A new day.
When Shinho pushed open the door to the Hokage's office, he couldn't help but pause in surprise.
Konan was seated on the sofa, leaning forward as she applied nail polish.
Because of the way she bent her body, the outline of her suit jacket looked especially elegant, and her snow-white skin peeked out from the collar of her shirt.
Her two legs in black stockings were lightly pressed together, and her tight skirt hugged her hips, revealing a smooth curve.
"I went out early to see Nagato off and forgot to put on my nail polish," Konan said flatly, giving Shinho a glance.
"No worries, keep going," Shinho replied, stopping right in front of her.
Konan lowered her head and carefully brushed nail polish onto her index finger.
"Why didn't Nagato stay a couple more days?" Shinho asked as he looked at her glossy black-stockinged legs.
"He doesn't want to waste any time," Konan explained.
There was another reason she didn't mention out loud.
After yesterday's conversation on the city train, Nagato had decided to devote himself to safeguarding peace across the ninja world.
He was determined not to waste even a single moment.
Shinho nodded. A lot of people would be leaving today, like the shinobi from Kumo. Samui and Mabui had already asked him for leave yesterday to see off the Fourth Raikage.
However, since Nagato was a Konoha ninja, there was no urgent need for him to rush back today. One could only say he was truly dedicated.
"How was last night's Fireworks?" Shinho asked casually. With such a lovely sight in front of him, he wasn't in a hurry to start work.
"It was lively," Konan said, a faint smile on her face.
Liveliness was one aspect, but more important was what lay behind the festive atmosphere, exactly what their Akatsuki had always hoped to see.
"Need me to help?" Shinho's gaze drifted to her nails.
"No," Konan shook her head. "I'll be done in a minute."
"Aren't you going to paint your toenails?" Shinho glanced at her black high heels.
"Not really convenient to do that here," Konan answered after a brief pause.
"It's fine. I don't mind," Shinho said quickly. "If you think it's awkward to do yourself, you can let me help."
Konan instinctively looked up at him. After staring for a few seconds, she asked, "Do these stockings look good?"
"Huh?" Shinho froze for a moment, then replied honestly, "You'd look good on anything, Konan."
"…"
For the first time, Konan truly understood what it meant for someone to be shameless. No wonder he always stared at her so openly.
"My apologies if I'm being rude," Konan muttered, hesitating for a few seconds.
Then, she slipped off her high heels, lifted one black-stockinged leg, and propped it on the edge of the sofa. With both hands, she pinched the top of the stocking and slowly pulled it down.
Shinho blinked. Because she was facing him directly, he could even glimpse the view beneath her skirt. Once both black stockings were off, her snow-white feet came into view.
Konan turned slightly to the side, stretching her legs out straight on the sofa. She produced a bottle of nail polish and handed it to Shinho.
She wants me to actually do it?
Shinho was a little surprised, but he didn't refuse. Sitting down beside her, he took hold of her soft foot at the arch with his left hand.
Konan pursed her lips. Though she felt a bit uneasy inside, she showed no reaction on her face.
Shinho supported her big toe with his left hand and used his right to pick up the brush soaked with polish.
After watching him for a few seconds, Konan could tell he had no real skill at nail painting. As she suspected, he was just taking the opportunity to take advantage of her.
She grew increasingly convinced that when Shinho first invited her to be the Hokage's secretary, his intentions hadn't been entirely pure. All that talk of "world peace" seemed more like a side quest.
Yet she had to admit he had genuine talent for governance. The longer she served as the Hokage's secretary, the more she realized his ideas were so correct it was as though they had already been proven in practice.
"All done," Shinho finally said, giving her shiny toenails a once-over. He wasn't exactly skilled, but at least it looked acceptable.
"Thank you, Hokage," Konan replied, taking the nail polish from him. As she reached for her stockings, Shinho beat her to it.
He felt the silky material between his fingers, then held open the stocking at the top.
Konan, pinned down by his boldness, could only lift her foot and guide her toes into the stocking's opening. Shinho stood up, sliding the stocking up until it reached her thigh. He let go, and the top snapped gently against her skin, creating a slight curve.
"I'll smooth it out," he offered. His hands, placed on her long legs, slowly slid downward.
Konan let out a small huff and shifted her gaze away.
A warm sensation moved through her legs. The thin black fabric felt almost nonexistent. This kind of closeness was a first for her.
No matter how calm she usually was, she still felt a wave of shyness.
After what felt like a very long three minutes, she finally had her stockings back on.
"Thank you."
Konan let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"It's a small matter," Shinho said with a smile. "You can come to me for help anytime."
