"Go to hell!"
This time, Tsunade was genuinely angry.
Thanks for the praise? Who the hell was praising you?!
While what she'd said earlier wasn't dishonest, she had still forced herself to push aside irrelevant emotions to make that assessment.
Truthfully, thinking about the Konoha comrades who had died in agony during the recent war because of the weapons, poisons, and tactics Hii Kōri had created—thinking about the despair she'd felt when Dan Katō was captured and tortured, powerless to do anything—thinking about her own current humiliating situation…
Realizing that all of this was thanks to the man before her, Tsunade felt a churning nausea and fury in her chest.
It seemed that Hii Kōri's very existence could effortlessly shatter the composure she had been "cultivating" all this time.
"Cough—cough, cough!"
Her breath caught, and she was once again choked by the harsh smoke, her eyes fully moistening—whether from the irritation or her anger, it was hard to tell.
Hii Kōri reached out and, with a motion that couldn't quite be called gentle, took the half-burned herbal cigarette from her slightly parted lips and casually stuck it in his own mouth.
"If you can't handle it, don't force it."
"——"
Tsunade started to retort that it wasn't because of that at all, but before the words could come out, she fell silent.
She didn't think Hii Kōri couldn't guess what had triggered her reaction. Since he was still playing dumb, her rebuttal would only be a waste of breath.
Even if she said something, what could she do about it anyway?
Tsunade let out a sigh, letting all her emotions dissolve into it. She didn't respond, simply wiping the corner of her eye with the back of her hand and straightening up.
She turned her face away, unwilling to let Hii Kōri see her disheveled state.
After a long while, Hii Kōri seemed to think of something.
His gaze drifted toward the dark, indistinct outline of the town in the distance, and he spoke in a voice tinged with reflection: "Speaking of which… have you noticed how much faster technology has been developing in recent years?"
Tsunade frowned slightly, unsure why he was bringing this up.
"Not just the weapons I've researched, or the development of ninjutsu and kekkei genkai… I mean the things ordinary people can use."
Hii Kōri, apparently unconcerned whether Tsunade answered or not, crossed his arms and continued as if talking to himself: "Better farming tools, large machinery for construction or excavation, new cultivation methods, new types of charcoal, simpler ways to prepare chemical substances…"
"In my view, these are the true cornerstones of advancing the world."
He paused, his gray eyes glinting with thought in the night: "I have a feeling that maybe soon—maybe just twenty years… no, ten years might be enough. In just ten years, a large number of true 'researchers' with ideas and ability will emerge in this world."
Tsunade listened in silence. Among the ninja villages, medical ninja were always the first to encounter cutting-edge technology. As one of the foremost medical ninja, Tsunade could hardly deny Hii Kōri's point.
The more advanced and precise a technology, the more it requires a solid foundation of basic science.
Many seemingly unrelated fields, when traced back, might connect in unimaginable ways.
After all, who would have thought that a pig farm's desire to prevent rivals from poisoning its stock could lead to major advances in anti-drone technology?
"When that time comes… with the vast funds, resources, and distribution channels the guild has accumulated, connecting those scattered 'pearls' across the land shouldn't be difficult."
Hii Kōri took the final stub from his mouth, using its fading ember to trace shapes in the night air.
"Using my strength, wealth, and technology—slowly eroding, then finally, inevitably, leveling this old world entirely… what do you think of that plan?"
"The chance that another monster—like your grandfather or Madara Uchiha, capable of taking on the whole world single-handedly—might appear and tear my plans apart… I'd say it's pretty low."
"More than that, I think Kumogakure might end up being a troublesome competitor."
"Kumogakure, huh? That's not just about your personal grudge, is it?"
As Hii Kōri had said, if he could truly gather "researchers" and continuously expand that technological advantage, given the current state of the ninja world, his grand vision wasn't just empty talk.
Thinking this, Tsunade still wasn't about to readily admit he had a point. She immediately found a way to needle him.
She remembered that Hii Kōri's biological parents had died at the hands of Kumogakure ninja.
