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Minato's heartfelt thanks should have moved Tsukiko.
It really should have.
After all, the Fourth Hokage was looking at her with sincere gratitude, the fireworks were still blooming over the Uchiha district, and both Kushina and Mikoto were standing nearby looking so beautiful that the whole night felt unreal.
But none of that was what filled Tsukiko's mind at that moment.
No.
Her entire soul had been hooked by one thing alone.
The newly obtained Truth or Dare Candy.
Inside her mind, the strange prize box floated there brightly, almost shining with temptation. The more she stared at it, the more dangerous her smile became.
"System," Tsukiko asked inwardly, "is this thing really as powerful as it sounds?"
The mechanical voice answered without hesitation.
[Produced by the System. Naturally, it is flawless. Even if the Sage of Six Paths himself ate it, he would still have to obey the rules.]
Tsukiko nearly trembled with delight.
"Good. Very good. Perfect."
This was not candy.
This was a divine punishment disguised as candy.
This was a funeral bell for Danzo's dignity.
The moment she imagined that gloomy old man suddenly being forced to answer humiliating questions in public, her whole body buzzed with excitement. What if he had to admit some embarrassing secret during a village meeting? What if he was forced to do something ridiculous in front of the Hokage and the Advisors? What if he refused⊠and ended up barking like a dog in public?
Tsukiko's imagination ran wild.
Danzo, with that dark old face of his, standing in front of Konoha's top brass and shouting something humiliating against his willâ
Just the thought of it was enough to nearly make her laugh out loud under the fireworks.
She quickly covered her mouth, but her shoulders still shook.
"Tsukiko?" Mikoto asked, immediately noticing something was wrong. She gently placed a hand on Tsukiko's forehead. "Are you alright? You're shaking."
Tsukiko instantly forced her face into a sweet, innocent expression and leaned into Mikoto's palm.
"I'm fine, Aunt Mikoto! Your hand is just so warm."
She lowered her eyes and added in a soft voice, "I'm just really happy. Thinking that we can all watch fireworks together like this in the future makes me excited."
That was not entirely a lie.
If Danzo suffered enough, the future would definitely become a little brighter.
Kushina leaned over too, reaching out to adjust one of Tsukiko's slightly messy hair buns.
"Of course there will be more chances," she said with her usual confidence. "We'll come every year."
Tsukiko grinned immediately.
"Then next year we'll bring even more people. The whole group. You, Brother Minato, Aunt Mikoto, little Itachi, Izumi, and the babies too!"
That made both Kushina and Mikoto pause.
Then they looked at one another and smiled.
For one brief moment, the future they imagined was peaceful and warm.
Minato watched them from the side with a gentle smile, completely unaware that his adorable little disciple was currently planning social annihilation for one of his greatest political enemies.
The festival finally ended with a last massive firework shaped like the Uchiha fan crest, blooming across the sky in brilliant red and white.
The crowd slowly began to disperse, everyone still smiling and talking about the night.
Kushina gave one last squeeze to the giant Nine-Tails plushie before shoving it into Minato's arms, making him carry the burden without complaint.
"Well, it's getting late. We should head back," she said. Then she turned to Tsukiko and Mikoto, her voice softening. "Today was wonderful. Really."
Tsukiko waved both hands cheerfully.
"Go safely, Sister! Brother Minato, if you let Kushina trip, I'll hold you responsible!"
Minato laughed helplessly as he shifted the giant plushie to keep it from blocking his face.
"Understood. See you soon, Tsukiko."
Tsukiko stood at the edge of the road and watched the two of them leave together.
The night breeze passed over her face.
Her expression slowly changed.
The softness in her eyes faded, replaced by something much sharper.
Such a good night.
Such a good future.
And yet there were still people lurking in the shadows, trying to ruin it.
Danzo. Root. All those filthy schemes.
The more she thought about it, the more determined she became.
This candy had to be used. And soon.
But using it would not be easy.
Danzo was suspicious by nature. He would not casually eat something given to him by an Uchiha child. He was exactly the type who would inspect even drinking water before taking a sip.
Sneak up on him and force-feed it?
Tsukiko considered it for a moment, then dismissed it.
Too risky.
Even if she could get close with Flying Thunder God and her eye abilities, she did not know what hidden cards Danzo might be holding. If she failed and exposed too much, the loss would outweigh the gain.
"No," she muttered to herself as she walked beside Mikoto. "He has to eat it willingly. Or at least in a situation where he can't refuse."
She kept thinking.
Then, as they passed a still-open sweets stall at the edge of the market street, her eyes landed on a box of colorful novelty candy.
The owner was loudly advertising them to passing children.
"Try your luck! Surprise candy! Different flavors, different fortunes!"
Tsukiko stopped walking.
Her eyes sharpened.
Then a slow, wicked smile spread across her face.
That was it.
