Moonlight shifted toward the window.
Through the slats of the blinds, he could see the Leaf group following Yukata across the plaza, heading toward the inn.
Kakashi, Might Guy, Asuma.
And those dozen-or-so genin.
A brilliant idea suddenly took shape in his mind.
Free top-tier firepower. No reason not to use it.
The corner of Teizawa's mouth slowly curled into a meaningful smile.
And besides…
His gaze settled on Asuma's still-tense back.
That guy was still hung up on Kurenai's matter.
"With Asuma's personality, he won't let this go."
"What an annoying fly."
Teizawa muttered, narrowing his eyes.
But what if…
He made Asuma shut up for good?
Teizawa tapped the armrest lightly with a finger.
The more he thought about it, the more interesting it became.
"How's the situation on Iwagakure's side?" Teizawa asked again.
"The Iwa-nin who slipped in are still under surveillance," the ANBU replied.
"Pass the order down."
Teizawa nodded, voice calm and crisp.
"Proceed according to plan."
The ANBU ninja snapped his head up.
"Yes!"
He hesitated, then asked carefully, "Kazekage-sama, about the Leaf people… should we have them avoid it?"
Teizawa shook his head.
"No."
His smile deepened.
"Let them stay."
"Not just stay. Make them watch with their own eyes."
The ANBU ninja froze for a beat, then accepted the order.
"Understood!"
His figure flickered, already a hundred meters away.
Teizawa leaned back again, lifted his teacup, and took a light sip.
The tea had gone cold.
He didn't seem to notice.
Akatsuki.
Four S-rank missing-nin.
Iwagakure's infiltrators.
His gaze drifted out the window, toward the sky dyed gold and red by the setting sun.
Kakashi, Guy, Asuma.
Three Leaf jōnin, plus a handful of chūnin and genin.
This grand play… was going to be spectacular.
He set the teacup down, rose, and walked to the corridor.
In the distance, the Leaf group had already vanished at the end of the street.
Yukata walked at the front, her figure slender and graceful.
Teizawa stared in that direction and let out a soft laugh.
"Perfect timing," he said.
"Just what I needed. A few living targets."
…
That night, Teizawa pushed open the door to the hidden chamber in his home.
Moist air drifted through the underground room.
Pale green candlelight filtered through the hazy steam, casting blurred, wavering shadows on the walls.
The chamber wasn't large, but it had been arranged with care.
Stone walls hung with a few paintings of the Land of Wind's scenery.
A censer smoldered in the corner, releasing a faint, lingering fragrance.
Most eye-catching was the bathtub in the center.
Made from high-grade wood, it stood nearly waist-high.
It was filled to the brim with hot water, steam rolling off the surface.
A few unknown petals floated on top.
A light floral scent mingled with the vapor, spreading through the entire room.
Kurotsuchi sat in the tub with her back to the door.
Hot water lapped over her collarbones, soaking the long hair that fell down her back.
The strands that had been caked with sand and blood days ago had been washed clean now, black as ink.
A few wisps clung to her forehead.
It only made her delicate face look more alluring.
In the drifting steam, pale skin appeared and disappeared.
The rounded line of her shoulders, the hollow at her throat, the faint rise and fall beneath the collarbones.
And deeper down, the contours hidden by water and petals…
The sound of stone grinding as the door opened made Kurotsuchi go rigid.
She didn't turn around.
She didn't need to.
There was only one person who could enter this sealed room.
She snatched up the towel draped over the edge of the tub and wrapped it tight before she stood.
Only her smooth shoulders showed, and her face, flushed faintly from the heat.
Then she turned, glaring hard at the doorway.
Those eyes held shock and anger, caution…
and something she refused to admit even to herself, [?].
Teizawa stood at the entrance.
Backlit by candlelight, his expression was unreadable.
He shut the stone door with one hand and walked in at an unhurried pace.
"What are you covering up for?"
He spoke with teasing amusement.
"We've been bare in front of each other more times than I can count. What part of you have I not seen, not touched?"
He paused, lips curving with a playful edge.
"What's there to hide?"
Kurotsuchi's face went burning red.
Whether from anger or something else.
She clenched the towel so hard her knuckles turned white.
"What are you planning to do with me?"
Her voice trembled with fury.
"Keep me locked in here forever, as your… as your outlet?"
