After settling things with Hyuga Hiashi, Natsume didn't pull any further tricks on the remaining candidates.
Having one Hyuga Hizashi was enough.
Besides, Natsume couldn't go around flexing force to every clan.
If Tsunade found out, he wouldn't be able to explain it away.
Of course, he would tell her in the future.
Right now, Natsume was young, which made things seem more alarming.
Give it a few more years and Tsunade would find it easier to accept.
…
Dusk.
Natsume returned to the Hokage's office.
"How'd it go? Smoothly?"
Tsunade looked up and, seeing him, stretched without any regard for image.
"It's all taken care of."
Natsume said casually, "And the Hyuga clan intends to have Lord Hyuga Hizashi serve as Hokage's secretary."
"Hmm?"
Tsunade paused mid-motion, her expression shifting.
Arms folded, she started weighing the Hyuga clan's intentions.
Secretary wasn't exactly a prized position.
The seven shinobi she'd picked were all chunin, not jonin.
Because she knew jonin wouldn't want to do such menial tasks.
That being the case, Hizashi's appearance was a bit strange.
Power grab?
Tsunade wasn't stupid; she thought of it quickly.
Hokage's secretary and Hokage's advisors were already very close to power.
Hiashi's status was as noble as Koharu Utatane's and Homura Mitokado's.
Tsunade pondered a moment but didn't refuse.
She already disliked those two old geezers. Having Hizashi there to disgust them wasn't bad.
"Sis, is there a problem?"
Seeing her look, Natsume thought she was going to disagree.
"No problem."
Tsunade crossed her smooth, long legs and smiled. "Looks like you really worked hard."
"So, is there any reward?"
Natsume seized the chance without hesitation.
When it's time to make a move, you make it—no hesitation.
Otherwise, it would be disrespectful to Tsunade.
"What kind of reward do you want?"
Tsunade's red lips parted slightly, eyes teasing and sultry.
For a moment, Natsume's heart stirred.
She wore the ceremonial robe, which should have been serious and dignified, yet on her it was somehow enticing.
Wicked woman, you really know how to play.
Natsume advanced by retreating. "As long as it's a reward from you, sis, anything is fine."
Tsunade's eyes rippled; she leaned back in the Hokage's chair, the setting sun outlining her alluring curves.
Under Natsume's expectant, nervous gaze, she spoke.
"Dinner—your big sis will cook."
"…?"
Natsume's heart stopped.
What kind of backstabbing reality was this?
"Let's go."
Tsunade set aside the documents, done worrying about all the hassle.
"Okay."
Natsume followed dejectedly.
They left the Hokage building.
The streets were almost empty.
Tsunade stopped.
"What's wrong?"
Natsume's gaze skimmed past her hips; he finally looked up and asked.
"There's no one around."
Tsunade extended her right hand, hinting.
Natsume stepped forward and took her soft hand at once.
"Sis, when are we going to the beach?"
"On my birthday."
Tsunade's lips curved in a smile; she seemed in a good mood.
Natsume perked up instantly.
Finally unlocking Tsunade's new skin.
Nice.
"I'm looking forward to your present."
Tsunade glanced at his expression. "If it's disappointing, you'd better be mentally prepared."
Natsume's smile froze.
Should he prepare a second gift?
Just in case he died on a deserted island.
…
Back home, Tsunade kept her word and personally cooked, rewarding Natsume with a meal.
Shizune sat off to the side, aggrieved like a kicked puppy.
Why am I the collateral damage?
…
The next day.
The seven secretaries led by Hyuga Hizashi arrived right on time.
Four men, three women.
A fairly balanced ratio.
Tsunade immediately shed two-thirds of her busywork and felt much more at ease.
The only ones displeased were Koharu and Homura.
They felt threatened.
Ordinary secretaries didn't bother them; they could command and order them around.
But Hizashi was different. He wouldn't listen to them—only to Tsunade.