Danzo, for all his cynicism, was still an old man who believed in controlling fate. People like him loved symbols, hidden meanings, subtle power games. If the candy were presented under the right circumstancesânot as a gift from Tsukiko, but as something respectable, useful, or symbolicâhe might swallow it for the sake of pride alone.
A meeting.
Yes.
A high-level meeting.
A formal setting where refusing would make him look rude, narrow-minded, or suspicious.
If she timed it properly, he would have no easy way out.
"Tsukiko?" Mikoto's voice interrupted her train of thought. "What are you thinking about so seriously? You nearly walked into that post."
Tsukiko blinked and saw that she truly had almost collided with a utility pole.
She laughed awkwardly and instantly slipped one arm through Mikoto's.
"I was thinking about breakfast tomorrow."
Mikoto gave her a clearly unconvinced look.
"Breakfast?"
"Yes! I want your sour plum soup again. The grilled squid tonight was a little salty."
Mikoto sighed, but there was no real annoyance in it.
"Alright. I'll make some when we get back."
Tsukiko leaned into her shamelessly.
"Aunt Mikoto is the best."
Then, after a pause, Mikoto asked in that same calm voice, "Are you sleeping over again tonight?"
Tsukiko straightened immediately and declared in righteous tones, "Of course. Uncle Fugaku is away. I must protect Aunt Mikoto's safety on his behalf."
Mikoto snorted softly.
"Protect my safety? I think you want to protect my bed."
Tsukiko showed no shame whatsoever.
"That too."
Not far behind them, Itachi listened to the exchange and let out another sigh far too old for his age.
How could this possibly be called protection?
This was obviously Tsukiko happily occupying his mother's room again.
But when he saw Mikoto smiling instead of objecting, he swallowed the complaint.
Forget it.
If everyone was happy, then perhaps it was fine.
Back at Fugaku's house, Tsukiko got exactly what she wanted.
Sour plum soup.
A warm room.
And once again, Mikoto's soft, comforting bed.
Lying in the dark with Mikoto's steady breathing beside her, Tsukiko did not fall asleep immediately. In her mind, she kept turning the candy box over and over.
The wrapping was ridiculous.
A painted smiling clown stared back at her from the packaging like it already knew some poor fool was about to be ruined by it.
"Danzo," Tsukiko thought coldly, "start preparing yourself."
Then she shifted into a more comfortable position, shamelessly draped one leg across the bed, and finally let her eyes close.
"This time," she told herself, "it has nothing to do with beautiful women. This is purely personal revenge."
A week later, sunlight streamed through the tall windows of Konoha's high-level conference room.
The long oval table inside could seat more than a dozen important figures, and normally the room was used only for major matters concerning the village.
Today, the atmosphere inside was especially tense.
The retired Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat to Minato's left, slowly smoking his pipe.
Across from him sat Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, both buried in thick documents and wearing stern expressions.
And opposite them, draped in bandages and gloom as always, sat Danzo Shimura.
He looked like a venomous snake basking in stillness.
Minato, seated at the head of the table, had just begun preparing to open the discussion when the heavy door creaked open.
A cheerful voice entered before the tray did.
"Excuse me, respected elders! Delivery from Hokage-sama's household!"
Tsukiko slipped into the room carrying a large tray filled with tea and neatly arranged snacks.
Her smile was sunny.
Her movements were obedient.
Her eyes were sparkling with hidden evil.
"Sister Kushina said everyone must be working very hard, so she asked me to bring refreshments."
Minato's serious expression softened instantly.
"Tsukiko," he said helplessly, "I told you, you could have left this to ANBU."
"That won't do," she replied at once. "They don't have my heart."
Hiruzen chuckled.
"Then our little Tsukiko has become quite thoughtful."
Tsukiko began serving the table.
She first placed a low-sugar sweet and warm tea before Hiruzen.
"Grandpa Third, this one is light. Good for your teeth."
Hiruzen smiled broadly.
"Very considerate."
Next came the two advisors. Tsukiko kept her expression perfectly polite, even though inwardly she was rolling her eyes.
Then, finallyâ
Danzo.
She approached his place at the table and tilted her head slightly as if only just noticing him.
"Oh, Lord Danzo is here too. The room was so gloomy I nearly missed you."
Her smile was pure innocence.
Her heart was dancing.
Set beside his tea was a small saucer.
And on that saucer was one piece of specially prepared hard candy.
"Lord Danzo works so hard," Tsukiko said sweetly. "I heard your throat often feels dry in meetings, so I brought a special lozenge. Traders from the coast say it brings good luck."
Danzo slowly lifted his gaze toward her.
Under normal circumstances, he would never touch anything an Uchiha handed him.
But the situation was different.
The Third Hokage was there.
Minato was there.
Everyone else was accepting refreshments without issue.
If he alone refused, it would make him look petty and paranoid.
He gave a cold snort.
"Since it is provided by the Hokage's household, I will accept it."
With that, he picked up the candy.
And put it in his mouth.
