"Stand up."
After a moment, Natsume spoke.
"Yes."
Samui stood up, her face bright red. Her hands trembled slightly as she put on the Anbu jacket again.
"You should take a bath."
Natsume gestured to the room behind him and said, "There's a secretary outfit inside. Put it on."
The Anbu uniform just didn't suit Samui.
As for the secretary outfit, it actually belonged to Kurenai Yuhi.
She'd left it in the wardrobe—she sometimes worked late. Though not very often, she kept a couple of spares.
Samui gave a small nod.
Soon after, the sound of splashing water came from within.
Natsume didn't pay much attention, idly flipping through some documents.
They mentioned the issue of handling Akatsuki members.
Itachi Uchiha was already back with the Uchiha clan, so he didn't have to worry about him.
But the remaining few were more complicated.
Kisame Hoshigaki, Sasori, Obito Uchiha, Kakuzu.
As Natsume was lost in thought, Yugito Nii appeared.
"Master, Shizune's awake."
"Hmm."
Natsume gave a casual nod.
Yugito glanced toward the room. She could hear the sound of running water.
Taking a bath all of a sudden?
She figured out what was going on.
Seeing Natsume reading documents, she moved closer and curled up on his lap like a cat.
When Samui changed clothes and exited the room, she couldn't help freezing in place.
Her face turned bright red, from her cheeks down to her ears.
Hearing the constant purring from the room, she wanted to look away, but curiosity held her gaze.
After a moment, she let out a deep breath, her chest rising and falling with it.
"Come here."
Natsume ordered, "Take my black cat and give her a bath. Let her rest."
Samui slowly walked forward and picked up the tired and soft black cat.
She was already drenched in sweat, her skin slick to the touch.
Water sounds filled the bathroom again.
"Do you two do this often?"
Samui asked while standing aside.
"Yeah."
Yugito glanced at her and said, "If you're willing, Master'll definitely take a liking to you even more."
"Why?"
Samui was confused.
"Because you've got a body just like Lady Tsunade's."
A flash of envy flickered in Yugito's eyes.
"Tsunade?"
Samui widened her eyes, "Isn't Tsunade the Master's teacher?"
"Officially, yes."
Yugito shook her head.
She originally wanted to say they'd already had a child together, but that topic was dangerous.
Besides, Samui hadn't completely submitted yet; it wasn't time to tell her everything.
"Now I get what you meant earlier."
Samui sighed, "He really is just an ordinary man."
Yugito suddenly turned her head.
Well… not exactly.
Sometimes, he *is* quite the pervert.
Especially when she was first taken.
Compared to me, Samui was pretty lucky.
How come?
Yugito thought about the cat.
"The Fourth Raikage and the Third Tsuchikage are coming in person."
Samui mentioned the secret she'd overheard under the table earlier.
"So they've finally arrived, huh?"
Yugito hesitated briefly.
Since he had already mentally prepared himself beforehand, he wasn't overly surprised upon hearing this now.
"They came here for peace negotiations."
Samui paused, then added, "Natsume also brought up Mabo and my younger brother."
"Mabo definitely has her own kind of charm."
For some reason, Yugito Nii started laughing.
"You've really become his cat now," Samui looked at her and said slowly.
"Actually, it's not so bad," Yugito met her gaze directly. "And besides, if we didn't do things this way, we couldn't save Kumogakure. Let me ask you—if sacrificing three people could save Kumogakure, would you do it?"
"..."
Samui fell silent.
She clenched her fists tightly before loosening them again.
"I would."
Her voice was heavy when she replied.
"Don't worry though."
Yugito Nii washed the grime off her body and changed into fresh clothes before speaking again. 「If he isn't interested in you, you won't even get the chance.」
The two women left the bathroom and returned to the office.
Yugito remained dressed in her Anbu uniform while Samui changed into a blazer jacket and pencil skirt.
Kurenai Yuhi had an excellent figure, but none could rival Samui's.
The outfit felt slightly tight on her.
However, it highlighted her voluptuous curves perfectly.
Natsume took one glance and was immediately satisfied.
A feast for the eyes, after all.
That said, since he'd just finished eating, he wouldn't feel hungry so soon again.
"You two can go handle your own affairs," Natsume remarked casually.
As members of the Hokage's bodyguard team, their 'own affairs' meant a stealthy protection detail.
They exchanged glances before disappearing without a trace.
A new day had arrived.
The peace delegation from Iwagakure and Kumogakure had already arrived.
Natsume did not personally attend.
Instead, Hizashi Hyuga, a Hokage advisor, led the reception party.
Upon seeing this, both the Third Tsuchikage and Fourth Raikage naturally felt dissatisfied.
After all, whenever they visited other ninja villages in the past, they were always received by the Kage himself.
Only then did it signify equal status among the Kages.
Now with this arrangement, it seemed as though they were regarded as inferior.
The Fourth Raikage especially found it difficult to swallow his pride.
But Mabo was different.
She stepped forward herself and submitted a set of peace negotiation documents.
Hizashi looked at her for a moment, somewhat surprised by how young she appeared.
This mini chapter isn't over yet—more excitement coming!
Mabo was already quite well-known among the upper echelons of various ninja villages.
After all, she served as Kumogakure's secretary.
Moreover, she possessed intelligence rivaling that of Shikaku Nara.
Meanwhile, Kurotsuchi, the granddaughter of the Third Tsuchikage Onoki, also presented another set of documents.
Hizashi accepted both sets before arranging accommodations for their delegations.
He then went to the Hokage Building, handing over the two sets of documents to Kurenai Yuhi, instructing her to relay them.
Natsume flipped through the materials.
Essentially, both proposals were quite similar—asking for a set amount of money or mission assignments.
Still, the demands weren't unreasonable.
Firstly, forming an alliance to prevent war.
Secondly, asking Konoha to release the Jinchuriki.
"Natsume, what do you think?" Kurenai asked when she saw him finish reading.
"The Jinchuriki can be released, but not the tailed beasts."
Natsume casually picked up a document and said, "You hand this over to the Sealing Team. Let them study it."
This document was obtained from Mei Terumī.
A method for extracting a tailed beast while keeping the Jinchuriki alive.
In other words, it had previously been researched by Ephemeral's teacher—the former Jinchuriki of the Six-Tails.
"They only asked for B and the others back, not the tailed beasts. I can't be held responsible for that," Natsume said with a light smile.
"After all, no one could have known about this method."
Yuhi Kurenai rolled her eyes—partly surprised, mostly amused.
But mostly she smiled.
This meant that Konoha Village would possess all the tailed beasts in the future.
Just like during the time of the First Hokage.
But Natsume wasn't like Hashirama Senju. He wouldn't show such mercy.
And honestly, Konoha's ninja didn't want that kind of mercy anyway.
"The terms from above are acceptable, but we'll add one condition—we require the use of Mission Bracelets."
Natsume thought of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki and couldn't help but say.
A thousand years ago, she had done the same—unifying the ninja world with this very method.
"Fine."
Kurenai nodded, then asked, "Anything else?"
"Wait a couple of days before responding."
Natsume waved his hand and said.
Kurenai understood what he meant and turned to leave.
"Come out."
Natsume barked.
Yugito Nii and Samui stepped forward.
"You two should go talk to the Fourth Raikage."
Natsume stroked his chin and said, "Let Mabo stay behind. After all, she's quite clever."
Yugito Nii and Samui understood instantly—they had already seen this coming.
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