Steam filled the Desire Hot Springs.
It was the busiest time at the hot springs.
The women of the Uchiha clan soaked in the pools in small groups.
Some leaned against the edges with their eyes closed, resting; some chatted quietly; others were washing their bodies.
Amid the rising steam, shapely figures appeared and disappeared, water droplets sliding down smooth skin.
The bathing scene was intensely sensual, enough to make any man's blood race.
Ordinarily, Xuandou would certainly have lingered over such sights, but today he had a more important target.
He controlled the image in his mind, moving it straight toward the clan head's private bath.
In the image, Tsunade was walking along the corridor toward her destination with Shizune.
Tsunade wore a tan traveling outfit that day, with a green jacket over it.
There was still a trace of impatience on her face as she grumbled:
"Hmph! That Uchiha brat certainly puts on airs!"
"I'm the Fifth Hokage, for crying out loud! I came all the way from Konoha, and he won't even see me!"
Beside her, Shizune held Tonton and hurried to soothe her:
"Let it go, Lady Tsunade. He's the Daimyō of the Land of Hot Water now. It's only natural for him to be busy."
"Besides, didn't he invite us to try these special hot springs to make up for it?"
Tsunade snorted without arguing and pushed open the door to the clan head's private bath first.
The bath was small, but exquisitely appointed.
The pool was built from bluestone, its hot spring water drawn from underground, with a faint scent of sulfur in the swirling steam.
Several stalks of green bamboo grew beside the pool, their leaves rustling in the night breeze.
A stone lantern burned in the corner, casting dim yellow light over