Kitazawa and Kurenai returned home after finishing their work. Although they were guests, they weren't just ordinary guests.
After spending so much time together, they had become very close with Tsunade, Shizune, and the others.
It was commonplace for them to help clean up after Tsunade got drunk.
"How many gifts did you receive today?" Kurenai asked as she took off her shoes.
"Quite a lot." Kitazawa looked at her shapely buttocks and said, "If you're interested, you can help me unwrap them."
"I just asked casually." Kurenai stood up, her bare feet on the carpet, and said with a smile, "After all, they're your gifts."
"Why are we still distinguishing between yours and mine?" Kitazawa stepped forward, buried his face in her soft, fragrant embrace, and asked, "What's your birthday gift?"
"How can I give you your birthday gift when you're holding me like this?" Kurenai's body trembled, feeling his warm breath on her heart, a tingling sensation.
"Alright then." Kitazawa released her, his gaze falling on her face.
"I'm going to take a shower first." Kurenai changed the subject and walked towards the bathroom.
Kitazawa was stunned for a moment, feeling a bit confused, but he could only wait. He sat on the sofa and stretched.
Generally speaking, Konoha Village's New Year holiday started on December 28th. In other words, there was still a week until the New Year.
After the New Year, he planned to visit Hozuki Castle. By the time he returned, it would be almost time for the new semester.
Kitazawa rubbed his chin. Itachi and Sasuke would definitely have to go.
Opening the Box of Ultimate Bliss required a massive amount of Chakra, so it was best to bring Naruto.
In fact, in the original story, his Chakra was also used to open the Box of Ultimate Bliss. But he couldn't be the only one contributing Chakra.
Kitazawa planned to bring all available Anbu members. Firstly, it would be convenient to open the Box of Ultimate Bliss.
Secondly, it was to secretly take over Kusagakure and Hozuki Castle.
As a reincarnator, Kitazawa would not be limited to just Konoha Village, no matter the reason.
Even if he didn't unify the Ninja World, he had to become the man behind the scenes, controlling the Ninja World.
Starting with Kusagakure was a good choice.
Firstly, it was to avenge Karin and her mother. Secondly, the Land of Grass, where Kusagakure was located, had certain value, especially its grasslands.
However, he and Konoha Village were not yet invincible, so it was best not to make a big fuss for now; secretly taking over was the best option.
Actually, if you count it, the first Ninja Village to be controlled was Otogakure.
Kitazawa waited for a moment and then saw Kurenai. He instinctively widened his eyes.
Kurenai slowly walked towards him, wearing only a sexy white suspender stocking.
She reached out and hooked the top of the white stocking.
With a 'snap', the stocking top hit her thigh, and the flesh of her leg rippled slightly before being constricted into a slight indentation.
"How is it? Does it look good?" Kurenai's face was slightly flushed, her eyes shimmering.
Kitazawa instinctively nodded.
Kurenai stopped in front of him. She squatted down, the white stockings taut as her legs bent.
Especially the suspenders, which clung tightly to her fair, full thighs. Kurenai leaned slightly forward, rested her chin on Kitazawa's lap, and then looked up.
Kitazawa reached out and stroked her head.
Neither of them spoke anymore. One didn't want to speak, and the other couldn't.
In short, Kitazawa was very satisfied with Kurenai's birthday gift.
---
The next day, early morning.
Kitazawa woke up from his sleep. He opened his eyes and felt refreshed.
He had actually gone to bed in the middle of the night, but his current physique was so strong that he wouldn't feel any fatigue even after a night without sleep.
If coupled with the regulating effect of the Yin Seal, theoretically, as long as his Chakra wasn't completely depleted, he could always maintain his peak state.
Kitazawa looked down. Kurenai was lying in his arms, eyes closed, sleeping soundly.
Kitazawa could feel her breathing and heartbeat. After all, there was no longer any barrier between them.
Kitazawa suppressed the stirring in his heart and carefully got out of bed. Kurenai was already exhausted and shouldn't be disturbed from her sleep.
After breakfast, Kitazawa went to the Hokage Building.
But he miscalculated; Tsunade hadn't arrived yet, and only Shizune was in the Hokage Office.