"I'd prefer you phrase that as 'acknowledging a genuine threat.' Acting on impulse because of emotion… I've already paid that price."
Hii Kōri twirled a lock of his whitening hair, showing it to her. "Back when I attacked the Konoha camp, I overdrew seven or eight years of my lifespan."
Only then did Tsunade understand why the "red hair" the jōnin Sarutobi had first reported seeing had turned into what it was now.
"Every machine needs energy to run. And when it comes to developing energy industries, Kumogakure has a natural advantage."
"You mean the lightning strikes in the Land of Lightning?"
"Mm-hmm. Sharp. I'm starting to like you, Princess Tsunade~"
Hearing her immediate response, Hii Kōri broke into a surprisingly pure smile. One that held no mockery or derision—just genuine pleasure at her answer. Tsunade found it profoundly unfamiliar.
"Speaking of energy, besides the chakra ninja use, there's electricity."
He snapped his fingers lightly, affirming her answer again: "But using energy released from burning materials is currently too inefficient. Hydropower is too dependent on geography."
"Wind power sounds decent at first, but besides being geographically limited, it's also inconsistent in production timing and output… completely unreliable."
"The Land of Lightning, though—they have the immense natural advantage of being able to stick conductors in the ground and continuously store electricity from the lightning strikes."
"Tch. Just thinking about it gives me a headache."
Seeing Hii Kōri genuinely vexed, the remnants of resentment and resistance in Tsunade's heart made her unwilling to pass up this opportunity to "kick him while he was down."
She took a deep breath of cold air and spoke in the most "cutting and sarcastic" tone she could muster: "All that fancy talk. If the foundation of your 'grand plan' is so demanding, and there's a potential rival like Kumogakure, why waste your time on an 'irrelevant' enemy like me?"
She didn't realize how much emphasis she put on the word "irrelevant." It made her words—intended to drive Hii Kōri away—sound almost like she was trying to get his attention.
Whether she believed it or not, their conversation that afternoon had genuinely affected her.
"For the child's sake" was always the heaviest shackle for any parent.
But Hii Kōri's reaction once again defied her expectations. He didn't argue. He simply spread his hands openly, looking up at the dark blue sky scattered with stars, his tone slightly distant.
"Maybe it's the season."
"Huh?" Tsunade blinked.
"Winter is a season of stillness, of endings. A season for things that aren't entirely gone. Even I want to slow down a bit at a time like this."
He turned his head, his gaze finally landed on her—as she had "wanted." "Some things, no matter how urgent, can't be resolved overnight. Even though I've brought in new help for that side, the guild still has to deal with the accumulated problems from its market expansion."
"Besides, you don't think our child went through all that trouble to come back from the future just to complain to me about his 'family of origin' issues, do you?"
Tsunade's breath caught. She already knew what Hii Kōri was about to say.
"I've obtained a great deal of information and intelligence far ahead of this era from him. How much preparation do you think I can make with that? How many sleeper agents can I plant?"
He leaned forward slightly, drawing closer to Tsunade, and gently tucked the strands of hair that had fallen loose during her coughing behind her ear. His voice grew especially soft: "And even without his arrival, I've gained quite a lot from you."
"Demonic Descent… the genjutsu I placed on you wasn't just for tormenting you, you know."
"The phantom of me you see is generated from my personality data and your perception of me. But it's also a container for my consciousness—an extension of my perception. If I choose, everything you've seen, heard, and felt during this time—every scroll you've read, every thought you've had—would be clearly synced back to me."
"From the start, that was meant to steal Konoha's intelligence at critical moments, or to see if I could luck into obtaining some of the Senju's secret techniques through you."
"You—!"
She could feel her earlobe being toyed between his fingers, but Tsunade had no attention to spare for his audacious actions.
She thought of the records she had browsed in her home's library before leaving Konoha. She thought of the scattered intelligence about Konoha she had unconsciously complained about to those phantoms. A bone-deep chill shot up from her feet to her scalp.
