"News just came in from the Research Division, Orochimaru has already cracked the Caged Bird."
Mabui bowed slightly as she delivered the message.
"Oh?"
Shinho couldn't help but smile. "It's finally been deciphered?"
No matter how formidable the Caged Bird might be, it couldn't surpass the Tenseigan.
Besides, with someone as top-notch as Orochimaru working on it, this result was only natural.
"Go notify Neji,"
Shinho thought for a moment and then said, "Have him meet with Orochimaru."
"Yes."
Mabui nodded.
But just as she was about to turn around and leave, someone called out to her.
"Come here," Shinho said.
Right after those words, Samui's body gave a noticeable shudder, especially the part of her chest pressed tight, the rapid heartbeat becoming more pronounced.
Mabui slowly walked over to him.
From her perspective, Shinho looked the same as always, nothing unusual.
But Samui, who was watching from where she was, could see Mabui clearly.
Mabui was frozen in place.
Right then, Shinho shifted his chair slightly.
Samui's pupils contracted, a faint light flickering in her gaze.
A bulge was visible at her swanlike neck.
"…?"
Mabui instinctively glanced at Samui.
Of course, because of the isolation provided by immortal essence, she couldn't sense her former close friend.
All she perceived were a few odd noises.
Shinho exhaled slowly.
When a person is utterly terrified, it's very hard to control certain physiological reactions, especially in the throat.
"What are you looking at?"
Shinho reached out and grabbed Mabui's tail.
"N-nothing."
Mabui tensed up reflexively.
"Really?"
Shinho slid his hand from the base of her tail upward.
Mabui's face stiffened, her heart pounding wildly.
She didn't dare resist; she could only remain where she was.
Tail?
Samui finally came to her senses and realized something was off.
When did Mabui start wearing a tail?
Was that something Shinho wanted?
Samui inhaled sharply.
"Huh?"
Shinho's movement paused for a split second, then continued.
He touched the very tip of the tail and the black pantyhose around it.
Clearly, Mabui was wearing a pair of black silk pantyhose.
Even through them, he could feel her smooth, soft skin.
Mabui bit her lip instinctively.
A blush appeared on her bronze cheeks.
Although Shinho teased her fairly often, this was the most intimate it had ever gotten.
"Anything else to report?"
Shinho squeezed her thigh twice.
"N-no."
Mabui finally relaxed a bit.
At least he was confining himself to her thigh, a relatively safe zone.
"Then you can go,"
Shinho said, patting her on her hip-hugging skirt.
"Yes."
Mabui pulled back her tail and ears, fleeing in a hurry.
Once the door closed, Shinho could practically feel Samui's body relax.
He couldn't help but chuckle. It was amusing, yes, but he didn't want to go too far.
If he genuinely angered Samui, it wouldn't be worth it.
Leaning back in the Hokage's seat, Shinho felt his body grow tense.
He patted Samui's head.
From now on, she would be integrated into Konoha, embracing the Will of Fire.
"L-Lord Hokage…"
Samui covered her mouth in embarrassment. Her fair skin rose and fell with each breath, making her look especially captivating.
"You've worked hard, Samui,"
Shinho said, looking at her. "Go upstairs and freshen up."
Samui hesitated for a few seconds, swallowed hard, and murmured, "Yes."
Then she stood up and went upstairs, her figure quickly disappearing from sight.
Shinho nodded in satisfaction.
He liked a Hokage's aide who didn't waste time.
It also showed Samui's determination, just like her generous heart.
Casually picking up some documents on the desk, Shinho started working again.
About ten minutes later, the click of high heels echoed once more.
Samui reappeared before him.
"Did you touch up your makeup?"
Shinho looked up to see she had reapplied a bright shade of lipstick.
"Yes."
Samui's cheeks reddened a bit. She explained, "Because it's not nighttime yet."
"What do you want for dinner?"
Shinho asked with a laugh. "We can go buy groceries together."
"Anything is fine,"
Samui said after a moment's pause. "Whatever you like is good for me."
"All right."
Shinho decided to cook some simple home-style dishes.
Samui likely hadn't tried that kind of meal yet, so this would be a chance for her to experience it.
"You can head downstairs. I'll call you if I need anything,"
Shinho said, feeling clearheaded and ready to focus on his work.
He knew there'd be plenty going on later that night, so there was no need to rush.
"Yes."
Samui nodded, then turned to leave.
After shutting the door, she exhaled heavily.
She still felt a lingering tightness in her throat.
A faint blush spread across Samui's refined features.
She never would have imagined herself doing something like this.
A few seconds later, she took a deep breath and walked back into the Hokage's secretaries' office.
Opening the door, she saw Mabui inside, but Konan wasn't there.
As a fellow Hokage aide, Konan was in charge of more tasks than they were, so she was frequently out.
Mabui was sitting on the sofa with her legs together, black pantyhose outlining her long, slender calves.
Holding a glass, she asked, "Want some water?"
"No need."
Samui shook her head.
She had just drunk quite a bit upstairs.
"Where did you go?"
Mabui asked with a puzzled look. "I didn't see you in the Hokage's office."
"…"
Samui felt ill at ease.
Today it was her turn to handle tasks and give Shinho the daily reports.
But there had been…an incident.
"Are you hiding something from us?"
