The night in the Royal Palace of the Land of Water was tranquil and luxurious.
Shun's figure appeared out of thin air at the end of the corridor, the chilling aura around him mostly reined in, leaving only the steady composure and restraint of a king.
The passing maidservants, seeing this, bowed deeply, their heads lowered extremely, not daring to look directly at the monarch who had just returned from the border.
He pushed open the carved wooden door of the bedchamber, and a faint scent of orchids wafted out, intertwining with the steam from a bath, fresh and ambiguous.
On the carpet in front of the bed, Kurotsuchi stood gracefully. She had changed out of her Iwagakure ninja uniform, wearing a red, single-sleeved, tight-fitting outfit.
Her exposed right arm had smooth lines, making her skin appear even whiter and more tender. The left sleeve was embroidered with dark gold cloud patterns, and the form-fitting design outlined her slender figure, revealing her long, fair, and delicate legs, straight and slender.
Normally in Iwagakure, she was always confident and flamboyant, but when facing Shun, the passion deep within her was always suppressed by an inexplicable shyness, transforming into an inexpressible bashfulness.
He finally came back!
Why did her heart beat so fast it felt like it would explode the moment she saw him?
'The red tight-fitting outfit should suit me well, right? Will he think I'm too casual? No, Kurotsuchi, you are the pride of Iwagakure, you can't be so spineless.'
Hearing the sound of the door opening, Kurotsuchi instinctively straightened her back.
But when she looked up and met Shun's gaze, the tips of her ears still uncontrollably flushed red.
"Shun-sama, you've returned."
Kurotsuchi deliberately maintained her usual confidence, but her tone still revealed a barely noticeable nervousness.
"Mm."
Shun's voice was deep and pleasant, carrying the fatigue of just returning from the battlefield, yet softening a bit the moment he saw her.
"I made you wait a long time."
His gaze swept over her red tight-fitting outfit, falling on her bare shoulder and long legs, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.
Unlike the delicate beauty of other women, Kurotsuchi's beauty possessed a vibrant tension, like a burning flame, ardent and dazzling.
He slowly stepped forward, each step seemingly treading on Kurotsuchi's heart.
It wasn't until he stood still in front of her, his tall figure enveloping her in shadow, that she dared to look up slightly, his image reflected in her dark pupils, carrying a hint of curiosity and shyness.
"Kurotsuchi, are you afraid of me?" Shun looked at her feigned composure as he asked.
His finger gently brushed her cheek, the warm touch making Kurotsuchi tremble, as if struck by an electric current.
Kurotsuchi took a deep breath and shook her head, her heart trembling with excitement, but she forced herself to restrain it. "No... not afraid. Although you are powerful, I, Kurotsuchi, am not a coward."
Watching her appear flustered, yet still stubbornly maintaining her confidence, a smile flashed in Shun's eyes, and he gently embraced her with a slight movement of his arms.
Kurotsuchi's body instantly stiffened. She instinctively clutched his clothes, and only slowly relaxed a moment later, her hands hesitantly wrapping around his waist.
"Shun-sama, why... why did you bring me back?" She murmured softly, buried against his chest
There was some probing, and she was afraid of hearing a disappointing answer.
"Because... I think you are very beautiful and I want you to stay by my side."
Shun's warm breath brushed the top of her head. Kurotsuchi's cheeks instantly flushed hot, and her heart pounded "thump-thump" wildly.
She looked up, her dark pupils full of sparkling anticipation, and mustered the courage to ask. "Then... then what kind of person are you?"
Shun looked at her serious expression, the smile in his eyes gradually fading, replaced by complete earnestness. He raised his hand, his fingertips gently tracing her eyebrows and eyes, his movements tender.
"I saw the stubbornness in your eyes, I saw your shyness beneath your feigned reluctance, I saw your... admiration for me."
"I didn't..."
Kurotsuchi instinctively retorted, but as she met his certain gaze, she gradually lowered her head.
"I just... ever since I saw you at the Summit a long time ago, I thought you were amazing. The way you stood on the battlefield was particularly dazzling."
"Just amazing?"
Shun pressed, his fingertips gently hooked her chin, forcing her to look up at him.
"Then why didn't you truly struggle when I held you? Why were your eyes full of joy when I said I liked you?"
Kurotsuchi was speechless, she could only stare at him blankly, her eyes gradually reddening.
Her long-hidden secret was revealed by his single sentence. Shame, grievance, and joy intertwined within her heart.
"I... I just like you. From the first time I saw you, when you protected the Land of Water like a god, I liked you. But we are enemies, I am from Iwagakure, and you are the monarch of the Land of Water. I never dared to say it, afraid you would laugh at me, afraid we wouldn't even have this kind of interaction."
Before she could finish her sentence, Shun's warm lips gently covered hers. It was a tender and lingering kiss, filled with comfort and cherish.
Kurotsuchi's mind instantly went blank, all worries and anxieties vanishing at that moment.
She slowly closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly. Her hands unconsciously wrapped around his neck, responding to his kiss with a youthful but passionate fervor.
Her usual confidence and passion completely erupted at this moment. She no longer suppressed her emotions, fully embracing his tenderness.
'He kissed me. It turns out he likes me too.'
'Those worries don't matter anymore, I just want to hold onto him tightly, to hold onto this hard-won happiness.'
As their lips intertwined, the scent of orchids grew stronger.
Shun held her even tighter, and after an unknown amount of time, he slowly released her.
"Fool, what does it matter if we are enemies? The grievances of the Ninja World have nothing to do with you and me. I only know that I like you and I want you to stay by my side."
Kurotsuchi's eyes were full of light, and she regained her usual confidence and passion. "Shun-sama, are you serious? No matter how much Grandpa objects, no matter what the Ninja World discusses, will you still be with me?"
"Of course."
Shun raised his hand and gently wiped away her tears with his thumb, his voice extremely gentle. "Don't cry. From now on, with me here, no one can hurt you, and no one can make you suffer."
"But Grandpa..."
Kurotsuchi's tone still carried some apprehension, after all, Ōnoki was the person closest to her.
"I will handle Ōnoki."
Shun's gaze was very firm. "He had Sasuke captured, and I took you away, this debt is already settled. If he dares to invade again, I don't mind leveling the entire Iwagakure."
His tone carried an undeniable dominance, which made Kurotsuchi feel incredibly secure.