"…"
Konan looked at his earnest face, momentarily at a loss for words.
"Anything important going on today?"
Shinho extended his hand toward her.
Konan paused, then placed her hand in his. With a slight push of her legs, she stood up. But when she tried to pull her hand away, she realized she couldn't move it at all.
She glanced at him.
"Nothing?" Shinho asked, looking quite serious.
"…"
Konan felt a little exasperated. "There was a discovery in the spatial dimension."
"Oh?" Shinho absentmindedly ran his thumb over her fingers. "What is it?"
"They found three strange insects in the snowy mountains," Konan explained, feeling a twinge of emotion at his touch. In any case, she had already decided she would stay to help guard peace in the ninja world, so remaining by his side was undoubtedly the best option.
"Take me there," Shinho said, eyes brightening.
"Mm."
Konan nodded.
Shinho had a thought, and the two of them vanished from the Hokage's office. When they reappeared, they were inside his immortal aperture.
"Over there."
Konan held his hand and led him forward.
Shinho was briefly stunned.
Clearly, Konan wasn't repelled by him. This was undoubtedly a good sign.
Before long, they arrived at the base of a towering peak. Its summit was blanketed in white, lost amid swirling snow.
"I'll take you up," Shinho offered after a glance.
Konan shook her head. "I can fly."
"Then you can carry me?" Shinho coughed softly.
"…?"
Konan paused for a second, then said, "You'd better just take me."
If he wanted an excuse to take advantage of her, she'd let him have it.
Facing him, Konan stepped closer and, all of a sudden, reached out and embraced him. A warmth and sense of security she had never felt before enveloped her.
Her heart pounded a little faster.
Shinho was surprised by the soft sensation. Honestly, he hadn't expected to fly with her in quite this manner.
"Be careful," Shinho reminded gently, putting an arm around her waist.
A golden glow appeared.
They jumped, rising swiftly until they reached the peak.
"It really is an Ice Path gu."
Shinho immediately spotted the Gu worms within the snow, and not just one, but three of them.
Among them was exactly what he'd been seeking: Frost Demon Gu.
This rank-three Gu worm was one of the three great transformation-type Gu of the ice path, a counterpart to Hinata's Snow Fairy Gu. Its effect was to turn flesh into frost.
Besides Frost Demon Gu, there was Ice Skin Gu and Snowball Gu, both also rank-three.
Ice Skin Gu could help a Gu Master cultivate ice-like skin with amazing defensive power. Snowball Gu was simpler, letting one unleash snowballs to attack.
Shinho didn't overthink it; he planned to give these three Gu worms to Hanabi.
Combined with Hinata's Snow Fairy Gu, they'd be like sisters of ice and snow.
With a casual wave, Shinho collected all three Gu worms. The surroundings distorted; the scenery changed. In the blink of an eye, they were back in the Hokage's office.
"Let me know next time you find anything," Shinho said, releasing her.
"Mm."
Konan took half a step back, nodding.
Although she'd been taken advantage of today, she was surprised to find she didn't actually feel angry.
"Sister Konan, you can go ahead and get busy."
Shinho didn't push his luck any further.
The current situation was already moving in a good direction. There was no need to rush, he could take it slow.
"All right."
Konan gave a small bow and turned to leave.
Shinho watched her go, then withdrew his gaze and casually picked up the documents on his desk.
He wasn't sure how much time passed, but eventually there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Shinho said, looking up.
The door opened.
Mabui walked in.
As soon as she met Shinho's eyes, she remembered something important.
She relaxed her body, and a black tail slipped down from under her tight skirt.
"Hokage," Mabui said, bowing politely. Her tail, swaying back and forth as she walked, made her unconsciously tense her derriere.
"Have the Fourth Raikage and his people left already?" Shinho asked casually.
"Yes," Mabui said. "They just boarded the train."
"Your tail is missing something," Shinho mused, sizing her up. "Add a pair of ears to match."
"…?"
Mabui's eyes widened.
What was going on? Did I do something wrong?
"Last night, Yugito spoke out of turn, and you didn't stop her," Shinho said with a smile, as though he could see straight through her thoughts.
Of course, this was merely an excuse to have her in a cosplay outfit.
Mabui froze in place.
When he said that, she remembered that last night Yugito had, indeed, grumbled about Shinho making her 'guard the gate.' But how did he know? Was there a traitor among them?
Her first thought was Samui.
After all, Samui had left for a while in the middle of the conversation. But based on what she knew of Samui, betrayal was unthinkable.
join my patreon for the completed story: patreon.com/HyppoTL