Having pieced everything together, Tsunade stared at Uchiha Yusuke with dangerous light flickering in her eyes.
Sensing the shift in her mood, Yusuke met her gaze.
"Tsunade, why are you looking at me like that?"
He was genuinely confused. What had he done now to offend this temperamental princess?
"Heh…" Tsunade let out a cold laugh.
Yusuke: "???"
"What's wrong with you?"
"Heh. Heh heh…"
Women really were mysterious creatures.
Too lazy to deal with her strange behavior, Yusuke turned to Kurenai instead.
"Red, do you want to move in?"
There were some things he hadn't spelled out explicitly.
But what had happened had happened.
Facts were facts.
There was no point pretending nothing had changed.
On this matter, Yusuke took responsibility.
Hearing this, Kurenai's cheeks flushed crimson.
Her heartbeat quickened violently—no less intense than last night.
She knew exactly what his words meant.
Suppressing the excitement bubbling in her chest, she nodded shyly.
"…Yes. I'll listen to you, Yusuke-kun."
"Then move in."
"Okay."
...
On the side—
Tsunade felt sour and stifled, like the third wheel in her own house.
He invited Red to move in.
But not her?
What did that mean?
Was he looking down on Senju Tsunade—or deliberately provoking her?
Was she someone he could summon and dismiss at will?
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
Endure one step—resentment grows.
Retreat one step—loss feels heavier.
Finally—
Bang!
She slammed her hand on the table.
The loud crash startled both Yusuke and Kurenai.
Yusuke frowned.
"What now?"
"I'm not eating anymore!"
"Why?"
"No appetite!"
He suppressed a smile.
"Really? You were eating just fine a second ago."
"I'm full from anger! Looking at you annoys me!"
She stood abruptly to leave.
But Yusuke caught her wrist.
"Where are you going?"
"Home!"
"Which home?"
"What do you mean which home? The place I live! Let go!"
Yusuke's voice was casual.
"You sure? Not moving in with Red?"
Tsunade's struggling stopped instantly.
"…You want me to move in too?"
"Mm. Don't want to?"
The frustration that had been boiling inside her vanished in an instant.
A faint smile curved her lips.
"Is that an invitation?"
Yusuke: "..."
Incredible.
"You can think of it that way."
Tsunade crossed her arms with deliberate arrogance.
"I'll have to think about it."
Yusuke rolled his eyes.
Unbelievable woman.
"Fine. Don't come."
Tsunade flashed a mischievous grin.
"Yusuke-kun~ beg me. If you beg me nicely, maybe I'll agree."
"Get lost."
...
The next day.
Konoha sent formal invitations—except to the Land of Wind—to:
The Fourth Raikage A of Kumogakure (Land of Lightning),
The Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki of Iwagakure (Land of Earth),
The Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumi of Kirigakure (Land of Water),
As well as other surrounding nations.
They were invited to attend the inauguration ceremony of the Fifth Hokage, Senju Tsunade, five days later.
As for Sunagakure—
Though they had been deceived and manipulated by Orochimaru during the Konoha Crush, Konoha had not forgiven them.
The reckoning would come after the inauguration ceremony.
Among the Three Great Nations:
Only the Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumi confirmed she would attend personally.
The Fourth Raikage A and the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki both declined politely, citing official duties, and would instead send representatives.
...
Land of Earth — Iwagakure.
"Old man, why can't I attend Konoha's Hokage inauguration ceremony?"
Kurotsuchi stood before Ōnoki, hands on her hips, glaring fiercely.
Her expression clearly said: Give me a reason, or I'm pulling out every last one of your whiskers.
When the invitation from Konoha arrived, Kurotsuchi had nearly jumped with excitement.
Finally—an opportunity to see her idol, Uchiha Yusuke, in person.
And now her grandfather said she couldn't go?
Of course she was furious.
Floating in midair via the Weight-Lightening Technique, Ōnoki massaged his temples.
"Kurotsuchi, I have my reasons. Stay in the village."
He knew perfectly well why she wanted to go.
Uchiha Yusuke.
Her so-called dream man.
It was enough to give him a headache.
"It's just an inauguration ceremony! What secret plans could you possibly have? You're doing this on purpose!"
Ōnoki sighed heavily.
"This is for your own good."
He absolutely refused to watch his granddaughter get whisked away by that Uchiha from Konoha.
Who would inherit his position then?
Where would he cry?
"You not letting me go is 'for my own good'? Since when did you become a fortune teller?"
Ōnoki: "..."
"My senior brother and Father can go—why can't I? I won't drop this without a proper explanation!"
At that moment, Kitsuchi spoke.
"Enough, Kurotsuchi. This time, Akatsuchi and I are going on official business. It's not just a ceremony."
Akatsuchi stood there silently like a human pillar.
Kurotsuchi frowned but quieted slightly.
"…Letting me go wouldn't hurt anyone."
Kitsuchi's tone hardened.
"It's already decided."
Both father and grandfather shared the same concern.
If this lovestruck daughter of his went to Konoha and got carried away—
What if she married into Konoha?
What if she left Iwagakure behind?
Kitsuchi only had one precious daughter.
Privately, Ōnoki and Kitsuchi had already agreed:
Under no circumstances would Kurotsuchi go to Konoha.
Under no circumstances would she see Uchiha Yusuke.
Even if they had to admit—
He was outstanding.
It still wasn't happening.
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