(Note: There's no time skip in the current timeline but MC spent three years in the past.)
"Isshiki certainly isn't dead."
Kaguya withdrew her gaze.
"What a troublesome enemy," Natsume sighed. "But you don't need to worry too much. He poses no threat right now."
"If I want to kill him, do you have a way?"
Kaguya's cool gaze fell on him.
It was the trust built over years.
When something seemed impossible, she asked Natsume.
He would give the perfect answer.
"You asking that means, to kill him, we must first break the seal?"
Natsume considered and asked.
Kaguya nodded.
As expected, Natsume understood her best.
She tilted her head slightly, a hint of expectation on her face.
"If Isshiki isn't dead, he definitely left a back-up plan."
Natsume smiled. "Then how about we let him undo the seal himself?"
Kaguya's snowy eyes brightened.
Inside the seal, Isshiki absolutely couldn't recover.
In other words, the moment he unsealed himself would be the moment he died.
And Natsume's guess was highly plausible.
Arrogant or not, Isshiki still had brains.
Without a back-up plan, he'd be sealed forever.
For him, that was worse than death.
"Mm. We'll do as you say."
Kaguya agreed.
She didn't want to waste too much chakra.
Thinking of chakra led her to the God Tree.
"When do we begin the Skynet?"
Kaguya raised her hand, uncertain. "The God Tree feels… off. My connection to it is faint."
"Wait."
Natsume took her hand. "Don't summon the God Tree yet."
The God Tree's husk—the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path—should have already been summoned by Nagato.
But as the true master and wielder of the superior Rinne Sharingan, Kaguya could easily snatch it back.
That would complicate things.
"Why?"
Kaguya was puzzled, then recalled Natsume had spoken with Hagoromo before leaving.
Was this related to the God Tree?
Before she could ask, Natsume admitted it.
"The God Tree—or rather, the Ten Tails—has been split into nine Tailed Beasts. I had Hagoromo do it."
Before, he'd done it to guard against changes to history.
Isshiki's appearance gave him another reason.
"Think about it, Lady Goddess."
Natsume smiled. "Isshiki needs massive energy to revive. Right now, only the God Tree can supply that."
Kaguya blinked.
That made sense.
And he could deduce even that?
She suddenly felt grateful Natsume was on her side.
If he helped Isshiki instead, the outcome would be anyone's guess.
"Therefore, Isshiki's back-up plan will likely unseal him only after the nine Tailed Beasts are gathered."
Natsume continued, "If you summon it now, you'll alert him. So we just wait."
"What about the Skynet?"
Kaguya's obsession with chakra far surpassed Isshiki's.
"We're still building it."
Watching the subtle shifts on her cool face, Natsume couldn't help pinching her again.
Too adorable.
"Even without the God Tree, you'll do."
He brushed her hair back behind her ear.
Kaguya couldn't help a smile.
Right.
After swallowing the God Tree's fruit, she was no worse than the tree itself, and could use her Rinne Sharingan as the server.
The chakra harvested would be returned directly to her.
And the God Tree was only temporarily unavailable.
Once Isshiki was eliminated, she could reclaim it.
"Where to now?"
Kaguya asked coolly.
"The Land of Snow," Natsume said, taking her hand. "I'm in charge there."
He paused and looked her over.
Her horn and Rinne Sharingan were far too conspicuous.
She looked nothing like a normal human.
"Can you hide your horn and eye?"
he asked carefully.
Mainly worried there might be some taboo involved.
"Understood."
Kaguya obediently complied.
Without the horn and Rinne Sharingan, she looked like a member of the Hyuga clan.
Only more regal.
Considering her strength, Natsume figured any White Zetsu would be seized the moment it got close—no need to worry about exposure.
He used Flying Thunder God.
They appeared in the daimyo's residence of the Land of Snow.
Kaguya looked around, her gaze settling on a lamp.
She tilted her head, confused.
No fire, no chakra—how did it shine?
"This is an electric light."
Seeing her expression, Natsume explained, "It runs on electricity."
"What is electricity?"
Kaguya stared at the lamp.
"…"
Natsume drew a slow breath.
I'm a humanities guy…
How do I explain this?
Luckily, Koyuki Kazahana saved him.
"Na—"
Her smile froze as she instinctively looked at Kaguya.
She was stunned by Kaguya's overwhelming looks and aura.
A complicated look crossed Koyuki's face.
No wonder Natsume had shown no interest in her these past years.
He already had such an exceptional woman.
Kaguya didn't look at Koyuki. Humans, aside from Natsume, didn't interest her at all.
In her view, this electric light was far more interesting.
Feeling Kaguya's indifference, Koyuki bit her lip.
A little angry.
But helpless.
She really couldn't compare to Kaguya.
Natsume noticed Koyuki's odd reaction and could guess what she was thinking.
She wasn't subtle, after all.
To be fair, Koyuki was quite pretty.
But Natsume's attitude toward her was casual.
No deep feelings—though if she insisted, he wouldn't refuse.
Ahem.
Natsume asked, "Koyuki, did you receive the news about the Sand and Leaf alliance? How long has it been?"
He wanted to confirm whether the three years he spent in the past were frozen here or had progressed in sync.
Koyuki came back to herself. "It was yesterday."
So time didn't move.
Natsume let out a breath.
If it had moved in sync, he'd have been missing for three years.
Unthinkable.
Tsunade and the others would have worried themselves sick.
As it stood, there was no problem.
He might even make it back in time to sign the alliance with the Sand.
"Koyuki, this is Miss Shinobu."
Natsume paused and made up a random name for Kaguya. "Prepare a room for her, please."
"She's staying here?"
Koyuki was surprised.
In her eyes, Kaguya must have been a princess from some country.
