Everything before them had been carefully prepared in advance.
Earlier, while Tsunade and Aomizu were watching the movie together, one of Aomizu's shadow clones had quietly set up the entire scene. Every detail had been arranged precisely for this moment.
The goal was simple.
He wanted to give Tsunade a surprise.
And judging by her reaction, the result was exactly what he had hoped for.
"Mmm… I really like it!"
Before her words had fully faded, Tsunade suddenly lunged forward and pressed her lips against Aomizu's, silencing him completely.
Though she was one of the legendary Three Sannin—her name known and feared throughout the entire ninja world—at her core, Tsunade was still a woman. A woman with emotions, sensitivities, and a soft heart hidden beneath her strength.
Aomizu's thoughtfulness had genuinely moved her.
Even Aomizu himself was momentarily caught off guard by Tsunade's bold initiative.
But since he was the one benefiting from it, he naturally accepted it without hesitation.
In fact, he had long realized that among all of them, Tsunade was the most straightforward and unrestrained.
She never held back her feelings.
Whether it was affection, desire, or appreciation, she expressed everything openly—and even actively cooperated with his little surprises.
That was one of the advantages of being with an older woman.
With that thought, Aomizu smoothly turned the tables.
In one fluid motion, he rolled over with Tsunade beneath him, instantly reversing their positions.
Time passed quietly.
Eventually, the two finally separated, breathing slightly heavier than before.
Aomizu was the first to stand. He reached out, gently pulling Tsunade up with him. Carefully, he straightened her slightly disheveled clothes, smoothing out the wrinkles with practiced familiarity.
Then, holding her hand, he led her toward the dining table nearby.
There, another surprise awaited her.
A candlelight dinner.
The soft glow of the candles illuminated the carefully arranged dishes, filling the room with warmth and a faint, inviting aroma.
The night was still long.
There was no need to rush.
"You made all of this?"
Tsunade stared at the table in disbelief, swallowing slightly as her eyes swept across the spread of dishes. Her voice carried genuine surprise.
She had never known that Aomizu could cook—much less cook this well.
Aomizu merely smiled and did not answer.
As an orphan, he had learned to rely on himself from a very young age. Cooking had been a basic survival skill. While his abilities couldn't compare to those of a professional chef, they were more than sufficient.
Tsunade, on the other hand, was born into the prestigious Senju clan. As the granddaughter of Hashirama Senju, she had grown up surrounded by care and protection.
Cooking?
She likely hadn't even stepped into a kitchen since childhood.
Even after leaving Konoha in the past, it had always been Shizune who handled her daily needs.
Once seated, Tsunade wasted no time.
She picked up her chopsticks and eagerly began tasting the food.
"Mmm… delicious!"
She immediately reached for another dish.
"Quick, try this one. It's really good."
Her eyes sparkled with delight as she continued eating, completely immersed in the moment.
While the two were enjoying their peaceful dinner, a very different atmosphere existed deep beneath Konoha.
Inside the Root base, Danzo Shimura had just returned from a meeting with Orochimaru.
His expression was grim.
After acquiring the White Zetsu cells through his own secret channels, Danzo had immediately ordered Root's research division to begin experiments.
But the results had been… disappointing.
According to the reports, White Zetsu cells were extremely unique. They exhibited almost no rejection response when implanted into the human body, making them exceptionally suitable for medical applications.
The findings were nearly identical to the research report Tsunade had previously submitted.
And that was precisely what bothered Danzo.
His instincts screamed that something was missing.
Something important.
Convinced that Root's researchers simply lacked sufficient skill, Danzo had sought out Orochimaru, believing the former Sannin might uncover what others could not.
Yet Orochimaru's conclusions were exactly the same.
"Orochimaru," Danzo said coldly, fixing him with a sharp gaze, "we are partners. Are you truly telling me you've hidden nothing from me?"
Orochimaru's response was firm and unwavering.
There was nothing more.
What he had provided was the complete result—no omissions, no concealment.
For a brief moment, Danzo doubted himself.
Could it be that the White Zetsu cells truly held no deeper secrets?
No.
Impossible.
Something was wrong.
Danzo was Konoha's Hokage assistant—a man who stood at the pinnacle of power beneath the Hokage himself.
Yet before White Zetsu cells had even been officially applied at the Konoha Hospital, he had received absolutely no information.
That alone was suspicious.
Clearly, someone had deliberately blocked the flow of information.
And within Konoha, only one person possessed that authority.
Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The Third Hokage.
Why would Hiruzen hide this from him?
There was only one explanation.
The White Zetsu cells concealed a secret—one that Hiruzen did not want him to know.
It was often said that the person who understood you best was not yourself, but your enemy.
In Danzo's eyes, Hiruzen—who stubbornly clung to the Hokage position—was his greatest rival.
Thus, Danzo believed he understood him perfectly.
And with that understanding, he became increasingly convinced that Orochimaru was lying.
If even Orochimaru couldn't uncover the truth, then who in the ninja world could?
Furious, Danzo stormed back to the Root base.
"Damn Orochimaru!" his roar echoed through the underground corridors.
"If you weren't still useful, I would have killed you long ago!"
Every Root ninja present lowered their head, shrinking into the shadows.
No one dared to draw attention.
Even Aburame Ryoma, Danzo's personal guard, remained completely silent.
"And that damned Hiruzen!" Danzo continued, his rage boiling over.
"I am Konoha's Hokage assistant—the future Hokage! How dare you hide information from me?!"
"And that cursed Hirakawa Aomizu—always opposing me—he has truly courted death!"
"Why must you all stand in my way?"
"Only I can lead Konoha to its true peak!"
"Only I am worthy of surpassing the First Hokage!"
If these words were ever to reach the surface, they would shake Konoha to its core.
Fortunately, Root was buried deep underground, isolated from the world above.
After venting for a long time, Danzo finally regained a measure of calm.
"No… I must uncover the secret of the White Zetsu cells."
Anything beyond his control made him uneasy.
But he knew approaching Hiruzen directly would be pointless.
So his gaze turned elsewhere.
After careful consideration, one name surfaced in his mind.
Aomizu.
There were only two people involved in researching White Zetsu cells.
Tsunade.
And Aomizu.
Tsunade was untouchable.
But Aomizu?
That was different.
They already shared a grudge stemming from the Konoha Orphanage incident two years prior.
Back then, Danzo had retreated—not out of fear, but caution.
Now, two years later, he was ready.
If his plan succeeded, he would eliminate a major threat and seize the truth behind the White Zetsu cells.
Two birds with one stone.
"How do I lure that brat out of Konoha…?"
Danzo narrowed his eyes.
Attacking within the village was too risky.
Aomizu's strength was real—and drawing the attention of Hiruzen and Tsunade would spell disaster.
He needed patience.
And the perfect opportunity.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)