As they finally returned to the village, a sense of peace settled over the group. The atmosphere was warm, welcoming and just perfect, as long as there were no unwelcome "pests" lurking around.
The vibrant sounds of village life filled the air, a symphony of familiarity and community.
Kūga was just about to slip away when Tobirama's voice cut through his thoughts, resolute and firm, "Don't even think about it. All of us will attend the meeting."
With him being caught, Kūga laughed sheepishly and gave a small nod. "Can't blame a guy for trying, eh?" He muttered under his breath, sending a silent prayer to Kami for the meeting to end quickly.
Beside him, Madara grumbled, he'd rather be home with his wife than wasting hours discussing policies.
Izuna clicked his tongue, mumbling about how his girlfriend wasn't exactly thrilled at the idea of his extended absence either.
Only Hashirama looked pleased, wearing his usual easy-going grin as they headed to the council building together.
As they made their way through the main street, villagers acknowledged them with respectful nods and bows, an unspoken reverence in their gestures.
Kūga, Hashirama, Tobirama, and Izuna returned each greeting with a nod or a smile—well, all but Madara, who kept his gaze fixed straight ahead, barely giving the people a glance.
Izuna, seeing this, elbowed his brother slightly. "Come on, don't be so cold to the people. You're putting the Uchiha name in a bad light."
Madara released a reluctant grunt but eventually returned a few awkward nods to the villagers, though his stiff attempts seemed to unsettle them more than comfort them.
When a few villagers backed away nervously, he sighed, muttering, "Why even try…"
Izuna stifled a laugh, and Kūga, Tobirama, and Hashirama couldn't help but chuckle at the Uchiha clan head's unintentional intensity.
Madara shot them all a sidelong glare, which only made their amusement grow.
As they continued, Izuna noticed a villager struggling with an unwieldy cart of supplies. His eyes gleamed slyly, and he quickly seized the opportunity. "Oops," he said with a neutral expression. "Looks like the captain of the Uchiha task force is needed to assist a civilian."
Tobirama caught Madara and Kūga's shared glance, as if daring them to try the same tactic. He cut them off quickly, "As advisers to the First Hokage, you're both required at the council meeting. No slipping out this time."
The two sigh in unison.
Kūga could sense Reifū and Kenta at his home, and a warm smile tugged at his lips.
He missed them both, especially his girlfriend, who had a knack for making all the council meetings feel worthwhile in the end.
.
*Council Building*
The council meeting room was thick with tension as Hashirama finished his account of the Kage Summit and the agreed-upon war reparations.
The council members were silent as the weight of the decisions settled on them.
Finally, a hand rose from among the clan heads.
"Shodaime-sama," Shikage Nara began thoughtfully, his gaze sharp and calculating. "I have a few questions regarding the Kage Summit and the reparations, if I may."
Hashirama nodded, gesturing for Shikage to continue. "Please, ask away."
Shikage's eyes flicked briefly to Tobirama, Madara, and then Kūga, who was comfortably seated on a lavish, conjured stool. "First, regarding Kumogakure and Iwagakure's promises of war reparations, what assurances do we have of their credibility? These are not villages that easily keep to their word, as our past actions has shown us."
Hashirama exchanged a quick glance with Tobirama, who gave a subtle nod, volunteering to answer.
"Nidaime-sama," Shikage prompted respectfully.
"Kumo and Iwa have made formal commitments," Tobirama began, "and although we can't fully rely on their words, we have taken steps to ensure compliance. Both villages have submitted documents with their leaders' official seals, and a small contingent from each village will remain stationed here to uphold these agreements. If either village were to back out, their shinobi and village would suffer the consequences—something their leaders can't afford to risk."
Shikage considered this and nodded slowly. "It seems reasonable. I appreciate the insight, Nidaime-sama." His eyes shifted to Madara. "Uchiha-dono, regarding our alliance with Sunagakure... do we believe they won't take this opportunity to act against us? Suna might see this alliance as a temporary measure, nothing more."
'Why is he asking Madara about that? Shouldn't he ask that to Hashirama instead?' Kūga raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.
Madara inclined his head. "Suna has its own struggles, and their current leadership is one that values stability over needless conflict. Their resources are stretched, and they've put their confidence in Konoha's protection. While alliances are never completely predictable, Suna has more to lose by betraying us than to gain."
"True," Shikage conceded, "but we must monitor them carefully."
Hashirama chuckled lightly, easing the mood. "Oh, we're keeping an eye on things, Shikage-dono. We wouldn't be here today if we took alliances for granted."
A slight smile touched Shikage's face as he moved on to his next question. "Then, about the allocation of resources and funds from the reparations. How will they be distributed to ensure that those who suffered the most—the injured shinobi and the families of the fallen—receive their due?"
This time, Kūga raised a hand, offering to answer. "Shikage-san, the compensation process will be systematic. Konoha has allocated portions of these funds specifically for our frontline shinobi and their families. The injured will receive treatment, and the families of the fallen will be financially compensated. It's our duty as a village to prioritize them, and Konoha will not ignore their sacrifice."
