The early morning light cast a soft glow over the Land of Waves' soap factory. A group of shinobi in standard-issue prison uniforms milled about by the gates, already falling into the familiar rhythm of another day of "reform through labour."
After more than a month here, the routine had started to feel almost… normal.
Honestly, some of them even thought this life was better than their old one of constantly fighting and killing.
If not for their wives, children, and relatives back in their villages, some might have even considered settling down here for good.
Kakashi, his eyes droopy and his face mask firmly in place, walked out through the prison gates.
"Yo, Kakashi," Yamashiro Aoba greeted him with a wide grin. "You're up pretty early today. Didn't grind ranked matches last night?"
"Got hardstuck," Kakashi replied flatly, barely raising an eyelid. "Couldn't climb."
"Hardstuck?" Aoba raised an eyebrow, looking confused. "What rank are you even at to be hardstuck?"
"Platinum II," Kakashi said, scratching his head as he took his place in the line.
"W-what?!" Aoba's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Platinum II."
"No way! How are you already Platinum? You're joking, right? How?!"
"Is Platinum that high?"
"Are you serious? The highest rank right now is only Diamond I! You know Nana-chan (Nanako), right? She's the server's rank one!"
'Nana-chan…'
The name reminded Kakashi of someone from his past.
The current Espada No. 1 of the Land of Waves… the wife of the Fourth Hokage.
Honestly, he still couldn't understand why his sensei's wife, had joined the Land of Waves. She didn't look brainwashed or like her mind was under Yuto's control—she seemed content, willing!
"Kakashi!" Aoba waved a hand in front of his face. "Hey, what's going on with you?"
"What is it?" Kakashi snapped back to attention.
"So, uh… wanna duo queue tonight?" Aoba rubbed his hands together, looking hopeful.
"Sure, why not. What rank are you?" Kakashi glanced at him.
"B-black Iron IV," Aoba laughed awkwardly.
Kakashi was silent for a moment, long moment then said, "The game's been out for over a month. It seems like you play every day."
"Yeah, that's right," Aoba nodded.
"Then how are you still 'Black Iron'?"
"How should I know?! I try my best every single match, but I just can't get out of the Black Iron Rank! What can I do? I'm desperate here!"
"What role do you play?"
"Top lane. I'm pretty decent with Uchiha Itachi."
"Uchiha Itachi is a mage type. He usually goes in the middle lane. But whatever, we can try a duo queue tonight."
Just as Kakashi finished speaking, the line ahead of them erupted into noisy chatter, and Several guards appeared at the gate, their posture official.
"What's going on?" Aoba frowned, lowering his voice. "Is someone causing trouble?"
"Not sure," Kakashi shook his head.
"Everyone, quiet down!" One of the guards clasped his hands behind his back and announced loudly, "In honour of our Third Lady's birthday today, you are all granted a day off."
???
The ninja were stunned, their lips twitching.
'The Third Lady's birthday? That's a lot to unpack!'
'That brat isn't even old enough to graduate school, and he's already on his third wife?!'
And they get a day off just because the Third Lady is celebrating her birthday? What kind of reasoning is that?
'Are we all just supposed to rejoice together?!'
Kakashi even noticed some people in the crowd looking displeased…
'You're here doing forced labour every day, and you're unhappy about a day off?'
It's hard to imagine what's going through their minds.
Anyway, Kakashi was happy to have the day off. He meandered lazily back toward his dorm.
—
—
*Judicial Department*
"Konan, I had a feeling I'd find you here." Yahiko strolled casually into the Security Advisor's office and raised an eyebrow. "Haven't you seen the notices all over the city?"
Konan paused her paperwork and looked up. "I saw them."
"If you saw them, why do you still look like that?" Yahiko grinned. "The Third Lady? Isn't this your little brother's way of making it official? Shouldn't you be happy?"
"I am happy," Konan replied, shaking her head softly. A faint, almost invisible smile touched her lips. "But my position requires a certain… demeanor. My personal feelings cannot interfere with my duty."
"That's no way to live," Yahiko said, his tone softening into something more earnest. "You know you only took this job in the first place to help share Yuto's burden, right?"
"Yes," she admitted without hesitation. There was no point in denying it.
Back then, Yuto had looked her dead in the eye and told her the role of Security Advisor was paramount.
That the Land of Waves stood on two pillars: the Espada for external threats, and the Judicial (justice) Department for internal order.
The collapse of a nation or a regime often starts from within. The Judicial Department and her role as Security Advisor existed to prevent internal corruption.
Because of this, Konan had gradually become the "Iron Judge" she was now.
"But now you've painted yourself into a corner. You have to learn to be flexible!" Yahiko urged earnestly.
"Flexible?"
"Exactly! Think about it, Yuto went to all this trouble to celebrate your birthday. Wouldn't he be upset if you're still here working?"
Konan's expression froze as she fell into thought. She hadn't considered that.
"I know your duty is important," Yahiko spoke again, smiling. "But that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your personal life, does it?"
"But—" Konan hesitated.
"No buts!" Yahiko said more firmly, raising an eyebrow. "Besides, this is an official notice from the Leader. Even as the Security Advisor, you have to follow orders and directives, don't you? Go home and rest. You look really tired."
'Do I look tired?'
The thought was surprisingly potent. Konan's hand rose almost unconsciously to touch her cheek. Even the Iron Judge wasn't entirely immune to vanity.
"Thank you, Yahiko." After thanking her friend, Konan stood up and left the office.
Watching her retreating figure, Yahiko took out a communicator. "It's done on my end."
"Received, dattebane!" Kushina's voice came from the other end.
—
Half an hour later.
Konan took out her key and opened the door to her apartment. The first thing she saw was a giant gift box sitting in the living room.
On it was written: "To my dear Big Sis Konan—Happy Birthday!"
'A gift from Yuto?'
Konan blinked, a rare look of anticipation appearing on her face. She reached out and unwrapped the box.
Inside, Yuto greeted her—wearing nothing but red briefs and a red ribbon tied around his neck.
"You… what is this?" Konan asked, stunned.
"Ahem. I'm the gift," Yuto laughed awkwardly. "Do you like it, Big Sis?"
Silence.
The clock on the wall seemed to tick louder in the heavy quiet.
Seeing the expressionless look on Konan's beautiful face, Yuto stiffly added, "W-would you like me to sing Happy Birthday? Ahem, okay, here goes! Happy birth—mmph!"
Before he could finish, Konan grabbed the ribbon around his neck, pulling him close, and sealed his lips with her own.
_____
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