Kitazawa greeted Shizune and then went to the Hokage Secretariat next door.
Itachi would not be late like Tsunade. He was always the most punctual.
"Lord Kitazawa." Itachi saw him and immediately stood up to greet him.
"Itachi." Kitazawa nodded and asked with a smile, "How do you think we should deal with the box of ultimate bliss?"
"The Box of Ultimate Bliss is a legendary Ninja Tool from the period of the Sage of Six Paths, possessing the power to unify the Ninja World."
Itachi pondered and said, "Whether it's true or false, such a dangerous Ninja Tool should not be in the hands of Kusagakure."
Kitazawa wasn't surprised by this. What Itachi cared about most was Konoha Village, followed by Sasuke.
The existence of the Box of Ultimate Bliss already threatened Konoha Village.
Moreover, Kusagakure's purpose in opening the Box of Ultimate Bliss was to revive Kusagakure and defeat the Five Great Villages.
In other words, Konoha Village was already their target. As for Mui opening the Box of Ultimate Bliss to save his son, Mukou, Kusagakure didn't know about it.
Besides that, it was also related to Lady Tsunade and Kitazawa.
They had caused a ruckus in Kusagakure to save Karin and her mother, and the Ninja of Kusagakure had resented them ever since.
"I plan to visit Hozuki Castle after the New Year." Kitazawa stated his intention, "I hope you and Sasuke will come with us."
"Sasuke?" Itachi asked with surprise, "Why bring Sasuke?"
Although Sasuke's strength was decent now, he was still just a student, not an official Ninja.
"The Box of Ultimate Bliss has the ability to grant any wish." Kitazawa paused and asked, "Do you believe that?"
"No." Itachi shook his head and said very rationally, "If it were true, the Sage of Six Paths wouldn't have died."
"Although it's not entirely true, it does possess similar abilities." Kitazawa couldn't help but smile and said.
"It can actually grant wishes?" Uchiha Itachi asked with some surprise.
"There's a price." Kitazawa explained, "The moment a wish is granted, a Yin Release monster called Satori will be released from the Box of Ultimate Bliss."
"So, bringing Sasuke is to let him make a wish?" Itachi suddenly realized and asked.
"I think he can use this opportunity to awaken his Three-Tomoe Sharingan." Kitazawa replied, "As long as we help him deal with Satori, it'll be fine."
"Will Sasuke be in danger?" Itachi asked with some concern. After all, it concerned Sasuke, so he had to be more cautious.
"I don't know, but we can try." Kitazawa countered, "With our strength, can't we handle one Box of Ultimate Bliss?"
Itachi was reassured by this reminder.
Leaving Kitazawa aside, he felt he could handle it himself. Especially since Satori was a Yin Release monster.
When it came to Yin Release, who could compare to the Mangekyo Sharingan and Susanoo?
Conversely, if Sasuke could truly awaken his Sharingan, it would create history for the Uchiha Clan.
An eight-year-old with a Three-Tomoe Sharingan, Itachi couldn't imagine how brilliant his younger brother's future would be.
Perhaps he could truly become the Hokage after the next one.
As for the next Hokage, it would definitely be Kitazawa, unless he didn't want the position; otherwise, no one could take it from him.
"I'll notify you then." After their conversation, Kitazawa returned to the Hokage Office.
This time, it wasn't Shizune, but Tsunade.
"Lady Tsunade." Kitazawa stepped forward and said with a smile, "You're half an hour late."
"I'm the Hokage, what if I'm late?" Tsunade glared at him and asked.
"Does being the Hokage mean you can be unreasonable?" Kitazawa countered.
"Indeed, I can be unreasonable." Tsunade nodded and replied, "Because the Hokage's power is limitless."
"I've found that only thick-skinned people can become Hokage." Kitazawa couldn't help but shake his head and said.
"You're right about that; a Hokage needs to be thick-skinned, or rather, cunning." Tsunade agreed wholeheartedly, saying, "Only then can Konoha Village avoid suffering losses."
"As expected of Tsunade-sensei." Kitazawa gave a thumbs up and said.
