Amidst the steamy heat, Uzumaki Kushina and Uchiha Mikoto's faces were flushed red. After an extended time soaking in the hot spring, their bodies grew tired, leaning weakly against the warm water.
"Shirou, this is too much. I need to rest for a bit," Kushina said.
Under such intense sex, even someone as spirited as Kushina had reached her limit. Exhausted, she leaned against the edge of the spring, unable to muster any more strength. On the other side, Mikoto had already closed her eyes, basking in the peaceful moment.
Only Shirou, who seemed to shake off all signs of fatigue, stood unfazed. He calmly shook his head.
"I told you we had serious matters to discuss. Kushina, you and Mikoto were the ones who insisted on teasing me first. I can't believe this.
Shirou thought about being surrounded by not one, but two exceptional beauties, he secretly resolved that he needed to continue working hard in the future.
The Sage Body truly was remarkable, especially his unique blend of Curse Mark Sage enhancements and Senju genetics. His recovery and endurance were almost inhuman. And once he fully integrated the Wood Release cells, further enhancing his Senju lineage, his physical prowess would reach an even higher level.
"Serious matters? Wasn't what we just did considered serious?" Kushina asked, confused.
Stunned for a moment, Kushina realized she might have misunderstood something. Her face turned beet red as she slowly sank into the hot spring, leaving only half her face above the water. She blew bubbles as she hid in embarrassment.
How mortifying!
She had assumed that serious matters referred to her earlier playful antics with Mikoto. Watching her red hair float in the water, combined with her shy demeanor, which sharply contrasted her earlier boldness, Shirou couldn't help but chuckle.
"I heard from Mikoto earlier that you've been reading some erotic books, Kushina," Shirou teased, smirking.
"Shirou… I didn't…" Kushina stammered, her earlier boldness completely gone. Her face flushed even deeper as steam rose from the hot spring.
"It's fine, adorable Kushina."
Shirou gently stroked her crimson hair. Kushina leaned into his embrace, and Shirou closed his eyes, finally beginning to address the matter at hand.
"Let's talk about the real issue. Now that Sister Tsunade has inherited the name of the Senju, she's become a major target within the village. But among the great clans, how many would give their all to support her?"
"The Uchiha Clan has no choice. If they had any alternatives, they'd hedge their bets, just like the Aburame Clan. They're playing the same game."
Hearing Shirou's words, Mikoto and Kushina frowned slightly, though they weren't particularly upset. This was simply how clans ensured their survival.
"The Senju Clan is in the same position. Right now, the only true loyalists Tsunade has are her clan and the Uchiha Clan. As for the other clans, at best, they'll offer superficial support. They certainly won't make any real sacrifices."
Shirou's sharp understanding of the great clans' behaviors was evident. When it came to sacrificing something, these clans would hesitate and reevaluate their priorities.
"Shirou, I understand what you mean," Kushina said, her voice soft yet serious.
Over the years, Kushina had matured beyond being the naive girl she once was. She nodded obediently and replied, "Sister Tsunade once told me that the Uchiha Clan is a trustworthy ally due to their current predicament. The other clans, however, can only be trusted to some extent. They're merely using the Senju to shield themselves."
Hearing Kushina's thoughtful response, Shirou smiled. His hand gently caressed her soft, warm skin, causing her to blush once again. Despite her shyness, there was a hint of contentment in her expression.
"Shirou… stop touching me. You're supposed to be serious," Kushina muttered as she suddenly climbed onto his lap, her face flushed.
"Alright, I'm listening," Shirou sighed, though he couldn't ignore Kushina's playful gaze and subtle movements beneath the water. Her excitement was palpable, especially as she occasionally glanced at Mikoto, who had completely succumbed to exhaustion.
The thrill of sneaky intimacy was something only Kushina could truly enjoy.
"Kushina, what do you think of the Hyūga Clan?" Shirou suddenly asked, his tone meaningful.
Realizing his implication, Kushina's eyes widened in understanding. "I see…"
Holding Kushina's seductive body in his arms, Shirou moved up and down, sliding inside her and thrusting again and again. Kushina's walls were incredibly tight. Shirou could feel her soft flesh wrapping around his dick and sucking it, as though she wanted to suck his juice dry. The feeling was incredibly pleasurable and refreshing, making him unable to stop.
Splash!
