"Lord Hokage, this..."
How could Uzuki Yugao have imagined that this was the sacrifice Lord Hokage had meant!
She had thought she would be shedding "blood, sweat, and tears" in an enemy village. She would have done that without hesitation!
But in reality, she would be shedding "blood, sweat, and tears" in bed. This...
She was already taken! Her boyfriend was Gekko Hayate.
If she married Uchiha Xia Yu, what would Gekko Hayate think?
As a ninja, keeping mission details confidential was of paramount importance. Besides, this was an S-rank espionage mission. She could not tell Gekko Hayate of her own accord that she was marrying Uchiha Xia Yu because of a mission.
If the mission details leaked, all their efforts would come to nothing.
But if she did not tell Hayate, her relationship with him would probably fall apart completely.
Uzuki Yugao looked troubled.
On one side was an arduous mission; on the other, genuine love.
She could only choose one...
Although obeying orders was a ninja's duty, as a human being, love held a place no lower than duty.
Hiruzen Sarutobi saw Yugao's dilemma.
"Yugao, you've seen it yourself. Xia Yu of the Uchiha Clan has been making big moves lately, and he's been far too ostentatious with his power. Uchiha who awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan all have unstable temperaments. I'm worried he might do something harmful to the village. After thinking it over, you're the most suitable candidate."
"But I...!"
"You've served under me in the Anbu for years. You're my most trusted subordinate, and I believe you can do this. For Konoha's peace and prosperity, I need you to make this sacrifice."
"But this is just too...!"
"From the day we choose to become ninja, we should be prepared to give ourselves to the village, whether in reputation or in body. We aren't even afraid of death. How could we fear something as trivial as this? Yugao, I hope you understand that."
"..."
Uzuki Yugao ultimately gave in and accepted the mission.
"All right, go back and prepare. Don't deliberately go to the Uchiha for an interview. Remember to pick a day and find the right moment to appear near Uchiha Xia Yu. With your looks, I'm sure Xia Yu will approach you himself."
"Yes, I understand, Lord Hokage."
"Good, you may go. Oh, right, stop by the Konoha Military Police Force and tell Ibiki Morino to come see me. I have something to discuss with him."
"All right..."
The next day.
Xia Yu got up early. He had something important to do today: take over the Konoha Military Police Force.
"Huh? Xia Yu, putting on pants as soon as you wake up? That's not like you~"
The woman lying in bed was his wife, Mitaraishi Anko.
Just over a month earlier, Anko had given birth to his SS-rank baby boy.
Xia Yu smiled. "I'm heading to the Konoha Military Police Force. Want to come with me?"
"No way~" Anko chuckled and pouted, her signature mischievous expression appearing on her face again.
Xia Yu gently pinched Anko's cheek. "Then get some rest. You barely slept last night."
"I can't sleep unless you're beside me~"
The moment she finished speaking, Anko wrapped herself around Xia Yu like a snake.
"Anko, stop fooling around. I just put my coat on..."
"Hehehe, prey caught in a snake's coils can't get away!"
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