"The reason I believe you can be a good Hokage is because you're shameless enough." Tsunade looked at him and said with a smile.
"..." Kitazawa twitched his lips. Are you praising me or scolding me?
"I have something to tell you." Kitazawa returned to the main topic and brought up the Box of Ultimate Bliss.
Simply put, there were two key points.
First, prisoners from Hozuki Castle, incarcerated by Konoha Village, were taken to open the Box of Ultimate Bliss.
Second, after Kusagakure opened the Box of Ultimate Bliss, it would most likely target Konoha Village.
"They really don't know what's good for them!" After hearing this, Tsunade stood up, slammed her hand on the Hokage Office desk, and fumed.
Because of Karin and her mother, she already detested Kusagakure. Now, with their intention to oppose Konoha Village, she naturally felt displeased.
Kitazawa's gaze unconsciously fell on her swaying necklace.
"What are you looking at?" Tsunade couldn't help but step on his foot.
"After the New Year, I'll lead a team to Hozuki Castle and bring the Box of Ultimate Bliss back." Kitazawa blinked, then calmly asked, "What do you think?"
"Do as you say!" Tsunade snorted, saying, "And while you're at it, teach Kusagakure a good lesson!"
"Understood, Lady Tsunade." Kitazawa smiled, then added, "Getting angry too much makes you age faster. Kusagakure isn't worth your anger."
"Do you have anything else?" Tsunade glanced at him and sat back down.
"There is one more thing." Kitazawa, looking down at the crescent moon, asked, "Aren't you going to give me a birthday present?"
"I forgot yesterday while drinking. Here." Tsunade took out the birthday present she had prepared long ago, her tone flat.
"An omamori?" Kitazawa asked in surprise, "Do you believe in these things too?"
An omamori is similar to a sachet, an item imbued with meanings like peace. Generally, one would buy one after praying at a shrine.
"This was given to me by Grandma Mito. The omamori contains a Sealing Technique." Tsunade explained, "I don't leave Konoha much these days, so it would be more useful for you to have it."
"This is too precious, I can't accept it." Kitazawa thought for a moment, then shook his head.
The Sealing Technique wasn't the issue, but it was a memento from Uzumaki Mito, a keepsake.
Moreover, he had already received a memento from Senju Hashirama, which was that necklace.
"Since I've given it to you, just keep it." Tsunade grabbed his wrist and placed the omamori in his palm.
"Thank you." Seeing this, Kitazawa found it hard to refuse further, "I'll keep it safe for you for now."
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
"Stand over there." Tsunade quickly withdrew her hand and said.
Kitazawa had already crossed the Hokage Office desk and was standing close to her. If an outsider saw them, it might arouse suspicion.
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow and retreated to the front of the Hokage Office desk.
Shizune pushed the door open and entered. She paused when she saw Kitazawa, but wasn't surprised.
"Lady Tsunade." Shizune stepped forward and said, "The Cursed Seal Unit's office is complete. Anko and Genma can move in."
"Then go notify them." Tsunade nodded and said.
"Mm." Shizune didn't linger and turned to leave.
"The Cursed Seal Unit has been officially established. Do you need me to send Anbu to notify all the Ninja in the village?" Kitazawa asked.
"You can notify, but only a select group of Ninja." Tsunade thought for a moment and said, "I believe the Cursed Seal Unit, like the Anbu, should maintain as much secrecy as possible."
"Ninja battles are information battles." Kitazawa agreed, saying, "The less people know about the Cursed Seal Unit, the more effective they'll be on the battlefield."
"Exactly." Tsunade smiled and said, "You really are shameless."
"I'll take that as a compliment." Kitazawa's mouth twitched, then he added, "I suggest appointing Orochimaru as an honorary member of the Cursed Seal Unit."
"The Cursed Seal Unit does need a high-ranking Ninja." Tsunade quickly understood and said, "Then you go notify him."
Neither Anko Mitarashi nor Shiranui Genma was more than a Special Jonin.
For them to be solely responsible for an organization, their prestige and strength were somewhat lacking.
Although after their Cursed Seal transformation, their strength could reach that of a Jonin.
"Mm." Kitazawa nodded, but then walked in front of her.