The water rippled as Shirou gave her a stern look. "Kushina, do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Yes, Shirou… your eyes say it all…" Kushina replied, her arms wrapped around his neck. Despite her flushed face, her actions beneath the water continued, and she occasionally stole glances at Mikoto.
This left Shirou speechless. "What exactly do you think I'm saying?"
She had interpreted his intentions in an entirely different direction. Yet, as the rhythm of the rippling water in the spring continued, Shirou leaned back, gazing at the ceiling. He began to outline his actual plan.
"In the village, the three great clans are the Senju, the Uchiha, and the Hyūga. While the Sarutobi Clan may be numerous, they're merely a rising power and can't be relied upon. The Hyūga Clan, on the other hand, is constantly divided between its Main and Branch families. No matter what happens, it's always the Branch family that suffers. Though they might seem aligned with us, they could easily prioritize self-preservation."
Kushina put her head on Shirou's shoulder and moaned strangely. Her body tensed up completely, and her mouth opened and closed repeatedly due to the rush of sensations she was receiving each second.
As Shirou analyzed the situation, Kushina, despite sweating profusely from the heat, nodded firmly. "I get it. You want to drag the Hyūga Clan deeper into this. But the Main family won't be easy to deal with...ahh."
"That's where you're wrong."
Shirou shook his head, his eyes narrowing. "The Caged Bird Seal used on the Branch family is essentially an advanced form of sealing jutsu. With your talent, Kushina, I'm certain you can find a way to counter it."
Hearing this, Kushina's breathing grew heavier as she replied between gasps, "Shirou… the Caged Bird Seal… it's not that simple. I've tried studying it before, but perfecting a way to counter it is incredibly difficult. The seal is tied to the brain and optic nerves…"
Despite her protests, Shirou smiled knowingly. "Who said anything about a perfect solution? What if we just sealed the Caged Bird Seal itself?"
"Seal it?" Kushina exclaimed, her fiery red hair whipping around as she grew visibly excited. Her flushed cheeks glowed even brighter as she grasped the implications.
"Shirou, you're a genius! If we're only sealing the Caged Bird Seal, it becomes much simpler. All we'd need to do is block its ability to receive external chakra signals…"
"But Shirou! If the Hyūga Clan finds out, won't that…" Kushina trailed off, glancing at Mikoto, who was now peacefully asleep on Shirou's shoulder. Her emotions ran wild.
This kind of… blatant defiance!
"Why are you overthinking it?" Shirou said, his expression calm but meaningful as he looked at Kushina. "If the Hyūga Clan finds out, so what? It's unrelated to us. This is the work of the village's higher-ups—the shadowy forces behind the scenes—who want to divide the great clans."
"They've always used these kinds of tactics."
Hearing this, Kushina's eyes lit up with realization. "I understand now, Shirou. This is all part of the village's darkness—a way to divide us great clans and undermine the Hyūga Clan's system of inheritance. Once the Branch family's Caged Bird Seals are neutralized, Sister Tsunade can step in to mediate and prevent internal conflict."
Seeing Kushina finally grasp his plan, Shirou smiled in satisfaction.
Amidst the foggy hot spring, the conversation gave way to a sudden surge of energy, sending ripples across the water as a powerful wave of movement followed.
Kushina was trembling so much that she almost fainted, her entire body flushed red as she clung tightly to the person in front of her.
… Several hours later …
Under the night sky, snowflakes continued to fall from the heavens, decorating the land of Konoha.
At the Senju Clan's estate, outside the private hot spring belonging to Kushina.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Kushina."
"No need to be so polite, Sister Mikoto. But I usually stay at Sister Tsunade's place, so feel free to come find me anytime. Oh, and Happy New Year!"
Under the falling snowflakes outside the grand gate, Uzumaki Kushina's fair skin, tinged with a rosy hue, radiated a youthful glow.
At this time, she was dressed in her ninja uniform, her face full of smiles as she respectfully bowed.
Opposite her, Mikoto also smiled and bowed gratefully. However, as she straightened up, her red lips moved slightly, and the words she uttered made Kushina blush deeply.
"Kushina, you looked so beautiful in the hot spring earlier."
That one sentence turned Kushina's face completely red. She knew Mikoto had seen everything just now.
"But… Kushina, you're so adorable."
Suddenly, Mikoto stepped forward with a teasing laugh and pinched Kushina's cheek. The two of them, in this playful interaction, quickly returned to normal as Shirou stepped out.