Her entire bearing screamed aloof nobility.
"Mm."
Natsume added, "Right next to my room."
Koyuki's face dimmed, but she still turned to make arrangements.
"Lady Goddess, to avoid alerting Isshiki, use 'Shinobu' as your name for now."
Natsume turned to her.
Kaguya seemed very interested in future technology and kept observing.
Hearing him, she nodded—she didn't care much either way.
"This way, please."
Natsume opened a door.
Kaguya withdrew her gaze and stepped forward to walk alongside him.
Soon, they reached the study.
"Here are the tales of the last thousand years."
Natsume picked up a book and handed it to her. "Hagoromo is now revered as the Sage of Six Paths—quite famous."
Kaguya's interest stirred slightly.
She sat and opened the book.
"Lady Goddess, I'll be back in a bit."
Natsume closed the door.
Flying Thunder God.
He appeared in the Hokage's office.
He held up a finger to signal Shizune not to cry out.
Tsunade, in her sleeveless top, was sleeping on the desk.
Shizune covered her mouth and nodded.
She glanced at Tsunade, then quietly left with Tonton.
Though she wanted to ask where Natsume had gone these two days, now was clearly not the time.
There was no place for her in this home anymore.
Natsume walked forward slowly.
Perhaps from sheer exhaustion, Tsunade didn't notice his arrival.
With her upper body tilted, her curves were effortlessly outlined.
Natsume hadn't done it with anyone for three years; he felt a stir.
"Hm?"
Tsunade finally sensed that burning gaze.
She opened her eyes, surprise blooming on her face. She stood quickly and hugged him.
Natsume wrapped his arms around her slender waist.
Compared to Tsunade, Kaguya was a flat-chested girl.
Ahem.
That's not nonsense—that's firsthand experience.
"How are you back so fast? I thought you'd be gone for a long time."
Tsunade rolled her eyes at him, letting his hands wander across her skin.
Natsume didn't answer. He lowered his head to taste the smooth mountain.
"Mmm—mm."
Tsunade blinked. Natsume seemed unusually passionate today.
But she didn't refuse. She adjusted herself, filling his embrace even more.
Soon, her eyes lost focus, leaving only affection behind.
His lips trailed from her neck to the curve of her shoulder, savoring the warmth of her skin as his fingers traced the hem of her sleeveless top. With gentle care, mindful of her pregnancy and the subtle swell of her belly that cradled their future, he lifted the top over her head, revealing the full, rounded swells of her breasts, their soft peaks hardening under his tender gaze.
Tsunade sighed in contentment, her body arching slightly toward him as he cupped them lightly, his thumbs circling the sensitive tips with featherlight touches, eliciting a soft gasp of pleasure from her lips. She reached for his shirt, tugging it free to expose the firm lines of his chest and abdomen, her hands exploring the defined muscles with a loving caress.
Their kisses deepened, tongues intertwining in a slow, heated dance that built anticipation without haste.
Natsume's hands slid down her sides with utmost gentleness, unhooking her pants and easing them away, along with the delicate fabric beneath, unveiling the smooth contours of her hips and the inviting warmth between her thighs, all while avoiding any pressure on her rounded abdomen. She mirrored his actions, freeing him from his own constraints, her fingers wrapping around his aroused length with a tender grip that drew a low groan of satisfaction from him.
They moved to the desk, her back against the cool wood as he positioned himself carefully, his mouth descending to kiss along her inner thighs, teasing the sensitive folds with light, deliberate touches that made her tremble and whisper his name in bliss, her hands resting protectively over her belly.
As he rose, their bodies aligned perfectly, with Natsume supporting her weight to ensure her comfort. He entered her slowly and gently, filling her with a measured thrust that caused her to moan softly, her legs wrapping loosely around him in encouragement.
The sensation was exquisite—her inner warmth enveloping him completely, each careful movement sending waves of pleasure through them both without strain.
Tsunade's eyes fluttered, her breaths quickening as she met his rhythm, her hands clutching his shoulders lightly, nails pressing into his skin in rhythmic ecstasy.
"Yes... like that," she murmured, her voice laced with satisfaction, her body responding with increasing fervor while he remained attuned to her needs.
Natsume's pace stayed steady and tender, deeper but always gentle, his own pleasure building as he felt her tighten around him, her expressions shifting from affectionate haze to pure delight.
The intensity mounted gradually, their shared breaths mingling in harmonious gasps.
Tsunade reached her peak first, her body arching in a powerful yet controlled release, waves of bliss cascading through her as she cried out softly, her inner muscles pulsing in fulfillment.
The sight and feel of her climax pushed Natsume over the edge moments later, his own orgasm surging through him in a profound rush of satisfaction, spilling into her as he held her close with protective gentleness, both of them trembling in the afterglow of their union.
They lingered there, bodies entwined, savoring the lingering warmth and the deep sense of connection that followed, his hand resting lightly on her swollen abdomen in quiet reverence.
The Hokage's office grew lively.
Outside, Shizune blushed scarlet and set up a soundproof barrier.
She exhaled, feeling strangely hot.
She hung a "Resting" sign on the office door and hurried away.
…
Night fell.
The blazing sun finally dimmed. The pale moon rose among the scattered stars.
Natsume glanced at the hour. He kissed Tsunade's happy, tired sleeping face, then carried her home.
Three years of longing, fulfilled today.
He was very restrained, worried about Tsunade being pregnant.
After helping her bathe, he let her sleep.
He, meanwhile, was off to see Uchiha Mikoto.
Mainly to ask if Sasuke awakened his eyes after meeting her.
Also, a small favor—he planned to have Mikoto use the Amatsumika on Tsunade.
If their future child could inherit both their talents, they could save decades of effort.