Hearing Ino's words, Yakumo, who was standing by, organizing documents, looked up.
She wore an elegant light blue uniform, with a jade pendant around her neck. Shun had personally put it on her last year for her birthday.
Seeing their intimate appearance, she did not step forward to disturb them, only saying softly, "Shun-sama, if both you and Ino go to the front line, the daily affairs of the palace will need someone to manage. I will stay in the palace to receive intel and coordinate logistics, so you can be more at ease on the front line."
Shun released Ino and walked over to Yakumo. "No need for so much trouble, a Shadow Clone in the palace is enough. If there's an urgent matter, I can return anytime using the Flying Thunder God Technique. You come with us. I like the feeling of having both of you by my side. I'd be unaccustomed without you."
Yakumo's cheeks flushed slightly, and she nodded softly. "I will follow Shun-sama's arrangements."
Seeing this, Ino quickly stepped forward and linked arms with Shun, her tone returning to its usual liveliness. "Exactly. It'll be more lively with the three of us. But Shun-sama, don't think you can keep changing the subject. The border of the Land of Akatsuki is so dangerous. If something happens to Sayuri, a defenseless anchor, can you really be at ease?"
She shook his arm, her eyes full of the implication of "I understand you".
"If you're truly touched, why not give her a chance and let her know your feelings?"
Shun was so pestered by her that he could only sigh helplessly. "Alright, we'll talk about it when we get to the front line. If you keep this up, the teleportation array will get impatient."
With that, he naturally put his arms around their waists, kissing each of them on the cheek, which made them giggle.
With the help of a spatial gate, the three quickly arrived at the city on the border of the Land of Akatsuki.
The atmosphere here was much more tense than in the palace. In the distance, on the hills, patrolling ninjas could be seen, and soldiers in the outpost were busy reinforcing fortifications and transporting weapons and supplies.
Shun had just instructed the soldiers to arrange accommodation for Sayuri's team when Ino found an excuse and quietly went to see Sayuri.
Sayuri was with her shooting team, shooting some daily scenes of the border.
Just as the cameraman set up the camera, Sayuri was pulled away by Ino.
Sayuri knew Ino, she was Shun's personal secretary, so her tone was respectful. She asked somewhat bewildered, "Ino-sama, is there something you need me for?"
Ino scrutinized her, and seeing some dust on the collar of her windbreaker, yet still unable to conceal her beautiful features, a look of satisfaction flashed in her eyes.
She smiled and patted her shoulder. "Don't be so formal, just call me Ino. I know your feelings for Shun-sama. To dare to confess in front of a national audience, I admire that courage."
Sayuri's cheeks instantly flushed, and her eyes darted away. "I... I just think Shun-sama is very powerful and want to do something for the Land of Water."
Ino smiled and poked her arm, teasing, "Don't pretend. Chasing Shun-sama all the way to the front line, and you still say it's just for work? I've been by Shun-sama's side for so long, I can tell who has feelings for him at a glance."
She changed the subject, her gaze becoming serious, "But I'm telling you, your judgment is correct. Although Shun-sama is Shun-sama, he doesn't have the airs of those nobles, and he is very kind to everyone around him."
Sayuri's eyes brightened when she heard this, but quickly dimmed again. "But Shun-sama has so many consorts and the way he looked at me just now... it seemed like he just saw me as an ordinary citizen."
"Silly girl, you don't understand that."
Ino leaned closer to her, lowering her voice even further, with a tone of "sharing a secret".
"He acts proper on the surface, but he's actually a big pervert. He falls for 'proactiveness' the most. You see how he's usually gentle with everyone, but if someone dares to get close to him, to be kind to him, he knows exactly what's going on in his heart."
She paused, deliberately building suspense. "Let me tell you, last time I deliberately handed him the wrong file while he was handling state affairs, and took the opportunity to lean against him and act spoiled. Guess what? He told me I was being mischievous, but secretly brought me my favorite osmanthus cake."
Sayuri's eyes widened as she listened, and she instinctively asked, "Re... really? So what should I do?"
Seeing that she had taken the bait, Ino still pretended to be sincere. "It's simple. Shun-sama goes to the outpost's watchtower every evening to check the border situation. You can 'happen' to go there too, talk to him about the live broadcast plan for the front line, and then express your admiration for him. Remember, don't be too deliberate, be natural."
She held Sayuri's hand, subtly hinting, "And you need to know, those consorts in Shun-sama's inner court have many schemes. If you can become Shun-sama's woman, when I marry in later, we can look out for each other, which is better than being bullied by others."
Only then did Sayuri understand Ino's intentions, but she wasn't averse to them. She knew her family background was ordinary, and if she could truly enter the palace, having an ally like Ino would save her a lot of detours.
She nodded vigorously, her eyes full of determination. "Ino, thank you. I... I'll try."
Ino smiled and patted her hand. "Go prepare for the interview quickly, don't keep Shun-sama waiting. Remember, be brave, Shun-sama won't treat you unfairly."
Just as the two finished talking, Shun and Yakumo walked over.
Shun saw them standing together and asked somewhat puzzled, "What are you two talking about? You seem so happy."
Ino immediately stepped forward, linked arms with him, and said with a smile, "Nothing much, just discussing the details of the live broadcast with her, and also telling her that you've already arranged for Jonin to protect them."
She secretly winked at Sayuri, who understood and quickly nodded. "Thank you, Shun-sama, and thank you, Ino-sama. We will start the live broadcast as soon as possible, so as not to delay everyone."
Shun didn't think much of it. He just nodded. "Be careful, and if you need anything, feel free to ask the soldiers for help."
After speaking, he turned to continue examining the defense map, but didn't notice the determination flashing in Sayuri's eyes behind him, nor the triumphant smile on Ino's lips.
Yakumo walked over to Ino and whispered, "You certainly know how to go with the flow."
Ino blinked, her tone carrying a hint of triumph. "We're both doing this for ourselves, and for Shun-sama. Besides, Sayuri is so simple, she's much easier to deal with than those scheming consorts."
As Sayuri stood in front of the camera, telling the stories of the front line, her eyes occasionally drifted towards the watchtower.
At this moment, in a teahouse in the capital of the Land of Water, the common people were gathered around the television, waiting to watch the live broadcast from the border.
Tatsuma leaned closer to the screen, smiling as he said to the person next to him, "Look, it's about to start. I hope we can see Sayuri and Shun-sama together on screen."
Yuri excitedly clutched the corner of her clothes. "If it really happens, we must celebrate properly."
On the screen, Sayuri stood in front of the border outpost, beginning to tell the story of the Land of Akatsuki's border.