That meant they lost part of their power.
Since many matters would no longer pass through their hands, they couldn't profit from them anymore.
Given their personalities, Natsume figured they'd soon mount a counterattack.
He'd play with them then.
Before that, he needed to enjoy his beach-desert-island holiday.
…
Clear skies.
"Sis, wear that kimono from last time."
Natsume took a greenish kimono from the wardrobe. "It's just the two of us on the island anyway."
"Not honest, are you!"
Tsunade flicked his forehead, then grabbed the kimono. "Out."
Natsume immediately scampered to the door.
He wanted to watch, but with her senses, he'd get caught easily.
For the sake of the swimsuit mission to come, he had to endure for now.
"Okay."
Tsunade opened the door. Black stockings, high heels—their rhythmic taps on the floor echoed.
"Sis, you're gorgeous!"
Natsume praised from the heart.
"All right, let's go."
Tsunade felt a bit uncomfortable—too tight-fitting.
Natsume summoned Katsuyu.
Reverse summoning activated.
They appeared on a beach.
Ahead lay the boundless blue sea; behind, a small deserted island.
"You came prepared."
Seeing the prepared beach chairs, Tsunade lay down without ceremony.
In an instant, her allure rivaled the distant surf.
"Sis, does the kimono feel a little out of place?"
Natsume feigned casual curiosity.
Tsunade squinted, turned on her side, and looked at him.
Her blonde hair shone in the sun; as she moved, her kimono's hem slid down naturally, revealing pale thighs.
"Out with it—why the big circle?"
She rolled her eyes at him.
"It's summer, and we're at the beach, so I prepared a swimsuit for you, sis."
Resolved to die if need be, Natsume presented his gift.
"Tsk."
Tsunade shot him a contemptuous look. "I knew you had ulterior motives. 'Celebrating my birthday'? You just want to see me in a swimsuit."
"No way! I just think you're so beautiful you should wear more kinds of outfits."
Even after being called out, Natsume kept a straight face.
Tsunade blinked, then burst into laughter.
Calling her beautiful—very pleasing.
But that stubborn mouth—very displeasing.
She crooked a finger. "Let me see."
Natsume hurried over.
"…"
Tsunade's face froze.
You call this a swimsuit?
Triangle bottoms and a sling top.
Her cheeks flushed; fist clenched, she thumped Natsume on the head.
"Ah!"
Natsume toppled, howling, "I'm injured! I demand compensation!"
He was a pro at playing the victim.
Tsunade twitched her lips.
I didn't even use force. You're really acting, huh.
If it were a normal swimsuit, she could wear it.
But this set was too shameful.
"In your dreams."
Ignoring him, she lay back down, eyes half-closed to the sky.
Natsume got up.
Mainly because the ground was hot.
He didn't get discouraged; the day was long. There'd be chances.
"Sis, milk tea."
Natsume produced smash-hit pearl milk tea from his previous life.
"What's this?"
Tsunade eyed the white, cloudy drink, a bit puzzled.
She didn't recall such a beverage in Konoha.
"My special. Try it."
He patted his chest. "Absolutely delicious."
Tsunade bit the straw and took a sip; her eyes lit up slightly.
Better than she expected.
She nodded in satisfaction, exhaled, and, relieved of Hokage duties, looked relaxed and languid.
Natsume admired her under the sun.
Every line was fit and sexy; every inch of skin warm and lustrous.
Paired with a kimono, it was irresistible to most men.
In a swimsuit, even better.
Natsume looked somewhat regretful.
"So quiet."
Tsunade spread her arms, sighing. "Aside from the wind and waves, nothing else. Nice."
As if all those past memories of blood and fire had vanished.
She felt a long-lost peace.
And it seemed that change began when she met Natsume.
"Yeah, it's pretty nice," Natsume agreed honestly. "Especially being alone with you."
"Since when did you get so smooth-tongued?"
