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Inside the Fire Country's royal city.
In a very spacious mansion, the residence of Lady Yuko, the only female daimyo of the Fire Country and indeed the entire ninja world, naturally attracted a lot of attention. Consequently, she faced specific targeting from some dissenting or hostile forces.
However, over this past year, the resources under Lady Yuko's control had grown significantly. On the surface, she had numerous grain storage facilities and breweries—venturing into various aspects of the populace's daily lives, Yuko had her hand in almost everything. But these were typical industries for any daimyo, albeit on a larger scale for Yuko.
Such activities wouldn't normally alarm the nobility too much. What really startled them were rumors that Lady Yuko had even intervened in the production of military rations and ninja tools in Konoha!
The revelation of this news made every noble deeply respect Miss Yuko. It's well-known that as a country's military force, ninja villages typically wouldn't allow nobility or high-ranking officials to interfere too much with their military manufacturing. This is not only to prevent leaking of military capabilities but also because ninja villages operate in their own unique ways.
Interference from a daimyo, who is a civilian, could easily lead to a decline in military output and national power. Therefore, if the rumors were true, Lady Yuko's ability to get the ninja village to agree and successfully involve herself in ninja military manufacturing was no small feat!
This was the aspect that made all nobility wary of her. Having such a powerful, enigmatic female daimyo could make anyone feel uneasy, fearing that any slight misstep might lead her to strip them of their noble titles and expel them from the royal city.
Thus, many nobles had a love-hate relationship with the mysterious Lady Yuko. Even as they deeply respected her, they often cautiously offered their tributes, lest she strike mercilessly.
At a lake pavilion on the grounds of Lady Yuko's residence, a beautifully dressed woman was making tea. Her complexion was very fair, with a sharp chin and captivating eyes. Her movements were graceful, yet occasionally, her gaze showed a hint of fierceness, suggesting a strong personality contrary to her delicate appearance.
The teaware twirled in her pale hands, exuding a strangely comforting charm. As the tea steamed, fragrant wafts filled the air. Unfortunately, only one person, watching with big, adoring eyes and a face full of admiration, was there to observe her excellent tea-making skills.
"Ssh..."
With a flick of her graceful hand, she discarded some old tea and poured fresh water in. Then, gently handling the tea utensils, she filled four teacups.
As the hot tea splashed quietly, a refreshing aroma spread instantly. The woman smiled slightly and said softly, "Konan, Yahiko, Nagato, come and taste this."
Hearing her, Konan, who had been watching her make tea with a face full of admiration, spoke softly, "No matter how many times I watch, every movement you make, Sister Yuko, is so beautiful."
Her cheeks flushed slightly with embarrassment as she compared herself to Sister Yuko, feeling quite inadequate. Yuko smiled gently at her and said softly, "One day, Konan, you'll be able to do this too. When I was your age, I couldn't do much either."
"And besides, you're not doing so badly now, Konan. Just looking at you, anyone can tell you're a beauty in the making." She reached out her fair hand, gently caressing Konan's blushing cheek, her gaze distant as she murmured, "A girl... when she meets the man who moves her heart, she'll strive to improve, to be worthy of him..."
Konan stared at Yuko, perhaps seeing a familiar figure in her beautiful, distant eyes. At that moment!
Two figures suddenly ran into the lakeside pavilion, startling the two women deep in thought.
"Splash..."
Yahiko, arriving at the pavilion, picked up a delicate teacup and drank in one gulp.
Konan displayed a resigned expression, her cheeks flushing slightly, while Yuko watched this scene with a smile, seemingly unbothered by Yahiko's crude drinking manner.
"Ha!"
"The tea that Sister Yuko makes is still so fragrant. After training and drinking it, I instantly feel re-energized!" Yahiko grinned, showing his white teeth.
Quietly drinking tea, Nagato, along with Yuko and others, all smiled at his words. Despite his behavior having nothing to do with elegance, he often brought joy to everyone.
Just then!
A figure suddenly appeared on the scene, his face masked, and knelt on one knee before Yuko with utmost respect.
Looking at him, Yuko's smile slightly faded, and she spoke softly, "Ghost, you're back now. Has there been a problem with the negotiations regarding the medicinal materials?"
Hearing her, Ghost looked up at her and replied with a respectful tone, "Yes, the Nara clan seems to have noticed and is unwilling to agree to cooperate with Lady Yuko in preparing the medicinal materials."
Their conversation did not exclude the three children, who were quietly sitting aside, listening intently.
Brought here a year ago by Kainin, after prolonged exposure, they were deeply impressed by this elder sister figure. In their eyes, Sister Yuko had an incredibly noble status and was very powerful. Her forceful methods and meticulous mind greatly commanded the children's respect, though occasionally they noticed that such a beautiful and powerful Yuko sometimes showed a downcast expression.
Was she... missing someone?
In the pavilion, upon hearing Ghost's words, Yuko's brows slightly furrowed, her gaze contemplative.
After a moment, she spoke in a cool voice, "I heard that the Akimichi clan is very close to the Nara clan?"
"Then let's not contact them for now. Enhance our cooperation with the Akimichi clan on military ration pills, try to obtain their secret formula, and control their network."
"Later, by leveraging the Akimichi clan, and under my name, promise them support to give them a chance to rise as a first-class family within Konoha."
"Surely then, the Nara clan will not be able to resist this temptation."
Hearing Yuko's words, Ghost's eyes gleamed, and he responded solemnly, "Understood, Miss Yuko!"
The three children, watching Yuko effortlessly strategize, all wore faces full of admiration.
Yuko herself appeared relaxed and content, her lips curling up in a slight smile, as if all this was nothing much to her.
However, suddenly!
Her expression dramatically changed. A look of surprise flashed across her fair face as her eyes widened and fixed on something ahead.
Realizing that the always composed Yuko was showing such a flustered demeanor for the first time, the children were very surprised and followed her gaze to the back.
There, Sōsuke had unexpectedly appeared. His lips curved into a smile, his profound gaze fixed on Yuko as he softly said, "It seems I've been gone for quite a while."
Hearing his words, the always composed expression on Yuko's face had already vanished, her eyes slightly reddened as she gently dabbed at them and softly responded, "It's... it's alright, your return... is already wonderful..."