"Heh… so that's how it was… I've been dancing in the palm of your hand this whole time… So now you have the leisure to 'look after' me, an 'unused chess piece,' is that it?"
Remembering his earlier remark about not knowing about her pregnancy because he hadn't been paying attention, Tsunade felt a strange sense of ridiculousness.
"Don't say it so 'cheaply,' Princess Tsunade."
Hii Kōri's fingers released her earlobe—now as red and ripe as fruit from his toying—and traced along the curve of her ear, finally cupping her slightly cool cheek. "Your position then and your position now are different, aren't they? At the very least, right now, I sincerely want to build a different kind of relationship with you."
"Heh… then let's open the skylight and speak plainly."
Hearing this answer—brimming with utter self-interest yet strangely genuine—Tsunade felt the warmth on her cheeks. Her tense body paradoxically relaxed.
At this point, she no longer needed to weigh, to think, to choose. Facing the truth head-on, she actually felt lighter.
"The world you spoke of this afternoon—the peaceful world for the next generation—how much of that was sincere?"
She raised her hand, placing it over Hii Kōri's hands cupping her face, feeling their warmth, staring intently into his eyes: "I don't believe someone like you would act for some vague 'ideal.'"
"It was sincere. Of course, it's also just incidental."
Hii Kōri's answer came quickly, with an almost defiant honesty. "My goal has always been simple."
"What I've always wanted is a stable life where I can do my research in peace."
"Compared to simply accumulating vast, useless knowledge I may never use, I prefer the parts that can be practically transformed into 'techniques' I can master."
"Cooking, painting, preparing medicines, improving ninja tools, exploring the mysteries of life, the nature of energy… to me, these are all the same. They're all 'techniques.' The tangible treasures humanity has accumulated throughout its growth."
"I truly love 'technique' itself." His murmured words weighed heavier than any vow.
"I want to learn and master every technique I can imagine, every technique I can reach. And then use them to keep climbing… upward, upward, upward—until one day, I can reach out beyond this world…"
"Until I transcend the boundaries of this world and touch the stars above the heavens with my own hands."
Hii Kōri withdrew his gaze from the sky and looked down again, meeting Tsunade's eyes. His gray, glass-like eyes held not a trace of wavering: "So anything that gets in the way of this goal—people, things, or this outdated era itself…"
"Will die."
"Heh—that expression suits a bastard like you."
Tsunade could sense an overwhelming desire in his words. She could almost see a layer of dark, surging energy emanating from the man before her. But facing this tangible ambition, she felt a weight lift from her heart.
"Have your two lovers ever seen you like this?"
"No. They've always supported me."
"They're lucky then… to be held like treasures by someone like you. It must make them feel incredibly secure."
"Don't say that. I'm trying right now to see you as my treasure too."
Speaking with a cold clarity that seemed to contradict his own words, Hii Kōri let go of one hand and leaned close to her ear: "So, Princess Tsunade… what's your answer?"
"Honestly… do I even have a choice?"
As if to retaliate for his earlier threat involving Shizune, Tsunade brought the hand still on her face to her mouth and bit his thumb hard.
Then she raised her head and said to Hii Kōri, enunciating each word: "If that day really comes—if you manage to create that 'stable' world—then once everything's settled, I will personally shatter your 'dream' of touching the stars."
"Mm. I'll look forward to it."
His expression unchanged, Hii Kōri simply nodded at the curse so direct it left no room for ambiguity, his tone as casual as discussing tomorrow's weather.
"But before that, I think we should discuss the child's name. What do you say, Princess Bad-At-Names?"
"Hah? I'm not bad at names!"
"Yeah, yeah~ It's getting late. Cold out here. Let's go inside~"
Drawing out his words like coaxing a child, Hii Kōri naturally took her shoulder, guiding her back toward the house.
"Speaking of which, do you have an extra room?"
"No! Get the hell out and sleep on the floor!"
***
Dive deeper into the story with 30+ advance chapters, available now on Patreon!patreon.com/CNBLUE
If you're enjoying the novel, please consider leaving a review. Your support is crucial and helps the story grow immensely. Thank you!