"Haru-chan."
Yuki Seisui whispered, leaning close to Uchiha Haru's ear. "Soft… so soft and warm."
Feeling his warm breath, Haru's ears flushed crimson. Just as she was about to speak, Seisui pinned her down with a swift move.
Haru found herself lying on top of him, face-to-face, one small hand pressed against his shoulder.
"All right, let's sleep like this," he murmured.
Time passed without her realizing it. Feeling Seisui's breathing slow and even out, Haru's body gradually relaxed, no longer tense as before.
Her hands slowly opened, and she wrapped them around him, her crimson Sharingan staring at Seisui's closed eyes in the darkness.
Watching him sleep, a bright smile spread across her face. She rested her head slightly higher on his shoulder and whispered softly, "I like you the most, Seisui-kun."
"I like you the most too, Haru-chan," Seisui replied suddenly, opening his eyes and smiling at her.
At his words, Haru's face flushed even deeper.
"All right… time to sleep," he said, his tone calmer now.
"Nothing should happen tonight. We can finally get a proper rest."
"Mhm," Haru whispered, her voice so faint it could barely be heard.
Night fell, bringing a serene quiet.
The chirping of insects mixed with the crackling of firewood, creating a symphony that resonated in the dark.
==========
After some time, both Seisui and Haru opened their eyes simultaneously. A whistle pierced the night—the alert from Konoha's patrolling ninja.
A normal raid would have been announced by shouting.
An attack, however, required a whistle.
Whenever a whistle was sounded, it meant the enemy had begun the assault.
Even though both had graduated from the Ninja Academy early and hadn't learned much, they immediately understood the meaning of the alarm.
Seisui looked at Haru in his arms, a fierce rage barely contained in his eyes.
Sleeping with my girlfriend, thinking we could rest peacefully… and then the Sand ninjas attack!
Yesterday was the same!
They had been peacefully asleep, and those damn Sand ninjas had sent a sneak attack. Seisui had taught them a lesson then, but now…
Tonight, barely any sleep, and the Sand ninjas dared attack again!
His rising anger, frustration, and murderous intent brewed within him.
"You just stay here and sleep. I've got everything under control!"
He grabbed his combat gear and dashed outside.
As he put it on swiftly, Minato appeared beside him.
"Seisui! The Sand ninjas are attacking!"
"I heard that!" Seisui growled, his rage now intensifying fivefold.
His mind raced: I could have been sleeping with Haru, but instead, I have to kill these people!
The more he thought, the angrier he became, a vicious cycle that fueled his desire to strike.
Minato swallowed nervously, sensing the killing intent emanating from Seisui. He quietly mourned for the Sand ninjas.
If it were him, crammed in a small tent with Kushina, only to be attacked the first night and assaulted again the second night… he'd feel murderous too.
========
By the time Seisui stormed forward with a dark expression, Jiraiya and Tsunade were already waiting.
"Jiraiya-sensei, what's going on?" Seisui asked, restraining his fury.
Jiraiya sighed. "The Sand ninjas dared to raid tonight, preparing to engage in battle directly.
"Luckily, their movements won't go unnoticed."
Tsunade frowned. "Something's off with Sunagakure. You crushed them yesterday, but they're striking today…
"Completely abnormal!"
"Hmm," Jiraiya nodded.
"I suspect they may deploy a tailed beast," Tsunade said, eyes serious as she looked at Seisui instead of Jiraiya.
"If I'm right, you'll have to step in.
"Our top-tier forces can't handle a tailed beast.
"Though the beast attacks indiscriminately, Suna can choose where it attacks.
"If it erupts, half our forces could die instantly. The battle here could be lost, affecting the other three fronts."
Currently, only Kirigakure and Sunagakure were evenly matched among the four battlefronts.
Iwagakure's ninjas were numerous, though not as strong individually. Root, under Danzo, resisted fiercely but suffered heavy losses from Onoki's forces.
Kirigakure had the support of major clans and even Konoha had a slight advantage over them.
As for Kumogakure, Orochimaru and the Hyuga clan with assigned ninjas barely held the line.
Seisui smiled at Tsunade's words, nodding, yet his eyes radiated untamed fury.
I'll make sure they die without peace!
The violent aura and murderous intent radiating from him startled both Jiraiya and Tsunade, and they exchanged a glance.
Jiraiya said, "You don't need to be so serious. Wait until the tailed beast is deployed, then step in."
"Understood," Seisui nodded and vanished in an instant.
Once he disappeared, Jiraiya turned to the belated Minato.
"Minato, what's going on with Seisui?"
"He's… not quite right," Minato replied gravely.
After explaining, Jiraiya and Tsunade fell silent.
Two single men were momentarily speechless.
Minato, without Kushina by his side, also fell quiet.
After a while, Jiraiya cleared his throat and acted as if nothing had happened. "Let him be. He's still functioning normally."
Wouldn't anyone be like this after two nights of Suna's antics?
"Poor Sunagakure," Jiraiya muttered, shaking his head.
=========
Inside the Space.
"You brat, what are you doing here?" Kurama lay lazily on the ground.
"I remember you said you like hitting Shukaku the most, right?"
"Yeah," Kurama replied lazily.
"Want to go out and hit Shukaku later?"
Kurama leapt up. "You'll call me out?!"
"I'm only helping because you asked me this time. I'm not doing this for fun!"
Seeing Kurama's proud pout, Seisui's murderous aura faded slightly—but only slightly.
"You want to try that move Madara used?"
"What?" Kurama blinked.
"Use Susanoo as your armor."
"Of course!" Kurama smirked. "Let Shukaku see what the strongest tailed beast can do!"
After a brief conversation, Seisui left the space.
Once he left, Kurama lay back down, half-closed eyes, thrilled at the thought of striking Shukaku—but moments later, he froze.
"When did I ever say I liked hitting Shukaku?!"
Outside, Seisui didn't know Kurama's confusion. He now stood atop a high vantage point, gazing at the dense Sand ninjas.
The thought of Suna's actions ignited an uncontrollable rage.
"Sand ninjas… you can die!"