Chapter 32: Cicada's Song and the Maiden
After the Bath
"Ahh, that felt amazing."
Tsunade, fresh from the hot spring, sat down across from the young man while wearing a loose yukata. "It's because of this constant rain—everything stays damp and uncomfortable here."
Her fair, flawless skin glowed with a rosy flush, her long honey-blonde hair tied in her signature ponytail cascading down her back. Her beautiful face still glistened with moisture. Slender fingers brushed a stray strand from her temple, the casual gesture somehow exuding an alluring charm that emphasized her mature femininity.
The warm, relaxing sensation made her stretch languidly.
Her already loose cream-colored yukata pulled open slightly from the movement, revealing the deep valley between her ample breasts.
Two perfectly sculpted legs crossed gracefully on the tatami mat. Through the rather snug yukata, glimpses of lace and snow-white skin could be seen wrapped tightly beneath the fabric. Perhaps because she'd just bathed, she emanated a unique, rich fragrance that was incredibly captivating.
This woman... she really has zero self-awareness!
Sitting directly across from her, Uchiha Kazuki's eyebrow twitched. He was almost forced out of his detached observer state.
No wonder Tsunade has such a notorious reputation. She really does have something special!
"Hey, kid, enjoying the view?"
Tsunade rested her elbows on the low table, chin propped on her palms, her eyes seemingly flowing like autumn water, radiating charm.
"Lady Tsunade, please show some restraint."
Uchiha Kazuki reverted to complete observer mode, expressionlessly adjusting his glasses.
Just kidding. I'm a professional at maintaining composure!
Just then, Hikari—having finished her own bath—walked into the room. Her long, silky hair cascaded down her back, her delicate face flushed slightly pink. Her yukata was shorter than Tsunade's, revealing two long, smooth, slender legs. Even her five toes were crystal clear and perfectly formed like flower buds.
The only imperfection was her flat chest.
Tsunade was voluptuous and mature, while Hikari was youthful and adorable—each possessed her own distinct charm and unique appeal.
Even Uchiha Kazuki, already at Sequence 6, experienced a brief moment of quickened breathing before rapidly regaining his composure.
The girl sat obediently to one side, her eyes occasionally glancing at the breathtakingly magnificent creation nearby, then back at her own modest chest. A hint of melancholy and resentment crossed her delicate features.
"Hahaha, it's fine! You'll grow more eventually!"
Tsunade, noticing the girl's thoughts, reached out and ruffled her hair comfortingly. "You're still young—don't worry about it."
Young?
Uchiha Kazuki thought to himself sardonically. She could be your great-great-grandmother.
"Really?" Hikari clutched the sleeve of her yukata, hope rekindling in her eyes.
"Of course! Hikari is so cute, she'll definitely develop more." Tsunade affectionately pulled the girl into her embrace, grinning mischievously. "Let me check? Oh wow, she's got potential!"
"No, no, stop!"
Hikari lowered her head shyly, her cheeks turning as red as boiled shrimp.
There's no hope. Give up and face reality. You're almost a hundred years old!
Uchiha Kazuki's lips twitched. He wanted to shatter the girl's fantasy but held back at the last moment.
The girl bit her lip, shyly stealing glances at the young man sitting across from her, her small hands twisting together nervously—perfectly displaying her budding romantic feelings.
"This child... she doesn't have feelings for that kid, does she?" Tsunade noticed the exchange, her brows furrowing imperceptibly.
It wasn't that she had any particular problem with Uchiha Kazuki, but rather that Konoha was currently filled with political intrigue and dangerous uncertainty—especially since Hatake Sakumo's suicide and the Fourth Hokage election drawing ever closer.
However, she quickly dismissed the concern.
Why bother worrying about all that?
She'd be leaving Konoha after this mission anyway. Hopefully, Hikari would return and understand her feelings properly.
"Oh, right—Hanzō replied to my message." Tsunade took a couple bites of food and continued, "He said he needs to make some preparations. He'll probably assist us in reinforcing the seal the day after tomorrow morning."
"The day after tomorrow?"
Uchiha Kazuki narrowed his eyes. "Could it be that he has some other scheme in mind?"
"Probably not." Tsunade shook her head confidently. "With the old man keeping watch on things, Hanzō wouldn't dare play any tricks—not unless he wants to start another war."
Uchiha Kazuki said nothing more, simply nodding before focusing on enjoying his dinner.
It was rare for Tsunade to pay for a meal, so even if just to recoup his previous psychological counseling fees, he should eat as much as possible!
Prophetic Nightmare
"Ahh—!"
Konan's eyes flew open in terror as she bolted upright in bed, awakened from another nightmare.
Just now, she'd experienced that same recurring nightmare again!
But this time, the information in the dream wasn't blurry upon waking like before. Instead, it seemed engraved deep within her very soul—impossible to forget.
It turned out that she was the cause of all the tragedy!
She was the one accidentally captured by the enemy and used as a hostage to blackmail Yahiko—which led to Yahiko dying by Nagato's own hand.
"What's wrong? Konan!" Hearing her cry out, Yahiko and Nagato burst through the door.
Seeing Konan on the bed—her face deathly pale, her eyes unfocused and vacant—the two immediately guessed the reason. "Is it... that nightmare again?"
"It was me." Two clear streams of tears rolled down Konan's cheeks. "It's all my fault. I killed you, Yahiko."
"Uh, Konan, it was just a dream!" Yahiko covered his face, exasperated. "Didn't you say yourself that you couldn't remember anything from the dreams? So..."
"No! It wasn't a dream!"
Konan—on the verge of complete mental breakdown—interrupted him hoarsely. "I remember! I remember everything clearly! It wasn't a dream—it definitely wasn't a dream!"
Although she couldn't explain why... she just had this overwhelming intuition.
Everything shown to her in the dream was a revelation of destiny itself!
"Konan, calm down. Don't get so worked up." Yahiko waved his hands frantically, completely at a loss for how to comfort her. He could only look desperately to his friend for help.
"Alright then, tell us, Konan."
Nagato spoke calmly, sitting down beside her bed. "What exactly happened in your dream?"
Feeling the genuine concern from her two closest friends, Konan gradually calmed down. She wiped away her tears and recounted the events of her nightmare in a trembling voice.
"It certainly sounds like something you would do."
After listening to everything, Nagato sat cross-legged on the floor. He glanced at the flustered Yahiko beside him. "If this really happened, this idiot would most likely do exactly the same thing."
"Hey, hey, hey! Why are you calling me an idiot?!" Yahiko protested, sticking out his neck defensively. "You're saying you wouldn't do it?"
"I would."
Nagato replied without the slightest hesitation.
In both Konan and Yahiko's eyes, a slight—almost imperceptible—smile appeared on his lips.
"So, this time, did you see clearly who the enemy was, Konan?" Yahiko asked seriously, his expression hardening.
"It's Hanzō!"
The usually gentle Konan's eyes flashed with murderous intent. "He colluded with Konoha ninja, set a trap beforehand, and then deliberately deceived us with false promises of peace negotiations!"
"Hanzō..."
A hint of killing intent flickered deep within Nagato's Rinnegan.
[End of Chapter 32]
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