Mei Terumi fell silent.
No matter how oblivious she might be, she could clearly hear the displeasure in Tsunade's tone now.
Looking at the Fifth Hokage before her—said to be over fifty, yet still youthful, fair-skinned, and stunning in both face and figure—Mei could tell something had shifted.
The warmth in Tsunade's expression was gone.
There was hostility in her eyes.
Mei felt puzzled.
When did I offend the Hokage?
All I did was ask about Yusuke-kun… was that so unacceptable?
Or—
Had her repeated inquiries about Yusuke triggered Tsunade's suspicion?
Did the Hokage believe she had ulterior motives—perhaps trying to win over the Uchiha clan?
That must be it.
Otherwise, why would the Hokage's attitude change so drastically?
After reaching that conclusion, Mei smiled faintly.
She decided not to press the issue further.
If Tsunade wanted to be wary, so be it.
Mei hadn't come to Konoha for politics anyway.
She came for Yusuke.
Nothing else mattered.
I was too impatient, she admitted inwardly.
I'll be staying in Konoha for a while. I'll have plenty of time to find out about him. No need to rush.
What she didn't know—
Was that Tsunade was currently thinking of ways to drive her out of the village as quickly as possible.
Meeting Tsunade's unfriendly gaze, Mei smiled gracefully.
"Hokage-dono, I won't trouble you further today."
"During my stay in Konoha, I hope you will forgive any inconvenience and extend your hospitality."
What?!!!
Tsunade nearly lost it.
From Mei's tone, it sounded like she intended to linger in Konoha and wait for Yusuke.
Unbelievable.
How could someone be this shameless?
Whatever goodwill Tsunade had previously felt was completely gone.
Public setting or not, she forced a stiff smile.
"You must be tired from your journey. Please rest first, Mizukage. We can discuss other matters later."
"Shizune, escort Mizukage-dono to her accommodations."
"Yes, Tsunade-sama."
"Mizukage-dono, this way."
As Mei's alluring figure disappeared down the corridor, Tsunade muttered inwardly:
Shameless woman.
She made up her mind immediately.
ANBU would monitor Mei closely.
Under no circumstances would she allow Mei to meet Yusuke.
Absolutely not.
After sending off the Kirigakure delegation, Tsunade returned to the Hokage's office.
Ever since realizing Mei's true motive—
Her mood had been in complete disarray.
She stared at the documents piled before her.
Not a single word entered her mind.
"Damn it! So annoying!"
She slammed her palm onto the desk.
For a brief moment, she felt the urge to storm over and confront Yusuke directly.
But that impulse quickly died.
If she went—
Wouldn't that be like delivering herself straight into a wolf's den?
The more she thought about it, the more irritated she became.
With a sweep of her hand, she pushed the paperwork aside.
"Forget it. Shizune can deal with this later. I'm going home to drink."
If she didn't feel like working—
She simply wouldn't.
That was Tsunade.
Blunt.
Unrestrained.
True to herself.
As for the representatives arriving from Kumogakure and Iwagakure—
She had no intention of personally receiving them.
Someone else could handle it.
She didn't care.
That night.
Uchiha Clan Head Estate — Yusuke's new residence.
Ever since moving in, something strange happened almost every night.
Heavy rain would fall.
For hours.
Relentless.
The torrential downpour left the banana tree in the courtyard battered and drooping.
If not for the rain eventually easing, the poor tree might have snapped entirely.
So whenever the storm stopped, Yusuke would always take time to "tend" to it.
Such a fine tree.
He wasn't about to let it be ruined.
Tonight was no different.
Rain poured steadily outside.
Inside Yusuke's bedroom, Kurenai lay asleep beside him.
For some reason, she was particularly frightened of stormy nights.
Whenever heavy rain fell—
She would immediately burrow into Yusuke's arms.
Tonight's rain wasn't the heaviest.
But it had still left her utterly exhausted.
She slept deeply.
Yusuke lay on his back, staring out at the dark night sky.
Since taking control of Root, very little in Konoha escaped his notice.
Earlier today, Root had reported—
The Fifth Mizukage had arrived.
"…Mei Terumi…"
He muttered softly.
Thinking of that woman gave him a headache.
Back during the Third Great Ninja War—
He had casually entangled himself with her.
Now, ten years later—
She still hadn't let go.
As for why she had personally come to attend Tsunade's inauguration—
He didn't need to guess.
It was for him.
That much was obvious.
He sighed faintly.
Just days ago, he had received yet another letter from the Land of Water.
The sender?
Naturally, Mei Terumi.
The content was the same as always.
Daily trivialities.
Complaints.
Declarations of longing.
And at the end—
Her usual threat:
Remember to come marry me. If you don't, I'll storm Konoha and make you pay.
Yusuke had skimmed it briefly.
Then tossed it into a drawer.
He received fifty or sixty letters from her every year.
Over ten years—
There had to be at least five or six hundred by now.
Most gathered dust in a dark corner.
As for replying—
That depended entirely on his mood.
If he felt like it, he would write back.
If not—
She could send a hundred letters.
He wouldn't answer a single one.
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