"Great!"
Leaving the Hokage Tower, Yugito happily hugged Takumi's arm.
From her bouncing joy, Takumi could clearly feel her delight.
So he patted her arm and said with a smile, "Come on, I'll take you to the furniture store. I know a good place."
"Okay, whatever you say."
Yugito looked at Takumi with eyes full of trust.
She was like a newlywed little wife now, everything following Takumi's lead.
However, on the way, they saw Tsunade, who looked a bit upset.
"Huh?"
Tsunade also saw Takumi, and naturally saw Yugito clinging to his arm. "Aren't you that Kumogakure woman? Why are you here again?"
She stared at Yugito's arm linked with Takumi's and said, "And aren't you being a bit too intimate?"
If they weren't on the street, she would probably have punched him already.
Of course, it would be aimed at Takumi.
"Tsunade-sama, Yugito is no longer with Kumogakure."
Takumi repeated the explanation he had given the Hokage.
Although Tsunade's expression still wasn't great, her hostility towards Yugito eased somewhat.
"I didn't expect the Akatsuki to have such big appetites."
Tsunade sighed with emotion. "They just got One-Tail, and now they've taken Two-Tails. What exactly are they trying to do?"
Suddenly, her expression changed. "Are they trying to start a war?"
It was hard not to think that way.
Because Tailed Beasts have another name: weapons of war.
The Tailed Beasts' special ability, the Bijudama, can easily destroy a forest, with a range of destruction far beyond what ordinary Shinobi can compare to.
All Chunin and Genin are unable to avoid the range of a Bijudama.
Some slower Jonin also have difficulty escaping.
But they aren't as defenseless as the lower-level Shinobi.
On the battlefield, a Tailed Beast is purely a meat grinder, a harvester.
Capable of mowing down large numbers of Shinobi in groups.
"Possibly, so we must stop them."
Takumi also spoke seriously, then changed the subject, looking curiously. "What were you doing before, Tsunade-sama? You looked a bit unhappy?"
"Don't even mention it!"
Tsunade's face immediately fell. Shizune behind her said with a wry smile, "Tsunade-sama lost again."
"How much did you lose?"
Takumi said with a smile. "If it's not too much..."
"No need!"
Tsunade immediately interrupted him. "I have to win all the money back with my own power!!"
'If you won it all back, Pain might just come and unleash a Super Shinra Tensei.'
'Konoha would probably be gone then.'
Not that Takumi was complaining.
But that's just how powerful Tsunade's "winning" is.
Given the debt she currently owes, to win it all back at once, something very major would inevitably happen.
And it wouldn't be good.
"Next time, then."
Takumi said with a smile. "I still need to help Yugito-san buy some furniture. From today, she's a member of Konoha."
"Is that so?"
Tsunade's expression softened slightly, but seeing Yugito still clinging tightly to Takumi's arm, she still felt very annoyed. "Although I know you're very dependent on Takumi for saving you, aren't you being a bit too intimate?"
"That's none of Tsunade-sama's concern."
Although Yugito's personality was gentle, she was not a weak person.
Even facing Tsunade, she met her eyes without subservience. "I know what I'm doing."
"Oh?"
Tsunade's eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint flashing.
"Um, we'll be going now. I wish you incredible luck, Tsunade-sama."
Seeing the ominous situation, Takumi quickly pulled Yugito away.
He was afraid that if they stayed any longer, Tsunade wouldn't be able to hold back.
Tsunade's personality didn't understand the concept of showing mercy.
"Tsunade-sama, are we still going to see the Hokage now?"
Shizune asked cautiously.
"Of course."
Tsunade withdrew her gaze from Takumi and Yugito, remembering her main purpose. "If I don't get money from him, how can I keep gambling?"
She also strode away, heading towards the Hokage Tower with a determined look.
Hiruzen, who had been in a good mood, couldn't help but shiver.
'What's wrong?'
He was a bit puzzled. 'Did I kick off the covers again last night?'
Takumi took Yugito shopping at the furniture store, then brought her to Ichiraku Ramen.
Because delivering and installing the furniture would take some time.
During that time, he planned to take Yugito around various places in the village.
And Konoha's famous Ichiraku Ramen was naturally the first stop.
"Takumi darling!"
Seeing Takumi, Ayame immediately rushed out happily. "I'll make you some noodles right away!"
"Okay, Ayame's noodles are always delicious."
Takumi smiled and pulled Yugito to sit down.
There were no other customers in the ramen shop at the moment.
Yugito looked at Ayame's back thoughtfully.
'A girl who directly called Takumi "darling" must have a very close relationship with him.'
'But from what I could see, this girl named Ayame hadn't experienced intimacy yet.'
She felt this girl was like Ino and Sakura, very admiring of Takumi, but the relationship wasn't at that stage yet.
Looking at it this way, Takumi really was popular.
But she had already expected this.
Last time, when she lived with Takumi as a captive, she had already witnessed his appeal to girls.
Even Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin, was very keen on him.
This showed just how strong Takumi's charisma was.
She never thought she could have Takumi all to herself.
Now, being able to spend some alone time with him already made her very happy.
"Look forward to it. Old Man Ichiraku's ramen here is the best in Konoha."
Takumi said with a smile.
"That's an exaggeration."
Teuchi repeatedly waved his hand modestly, but the smile on his face couldn't be hidden.
His business was already good, and because Takumi visited from time to time, girls who admired him would often come by around mealtimes.
It wasn't mealtime yet, so those girls weren't around.
Of course, Takumi had deliberately chosen this time.
Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to handle so many girls.
And they might even drag him to Sasori's barber shop.
Then he wouldn't be able to go anywhere all day.