Kurotsuchi gradually understood everything.
Aoba wouldn't lie to her about something like this, and Iwagakure was no match for Konoha.
So her grandfather had known all along that Iwagakure was bound to lose. The final result would only be becoming a part of Konoha.
That was why he wanted to retire as soon as possible, then let her, his granddaughter, take the blame.
But on this point, Kurotsuchi had misunderstood Onoki.
Onoki's decision really wasn't about dumping the burden on her. The biggest reason was actually the relationship between Kurotsuchi and Aoba.
Even among subordinate villages, there were still differences.
The treatment of Sunagakure and Kirigakure was like night and day.
In front of Konoha, Sunagakure had almost no dignity left. Whether it was their economic lifeline, military deployment, or even the Kazekage's various decisions, everything had to be approved by Konoha.
But Kirigakure had only opened a few coastal ports. Other than that, Konoha hardly interfered in Kirigakure's internal affairs.
The reason, aside from Sunagakure's defeat back then, was mainly because the current Mizukage was Aoba's fiancée.
If Kurotsuchi became Tsuchikage, with her relationship with Aoba, Iwagakure could at least keep some dignity like Kirigakure.
Even if they had to kneel, they could kneel with some grace.
As for saying that Kurotsuchi and Aoba were still completely innocent and clear of each other, free of any feelings, that was just a joke.
Everyone in the ninja world knew what kind of person Aoba was.
His reputation spoke for itself.
Once the meat was already in the bowl, how could he possibly let it go?
However, Kurotsuchi didn't know what Onoki was thinking. Right now, she only felt like she'd been set up by her own grandfather.
So her anger meter could be said to have completely maxed out.
Aoba looked at Kurotsuchi, who had suddenly fallen into what seemed like a rage, completely confused. He had no idea what she'd thought of, so he simply asked again.
"Now that you know the ending is already set, are you still going back?"
"Going back! Of course I'm going back!"
Kurotsuchi gritted her teeth and said each word clearly, as if she wanted to spit out all the resentment in her heart.
"Hm?"
Aoba was even more confused, 'Why is her anger suddenly so strong?'
"I can't wait to go back right now and give that old man a Stone Fist!"
Kurotsuchi blurted out what was really on her mind.
'Well then. So all that anger is aimed at Onoki?'
Aoba was completely at a loss. He had thought it was directed at him.
But since it was aimed at Onoki, he decided not to bother with it anymore.
"If you're that determined, then I won't say anything more."
As he spoke, he stopped walking forward and turned around.
"Let's go. It's getting late. We should head back."
"..."
Hearing this, Kurotsuchi's surging anger gradually calmed down. She turned around and followed him.
Now that she had figured out her grandfather's intention, there was nothing left for her to insist on.
"Does it really have to be like Sunagakure?"
"Hm? What are you trying to say?"
"I mean, if Iwagakure takes the initiative to become Konoha's subordinate ninja village, do we have to fully open up like Sunagakure? Can't it be like Kirigakure instead?"
As the saying goes, the moment the thought of surrender rises, the world suddenly feels wider.
Kurotsuchi had already accepted the fact that Iwagakure would surrender to Konoha. So now, naturally, she wanted to fight for better terms after the surrender.
Like grandfather, like granddaughter. On this point, she and Onoki had thought the same way.
"Well…"
Aoba stopped and looked at her with a strange expression, "Do you also want to form a political marriage with me?"
The moment the words left his mouth, he seemed to understand, 'No wonder Onoki was so eager for Kurotsuchi to become Tsuchikage. So this is the purpose.'
No wonder people said having an elder at home was like having a treasure.
If Kumogakure had an old man like Onoki, it wouldn't have ended up in its current state.
"PO… POLITICAL MARRIAGE?"
Kurotsuchi shouted the word in shock.
"Why are you yelling all of a sudden?"
Aoba rubbed his ears, his face full of speechless disbelief. "Weren't you the one who said you wanted Iwagakure to be like Kirigakure?"
"The reason Kirigakure can still keep such a high degree of autonomy now is because of my political marriage with Mei-nee back then."
Kurotsuchi's face turned bright red, "Don't you also have a marriage engagement with Temari?"
"Is that the same? Mei-nee is the Mizukage of Kirigakure, and I'm the Hokage of Konoha. After she married me, Konoha and Kirigakure became one family. That counts as shared property between husband and wife. Temari isn't the Kazekage of Sunagakure."
Aoba said it as if it were only natural.
"Th… this…"
Kurotsuchi was completely stunned.
'It can be explained like that?'
Seeing her like this, Aoba couldn't help but laugh. He looked straight into her bright eyes under the clear moonlight.
"So? What do you think?"
"I… I don't know."
Kurotsuchi subconsciously looked away.
She didn't even know what she was feeling.
Actually, she had originally thought that when he called her out alone, it was to confess to her. When she came out, she had even felt a little nervous.
After all, calling a girl out alone for a walk at night.
It couldn't really just be for a walk, right?
Who would have thought they'd end up talking about something so serious, catching her completely off guard.
But in the end, after going in circles, the topic still returned to this.
Kurotsuchi didn't dislike Aoba. On the contrary, being with him was relaxing.
She could say whatever she wanted, tease him whenever she felt like it.
If possible, she wouldn't mind living like before for the rest of her life.
Life here in the Senju clan's territory was much happier than the more than ten years she had spent in Iwagakure.
But now, everything suddenly felt so heavy… Kurotsuchi felt like she had suddenly been forced to grow up.
"If you don't know, then think about it carefully. There's no rush to give an answer right now. Let's talk about it after you officially become Tsuchikage."
"Mm!"
Kurotsuchi nodded lightly and silently followed behind Aoba as they walked back.
———
The next day, Aoba sent Kurotsuchi back to Iwagakure using Flying Thunder God.
Not long after, news spread from Iwagakure that the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, had suffered a worsening of his back problems and was bedridden.
As winter passed and summer came, time hurried on.
Over the next few months, nothing major happened in the ninja world.
After stabilizing, both the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass carried out sweeping reforms from top to bottom.
Until nearly eight months later.
One morning—
"I actually fell asleep?"
Feeling a tickle at the tip of his nose, Aoba opened his eyes and saw the familiar ceiling. He couldn't help but murmur to himself.
Soft sunlight poured in through the window, lighting up the room.
Everything felt quiet and peaceful.
"Aoba, you're awake."
Beside him, the black-haired woman who had been teasing his nose with her hair let out a soft laugh when she saw him wake up.
"Mm…"
Hearing her voice, Aoba looked around, confusion on his face.
"Where's Sensei?"
If he remembered correctly, Tsunade had been there last night too.
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