The two walked up to him, sizing him up from head to toe without saying a word.
Their gazes-one half-smiling, the other meaningful-made Gento's scalp tingle.
He let out a dry laugh:
"Well… about that… let me explain…"
Kushina snorted:
"Explain what?"
Kurenai spoke faintly:
"Explain why you're such a womanizer? Falling for every girl you see?"
"…"
Gento instinctively glanced at the two watching the show behind them.
Anko shrugged innocently while chewing on her dango, her expression clearly saying: Don't look at me, it has nothing to do with me.
Pakura smiled even more brightly, the schadenfreude written all over her face: Serves you right, that's what you get for fooling around.
Gento took a deep breath and decided to use his ultimate move… changing the subject!
"Well… look, our new ninja village is so beautiful! How about we go take a walk together?"
Kushina and Kurenai exchanged a glance, snorted at the same time, and said nothing.
Just as Gento was racking his brain for what to say next, hurried footsteps sounded from the distance.
"Gento-sama!"
Masanobu Kurai came running over, panting heavily.
Looking at the massive cluster of buildings that had appeared out of thin air, he froze on the spot.
"Th-this… this this this…"
"Gento-sama, wh-when was this built? Yesterday this was still an empty field!"
Gento cried out in delight internally.
A lifeline had arrived!
He stepped forward right away, putting on a calm and composed expression:
"A trivial matter, not worth mentioning."
"Masanobu, what brings you here?"
Masanobu struggled to pull his gaze away from the buildings, swallowed, and remembered his purpose:
"Oh, right, my lord. As the Guardian Duke of the Land of Hot Water, you are required by protocol to have an official residence."
"But your fief has only just been designated, and construction hasn't begun yet."
He bowed respectfully:
"Before the official residence is completed, I have taken the liberty of arranging a mansion within the city for you and your family to reside in temporarily."
"It may be somewhat modest, but its location is excellent and the scenery is beautiful. I hope my lord will not find it lacking."
Hearing this, Gento's eyes gleamed.
He turned to look at the four women:
"Well? How about we go take a look first?"
Kushina turned her face away:
"Not going."
Gento moved closer to her and lowered his voice:
"Wasn't your original house destroyed? Do you really want to live in a tent with Naruto?"
"This mansion is perfect! We can move in together!"
Kushina bit her lip and said nothing.
Gento then looked at Kurenai:
"Kurenai, why don't you come take a look too?"
Kurenai snorted and ignored him.
Gento wasn't discouraged and continued persuading them:
"Come on, come on, just do me this favor."
"I've just become the Guardian Duke, after all. I should at least have some presence, right?"
"If you don't come, living in such a big house alone would feel so empty…"
Kushina finally relented a little:
"…Fine, we'll go take a look."
"But just so you know… I'm only going to look. I'm not moving in."
Seeing this, Kurenai only snorted and said nothing further.
Gento was secretly delighted.
As long as they were willing to go, there was still room to smooth things over.
The mansion arranged by Masanobu was located in a scenic seaside area of Cerulean Harbor.
A vast Japanese-style residence stood quietly by the sea.
The entire estate was built in the traditional shinden-zukuri style.
The main gate was a vermilion torii-style gate, carved with exquisite cloud patterns.
Pushing open the gate, a long corridor stretched ahead, with refined dry landscape gardens on both sides; white sand covering the ground, stones arranged in careful composition, and several pine trees trimmed just right.
Passing through the corridor, the main hall came into view.
The hall faced the sea. When the sliding doors were opened, the salty sea breeze rushed in.
Before them lay a wide sandy beach, with deep blue waves rolling in, shimmering under the sunlight.
In the distance where sea and sky met, several merchant ships sailed slowly, their white sails dotting the horizon.
On both sides of the main hall were several side halls, serving as bedrooms, study rooms, a tea room, a bathhouse, and even a small training ground.
Each room was covered with brand-new tatami mats, giving off a faint fragrance of rush grass.
All the furnishings were complete–folding screens, low tables, wardrobes, dressing tables–all crafted from high-quality wood.
What surprised the women even more was that there were over a dozen servants in the residence.
Neatly dressed maids in kimono, efficient attendants, and even a chef dedicated to preparing meals.
When they saw Gento and the others enter, they all knelt down in greeting.
Kushina stood on the veranda, looking out at the boundless sea, the coldness in her eyes finally easing a little.
Kurenai also looked around, and although she still kept a straight face, the corners of her lips couldn't help but lift slightly.
