Land of Fire, Fire Source City.
After investigating Danzo's lab, Shishou brought Uzuki Yugao to his residence in Fire Source City.
Uzuki Yugao had already been targeted by Danzo, and returning to Konoha would only lead to death.
"How is she?"
"The wound on her hand isn't serious, and there won't be any lasting effects. She should wake up soon."
"Is that so? Thank you for your hard work."
"Mm, I need to go meet Takeko now. Please watch over her and explain everything when she wakes up."
After treating Uzuki Yugao, Uchiha Mikoto wiped the sweat from her forehead and stood up to leave.
Today was Takeko's weekly report time, and she needed to hear updates on the casino and banking operations.
Because Shishou's Fire Source City casino and banking operations were gradually stabilizing with a weekly turnover of tens of millions, she couldn't afford to be negligent.
"No need, leave those matters to Takeko."
"Your task is to focus on strengthening your abilities."
Shishou pulled Mikoto into his arms, exploring her body while inhaling her scent.
"Really, is that alright?"
Mikoto's face turned crimson, her eyes revealing the three-tomoe Sharingan. Her body tensed up but she let Shishou continue.
She found her resistance to Shishou weakening over time.
"Ahem!"
Uzuki Yugao, who had woken up at some point, coughed with her eyes closed, reminding the two of her presence.
If these two weren't getting more and more outrageous, Yugao would have preferred to keep pretending to be unconscious.
"I-I'll be leaving now."
Uchiha Mikoto suddenly stood up, her cheeks burning, and hurriedly ran away.
"Now, how do you plan to repay me for saving your life?"
Shishou, seeing the opportunity slip away, glared at Uzuki Yugao.
"You're not Orochimaru, so who are you?"
Uzuki Yugao sat up and stared at Shishou.
Having been awake for a while, she had already figured out from their conversation that he wasn't Orochimaru.
"You don't need to know who I am, just know that I mean you no harm."
"Danzo has his eyes on you."
"You can't go back to Konoha now, so what are your plans?"
"If you have family in Konoha, I can help you bring them here."
Shishou casually propped his chin with his hand, lying on the tatami while observing Uzuki Yugao.
As a minor character with not much screen time but considerable popularity, Uzuki Yugao's beauty was undeniable.
Just looking at her was a delight.
Especially her purple hair, which was particularly striking.
The only downside was that she was still somewhat immature; it would be better if she were more mature.
Should I use my Mangekyou ability on her?
Shishou pondered this while admiring her beauty.
"I can't go back?"
Uzuki Yugao frowned. As a chunin in the ANBU, she was well aware of the consequences of crossing Danzo. Hearing she couldn't return was not surprising.
After all, she had no family in Konoha, so it didn't matter if she couldn't go back.
Thinking this, Uzuki Yugao looked at Shishou and said,
"Thank you for saving me. How do you want me to repay you?"
How to repay?
A drop of water should be repaid with a spring.
I'll make a small concession; just marry me.
Shishou recalled some jokes from his previous life and said with a good mood,
"Since you can't go back to Konoha, why not help me here?"
"I need a capable enforcer for some of my operations in Fire Source City, and you fit the bill."
"What do you think?"
Hearing Shishou's proposal, Uzuki Yugao nodded, finding it reasonable.
Wait, did he just say this place is...?
Fire Source City?
"This is Fire Source City?"
Uzuki Yugao was shocked. It had only been an hour since she lost consciousness, so how did she end up in Fire Source City?
Even at full speed, it would take her over ten hours to travel from Konoha to Fire Source City.
Is he tricking me?
Uzuki Yugao left the room and leaped onto a large tree in the courtyard.
"It really is Fire Source City..."
On top of the tree, looking at the distant view of Fire Source City, Uzuki Yugao murmured.
She had been here before, so the scenery was familiar.
"So, have you made up your mind?"
Shishou appeared beside Uzuki Yugao, looking at the scenery with her.
"How did you manage this?"
"What do you mean, manage this?"
"How did you travel from Konoha to Fire Source City in just one hour?"
"Oh, that? Of course, with the Flying Thunder God technique."
"What? The Flying Thunder God technique..."
Uzuki Yugao was so shocked that she accidentally broke the branch she was standing on and started to fall.
Fortunately, Shishou quickly grabbed her, preventing her from falling.
"Are you trying to take advantage of me?"
Holding Uzuki Yugao in his arms, Shishou teased with a smile.
"Y-you're talking nonsense."
Blushing, Uzuki Yugao quickly extricated herself from his embrace and looked at him.
"You can use the Flying Thunder God technique?"
Shishou didn't waste words and placed his hand on her shoulder, using the Flying Thunder God technique to return to the previous room.
It's really the Flying Thunder God technique!
"Alright, I need to return to Konoha. You stay here for now."
"Since you know my secret of using the Flying Thunder God technique, you'll have to stay with me from now on."
"In a few days, I'll have a task for you."
After returning to the room, Shishou, tired of explaining, quickly came up with a reason and disappeared.
He planned to leave the troublesome Uzuki Yugao to Mikoto.
"Ugh..."
"So what if you can use the Flying Thunder God technique."
Watching Shishou disappear, still not fully understanding, Uzuki Yugao grumbled through gritted teeth.
As for his last two sentences, she didn't take them seriously.
Leaving the room, Uzuki Yugao started to explore the estate.
"Why are there so many children?"
"And why do they seem hostile towards me?"
As she wandered, Uzuki Yugao soon noticed something strange about the estate.
She found it odd that the children seemed to hold some animosity towards her.
When she reached the estate's gate, intending to explore Fire Source City, someone stopped her.
"The benefactor said you can't leave now!"
Uchiha Izumi stood in front of Uzuki Yugao, staring at her seriously.
Because Uzuki Yugao was still wearing her Konoha uniform, Uchiha Izumi didn't have a good impression of her.
Looking at the girl blocking her, Uzuki Yugao felt a sense of familiarity, as if she had seen her somewhere before.
Suddenly, a figure flashed in her mind, and she exclaimed in disbelief,
"You are Uchiha Izumi?"