai took a pair of scissors and cut a piece out of the bedsheet.
Then she casually tossed the sheet into the trash can nearby.
Only then did she get up and straighten her clothes.
Luckily, she had worn a jacket when she came to Uchiha Yan's place.
Otherwise, figuring out how to go outside would have been a problem.
Kurenai searched around the bedroom and confirmed that although the neckline of her red sweater was a little loose, it wouldn't be noticeable once she put on her jacket.
She carefully tidied herself in front of the mirror, tying up her previously loose hair again. A few stray strands fell beside her ears.
She put on the white, mesh-patterned long-sleeved jacket.
Its loose hem and distinctive red-and-white stripes easily concealed her rumpled clothes and the blush-inducing marks below her neck.
She adjusted the belt at her waist, fastening the jacket, which had come slightly undone because her "front armor" was so prominent.
Only then did she step out.
When Kurenai came out, Uchiha Yan couldn't help but brighten at the sight of her.
If Kurenai had been full of feminine softness last night, then this morning she carried some of the sharpness unique to a ninja.
Kurenai walked to the entryway and picked up her keys.
She feigned surprise. "Oh, were the keys here?"
Her somewhat unconvincing act made Uchiha Yan laugh.
Uchiha Yan went to her side, and his hands began to wander.
Kurenai slapped his hands away. Like she was soothing a child, she said, "All right, be good. You have a mission today, so I'll head back first."
Uchiha Yan escorted her to the edge of the Uchiha compound before turning back.
As soon as he turned around, the smile disappeared from his face.
When he arrived at the Konoha Military Police Force, the Hawk Faction members all stood up and looked at Uchiha Yan.
Clearly, they had already received word that they were to follow his orders.
Uchiha Yan said to them, "No matter what happens today, make sure you protect yourselves first. Understand?"
The Uchiha Hawk Faction members all nodded solemnly.
As for the Dove Faction, those who had surrendered, Uchiha Yan paid them no attention.
Uchiha Yan intended to leave them to fend for themselves.
Even if these people fell out with Konoha, they would only hold the Uchiha back. Better to let them help the Uchiha win some goodwill.
By the time Uchiha Yan led the Hawk Faction members to the plaza, it was already bustling with people.
Based on his experience and keen eyes, Uchiha Yan spotted many Anbu guards stationed in the shadows.
But none of them were disguised as civilians.
Uchiha Yan nodded to them.
The group split into small teams of two or three and spread out around the area.
As for Uchiha Izumi, to be safe, he had told Izumi to stay home and rest for the day.
Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Kazekage had already taken their seats on the reviewing stand.
But the real Kazekage had been killed in an ambush by Orochimaru long ago. Orochimaru had disguised himself as the Kazekage and taken his place on the reviewing stand.
After exchanging pleasantries,
Orochimaru looked at his former teacher and couldn't resist making a sarcastic remark.
"Third, I'd personally suggest you settle on a candidate for Fifth Hokage."
Hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen burst out laughing. "Hmm? Hahahaha!"
"Lord Kazekage, don't treat me like an old man. I think I can keep this up for another ten years."
With that, he stood at the front of the reviewing stand, his hands behind his back.
He looked down at the civilians, nobles from various countries, and the Genin who had come to take part in the Chunin Ninja Exams.
Just as he had expected, Orochimaru still had some basic limits.
Apart from those few corpses, Orochimaru hadn't caused any more trouble over the past few days.
That proved he had won the first round of their battle of wits.
The two continued sitting on the reviewing stand, watching the matches below.
To be honest, these matches were highly entertaining for the civilians, nobles, and Genin.
But to shinobi of Orochimaru and Sarutobi Hiruzen's caliber, the matches had already become rather dull.
Just then, feathers suddenly began drifting down all around them.
The civilians, nobles, and some Genin with weak resistance to illusion techniques naturally fell unconscious.
The Sunagakure instructor suddenly vanished in a puff of smoke.
He found an open space and called out, "Summoning Technique."
Several giant snakes appeared, then began heading toward the heart of Konoha.
The Konoha Anbu reacted quickly, appearing at once and attempting to stop the Summoning Beast.
"Fire Style: Great Fire Dragon Technique! Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
The area was soon thrown into chaos.
Orochimaru suddenly appeared behind Sarutobi Hiruzen and pressed a Kunai to his throat.
He tossed the Kazekage's hat and mask aside.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at his student. "Orochimaru, it's been a long time."
He also saw tears glimmer in Orochimaru's eyes as he looked toward Konoha.
Seeing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled smugly.
He had bet correctly. He had bet that Orochimaru still felt some attachment to this land, however slight.
The attachment might not have been much, but it proved Orochimaru couldn't bring himself to attack civilians.
Before you continue