Deadly Trap! She Actually Demanded Me?

Qian Ye pushed open the heavy wooden door to the Hokage's office.

A thick smell of tobacco hit him in the face.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his broad desk.

The old man held an aged pipe in his hand.

The corners of his mouth were split in a grin.

The wrinkles on his face were nearly bunched together.

Even his usually furrowed brows had relaxed today.

The old man looked as though a stone that had weighed on his heart for days had finally fallen away.

Qian Ye's gaze shifted from Hiruzen's face to the open space beside the desk.

Someone stood there.

Qian Ye froze for a moment.

He had almost failed to recognize her.

It was Pakura.

She had changed out of that tattered Sunagakure combat uniform, stained with blood and mud.

She now wore a clean, plain-colored kimono.

Her distinctive teal-green hair had been neatly pinned up behind her head.

The smoke and killing intent of the battlefield had been washed away.

Her fair skin looked smooth beneath the sunlight streaming through the window.

Without that ruthless air of someone who could turn others into desiccated corpses with a flick of her hand,

she instead gave off a gentle, tranquil aura.

Like the mild-tempered older sister next door.

Qian Ye clicked his tongue inwardly.

When this woman wasn't setting people on fire and killing them, she was actually quite easy on the eyes.

"Qian Ye, you're here."

Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a white ring of smoke.

The old man's voice carried unconcealed delight.

"I called you here because I have good news."

"Sunagakure has sent its reply."

"They have accepted every one of our peace terms."

Hiruzen picked up the scroll on the desk and lightly tapped it against the tabletop.

"The mining rights to two gold mines."