She bit down hard, forcing the words out through her teeth.
"Then I'd rather die!"
Teizawa's steps halted for a moment.
He looked at her flushed, furious face.
At the way her body shook beneath the towel…
Then.
"Why the rush?"
He stopped by the tub and looked down at her.
"Didn't I tell you? I'm not keeping you forever."
Kurotsuchi glared at him without speaking.
Her eyes clearly said: Like I'd ever believe you.
Teizawa didn't explain.
He simply reached out.
Kurotsuchi jerked back.
Her bare back pressed against the cold tub wall, the towel twisted tighter in her fists until it looked like it might tear.
"Take it off."
Teizawa said.
Two words, as flat as if he were remarking on the weather.
Kurotsuchi bit her lower lip.
Hard enough it nearly drew blood.
Her chest rose and fell sharply.
The anger and humiliation in her eyes threatened to spill over.
But in the end…
Her fingers loosened.
The towel slid down her slick skin and sank into the water, floating on the surface, [?].
In the rolling steam, what she usually kept hidden was exposed without reservation to those unfathomable eyes.
Teizawa's gaze moved slowly from top to bottom.
Like he was appraising a work of art.
"That's my good girl."
There was a satisfied warmth in his voice.
He placed a hand on top of Kurotsuchi's damp head.
The motion was gentle, like soothing a bristling little animal.
Long fingers combed through her soft black hair, lightly massaging her scalp.
Kurotsuchi trembled.
"As long as you behave,"
Teizawa's voice came from above, low and even,
"when the time comes, I'll let you go."
Kurotsuchi snapped her head up.
In those eyes, beyond anger and caution, there was also hesitation.
"You… you'll really let me leave?"
Her voice shook, like she was afraid she'd misheard.
Teizawa looked down at her.
At the way her eyes widened in disbelief.
"Of course," he said.
The words were quiet, but absolute.
"I keep my promises."
Kurotsuchi froze.
Bits and pieces from the last few days surfaced in her mind…
When she demanded a bath, he had people bring in a tub and hot water almost immediately, even setting the temperature to what she was used to.
When she complained she couldn't stand Sand Village food, the next day the table held Iwagakure-style dishes, seasoned as close to her memory as possible.
When she said she was going stir-crazy, he would occasionally come talk to her, though every conversation inevitably turned into something else…
She bit her lip and lowered her head, refusing to look at him.
But somewhere deep inside, a corner of her heart… shifted, just a little, beyond her control.
This bastard…
He was shameless. He was obscene. Every time he came, he always…
But he did keep his word.
And yet...
"Good."
Teizawa's voice came again, unmistakably expectant.
"Stand up. Let me take a look."
Kurotsuchi's head snapped up.
The flush on her face deepened.
This time there was far less anger in it, replaced by embarrassment and reluctant resignation.
"Seriously… is that really so urgent?"
She muttered under her breath, so softly it was barely audible.
Teizawa didn't answer.
He only watched her with a smiling gaze.
Kurotsuchi drew in a breath. Then another.
Finally…
She rose slowly.
Water splashed.
Heat streamed down her skin in shimmering trails under the candlelight.
The things she tried to hide, the private secrets of a young woman, were laid bare beneath the glow.
Her long neck, rounded shoulders, delicate collarbones,
and the curves below that were impossible to ignore.
Droplets slid down slowly.
Her waist was slender enough to seem breakable.
Her legs were long and straight, pressed together tight,
and still they couldn't conceal the breathtaking lines.
In the misty steam, her body looked like an artwork brought to life.
Blurry.
Enticing.
Perfect to the point of unreality.
Teizawa's gaze traced over her again and again.
"So beautiful," he murmured, admiration undisguised.
"No matter how many times I see you, it never gets old."
Kurotsuchi's face turned so red it looked like it might drip.
She turned her head away.
Long lashes trembled, casting faint shadows beneath her eyes.
She didn't know what to do with her hands.
In the end she could only clench them tight at her sides.
Water still dripped.
One drop, then another.
In the silence of the chamber, the sound was soft and steady.
Teizawa stepped closer.
She could feel his breath near, nearer…
Then he lowered his head…
(End of Chapter)
[Get +30 Extra Chapters On — P@tr3on "Zaelum"]
[Every 300 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter Drop]
[Thanks for Reading!]