"This is Konan. From now on, she will be living here with you. This is His Majesty's decision, and he hopes you will all get along well," Samui said as she introduced Konan to Hancock, Robin, and Nami, giving both sides a brief introduction.
Upon seeing the three women, Konan felt a hint of surprise, especially when she laid eyes on Hancock—her beauty was truly stunning.
She had already been amazed by Samui's appearance, but now Hancock and Robin's towering height caught her even more off guard.
She suddenly recalled what Samui had said earlier—that these three women were close to His Majesty… Did that mean they were all the Emperor's women?
Robin gazed at Konan thoughtfully before offering a gentle smile.
"I feel like we've met before, Miss Konan."
Samui explained, "This is not the Konan you met before. There is another Konan in Konoha."
The three pirate women were left confused by this remark.
Robin smiled again, her voice warm. "Well then, let's help Miss Konan tidy up her room."
Konan quickly said, "I can do it myself."
Nami also smiled. "No need to be so formal. We'll be living together from now on, and helping each other out is just what we do."
Konan wasn't quite used to this kind of interaction.
Their warmth and kindness made her feel a bit overwhelmed.
In the past, she had grown accustomed to keeping a cold demeanor.
In the Akatsuki led by Nagato, everyone was bound by mutual interests, using each other as needed.
In Amegakure, she was revered as the untouchable 'Angel.'
It had been far too long since a genuine smile had appeared on her face.
Samui mentioned that she still had work to do and was about to leave when Konan stopped her just before she stepped out.
Speaking softly, Konan asked, "Those three… what exactly is their relationship with His Majesty?"
Samui replied, "What do you think?"
Konan fell silent for a moment before saying, "Is it really appropriate for me to live with them?"
Samui replied, "There's nothing inappropriate about it. Besides, this is His Majesty's decision—you heard him yourself."
Konan's heart tightened slightly.
She could hear the unspoken meaning behind those words.
Samui continued, "Life here is good. If you need anything, you can ask. His Majesty is the Emperor of the Sun Empire, ruler of this world—whatever material needs you have, he can provide."
"…"
Konan didn't want anything, nor did she want these people forcing anything upon her.
She said, "I… want to speak with His Majesty again."
Samui looked at her calmly and said, "His Majesty is very busy. When he has time, perhaps. For now, just settle in."
"…"
With that, Samui left, leaving Konan standing alone at the doorway.
A sudden sense of regret crept into Konan's heart.
If she had said she wanted to stay closer to Yahiko, would things have turned out differently?
No… That emperor—if he truly had such intentions toward her—then no matter what choice she made, the result would be the same, wouldn't it?
She realized her current situation wasn't ideal.
This world was entirely under his rule, his power was overwhelming, and she seemed to have no room for resistance.
At that moment, Robin approached her. "Miss Konan."
"…Miss Robin."
Robin studied the quiet and reserved Konan, then smiled. "Here, we are all the same. You'll get used to it in time."
Konan wanted to explain that she was different from them, but she knew it would be pointless, so she chose to remain silent.
"Come, let's take a look at your room," Robin said.
............
Late Night, Tsunade's Home.
Hokage Shizune was suddenly awakened by a noise coming from the living room.
She groggily pulled on a coat and stepped out of her bedroom, faintly making out two figures in the dimly lit space.
Still drowsy, she didn't think much of it and simply called out, "Lady Tsunade?"
At the same time, her hand fumbled along the wall, switching on the light.
The two people in the living room instantly froze, their movements stopping as they turned toward her.
Ding-ling—
The crisp sound of a bell rang sharply in the room.
The moment she took in the scene before her, Shizune's drowsiness vanished completely.
She stood there in stunned silence, eyes widening as the three of them stared at each other, the living room engulfed in an eerie stillness.
She couldn't quite tell if the person underneath on the sofa was Lady Tsunade or just her mentor, but the scene was so shocking that it struck her to the core.
The Tsunade before her had clenched her fists tightly against the floor, veins bulging on the back of her hands from how hard she was gripping.
For over ten seconds, everything remained frozen in place.
Then, as Shizune snapped back to her senses, she swiftly turned around, retreating to her bedroom.
In one quick motion, she switched the lights off again, plunging the living room back into darkness.
In the pitch-black space, Tsunade's trembling voice broke the silence. "Can I… go back to my room now?"