Shikage's face relaxed, seemingly satisfied with this response. "That approach is both wise and fair." He hesitated, then pressed on. "I'd like to ask, if I may, about your personal strategy when you faced the three thousand Kumogakure shinobi."
Kūga's mouth lifted in a modest smile. "Ah, well, it's not nearly as grand as it sounds. We had excellent communication and teamwork within our mini-battalion. Our shinobi cooperated well with each plan, adjusting to changes on the battlefield. Every step was coordinated, and each shinobi's skill set played a vital role."
Shikage raised a brow, his tone respectful but curious. "Many council members have wondered, Seiryu-san, if you could achieve such results, why didn't you simply head to the battlefield yourself? It's not meant as a critique, of course. It's just... remarkable that you led five hundred shinobi into combat and returned with the same number."
Kūga's expression softened, and he inclined his head. "Thank you, Shikage-san, but that is not how war should be handled. Our shinobi need to experience war's reality to understand its true cost. Shinobis must witness the toll of battle firsthand so that they might one day work to avoid it. It would be an insult to deprive those willing to defend their village of that opportunity. I may be strong, but I won't always be here. What happens if Konoha is left without a defender? Without Hashirama, Madara, and Tobirama here..."
Shikage let out a slow breath, absorbing the reply.
His eyes flickered between the council members, a note of respect in his gaze. "Thank you, Seiryu-san, that was... logical."
Hashirama glanced at the council with a bright smile. "Any other questions?"
Shikage shook his head. "None, Shodaime-sama. You've all addressed our concerns with clarity."
The council nodded in agreement, clearly satisfied.
.
After the council meeting had finally wrapped up, Madara and Tobirama made their excuses to leave, but not before Tobirama threw a pointed look at Hashirama.
"Don't forget about the paperwork, brother," he said with a smirk, his voice laced with a tone that only a sibling could muster—a mixture of annoyance and knowing superiority.
Hashirama's shoulders slumped visibly, and he gave a long sigh, his gaze drifting helplessly to Kūga, who was watching with an amused smile.
"Kūga," Hashirama began, his voice laced with a mixture of resignation and hope, "would you be willing to accompany a friend back to the Hokage Tower? I could really use a friend right now."
Kūga grinned, clearly entertained. "Sure, why not?"
As they arrived at the Hokage's office, Kūga stopped in the doorway, eyes widening at the sight before him.
Stacks upon stacks of paperwork were everywhere across the desk, with even the nearby tables barely visible beneath the mountain of documents. Hashirama let out a deep, pained groan, his face twisting in exasperation.
Without saying a word, Kūga walked over to the office window, casually leaning against the frame, gazing out over the village bathed in the warm afternoon sunlight.
Kūga let out a low whistle as he surveyed the room and walked over to the office window, casually leaning against the frame.
He raised an eyebrow, glancing at Hashirama, who seemed like he might collapse under the sight alone.
"Don't you have, I don't know, an assistant to help with this, Hashirama?" Kūga teased, crossing his arms with a grin. "I mean, you're the Hokage, not a scribe!"
Hashirama ran a hand through his hair, letting out another sigh. "Tobirama's my assistant, and he helps… by reminding me how badly behind I am." He chuckled weakly, shuffling toward the main desk.
"Sometimes I wonder if he enjoys seeing me struggle like this."
Kūga smirked, pulling up a nearby chair and spinning it around to sit backward. "Maybe he thinks it builds character. But don't worry—I'll keep you company through this, just for the entertainment value." He gestured to the nearest stack.
"Where do we start?"
Hashirama laughed, appreciating Kūga's light-hearted approach, and began sifting through the first pile. "I guess we start here… It's mostly requests for resources, rebuilding damaged areas, and handling compensation."
Kūga picked up a scroll, raising an eyebrow. "Rebuilding and reparations? The clans must think you're hiding treasure in this tower."
"Basically," Hashirama chuckled, setting down another form with a defeated sigh. "And as Hokage, I have to go through each one. Every. Single. One."
Kūga chuckled, leaning back. "Well, if you'd like to start a bonfire with a couple of these, I won't tell a soul."
"Tempting," Hashirama laughed, "but I can already hear Tobirama's voice in my head—'Hashirama, you can't just set fire to diplomacy!'"
Kūga snickered, grabbing another form. "He does have a way with words." He pretended to imitate Tobirama's stern expression. "If only you'd exercise as much discipline on the battlefield as you do evading paperwork, we'd all be better off."
The two burst out laughing, the dreary atmosphere of the office lightening up with their banter. For a moment, the stacks of paperwork didn't seem quite as daunting.
Kūga gave Hashirama a sly grin. "You know... I could solve your problems," he said, drawing out his words with a hint of mischief.
Hashirama's head whipped around so fast he almost stumbled, eyes wide and filled with pure desperation. "How? Tell me!"