"What are you doing?" Tsunade instinctively asked.
"Didn't you say you'd give me a reward after the Cursed Seal Unit was established?" Kitazawa met her gaze, a wide smile on his face as he asked.
"You… what kind of reward do you want?" Tsunade couldn't help but feel a tremor in her heart as she asked.
"This trip to Hozuki Castle will be extremely dangerous. I think I need a lucky kiss." Kitazawa blinked, then said seriously.
"…" Tsunade bit her lip, thinking, I knew it. She hesitated for two seconds, then stood up.
Tsunade looked up at him. Only when they stood together did she realize that Kitazawa was much taller than she.
Even if she stood on her tiptoes, it would be difficult to kiss his forehead. Unless… she kissed a different spot.
Tsunade's gaze fell on his lips. A faint blush spread across her pale cheeks, and finally, she leaned in and kissed him.
Kitazawa instinctively wrapped his arms around her waist. A soft impact crashed into his embrace.
Kitazawa's gaze lowered to her, his right hand moving slightly down, feeling her full hips.
After a long moment, their lips parted. Tsunade stepped back. Her red lips glistened, looking even more vibrant.
Kitazawa could even see the lines on her lips.
"You… you go notify Anbu now." Tsunade sat back down, turning her head away, not looking at him.
"Then I'll be going. See you next time." Kitazawa regained his composure, turned, and left the Hokage Office.
Tsunade stared at the closed door, lost in a daze.
Her emotions were complicated; she knew she shouldn't have done that, yet she couldn't control herself.
Did it start with that beautiful dream where he cured her hemophobia?
---
Snow began to fall on Konoha Village.
Kitazawa walked in the snow, and after a brief thought, he arrived at the Ninja Academy. Even with the snow, the training of Naruto, Shikamaru, and the others had not stopped.
"All of you, come here," Kitazawa called out.
"Kitazawa-sensei, is there new training?" Naruto was the first to run over.
"No." Kitazawa shook his head and said.
"Kitazawa-sensei." Hinata scurried to his front. She still held a bow in her hand, her small hands slightly red from the cold.
Shikamaru, Ino, Neji, and the others also gathered around.
"The New Year is almost here, and it's also cold. You don't need to train for the next few days. Go home and get some good rest."
Kitazawa patted Hinata's head and said.
"I'm not tired!" Naruto immediately said.
"It's not about being tired or not." Kitazawa said earnestly, "Training combined with rest can achieve the greatest effect."
"Naruto, if you have time, come visit the Ino–Shika–Chō family." Shikamaru extended an invitation at the opportune moment.
"Shikamaru loves playing shogi. You can play with him." Ino blinked and said.
"Shikamaru, let's have a game of shogi full of youth!" Naruto immediately got excited upon hearing this.
"I want to join too!" Rock Lee was originally not interested, but for the sake of youth, he decided to give it a try.
"…" Shikamaru's mouth twitched. Did I offend you guys somehow?
Ino and Choji couldn't help but laugh.
"Dismissed." Kitazawa clapped his hands and said.
"Let's go, Naruto, I'll take you to my house." Although Shikamaru felt a headache coming on, he did not break his promise.
"Kitazawa-sensei, we're leaving first!" Ino waved at Kitazawa and left with Shikamaru and Choji.
"Kitazawa-sensei, we're leaving too. See you next time." Haku said goodbye and returned to the Konoha Orphanage with Jugo, Kimimaro, and Tayuya.
Finally, only Hinata remained. Neji, Tenten, and Rock Lee had already left on their own accord.
"How's your archery practice coming along?" Kitazawa looked at Hinata and asked.
"I can now do it as fast as throwing kunai and shuriken." Hinata thought for a moment and replied.
"Byakugan is indeed powerful, and you're very diligent." Kitazawa paused, then said with a smile, "After the New Year, I'll give you a bow as your birthday present."
Among the Konoha 12, Hinata's birthday was the latest, on December 27th.
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!" Hinata nodded and said happily.
"I'll walk you back." Kitazawa reached out and brushed the snow from her head, then waved his hand casually.
Chakra surged out, forming an invisible barrier above their heads.