A voice responded to her, "Didn't she already know?"
After a brief pause, Tsunade's voice came again, this time pleading, "…Let's just go back to the room."
Inside her bedroom, Shizune leaned against the door, her heart pounding violently.
The scene she had just witnessed was burned into her mind, impossible to erase.
Lady Tsunade… The Lady Tsunade I admire so deeply…
Before, when her counterpart from this world had told her about Lady Tsunade's relationship with the Emperor, she had thought she was prepared.
She knew they were willing, mutually affectionate, and that it wasn't her place to interfere.
But it absolutely shouldn't have been that kind of scene!
A wave of humiliation and grief surged within her, filling her with unbearable pain.
Outside, the moonlight cast a cold, distant glow.
Shizune no longer felt the slightest trace of sleepiness.
She sat on the floor, hugging her knees, staring at the ground in silence for a long, long time.
The night passed.
Shizune came over to wake up the Hokage Shizune.
When she pushed open the door, she found her sprawled sideways on the bed, fast asleep, still wearing her coat.
How did she even fall asleep like this…
She walked over, helped adjust Hokage Shizunes posture, and pulled the blanket over her.
This small movement stirred her awake.
"Didn't sleep well last night?" Shizune asked.
Hokage Shizune slowly opened her drowsy eyes and murmured, "Lady Tsunade…"
Shizune replied, "Lady Tsunade is having breakfast. If you didn't sleep well, just rest a bit longer and eat when you wake up."
Hokage Shizune's gaze flickered, and her sleepy eyes gradually became clearer.
She asked, "Last night… did you hear anything?"
Shizune paused for a moment before replying, "I went to bed early last night. You just got here, and you probably didn't sleep well, maybe you were dreaming."
"..."
Hokage Shizune lay there silently, saying nothing.
Shizune turned and left the room.
At the dining table, both Tsunades were having breakfast.
When they saw Shizune come out, they looked over, their expressions carrying unspoken thoughts.
"How is she?" one of them asked.
"She didn't sleep well last night, still resting… Maybe she's not used to being here yet," Shizune said with a slight smile.
"I see…"
"Lady Tsunade, are you going to train again today?"
"…Yeah, there's nothing else planned."
"I'll prepare a bento for you."
Shizune turned and walked into the kitchen, while the two Tsunades exchanged glances, both remaining silent.
They both knew what had happened last night.
Originally, it had been an unspoken understanding between Shizune and them.
But now, the other Shizune had walked in on it…
What should they do now? Should they just pretend it never happened?
Shizune would probably consider their dignity and never bring it up herself…
Tsunade silently ate her food, her gaze deep and distant.
The Hokage Tsunade suddenly spoke in a low voice, "I'll go talk to her… After all, we come from the same world."
Tsunade glanced at her but instead asked, "Do you want her to sympathize with you? To share your pain?"
"...I know what to do," the Hokage Tsunade simply replied.
After breakfast, the Hokage Tsunade went to her disciple's room.
Hokage Shizune, was lying on her side, back facing the door.
Seeing her posture, the Hokage Tsunade knew she wasn't asleep.
She probably hadn't slept well all night—because of what happened last night.
The Hokage Tsunade slowly walked to the bedside and sat down at the edge, also turning her back to her.
"Shizune."
The figure on the bed seemed to tremble slightly, but she still responded, "...Lady Tsunade."
The Hokage Tsunade took a deep breath and slowly said, "I… love the Emperor very much."
Shizune's eyes widened instantly.
"Not just me—my other self does too. We both love him deeply."
"..."
The Hokage Tsunade's voice was calm, her tone steady and slow, as she quietly conveyed a 'truth' to her disciple.
"For certain special reasons, we can't be together openly. And I don't want to enter his family. Maintaining the relationship we have now… is fine."
"When you love someone, you're willing to do many things for them. Last night… what you saw may not have been pleasant… but it was something we did willingly. I hope you can understand."
"But… we should have been more considerate. If this has affected you, I'm sorry…"
There was no response from behind her.
After saying all this, the Hokage Tsunade sat there, feeling her own heart trembling.
Such deceitful words… and yet she managed to say them.
But just as the other Tsunade had pointed out earlier—what would be the point of telling Shizune the real truth?