Kūga paused dramatically, a playful glint in his eyes. "For a million ryo."
In the blink of an eye, Hashirama crossed the room, his shinobi reflexes coming in handy as he gripped the front of Kūga's robes, his face a mix of outrage and desperation. "Oh, come on! Since when did you start caring about money? You're richer than me, Kūga! I know you collected the bounties of those shinobis!"
Kūga threw his head back, laughing, trying to push Hashirama off with little success. "Fine, fine! Just learn Tobirama's Kage Bunshin no Jutsu already—problem solved!"
Hashirama's expression shifted from desperation to hope. "Kage Bunshin? Are you sure?"
Kūga's expression softened. "Have I ever lied to you?" he said, patting Hashirama on the shoulder with a reassuring smile.
Before Hashirama could reply, the heavy wooden doors of the Hokage office creaked open, revealing two familiar figures: none other than Reifu Genpū and Mito Uzumaki, both of their partners.
Mito stepped forward, an intimidatingly calm smile gracing her lips. However, her hands were clenched, and bulging veins on her forehead betrayed her soft smile.
"Dear," she began with forced sweetness, "you've been away from home for days. I waited for you at the compound, thinking you'd at least visit me, your wife, but no… they said you were needed for a council meeting." Her eyes narrowed at the scene before her, and her voice dropped. "And here I find you..."
Hashirama blinked, the color draining from his face as he finally realized his current predicament—he was gripping Kūga by the collar, mid-explanation of his earlier antics. Letting go immediately, he stumbled over his words.
"Wai—You—Dear, it's not what it looks like!" He swallowed, seeing that his attempt to explain himself wasn't working.
With a nervous smile, he dashed over to Mito, gently taking her hands with his own. "I'll make it up to you," he said, attempting his best romantic expression.
Mito's face, however, remained perfectly impassive.
With a defeated sigh, Hashirama's shoulders slumped. "I'm sorry, dear," he said more humbly, the bravado gone from his voice.
Hashirama turned back to Kūga, desperately hoping for backup. "Cover for me, will you? Just for a sec!" He gave his friend a pleading look before grabbing Mito's hand and, without a second thought, shunshined to Kami knows where.
Kūga watched them vanish, a chuckle rumbling from his chest. But before he could fully process the situation, he felt another presence in the room.
Redirecting his gaze, he found Reifū still standing in the doorway, her gaze was steady and unwavering, her eyes fixed on him with a calm intensity. She had not moved an inch since she'd arrived, and the air between them felt charged, filled with something unspoken.
Kūga's mischievous grin turned into a sheepish smile as he walked over to her. "So… you two know each other?" he ventured, trying to break the tension with his usual lightheartedness.
Reifū looked down, her gaze falling to the floor as she gave a small, nod. Her silence was heavy, and Kūga could feel something, unsettling.
For a moment, they stood in silence, the quiet stretching between them, filled only with the soft rustling of papers in the background.
The silence lingered, until finally, Reifū broke the stillness.
"Do you…" she began, her voice soft, barely above a whisper. "Do you no longer love me?"
Kūga's eyes widened, his brows knitting together in genuine confusion. "What?"
He took a steadying breath, searching her face, trying to find the right words. With a quiet sigh, he took her hand in his.
Without another word, Kūga teleported them to the top of the Hokage Monument, where the village stretched out below them in the warm glow of sunset.
They stood in silence for a while, Reifū's eyes taking in the peaceful scene. It was beautiful, but her mind was anything but calm.
She knew she was overthinking, but doubts were overwhelming her brain.
Kūga was everything.
Handsome, powerful, someone women would line up to be with. No matter how strong she was, a hint of insecurity crept in, making her heart heavy.
She glanced away, taking a breath before finally asking, "So, who's the lucky girl?"
Turning to face him, she was ready for any answer.
Except the one that met her eyes was Kūga... down on one knee, looking up at her with a smile, a small, beautiful ring in his hand.
The golden band held a simple onyx, set with a glowing symbol of Aether etched in its center.
Kūga's smile was gentle.
"You," he said softly, his eyes never leaving hers. "Will you marry me?"
Reifū's heart stilled.
She hadn't expected this, not here, not like this. But looking at him, seeing the warmth in his eyes, the doubt melted away.
A tear slipped down her cheek as she managed a quiet, "Yes, Kūga… I'll marry you."
Kūga's smile widened, and he gently slid the ring onto her finger.
A sudden warmth filled her hand and spread through her, her aether reserves suddenly expanding as if the ring itself held some hidden power. She looked down at it in surprise, feeling her control sharpen, her energy steadier.
Kūga was watching her, knowing exactly what she was thinking.
She laughed, but her eyes softened as she gazed at him. "I love you, Kūga Seiryu."
"And I love you, Reifū Genpū," he murmured. He pulled her into his arms, holding her close, and they kissed under the fading light, letting the world fade around them.