Everyone remained busy until late into the night.
It was decided that the new Hidden Village would separate from the Land of Fire and exist independently within the shinobi world.
Tsunade, Tobirama, and even Hashirama all understood that Uchiha Yu's decision would completely overturn the current system of one village per nation.
The daimyō… would likely become a thing of the past.
As for the supplies the new village needed, they could temporarily be purchased from the Stone shinobi. Funding wasn't a problem either—the Uchiha clan's wealth, safeguarded long ago under Sasuke's protection, was finally proving useful.
In addition, the resources seized from the destruction of the Grass Village could also be used for operations.
What surprised Tsunade was that Orochimaru actually requested to join the new Konoha and even expressed willingness to integrate the Sound Village of the Land of Rice Fields into it.
His only condition was that he be freed from the rules of the shinobi system. He wanted Uchiha Yu's promise not to interfere with his private experiments.
Uchiha Yu agreed.
There was no reason not to. In the future, he would need Orochimaru to research the Sharingan, Byakugan, and various other forbidden jutsu. With so many projects, Orochimaru would likely have no time left to indulge in his more unethical pursuits.
Thus, the problems of money, manpower, and territory were all resolved, allowing Tsunade to work smoothly.
That night, aside from the Sarutobi Edo Tensei shinobi laboring at the construction site, the rest of the village was unusually quiet. After midnight, the entire village was cloaked in darkness.
In the latter half of the night, those still working inside the Hokage Building gradually left to rest. Although Edo Tensei Kushina and Rin didn't need sleep, the others were ordinary humans and had to wait for morning in the next room.
Eventually, only Uchiha Yu and Tsunade remained in the office.
Suddenly, in the prison space, Hashirama's warning voice rang out:
"Hey, brat, don't you dare try anything with little Tsunade, I'm warning—"
"Annoying."
Uchiha Yu casually replied.
With that, both Hashirama and Tobirama felt darkness swallow their vision as they were thrown into solitary confinement.
Outside, the moon shone brightly against the sparse stars.
Tsunade had already removed her mask. She sat upright in the Hokage's seat, drafting various plans.
The oil lamp illuminated her golden hair and refined face. Bearing the task of reconstructing the new Hidden Village, Tsunade seemed filled with boundless energy, as if she would never tire.
Her natural laziness was buried deep inside. At this moment, if she didn't take responsibility for the civilians of Konoha, could she really count on Uchiha Yu?
As she worked, Tsunade occasionally stole glances at him.
Uchiha Yu sat across from her, head lowered, writing plans with meticulous care. He truly seemed invested in building his own village within the shinobi world.
"Tch, I thought you were the type to casually throw out a goal and then dump all the remaining work on your subordinates."
Tsunade muttered lightly.
She disliked an oppressive office atmosphere. Normally, while working, she often chatted with Shizune to pass the time.
Uchiha Yu suddenly stopped writing, looked at her seriously, and said, "You judge people quite well."
After a long day, he realized something important: no one could be omnipotent.
When it came to building a village, mere interest wasn't enough. Without Tsunade, he would have taken many wrong turns.
So Uchiha Yu decided that after tonight, he would entrust all village affairs to Tsunade and the people he trusted.
He had no intention of being tied down to the village forever.
He had his own matters to deal with.
As for Tsunade, in both body and spirit, she was already his. Their relationship had simply gotten off track, leaving things somewhat distant for now.
But feelings could always be nurtured.
"…"
Tsunade had a vague hunch that in the days to come, she might not see much of this man at all.
"Dawn's almost here. Go get some rest," Uchiha Yu suddenly said.
"My stamina's better than most. Working two or three days straight is nothing!" Tsunade muttered, head still bent over her writing. "If you're tired and want to rest, then go rest yourself!"
Uchiha Yu nodded in satisfaction, silently appreciating it. He liked this kind of top-tier "employee"—someone willing to work overtime on their own initiative, sharing the boss's burden.
With that thought, he pulled out the last bottle of green medicine, uncorked it, and downed it in one gulp before dawn reset, sweeping away his fatigue.
Sensing the air infused with fresh vitality, Tsunade stirred slightly, lifting her gaze to him.
She instantly recalled his strange pink potion, and rage welled up. She ground her teeth in fury, snapping the pen in her hand into several pieces.
Uchiha Yu understood her anger. Setting his own pen before her, he studied her carefully, then said,
"If you want to strengthen your spiritual power, you can tell me privately."
Her eyes widened, and she snapped back viciously:
"Get lost!!"
He wasn't offended. Rising slowly, he glanced at the breaking dawn, the clouds tinged with rosy light—a sight that could ease anyone's heart.
Moments later, hearing movement in the distance, Uchiha Yu noticed the Stone shinobi had finished eating their rations and started working.
He looked toward the corner where Shennong of the shinobi world stood, then manipulated him and prepared to leave.
Tsunade, her anger now subdued, looked at his back and asked, "Are you certain… the Sky Ninja Village still has assets left in this world?"
Uchiha Yu nodded. "Mm. When I return, I should be able to bring back another batch of shinobi."
"Oh." Tsunade said no more.
When Uchiha Yu and Shennong left the office, she finally raised her head, her gaze lingering on his retreating figure, lost in thought.
Truthfully, she had liked the atmosphere of their late-night work together—silent, but both knowing exactly what the other was doing.
While she was dazed, Uchiha Yu suddenly returned. Meeting her eyes, he reminded her:
"No drinking while working!"
"Annoying!" Tsunade's brows furrowed, her chest heaving with anger as she slapped her palm lightly on the desk.
Bang—
The desk trembled.
The pen Uchiha Yu had given her rolled to the floor.
After he left, Tsunade adjusted her robe, crouched down, and crawled under the desk to look for it.
But the pen was nowhere to be found.
"How strange… where did it go?"
She had looked cool slapping the desk, but kneeling on the ground searching made her look equally clumsy.
Just then, a familiar hand reached from the side, grasped her high heel and ankle, lifted it, and retrieved the pen stuck in a blind corner.
Startled, Tsunade looked up and saw Uchiha Yu's face once again. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly pulled her foot back, retorting haughtily, "Weren't you leaving?"
Both of them emerged from under the desk.
With a twist of his right hand, Uchiha Yu caused space itself to tremble. From a corner of his storage space, he pulled out several cans of red bean soup and some pastries made by Mikoto.
"If you get peckish, have these."
With that, Uchiha Yu finally left the office, leaving Tsunade staring at the food on the desk, her thoughts in turmoil.
Exiting the Hokage Building, Uchiha Yu controlled Shinno to follow behind him.
Today, he had to head for the Sky Ninja Village and collect all the hidden rewards outside the main quest.
He hadn't gone far before he spotted Orochimaru and Garaga approaching from the street.
°°°
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