Smiling without looking at him, Tsunade asked, "Do you know what I thought when I first saw you?"
"What was it?"
Natsume's curiosity was piqued.
"Exceptionally pretty."
Tsunade rambled, "I've never seen such a good-looking child. But what truly caught my interest was you saying you wanted to be Hokage. Before you, I'd heard it a lot. Especially from Nawaki."
Natsume was surprised.
Tsunade had never brought up Nawaki in front of him.
This was the first time.
It also meant he was now one of the most important people in her heart.
Otherwise she wouldn't mention her dead younger brother.
"At first I treated you as Nawaki. Would you mind?"
Turning on her side, Tsunade looked at Natsume with complex eyes. "In some ways, you two are a bit alike."
"I don't mind."
Natsume shook his head. "I'm an orphan. Meeting you was my luck. I don't care who you took me for."
At the same time, he silently apologized to Yakushi Nonou.
Dean, it's a crucial moment—I'll have to wrong you for now.
"Obedient as always."
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "Just not as naive as when you were little."
"How am I not?"
Natsume refused to admit it.
"Fake innocence."
Tsunade looked back out over the sea, spacing out.
Without Natsume, she would likely still be a wreck.
Either gambling night and day in some casino, or drinking herself senseless in some tavern.
Numbing herself to forget the past.
"Sis, you said you took me for Nawaki at first—what about now?"
Natsume keenly spotted the blind spot.
"Now?"
Tsunade froze, face warming, heart racing faster.
"Sis, you're blushing."
Natsume blurted.
"It's the sun."
She gave a reason, then glared at him. "Go prep lunch. I want grilled fish."
Natsume pulled a face.
Didn't get his wish, and now he had to do labor.
Tragic.
While Natsume went to the shore to catch fish, Tsunade sat up and looked at the swimsuit beside her.
She hesitated for a moment, sighed softly. "You win this time."
…
Natsume was quick at fishing.
Half an hour later, he came back with a big bucket—and froze.
Tsunade was in a boldly cut white swimsuit, a white round hat on her head, translucent gauze tied around her arms.
Arms folded, she lightly bit her sexy lower lip; her bright brown eyes were watery and flirtatious.
Natsume swallowed unconsciously.
Even more stunning than he'd imagined.
"Well? Start cooking!"
Tsunade glared at him in annoyance.
But paired with her flushed cheeks and that beautiful swimsuit, the glare had no effect.
Natsume, swallowing his pride, set up the grill.
Tsunade exhaled in relief.
She covered her face with both hands. Given her personality, those few seconds felt like years.
Natsume suddenly regretted not learning Fire Release.
Why was this taking so long?
Grilling fish had him so anxious he was about to unlock Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.
"Sis, it's ready."
Natsume waved her over, eyes glued to her.
"…"
Face flushed, one arm across her chest, Tsunade came to the table.
She sat cross-legged.
All Natsume could see were those white straps.
"Got any booze?"
Her heart was racing; she needed alcohol to calm the turbulence.
"Yep."
Natsume had indeed prepared alcohol.
Tsunade loved to drink.
He opened a storage scroll and took out two bottles.
They clinked glasses, cup after cup.
Soon.
Tsunade was tipsy.
It was Natsume's first time drinking.
But he found his tolerance absurdly high.
Thinking it over, it was probably the Sage Body.
A physique comparable to the Sage of Six Paths—no way a little alcohol would do anything.
Bad news, Natsume thought—drinking won't be fun in the future.
Then again, now was the perfect time.
So… be a beast, or worse than a beast?
Tsunade tilted her head, eyes half-lidded, completely unguarded, irresistibly seductive.
"Keep drinking."
She stood, fell into Natsume's arms, groped for her cup, didn't find it, and lowered her head instead.
