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Tsundere, huh?
All bark and no bite.
Sasame stood and walked over to her.
"What do you want?"
Tayuya instantly bristled, baring her tiny fangs.
"You've been hogging my bed for so long. Time to give it back."
Sasame shrugged.
Tayuya blinked, then immediately hopped off the bed and scurried to the far table.
The moment her eyes landed on the pastries, her fangs unconsciously retracted.
"Alright, I'm taking a nap."
Sasame lay down and closed his eyes without another word.
Tayuya waited a moment before cautiously creeping closer, scrutinizing him.
She hadn't forgotten their deal—one assassination attempt per day.
This was the perfect opportunity.
Her gaze flickered.
She wasn't stupid. The chance was there, but so was the possibility of a trap.
After some hesitation, she reached out and grabbed his mask.
When meeting Orochimaru, he'd used a transformation jutsu.
With Mei, though, he'd worn this mask instead.
Tayuya figured she'd test whether he was really asleep.
The mask came off—Sasame didn't stir.
But she froze.
His face was… young.
And unexpectedly handsome.
Tch!
"Looks can be deceiving!"
She pulled out a kunai—
Only for Sasame to seize her wrist the next instant, smiling like a benevolent demon.
"You lose."
"..."
Two seconds of silence. Then—
"You liar!" Tayuya snarled.
"Says the girl who fell for it."
Sasame plucked the kunai from her grip. "A bet's a bet. You're not the type to welch, right?"
"Of course not!"
She huffed, jutting her chin defiantly. "Do whatever you want! Kill me if you must!"
"Let's see how much this little stomach can hold."
Sasame patted her belly. "You're finishing every last bite on that table. I hate waste."
Tayuya blinked.
That was the punishment?
She was already planning tomorrow's assassination attempt.
Sasame headed to the kitchen and returned with a full meal.
"I made it. Disgusting. You'd better eat it all."
"Hmph! I will!"
Finally, she understood the real punishment.
Picking up her chopsticks, she braced herself and took a bite of meat—
Only for her entire body to relax in bliss.
It was delicious.
The realization that she'd been tricked again made her cheeks burn.
She knew he was helping her, but she'd never admit it.
This had to be another one of his pranks!
With that justification, she devoured the entire meal guilt-free.
Unlike Hinata, though, her stomach visibly bulged.
She'd overeaten.
Mainly because it was too good.
Under Orochimaru, she'd been stuck with nutrient paste and tasteless slop.
"Punishment's not over yet."
Sasame's annoying voice snapped her back to reality. She glared.
So her earlier guess was right!
Now he'd make her do squats or something until she puked.
How evil!
"Follow me."
Sasame stood and opened the door.
Tayuya's suspicions solidified.
Gritting her teeth, she swore to endure whatever humiliation awaited.
"In you go."
Sasame stopped at the inn's private bathing area. "Wash up. Then change into these new clothes."
"..."
Tayuya stared.
This wasn't what she'd expected.
"Let's say… twenty minutes. Any longer, and I'm yanking those horns off."
Sasame tapped his chin thoughtfully.
"Bastard! You won't get the chance!"
Snarling on reflex, she stormed into the bath.
"So easy to fool."
Sasame chuckled.
Before long, the door creaked open.
Tayuya stepped out—awkwardly.
But Sasame's eyes lit up.
Dressed in a black-and-white frilled dress, white stockings, and little leather boots, she looked like a living doll.
"You're free to train the rest of the day. Get stronger so you can assassinate me sooner."
He patted her head before she could dodge, earning a fang-baring growl.
"I'll kill you for sure!"
"Looking forward to it."
Sasame pointed to the courtyard. "Go wild."
He'd rented the entire inn, so her training wouldn't disturb anyone.
As for her running away?
Unlikely.
He'd spent the past few days maxing out her hatred.
As the saying went—
"You must attack the taunting target first."
Tayuya wouldn't leave until she'd killed him.
Perfect.
After watching her train with terrifying dedication, Sasame returned to his room.
Reverse Summoning Jutsu.
In a puff of smoke, he reappeared in Konoha, then headed straight for the Kumagai Casino.
This time, he planned to relocate Uzumaki Ena and Karin to the Land of Waves to manage things there.
The Shikkotsu Forest was too close to Konoha—risky.
The Land of Waves was safer.
Distance didn't matter with Reverse Summoning.
And once he mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, it'd be even easier.
Karin was in the courtyard practicing shuriken throws.
Not wanting to interrupt, Sasame slipped inside—finding Ena meditating to master the Yin Seal.
"Tsk. Promised to be my guard, yet here you are slacking."
He shook his head but didn't wake her, leaning against the doorframe to watch.
After a while, he unsheathed his Raijin Sword, its blade humming as chakra surged through it.
"There are three ways to maintain a sword. Know them?"
As her eyes fluttered open, Sasame grinned.
Ena's cheeks flushed, but she nodded.
Though one method remained "sealed," the other two would suffice.
Time passed.
The rhythmic clang of sword polishing echoed—
Sometimes fierce, sometimes melodic, like a passionate duet.
Ena grew from clumsy to skilled, the blade glowing hotter and brighter under her care.
Exhausted, she finally collapsed onto the cushions, drenched in sweat, and fell asleep.
Sasame stretched, satisfied.
Thanks to Ena's "assistance," his Raijin Sword was sharper than ever, and his taijutsu had improved dramatically.
They'd also agreed on relocating to the Land of Waves.
After saying goodbye to Karin, Sasame returned to Kirigakure.
Tayuya was still training like her life depended on it.
Nightfall.
Sasame called her for dinner—this time, she didn't refuse.
In her words: "How can I kill you if I'm not fed?"
Day Four.
Mei visited again.
"We've confirmed the Mizukage's controller is inside the administration building."
She cut straight to the point. "The operation begins tonight."
"Good."
Sasame was eager.
He'd waited long enough.
Once he drove Obito out, the next major event—the Uchiha Massacre—would unlock.
But before that, he needed to manipulate things for more Fate Points, hence the urgency.
"Given your… unique status, we'll say you're a black-market ninja I hired."
Mei paused, fabricating a cover. "No one can know the truth."
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 145 on my patreon, go check it out and remember that if we reach the goal of 45 power stones I will publish the next chapter.
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