After hearing Kurotsuchi's words, the corner of Aoba's mouth couldn't help but twitch.
Kurotsuchi had really become a construction boss lady.
At present, Konoha's construction industry was in its golden age. Whether it was building infrastructure, other entertainment facilities, or construction projects in places like Sunagakure and Kirigakure, it was the period when manpower was most lacking and money was least of a concern.
Everyone had seen Kurotsuchi's income from working on construction sites during this period.
It was far higher than that of Uzuki Yugao, a proper jonin who frequently led teams out on missions.
Not only had she paid back all the money she originally owed Aoba, she had also been paying rent properly to Tsunade.
Although Tsunade had said she could waive the rent, living there for free all the time still made her feel a bit embarrassed.
What if one day she became Tsuchikage and rumors spread in the village about how she used to freeload in Konoha?
Besides, she wasn't short on money now anyway.
She could be considered one of the first ninjas to benefit from the construction boom.
As for the secrecy she had promised Tsunade back then, of course she hadn't forgotten it.
"Then I'll take you back tomorrow," Aoba didn't refuse and agreed right away.
"Alright!"
Seeing Aoba agree, Kurotsuchi also showed a happy expression.
Although she was still a bit angry about her grandfather and father selling her off, and life in Konoha was pretty good, she had been away from home for so long that she still wanted to go back and check on their health.
Maybe if the old man got too excited and threw his back out, she could even become Tsuchikage ahead of schedule.
Seeing this, Fu blinked, then also looked at Aoba with expectation in her eyes.
"Aoba, can you also take me back to Takigakure? I want to go back and see the village chief and the others."
"No problem. You can leave with us tomorrow. You can also stay in Takigakure for a few days," Aoba went along with it and agreed directly.
"That's great!", Fu was much more lively than Kurotsuchi. She wanted to jump up from her seat and give Aoba a hug.
But under the gaze of the many girls present, she still restrained herself.
"Thank you, Aoba!"
After the two girls finished talking about going home, the living room returned to its cheerful atmosphere.
Uzuki Yugao and the others started chatting again about Aoba's life after becoming Hokage.
After all, when that time came, they would all count as Hokage wives.
They also briefly brought up the issue of changes to the Hokage secretaries and Hokage guards.
At this point, Yugito suddenly jumped in, saying she wanted to become a Hokage guard.
However, Aoba hadn't thought this through yet.
Normally, there were only four Hokage guards, and most of the time the position was used to balance the interests of the major ninja clans.
But Aoba didn't care about that. He was thinking about choosing a few among Tenten and the others, or simply expanding the guard unit and the secretary unit, letting all of them become Hokage guards or Hokage secretaries.
After all, Konoha's territory would only grow larger in the future, and expanding both units really was necessary.
However, Yugito was very dissatisfied with his ambiguous attitude and stared at him with resentful eyes for quite a while.
Aoba had no idea why Yugito suddenly wanted to become a Hokage guard.
Still, overall the dinner was quite pleasant. After all, the main purpose of the banquet was to celebrate Aoba in the first place.
Not long after the dinner ended, Kushina pulled Nohara Rin and prepared to leave.
"Mikoto, I'm staying with Rin tonight. You go back on your own!"
After saying this, Kushina flashed Uchiha Mikoto a mischievous smile, then dragged Nohara Rin out of the room.
Seeing this, Uchiha Mikoto couldn't help but roll her eyes, but she didn't really mind.
With Aoba around, there was no way she would go back alone anyway.
On the other hand, Uzumaki Kasui blinked at the scene, then also pulled Karin to her feet.
"It's getting late. Karin and I will head back too."
"Good night, Aoba-nii!"
Karin ran over to Aoba and gave him a kiss before following Uzumaki Kasui out the door.
After Kurotsuchi and the others also left one after another, Aoba looked toward Uchiha Mikoto, who was sitting quietly in the corner drinking tea. He walked over and said with a smile,
"Aunt Mikoto, it's late. Let me walk you back."
"Mm."
Uchiha Mikoto nodded slightly. After setting down her teacup, she stood up and bowed lightly to Uzuki Yugao and the others.
"Sorry for the disturbance tonight."
Uzuki Yugao shook her head slightly and said with a gentle smile, "Mikoto, you're being too polite. You can treat this place as your own home in the future."
"O-okay."
Uchiha Mikoto nodded with a faint blush. Although she was the elder, that was precisely why she felt embarrassed.
"Let's go, Aunt Mikoto."
Aoba saw her awkward state and took the initiative to hold her hand, leading her outside.
"Aoba-kun, come home early," Uzuki Yugao added.
"I know."
After replying, Aoba closed the door.
"Aoba-kun, do Yugao and the others already know about our relationship?", Once the door was closed, Uchiha Mikoto asked somewhat nervously.
"Well… you could say they do."
Aoba explained helplessly, "After all, Shizune-nee and Sensei both know that Kushina-nee once stole medicine from Sensei. Then that night I didn't come home, and Yugao and the others all knew I stayed over at your place, Aunt Mikoto. Naturally, they figured it out."
"I see…"
Uchiha Mikoto pressed her lips together, looking a bit dazed.
Seeing her like this, Aoba simply pulled her into his arms, "What does it matter? Anyway, Aunt Mikoto, you're going to move over sooner or later."
"But…"
Uchiha Mikoto wanted to say something more, but Aoba directly interrupted her.
"Don't you want to move in and live with me?"
"That's not what I mean!"
Hearing him ask that, Uchiha Mikoto hurriedly explained, "I'm just not mentally prepared yet. After all, Karin and the others are all Sasuke's classmates…"
"It's fine. After living together for a while, everyone will get used to it. And you can first move over for some other reason, like it being convenient for commuting to work," Aoba offered his idea.
Uchiha Mikoto couldn't help but roll her eyes at him, "How is that any different from covering your ears while stealing a bell?"
You didn't move over after being a Hokage secretary for so many years, but you suddenly move over now. Anyone could tell something was going on.
"Then we'll say you used to need to take care of Sasuke, and now that Sasuke has grown up, you don't need to anymore."
After saying this, Aoba didn't give Uchiha Mikoto any more chance to argue. He directly kissed her.
Only after she was out of breath did he let her go. He didn't continue the topic, instead asking, "Shall we use Flying Thunder God to go back directly?"
Uchiha Mikoto shook her head with a red face. Looking at the snowflakes falling on his head, she said, "The snow is so nice tonight. Let's take a walk a bit longer."
"Sure."
Aoba naturally didn't refuse. Holding her hand, he walked slowly with her.
"Aunt Mikoto, do you think this counts as growing old together?"
Because they had been standing outside for a while, quite a bit of snow had already settled on both of their heads.
"Mm."
Uchiha Mikoto didn't say much, her face red, only leaning a bit closer to him.
And as the two figures disappeared into the Senju clan compound, a certain single mother who had been watching in secret finally snapped out of her shock.
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