Their lips met in a heated crush, Tsunade's mouth parting eagerly as she pressed against Natsume with unrestrained hunger. Sweet, warm, soft—her tongue slipped past his lips, exploring deeply, tasting the lingering sake and something intoxicatingly her own. All sorts of flavors exploded in their mouths: the sharp bite of alcohol, the subtle salt of skin, the heady rush of desire.
After a long tangle of tongues, she slipped and fell.
Natsume caught her quickly.
"I… feel… sleepy."
Tsunade yawned, turned, hugged Natsume, and closed her eyes.
Moments later, she seemed to have a nightmare. With a pained sound, tears slid down.
Natsume couldn't bear it. Patting her shoulder, he whispered, "It'll be fine when you wake up."
Tsunade nodded, saying nothing.
But the nightmare lasted far longer than she expected, not easing until three hours later.
Night.
Natsume woke.
Maybe he'd slept in a bad position.
Tsunade, still caught by the nightmare, hadn't woken.
Her shapely body in the moonlight sparked all sorts of thoughts.
Natsume took out a silk scarf and wiped the sweat from her forehead.
A nightmare on her birthday—truly a shame.
Suddenly, Tsunade opened her eyes and burrowed into his arms.
She didn't speak, just pressed against him quietly.
A moment later, she rolled her eyes at him. "It's so late—aren't you tired?"
"I slept from noon till now. I'm full of energy."
Natsume lifted his chin toward the shoreline. "I could tear the place up again."
Tsunade frowned, annoyed by his bravado, pushed him away, and sat up.
Clenching her fist, she flared with power, snarling, "All you think about is fighting. Today big sis will teach you a lesson!"
"No, sis, mercy!"
Natsume resisted valiantly but lost, ending up bruised and battered, tormented all night.
They'd planned to return the next day.
But Natsume wanted more fun, so they stayed two extra days, leaving traces of themselves all over the island.
To commemorate the rare birthday, Natsume decided to turn it into a seaside villa, a place to visit with Tsunade whenever they felt like it.
With their delightful two-days-and-a-night trip over, it was back to everyday Hokage routines.
Natsume continued farming his Fate Points.
…
Ninja Academy.
Classes not yet dismissed.
Natsume stood at the door, peering in.
"Hey, your little hunk."
Haruno Sakura spotted Natsume first and nudged Yamanaka Ino's shoulder.
"What hunk?"
Ino didn't even look up. "No handsome guy can shake my resolve to study."
"It's Natsume."
"Huh?"
Ino turned immediately and saw Natsume at the door.
If they weren't in class, she would've sprinted over.
Last time Natsume visited the Yamanaka clan, she only found out afterward.
She regretted it deeply.
Even though he wasn't there for her—that regret remained.
"Tch."
Sakura said sourly, "Haven't even met him a few times and you're already that eager."
She saw Sasuke every day and had no progress.
She was so mad!
"You don't get it. That's love at first sight."
Ino huffed, her high blonde ponytail swishing with her motion.
Sakura gritted her teeth.
"Class dismissed."
Iruka smiled from the podium and announced the end of today's lessons.
In an instant, students bolted out the front and back doors like wild horses.
"Na—"
Ino was fast—but someone was faster.
Uzumaki Naruto.
"Hahaha."
Sakura laughed without a shred of dignity.
Nice one!
Naruto!
"…"
Ino shot her a glare. I won't be like you—fighting a guy over a guy, right?
At that moment, Naruto felt immense danger.
He turned instinctively and saw two girls staring at him.
"Big bro, let's go."
Naruto sensed trouble.
Natsume smiled, waved at the girls, and turned to leave.
He didn't have time to chat; he had to deal with Naruto's issue first.
"Naruto, do you know who your parents are?"
"Big bro, you know?"
Naruto lit up at once.
He'd asked everyone, but no one would tell him who his parents were.
"I can take you to meet them."
Natsume put a hand on his head. "Close your eyes. Don't worry about anything."
Getting into the Nine-Tails' seal space wasn't hard—especially for Natsume now.