As the minutes ticked by, while Saiki and Tsunade were desperately "cultivating" to restore his strength, Kushina's condition continued to decline. As the Sage Chakra in her system was consumed, her body grew weaker, and her mood shifted from embarrassment to a cold, creeping terror.
Kushina was in a state of absolute psychological chaos.
Try to imagine the mindset of a girl who yearns for true love, yet finds herself forced—to save her own life—into a carnal union with a boy nearly ten years younger than her. A boy who is her student. A boy whose feelings for her she isn't even sure of, and whose own feelings she hasn't quite reconciled.
Saiki had given her enough of a "transfer" to last another two hours, but the psychological toll of waiting for her "first time" while on the brink of death was draining her faster than the chakra loss. She was drowning in a sea of panic.
Meanwhile, back in Tsunade's office, Saiki was holding the Sannin's scorched, quivering body. Her pale skin was flushed deep red, and she had passed out from sheer exhaustion. Saiki felt a pang of genuine guilt.
Dual Cultivation was beneficial, but everything had a limit. Too much intensity over too short a period was physically and spiritually taxing.
Tsunade had been manic in her efforts to help him. She had pushed through three consecutive climaxes in under an hour, eventually collapsing into unconsciousness.
The Auspicious Cloud continued to rain its misty nectar over them. This wasn't for cultivation; the cloud's "rain" possessed potent regenerative properties. It was washing away their fatigue and healing their bodies.
Once he felt Tsunade's heartbeat settle and her temperature return to normal, he laid her gently on the bed.
With a wet pop, he withdrew from her. Looking at the "damp map" on the bedsheets and the slick coating of his fluids on her stomach, Saiki shook his head. Tsunade had been truly "flooded." But considering her age and his current potency, it wasn't surprising.
Time was of the essence. Saiki moved quickly, cleaning them both and changing the bedding. He dressed the unconscious Tsunade and tucked her under the covers, leaving a Shadow Clone to watch over her before he slipped out the door.
Across the hall, Kushina was staring at the clock on the wall. As the second hand ticked past the one-hour mark, she finally heard movement at the door.
Since Tsunade had passed out, her guard-clone in the hallway had vanished. Saiki performed a quick sweep, left a clone of his own in the hall, and placed his hand on the handle.
With a soft click, the door opened. Saiki walked in. The grey, sickly pallor of his skin was gone, replaced by a healthy, vibrant glow. He looked rejuvenated and full of life.
Kushina, who had been shivering in fear, felt her face heat up the moment she saw him. Remembering what was about to happen, she squeezed her eyes shut and pretended to be asleep.
She was fast, but Saiki's eyes were faster. He had seen her blink, and more importantly, he heard the bed creak as she stiffened in a panic.
Knowing she was nervous, Saiki didn't push her. He walked to the window and pulled the curtains shut.
His hands blurred through signs. He slammed his palms into the floor, and black runes spread across the room, establishing a simple, effective privacy barrier. Only then did he sit on the edge of her bed.
Under the soft orange glow of the medical lamp, he looked at Kushina. Her eyelashes were fluttering like the wings of a trapped butterfly. Her pale, elegant face was painted with a bashful blush. She looked incredibly precious.
Saiki reached out and took her hand—the one she'd forgotten to tuck under the blanket. He felt her flinch almost imperceptibly.
In the past, he had held her hand often, and she had never thought much of it. But now, with the "ritual" looming over them, her heart began to hammer with a violence she couldn't control. Her face felt hot enough to melt.
Saiki could see it all: her erratic breathing, the flush spreading down her neck. He didn't wake her immediately, choosing to give her a final moment of "maidenly dignity."
His hour with Tsunade had done wonders. His current state was actually better than it had been before the battle with the fox. Tsunade had truly worked herself to the bone for him.
He began to funnel a warm current of energy into Kushina's palm. As the energy flooded her meridians, Kushina felt the cold, hollow ache in her soul begin to recede. Her strength returned in a sudden, comforting wave.
Kushina was well aware that without this energy, she would have been dead hours ago.
He's doing this for me... despite how weak he was... A massive wave of guilt and newfound affection crashed over her.
She thought back to their first meeting. Saiki had seemed so lazy, so unmotivated. He had given such a half-hearted answer about his dream.
But as she looked back, she realized he had always been there for her. He shared his jutsu, he accepted her status as a Jinchuriki without a shred of judgment, and he let her take her temper out on him while always responding with a smile.
He treated her better than anyone ever had. She realized that, aside from the age gap, there was literally nothing she could complain about. He was the perfect man.
Saiki had no idea Kushina was currently drafting their wedding invitations in her head. If he did, he would have been thrilled.
"Sensei Kushina... wake up," Saiki whispered, playing along with her act.
Hearing his voice snapped Kushina out of her fantasy. She panicked, unsure if she should "wake up" now or wait longer.
After a final moment of struggle, she blinked her eyes open, trying to look as though she'd just had a long nap. "Oh... Saiki!"
She tried to look natural, but the raw embarrassment in her eyes was impossible to miss. She looked absolutely adorable.
Saiki bit back a laugh, his face a mask of concern. "Sorry I'm late. How are you feeling?"
Thinking she had successfully fooled him, Kushina let out a breath. "Better. But... still a bit weak."
"Mm." Saiki nodded. Now he faced the hardest part: the "proposal."
He couldn't just say, "Let's have sex." Kushina would likely explode.
He also wanted to tell her he loved her, but he felt that might come off as fake given the timing.
He could be arrogant with Tsunade or Tsume, but facing a "Pure Maiden" like Kushina, Saiki found his usual rogue-like confidence failing him.
Kushina was just as tense. The silence was becoming unbearable.
Saiki conducted a mental brainstorm for a few seconds. Finally, he took a deep breath. "Sensei Kushina... let me tell you a story."
"A story? Now?" Kushina was confused. Saiki had told her many stories before, and she was always a sucker for them.
Then Saiki delivered the curveball. "The story is called The Return of the Condor Heroes. It's about a young ninja who falls deeply in love with his teacher. They go through a thousand hardships and break every law of society, but in the end, they find happiness together."
Kushina's face went from pink to a glowing, neon red. She became entirely incoherent. "Sa-Saiki! What... what are you talking about?!"
She practically shrieked the words. She tried to pull her hand back, but in her weakened state, she had zero leverage against his grip.
"I'm saying... I really, truly like you, Sensei." Whether it was for her body or her soul, Saiki's own internal debate had reached a conclusion: he genuinely cared for her. He spoke with absolute sincerity.
Fortunately, Tsunade was asleep across the hall. If she had heard him using the exact same "I love you" speech on Kushina an hour after claimed her, she would have murdered him on the spot.
Saiki was an unrepentant scumbag.
But the innocent Kushina was completely overwhelmed. Her brain went into a deadlock.
Simple people don't know how to reject a sincere confession from someone they already like. Kushina had already mentally prepared herself for the Dual Cultivation; this confession was just the final push.
Saiki watched her. Her face was flushed, her hand was trembling in his. He could see her trying to find the words to say "It's not right" or "You're too young," but her heart wouldn't let her say them. She was far too embarrassed to speak.
Saiki leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
The contact was the final trigger. Kushina turned into a cooked lobster, steam practically rising from her skin.
After the kiss, Saiki looked her in the eye. "We can finish the story later. But for now... Sensei... let's begin the Dual Cultivation."