Anko was already running around the courtyard excitedly, shouting "So beautiful!"
Pakura stood beneath the corridor, observing everything before her, satisfaction showing in her eyes.
Gento observed their reactions and nodded inwardly.
He turned to Masanobu:
"Masanobu, I'm very satisfied with this residence. You've put in great effort."
Masanobu was flattered and waved his hands repeatedly:
"My lord, you flatter me. This is simply my duty. If there is anything else you require, please feel free to give your orders."
Gento nodded, then suddenly thought of something:
"By the way, arrange for people to spread the news that the Uchiha have joined the Land of Hot Water and established the Hidden Gento Village."
"Cerulean Harbor is a hub of travelers and merchants from various nations. This news will quickly spread throughout the shinobi world."
Masanobu was momentarily stunned, then understood:
"My lord intends… to let the Uchiha receive mission requests as soon as possible?"
Gento smiled:
"Smart. Go ahead."
Masanobu bowed and withdrew.
...
Night fell.
The mansion was brightly lit, and the servants had already prepared a lavish dinner.
Gento sat at the head seat, watching the four women eat with their own thoughts, calculating in his mind how he would coax them later.
The simplest method would definitely be to sleep them into submission.
Pakura and Anko didn't really mind.
Pakura had known Gento's nature from the beginning and had long since accepted it.
Anko was even more carefree; so long as there were dango to eat, she wouldn't care even if the sky collapsed.
The main problem was Kushina and Kurenai.
One had a fiery temperament, the other was stubborn… neither would be easy to appease.
After dinner, a servant brought Naruto back from school.
The little guy became really excited the moment he entered the courtyard, running up and down the corridor, shouting toward the sea:
"Wow! It's the sea! Such a huge sea! Mom, look!"
Kushina looked at him, and a trace of gentleness finally appeared on her lips.
As night deepened, the servants took Naruto to wash up and then sent him to a cozy and cute children's room.
Lying on the soft bedding, Naruto suddenly remembered something and poked his little head out:
"Mom, where are you staying?"
Blush rose onto Kushina's face, and she answered vaguely:
"Mom has her own room, right next to yours. Go to sleep."
Naruto let out an "oh" and obediently closed his eyes.
Kushina tucked him in and left the room.
….
Late at night.
The residence grew quiet, with only the faint sound of waves in the distance.
Gento walked to Kushina's door in silence.
He reached out and pushed it.
As expected, it wasn't locked.
He smiled knowingly and gently pushed the door open.
Inside the room-
Kushina lay on her side with her back to the door, her figure under the covers, making it impossible to tell whether she was asleep or awake.
Gento walked over quietly, lay down behind her, and reached out to wrap his arms around her from behind.
Kushina's body stiffened slightly, then relaxed again.
She didn't move or speak.
Gento buried his face in the crook of her neck, took a deep breath, and whispered:
"Still angry?"
Kushina was silent for a while before speaking in a muffled voice:
"What do you think?"
Gento held her tighter:
"Kushina, I know you're upset. But what I feel for you is real."
Kushina didn't respond.
Gento continued:
"After one month, when my noble title investiture ceremony is over, I'll officially marry you."
"We'll hold a wedding and announce it to the world, so you can marry me with full honor."
Kushina's body trembled a bit.
She finally turned her head and looked into Gento's eyes in the dim light:
"Are you serious?"
Gento nodded firmly:
"I am."
Kushina stared at him for a long while, then finally let out a soft "mm."
Gento smiled and leaned in to kiss her.
"Mmm…"
After a long time, a little out of breath, Kushina gently pushed Gento away.
Looking at the panting Kushina, Gento's breathing also grew heavier.
He smiled at her and said:
"Let me show you whether my Yin Healing: Chakra Pierce has improved…"
As he spoke, he had already activated the technique, striking toward her chakra points.
"Mm!"
Caught off guard by the technique, Kushina couldn't help but let out a soft moan.
Gento paid it no mind and increased the strength of his hands.
Kushina quickly reached out to grab him and shook her head:
"Gento, don't!"
"Naruto is sleeping next door…"
Gento gave a mischievous smile:
"It's fine, the soundproofing here is good."
"Just keep your voice down."
…
In the latter half of the night.
Gento looked at Kushina, who had fallen into a deep sleep, and couldn't help but feel his legs go weak.
As expected of the Uzumaki clan… their stamina was truly terrifying!
Even his ocular power had been consumed by more than half!
He carefully slipped out of Kushina's room.
And headed toward the next battlefield.
...
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