"Let's go."
Before parting, Kushina looked enviously at Mikoto, who could leave together with Shirou.
"Shirou, take care."
Just as they were about to part, Shirou smiled and, in front of Mikoto, directly pulled both women into his embrace.
Under Kushina's shocked gaze, he didn't hold back at all and planted a deep, romantic kiss on her lips.
This is how you pluck the flower of fortune!
"We of the Uchiha clan act with boldness. Once we've decided to do something, we don't hide it."
Without any attempt to conceal his desires, Shirou's domineering voice echoed, causing Kushina's face to turn an even brighter shade of red.
"Shirou… I…"
She had never imagined that Shirou would act like this in public. Considering her identity as the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, such actions were something that had to remain in the shadows.
She had even prepared herself to live her entire life like this, always hiding. While it was thrilling in some ways, no woman would truly want to spend their entire life in the dark.
"Trust me. I will marry you both openly and let you stand proudly in the light."
Shirou's calm voice resonated, but his tone was filled with an unyielding determination.
In this world where strength reigns supreme, as long as he continues to grow stronger, nothing can bind him.
"Shirou…"
In the snowstorm, tears welled up in Kushina's eyes. She quickly put on a proud facade, laughing and scolding:
"Hurry up and leave! Be careful not to get caught, or there'll be rumors tomorrow about the wicked Uchiha seducing the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
Under Kushina's urging, Shirou and Mikoto, wrapped in thick cloaks, headed back toward the Uchiha Clan.
Left standing alone at the gate, Kushina's tear-filled eyes now carried a hint of shyness. Shirou's firm promise had deeply moved her, but as they parted, the words he whispered in her ear made her knees go weak.
"I'll use Flying Thunder God to bring you home tonight."
Her identity couldn't be revealed publicly yet, but the word home struck the softest part of her heart.
To Shirou, she was already a part of his family.
The Flying Thunder God Technique—this space-time ninjutsu that once shook the ninja world, developed by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, had taken countless lives. Yet, who would have thought that today it would be mastered by a Uchiha?
And not only that, it was being used on someone from the Senju Clan. If Tobirama Senju knew that a Uchiha was using his technique, not only to pursue the Senju Clan's Jinchuriki but also to involve his granddaughter, who knows if he'd explode in anger!
…
The next day, in a snowy Konoha, the arrival of spring marked the beginning of a new year.
Inside the Hokage's office.
"Hokage-sama!"
"Lord Third!"
Early in the morning, after receiving a summons from the Anbu, Uchiha Shirou and Namikaze Minato respectfully arrived at the Hokage's office.
Looking at the two young shinobi of Konoha, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, wore a pleased smile.
"Seeing young men like you gives this old man hope that Konoha will only grow stronger."
"You flatter us, Hokage-sama," Minato replied with a bright smile, while Shirou simply nodded with a smile, openly accepting the compliment.
This was the way of the Uchiha—never hiding their actions.
"I am strong; therefore, Konoha will naturally grow stronger."
Hiruzen didn't mind Shirou's attitude. Instead, his expression grew serious as he regarded the two and spoke in a grave tone:
"Namikaze Minato, you are the first elite ninja to master the Flying Thunder God Technique since the Second Hokage himself.
And Uchiha Shirou, you are hailed as the greatest genius of the Uchiha Clan, with unparalleled speed using Lightning Release and exceptionally powerful Sharingan-based genjutsu. I now have an extremely important mission for you both!"
The Third Hokage handed them a mission scroll, his expression solemn as he continued:
"This mission is classified as Konoha's highest-level secret. You two are to infiltrate the Land of Lightning as quickly as possible to rendezvous with Orochimaru, who is on a critical mission.
Though this mission is highly dangerous, I trust in Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique. Even in the direst situations, it will ensure your escape…"
"This S-rank classified mission will have Uchiha Shirou as the team leader, with Namikaze Minato assisting. Additionally, Hyuga Hizashi will join you at the border…"
As the Third Hokage's grave words sank in, Shirou's eyes narrowed when he saw the contents of the mission scroll.
Heading to the Land of Lightning to rendezvous with Orochimaru? Although the scroll didn't elaborate, he had already deduced the truth:
The Eight-Tails Rampage Incident!
PS: Let's just skip the full lemon scene on this chapter guys.