Standing in the corner, Kankuro, who had been silent all this time, was also anxious and wanted to stop Temari.
But before they could say anything, Temari spoke directly, "Konoha is an ally of our Sunagakure, and this time they saved Gaara. It is only reasonable for us Sunagakure to express our gratitude to them, so I want to personally go to Konoha and thank Lord Hokage."
???
That's your reason?
Yes, this reason does sound plausible.
But no matter how you look at it, it feels like an excuse, right?
So you just don't want to stay at Sunagakure, right?
The surrounding Sunagakure executives looked at Temari with unkind eyes.
However, they couldn't say anything.
After all, Temari had already given a plausible reason.
But everyone knew that she didn't plan to go to Konoha for the sake of gratitude at all.
Gaara stood aside, looking at his sister without saying a word.
He already knew what had happened.
It was Temari, who had desperately wanted to rescue him.
She chased after him alone, risking her life to bring him back.
Therefore, Gaara could understand Temari's feelings.
He wouldn't blame her for leaving Sunagakure.
Even Gaara would have wanted to go with Temari if Ebizō hadn't sacrificed his life for him.
But not now.
Gaara now had an extra responsibility on his shoulders.
This responsibility was something he had given himself.
It was also entrusted to him by the deceased Ebizō.
So, no matter what, he couldn't leave Sunagakure.
But he supported Temari in leaving with Ryosuke.
'Maybe… this is the best choice for Temari.' Gaara thought.
Ryosuke asked, "Have you decided?"
Temari nodded.
Ryosuke said, "Well, it's settled."
Seeing this, Ryosuke reached out and held Temari's small hand.
"Then come with me."
Feeling the warm touch from his hand, Temari's cheeks blushed.
She nodded, then turned to say goodbye to Gaara.
As for her other brother, Kankuro?
She didn't want to talk to him for now.
Maybe in the future, she would forgive Kankuro for his decision.
But it was impossible to forgive him now, at least in the short term.
Kankuro opened his mouth, but in the end, he didn't say anything.
The other Sunagakure executives looked at Temari, and then at Ryosuke.
Finally, their eyes fell on the two hands that were holding each other.
They suddenly realized something.
I see!
Temari isn't betraying Sunagakure, but pursuing her own happiness.
The Sunagakure executives suddenly felt that they had understood the truth of everything.
It turns out they had misunderstood Temari.
Things weren't what they had thought.
"Great! If Temari can be with Ryosuke, wouldn't we, Sunagakure, be able to embrace Ryosuke's influence in the future?"
"Good job, Temari! As expected of Lord Kazekage's daughter."
"Awesome! Why didn't I think of this? I heard that Ryosuke has many girlfriends in Konoha—this was obvious! Why didn't I think of it before? How stupid I was!"
These Sunagakure executives had just been scolding Temari for betraying the village.
But in the blink of an eye, because of Ryosuke's actions, they completely changed their views.
The unkind look in their eyes turned into a warm, and even humble gaze.
It made Temari a bit uncomfortable.
At the same time, her heart grew firmer in her choice.
This village… except for a very few people, the rest were really hopeless.
Temari shook her head inwardly, feeling even more disappointed with the village.
Under the eyes of Sunagakure's executives, who were full of blessings, Ryosuke took Temari's small hand.
Then, the two figures disappeared in an instant through a red portal.
...
Konoha
Ryosuke's house
Ryosuke appeared in the yard with Temari.
"Arrived."
Saying that, Ryosuke let go of Temari's hand.
Temari, who suddenly felt the touch on her hand disappear, felt a little empty in her heart.
"What are your plans next?" Ryosuke asked her.
Hearing this, Temari shook her head.
She really hadn't thought about it. Mainly because when she had made the decision to leave Sunagakure, she was somewhat impulsive.
But now that she had left Sunagakure and arrived at this strange place called Konoha, Temari didn't know what to do next.
Fortunately, Ryosuke didn't intend to abandon her.
After all, she had already been brought here, so there was no reason to leave her behind, right?
And Ryosuke admired Temari's character of daring to love and hate.
Everyone in Sunagakure had been afraid to rescue Gaara because all of them were scared of Menma's power.
Temari had been the only one to chase after Gaara bravely.
She was even ready to sacrifice herself.
In fact, if Menma wasn't actually Ryosuke's Wood Clone and Ryosuke hadn't saved her, Temari would have really died at the hands of Kisame's clone.
Ryosuke said, "Since you can't think of anything for the time being, then stay at my house for a while."
Temari nodded embarrassedly.
"Let's go."
As Ryosuke spoke, he naturally took her hand and led her to the villa.
Temari, who was pulled by him, had a flushed face. Her heartbeat uncontrollably speed up.
"Master, welcome home!"
At the door
Yugito Nii, who had been waiting for a long time, wearing a black and white maid outfit, bowed respectfully to Ryosuke as he entered.
She quickly came over and helped Ryosuke change his outdoor shoes.
As for Temari on the side?
Sorry!
She is Ryosuke's personal maid, and she doesn't need to serve others.
Seeing Ryosuke approaching, and holding Temari's hand, Yugito Nii felt a little jealous.
Although she was Ryosuke's personal maid, she was still just a maid.