Mabui suddenly had a flash of insight, recalling what had happened during the Fireworks display.
Could it be that Samui really betrayed Yugito?
"No."
Samui responded reflexively.
"You're lying."
Mabui shook her head firmly. "I'm sure of it."
"..."
Samui's face stiffened immediately.
"Samui."
Mabui set down her glass of water, looking at her with a serious expression. "What's really going on?"
"Then what's up with your tail?"
Samui asked out of the blue.
"Y-you… what are you talking about?"
Mabui went rigid, a surge of panic welling up inside her.
Samui walked up to her, reached out her hand, and placed it over Mabui's tight skirt, instantly feeling the outline of a tail. Ears can be put away, but a tail, which had to be plugged in was more troublesome, especially since she had to go to the Hokage's office often, so she hid it beneath her skirt.
"Sa… Samui… I…"
Mabui's heart nearly stopped. She stammered, at a complete loss for words.
Samui sighed inwardly. For her own protection, she had no choice but to use this leverage against her friend.
She never expected years of sisterhood to develop cracks over a single man. But Shinho wasn't just any man. He is the man who unified the ninja world, a one-of-a-kind achievement.
Suddenly, Samui realized she truly did like Shinho. Otherwise, she wouldn't have invited him to her home.
"Mabui."
Samui sat down beside her and asked, "Are you still thinking about resisting the Hokage?"
"What do you mean?"
Mabui asked, dumbfounded.
"The Hokage treats us fairly well,"
Samui said softly, "and our current lives are good."
"But… it's still not Kumogakure."
Mabui furrowed her brow.
"Kumogakure is in the past now."
Samui shook her head. "We should look ahead."
"How can you say that?"
Mabui came back to her senses, staring in disbelief. "You've already come to accept him?"
"Is there a reason not to?"
Samui replied calmly. "Can you find anyone in the ninja world stronger than him?"
Mabui opened her mouth as if to speak, but nothing came out. Indeed, no one stronger could be found.
"And it's not just about his power,"
Samui said in a low voice. "You're one of the Hokage's secretaries; you know him best."
Mabui fell silent. Whether as Hokage, Daimyō, or Emperor, Shinho far surpassed anyone else, including any Raikage or any feudal lord in history.
Compared to Shinho, her once-revered Fourth Raikage simply had no advantage. If she had always been a ninja from Konoha, she wouldn't have hesitated at all.
Samui watched Mabui, a flicker of guilt rising inside her. In some ways, what she was doing was helping the enemy.
But sisters stand together. Samui knew that sooner or later, her relationship with Shinho would be uncovered, and Mabui wouldn't be able to escape involvement. If that was inevitable, why not resign themselves to it? Besides, that might better ensure Kumogakure's safety.
"You don't need to answer right away,"
Samui said, rising to her feet. "Think it over."
She returned to her desk and started to work.
Mabui looked at her in confusion. When had Samui's attitude changed so drastically? She never expected Samui to be the first one to yield.
…
By midday, Shinho was about to ask Samui to prepare lunch for him when a knock sounded at the door.
"Shinho-kun!"
Ino poked her head through, bending slightly at the waist. Her fair waistline formed a small crease, yet she held steady, displaying impressive core strength. Her golden ponytail bobbed in the air.
"Why not come in?"
Shinho said with a smile.
"I brought you a bento."
Ino straightened up, stepping inside the office.
"Perfect timing,"
Shinho responded without hesitation. "I'm starving."
"I made it myself,"
Ino said, waving the bento box. Her smile was as radiant as sunlight.
Shinho paused, thinking, This is the vigor of youth.
"Let's see what you've made,"
Ino opened the bento box and placed it on the desk.
"Smells great."
Shinho leaned in, taking a whiff.
"Can you guess what it is by the aroma?"
Ino asked, lifting one slender finger toward the rice balls.
"It has a hint of roses,"
Shinho said, picking up a rice ball and holding it to her lips.
Ino froze for a moment, meeting his gaze. Her pulse quickened, and she opened her mouth, taking a small bite. Just as she reached for the rest, Shinho popped the remaining portion straight into his own mouth.
Ino's body felt weak, and a pink flush colored her face.
"It's delicious,"
Shinho praised.
Ino didn't dare meet his eyes, quietly chewing her mouthful of rice before swallowing. She didn't even catch the taste.
"Let's eat over on the sofa,"
Shinho said, standing up and carrying the bento that way.
A wave of warmth spread through Ino. If they ate at his desk, she'd be forced to remain standing. She sat on the couch opposite Shinho, her fair legs pressed demurely together.
"Did you come here to train today?"
Shinho glanced at her.
"No… I mean, yes…"
Ino first shook her head and then nodded, cheeks growing hot. She'd used training as an excuse to bring him lunch, and she had just blurted out her true reason without thinking.
"Ino."
Shinho suddenly took her hand.
"Eh?"
Ino froze in place.
"You're cute."
Shinho smiled.
Ino's breathing turned shallow, her mind going blank from the sudden sweetness.
"Did you make this too?"
Shinho switched the topic, picking up a slice of five-layer pork roll.
"I just learned. It… might not be very good,"
Ino admitted softly after a brief pause.
"It's quite tasty,"
Shinho said as he chewed. "Rich but not greasy."
"Thank you."
Ino quietly exhaled in relief.
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