Tsukiko retreated behind Minato immediately, clutching her tray and schooling her face into perfect innocence.
Inside, she was screaming with victory.
Success.
Minato cleared his throat and opened the meeting.
"Now then. Regarding the adjustment of next quarter's border defense budgetâ"
He got no further.
Danzo suddenly coughed.
Once.
Then again.
His face began turning red.
Very red.
His single eye widened.
Inside his mind, the candy had already dissolved with terrifying speed, and the System's absolute rules descended upon him like divine punishment.
[Choose within one minute.]
[Truth: Publicly reveal who appeared in your dreams last night.]
[Dare: Imitate an animal sound for ten full seconds.]
[Failure to choose or comply will result in penalty: Bark like a dog three times in public and loudly declare, "I am a tsundere old pervert."]
Danzo froze.
Cold sweat broke out at once.
He tried to speak.
Nothing came out correctly.
He tried to gather chakra.
It was useless.
This was not ordinary poison.
Not genjutsu.
Not any known technique.
It was an absolute law forced upon him through a simple piece of candy.
Hiruzen noticed his state immediately.
"Danzo? Are you alright?"
Danzo wanted to say he was fine.
Wanted to say anything normal.
But the countdown pounded inside his mind.
He could not choose Truth.
That was impossible.
Which left Dare.
Animal sounds?
Here?
In front of all of them?
His heart roared in humiliation and fury.
Yet the System did not care.
The countdown reached zero.
And in the next secondâ
"Woof! Woof! Woof!!!"
Three loud, clear, unbelievably energetic barks exploded across the conference room.
The effect was catastrophic.
Minato dropped the document in his hands.
Hiruzen, who had just lifted his tea, sprayed it straight across the table.
Homura's jaw fell open.
Koharu looked like she had been struck by lightning.
And Tsukiko, standing behind Minato, nearly bit through her own tongue trying not to laugh.
Her shoulders shook violently.
Everyone else in the room was too stunned to notice.
But the punishment was not done.
Danzo's mouth opened again, completely against his will.
And before he could stop it, he shouted in a voice so loud it seemed to shake the wallsâ
"I AM A TSUNDERE OLD PERVERT!!!"
The room died.
No one moved.
No one breathed.
Danzo sat there in total horror, face shifting from red to purple, his single eye bloodshot with shame and rage.
If hatred alone could kill, the entire room would have been reduced to ash.
At last, Hiruzen spoke.
"DanzoâŠ"
His expression was so conflicted it was almost art.
"Are you⊠under too much pressure lately?"
Minato turned away, clearly trying not to laugh, though his trembling shoulders gave him away completely.
Danzo surged to his feet so hard that his chair toppled backward.
His eye darted around the room.
Then it locked onto Tsukiko.
She was standing behind Minato with the tray, looking like a frightened child trying to make herself small.
But Danzo knew.
Of course he knew.
This was her.
It had to be her.
"Uchiha⊠TsukikoâŠ!" he growled.
But before he could say anything else, the candy's final truth effect struck.
His mouth betrayed him once more.
"Actually, I need Sarutobi's photo near me every night to sleep!!!"
Silence.
Pure, absolute, merciless silence.
This time even Hiruzen recoiled physically, dragging his chair back with an appalled expression.
"DanzoâŠ" he said weakly. "We have been comrades for many years, but⊠thisâŠ"
Danzo completely broke.
With a strangled, furious sound, he turned and fled the room at a speed no one his age had any right to possess. He did not even stop to pick up his fallen chair.
The door slammed behind him.
For one frozen moment, no one said a word.
Then Tsukiko collapsed to the floor laughing.
Not a polite laugh.
Not a restrained one.
A full, breathless, tear-filled, floor-pounding explosion.
"His photoâ! Grandpa Thirdâ! I can'tâ!"
That broke the room completely.
Even Homura had to turn away and cough into his hand to hide his reaction.
Koharu tried to remain stern but failed miserably.
Hiruzen looked torn between offense, disbelief, and the absurd desire to disappear.
Minato finally turned back around and stared at Tsukiko rolling with laughter on the floor.
He sighed.
But there was laughter in his eyes too.
That meeting accomplished nothing of importance that day.
No budget resolution passed.
No policy was settled.
No official record would ever mention what happened.
But everyone present knew they had witnessed something unforgettable.
From that day onward, one particular rumor quietly began moving through Konoha's upper circlesâ
That the leader of Root had some very questionable private feelings involving the Third Hokage.
Tsukiko, of course, said nothing.
She carried the now-empty tray out of the Hokage Building with the lightest steps in the world, humming to herself all the way down the hall.
When she reached the outside steps, she lifted her chin proudly to the sky.
"That," she declared softly, "is what happens when you mess with me."
Then her grin widened.
She had to hurry back.
After all, Kushina and Mikoto absolutely deserved to hear this story first.
And if she told it properlyâŠ
They would probably laugh for days.