She, too, wanted to be held by Ryosuke like this and be one of the hostesses of the house.
Unknowingly, her feelings seemed to have changed through the passage of time.
Originally, she should have hated Ryosuke.
But now, she seemed to have sunk without realizing it.
She had completely forgetten her original hatred.
She even found herself having some outrageous thoughts about Ryosuke, her master.
"This is... Kumogakure's Yugito Nii?!"
Temari looked in surprise at Yugito Nii, who was dressed as a maid.
She hadn't expected a Jinchūriki from the esteemed Kumogakure to become Ryosuke's maid.
This greatly surprised Temari.
But then, recalling Ryosuke's terrifying strength, Temari suddenly felt that there was nothing surprising about it.
After all, if someone else had such strength, they could do whatever they wanted, right?
"This is Temari. She will live here temporarily from now on."
Ryosuke introduced Temari to Yugito Nii, but Yugito Nii's attitude toward Temari was quite indifferent and even a little repulsive.
Ryosuke didn't mind this, though.
As long as his women didn't cause trouble, it was actually quite amusing when they quarreled occasionally.
Of course, the premise is not to make him upset.
He doesn't like women who are too contrived.
Fortunately, in this world, there are few such women, and most of them are quite straightforward.
After all, this is a passionate world.
It's not a palace drama.
There isn't that much intrigue between women.
Ryosuke took Temari to see her room and then let her rest since she hadn't slept for two days and nights while rescuing Gaara.
"Master, where are you going?"
Seeing that Ryosuke was about to leave again as soon as he had returned, Yugito Nii showed some reluctance.
This woman has been quite a learner lately, and she already knows how to act quite skillfully.
Even Ryosuke isn't sure whether she is acting or being genuine.
It's also possible that she is jealous of Temari.
Ryosuke said, "I'm going to the Hokage office. I'll be back soon."
Hearing that Ryosuke was only going to the Hokage office, Yugito Nii secretly heaved a sigh of relief.
She really didn't want to stay at home alone with that girl named Temari.
Forget about the other female ninjas of Konoha.
But Temari is just a Sunagakure ninja.
Why should she get such treatment?
And she had come first!
Do you understand the meaning of "first come, first served"?
Ryosuke didn't even bother to guess what was on Yugito Nii's mind.
Anyway, as long as it doesn't affect him, nothing else matters.
Leaving the villa, Ryosuke soon arrived at the Hokage building.
Boom!
Ryosuke knocked on the door, then opened it and walked in.
"Ryosuke?"
Shizune, who was holding a stack of documents, was about to go out when she saw Ryosuke push the door open.
"Sister Shizune."
Ryosuke greeted Shizune.
Shizune asked, "Did you come to see Tsunade-sama?"
Shizune pointed to Tsunade, who was sleeping at the desk and said, "Tsunade-sama is sleeping. Do you want me to wake her?"
Ryosuke shook his head and said, "No need, I'll go by myself. I don't want to trouble you."
Shizune is Tsunade's student and now an assistant.
Of the 24 hours in a day, she spends at least 16 hours in the Hokage's office.
Even wage earners working for unscrupulous bosses in his past life didn't work as much as Shizune.
As an "unscrupulous boss", Tsunade sleeps openly in her Hokage office.
Thinking of this, Ryosuke felt a little sympathy for Shizune.
Poor girl!
Shizune felt a little uncomfortable under Ryosuke's gaze.
"Then I'll go first."
After speaking, Shizune trotted out of the Hokage's office.
Click!
The office door closed.
Now in the huge office, only Ryosuke and Tsunade, who was still sleeping, were left.
Ryosuke walked over and looked at Tsunade, who was sleeping soundly at the desk.
"She doesn't care about her image at all." Ryosuke shook his head and said.
Suddenly, he smiled and reached out, pinching Tsunade's nose with two fingers.
At this moment
Tsunade, who had been sleeping soundly, suddenly felt as though she couldn't breathe and instinctively opened her mouth.
"What?"
She groggily woke up.
This was because Tsunade knew that she was in the Hokage office and was aware there was no danger.
If she was anywhere else, she would've woken up as soon as Ryosuke had approached.
After all, she is a ninja who has been on the battlefield multiple times, and not some rookie.
"Wake up."
"You are the Hokage, and you are sleeping in the office?"
Ryosuke let go of his hand and said with a scolding look.
Tsunade subconsciously felt embarrassed.
After all, it's a bit out of character for her, as the Hokage, to be seen in this state.
But soon, Tsunade reacted.
Wait!
She is the Hokage, right?
And she is even his elder.
But Ryosuke is scolding her in this tone?
So rude!
Annoyed, Tsunade stood up with her arms akimbo.
She said, "Ryosuke, you're getting more brazen lately!"
"I'm your sister!"
Tsunade looked annoyed.
"You still owe me more than two hundred and seventy million ryos."
Ryosuke glanced at her indifferently and said, "When are you going to return it?"
Tsunade: "..."
The aura that had just been raised suddenly plummeted.
"More than 200 million? Is there that much?"
Tsunade muttered under her breath.
Ryosuke sternly said, "The IOUs are still here. Want me to show them to you?"