Would it only make Shizune worry for her and suffer in her place?
It would be better for her not to think too much and just live a peaceful life.
That was why this lie had to be woven.
"I… love the Emperor very much."
The Hokage Tsunade curled her lips into a mocking smile, finding it utterly ironic.
But as she recalled everything that had happened, she felt a moment of daze.
For a fleeting instant—when their bodies intertwined, when she was engulfed in that bone-melting sensation—she would forget who she was, forget who she was supposed to hate…
A hazy sadness flickered in her eyes as she sat there, lost in thought for a long time.
Behind her, Shizune slowly sat up in bed.
She glanced at her master's back before lowering her gaze and murmuring, "I'm sorry, Lady Tsunade…"
The Hokage Tsunade let out a small laugh. "What are you apologizing for?"
"I… misunderstood you."
"Not really a misunderstanding. It's not like I ever told you."
"..."
Shizune suddenly realized she didn't truly understand her master as much as she thought she did.
She couldn't even figure out why Lady Tsunade liked the Emperor.
She tried to compare the Emperor to her uncle, but so much time had passed that all she could remember was that her uncle had been a gentle person.
Was the Emperor gentle?
She had never felt that.
No, that's not right! There must be a reason.
The Emperor of the empire—powerful, young and heroic, standing at the pinnacle of the world—weren't these all reasons?
A man like that, any woman would be moved by him.
It wasn't strange for Lady Tsunade to fall for him.
Lady Tsunade… was a woman too.
She had been alone for so long—wasn't it only natural for her to need a man?
As she convinced herself of this, everything started to make sense.
She stood up and said to the Hokage Tsunade, "Lady Tsunade, I understand now. You need someone by your side."
The Hokage Tsunade forced a small smile and gave a faint "Mm" in response.
This only solidified Shizune's thoughts.
As for last night… well, maybe they just had some unusual preferences.
Her face turned slightly red as she said, "I'll be more mindful in the future. I won't disturb you two."
"…Come have breakfast."
"Mm."
After getting up and freshening up, Shizune went into the kitchen first and saw the other Shizune preparing a bento.
"Who is this for?"
"For Lady Tsunade. She often goes out to train every day."
"Is that so?"
"Lady Tsunade, like you, has a body granted by His Majesty. She is much younger than before, so she has been very dedicated to training lately."
The Hokage Shizune fell into thought, lowering her gaze to her own hands and clenching them into fists.
She had always regretted that, despite being the disciple of one of the Three Sannin, Tsunade, she could never fully inherit her master's skills.
Now that she was indeed younger than before, maybe she could try training hard like Lady Tsunade.
"Oh, by the way," the other Shizune suddenly spoke while arranging food in the bento box.
"What did Lady Tsunade say to you just now?"
"Ah…" Hokage Shizune smiled.
"It was just a misunderstanding. Both Lady Tsunade's… they truly love His Majesty."
"…Mm." Shizune simply gave a calm response, her expression unchanged as she continued working.
"I'll take you out later so you can get familiar with Konoha as it is now."
"Sounds good, I'll be in your care."
"You are me, and I am you. No need to thank yourself."
Hokage Shizune thought about it and agreed, nodding with a smile.
Shizune then added, "Tomorrow, you should make breakfast. My master and Lady Tsunade are both pretty lazy, as you should know."
Hokage Shizune pondered for a moment before nodding seriously, "Mm!"
Lady Tsunade wasn't just lazy—she loved drinking and gambling, and she always let her Hokage duties pile up, leaving Shizune to help her handle them.
She then asked another question, "Do you have a job?"
"I'm listed at the hospital, and my master is there too. If you're interested, I can take you to have a look."
"That sounds great."
"It's best to use a Transformation Jutsu, though. If both of us show up at the same time, it'll draw too much attention."
That morning, Hokage Tsunade took her bento and went out to train.
The other Tsunade, with nothing to do, lay on the couch watching TV.
The two Shizunes then headed out together as planned.
Looking at the renewed Konoha—the bustling streets, the towering buildings in the distance illuminated with lights, and the massive hundred-meter-tall statue outside—
Hokage Shizune thought that living here in the future might not be so bad.
Back in her original world, she had already been single at thirty.
But now that her body had reverted to that of a twenty-year-old, maybe she should find some time to start dating.
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