"Open."
[Treasure chest opening. Distributing rewards...] [Reward 1: Large increase in chakra] [Reward 2: Earth Release: Ultra-Light-Weight Rock Technique (a secret ninjutsu of Mu, the Second Tsuchikage. Reduces the weight of objects and can be used for flight, acceleration, and increased mobility)]
Xuandou felt the chakra surging through his body, and the smile on his lips deepened.
At this point, S-rank rewards no longer gave his strength much of a boost.
Still, they were better than nothing.
He lowered his head to look at Kurotsuchi, who was still panting in his arms, his voice low and gentle:
"From today onward, you're my woman."
"The future of Iwagakure is in your hands, too."
Kurotsuchi raised her head and looked into his eyes.
Those eyes held dominance, tenderness, and a hint of depth she could not fathom.
"...Will you really let Grandpa and the others go?"
"Of course."
"But only after you become Tsuchikage and help me take over the Land of Earth completely."
Kurotsuchi said nothing more, merely burying her face in his chest.
Moonlight spilled over them, casting their shadows onto the water, overlapping until neither could be distinguished from the other.
Two months slipped quietly by amid the flames of war and reports of victory.
The study in the Imperial Palace of Hidden Xuan Village.
Outside the window, the sea at Azure Tide Port shimmered, and spring sunlight streamed through the paper windows.
Xuandou leaned back in his chair, toying with the Charm Gourd.
The long desk before him was piled with intelligence scrolls Mabui had sent back using the Heavenly Transfer Technique.
In the first month, the White Zetsu army, led by powerful fighters brought back through Impure World Reincarnation, split into three columns and launched a full-scale invasion of the Land of Waterfalls.
The