Shadows Outside the Window and a Game Beneath the Covers

Land of Rivers, the quiet room next to the medicinal bath chamber of the Cold Smoke Pavilion.

It was deep into the night. The thunder outside had long since faded, replaced by the soft patter of rain striking the bamboo leaves.

Inside, the thick, warm atmosphere produced by the "medicinal backlash" had yet to fully dissipate. The air was mingled with dragon saliva incense and the cloying sweetness of precious spiritual herbs steamed by True Essence.

"Mm..."

Ye Tian let out a vague groan, his head shifting against the pillow as though he felt uneasy in his sleep.

At his side, the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, lay fully clothed.

After that exhausting "cooling and guidance" session, her golden hair was scattered across the pillow. A few damp strands clung to her breathtakingly beautiful face, which retained its beauty despite a trace of fatigue.

She slept lightly, her brows faintly furrowed. One finger of her right hand remained pressed against Ye Tian's pulse point, an extremely fine thread of green medical Chakra flowing at her fingertips.

Just then, a ripple abruptly spread through the Divine Sense within Ye Tian's Niwan Palace, though his eyes remained shut in "unconsciousness."

In his field of vision, five ink-black shadows were hugging the shadows along the walkway, avoiding every medical sentry outside as they sped toward this quiet room.

Tsk. Admin's "System Patch" might not have killed me, but that old bastard Danzo sure knows how to pick his timing. Sending a delivery specifically when I'm "weak"? With that level of dedication, it's a shame he doesn't deliver takeout.

Ye Tian sneered inwardly, while keeping the sickly appearance of someone barely clinging to life.

Not only did he not get up, he unconsciously curled up as if chilled, his head slipping remarkably "smoothly" into Tsunade's warm,