The night was deep, and the streets of Konoha were entirely deserted.
A cool autumn breeze swept through, swirling fallen leaves along the stone-paved roads.
Inside the living room of Tsunade's private courtyard.
"Lady Tsunade, are you still not going to sleep?" Shizune asked with deep concern as the night grew darker.
Faced with Shizune's worry, Tsunade replied with a touch of impatience.
"You go to sleep first, I still have matters to handle!"
"Oh..."
It had been like this for the past two years, and Shizune had grown accustomed to it.
After pouring a fresh cup of tea for Tsunade, she went upstairs to rest.
Fortunately, she didn't know that Saiki had already returned, or she wouldn't have been able to sleep either.
Tsunade glanced at the night sky outside the window, then her gaze fell back onto the mountain of paperwork.
However, her mind was like tea water constantly rippled by a stone; she was nowhere near as calm as she appeared on the surface.
Meanwhile, inside Kushina's home.
The battle had reached a white-hot intensity.
After such a long separation, the passion was like a second honeymoon.
The two of them continuously demanded more from each other.
The sounds of slamming bodies and muffled groans echoed relentlessly through the room.
In the past two years, it wasn't just Saiki's body that had grown.
Kushina's attitude toward him had shifted alongside his physical transformation.
Two years ago, when they had been intimate, there was still a lingering sense of estrangement in her heart—she couldn't fully let go.
Now, Kushina finally viewed him as a true man.
Their tongues were constantly intertwined in a lingering, wet dance.
Kushina's long, slender legs were wrapped tightly around Saiki's waist, perfectly accommodating his rhythm.
As Kushina's heart hammered faster and her body temperature soared, her muscles began to tighten and spasm.
Saiki responded by accelerating his pace to full speed.
Following a high-pitched, desperate wail, Kushina's body shuddered violently.
A hot torrent surged within her, and then she drifted into unconsciousness.
After a few more powerful thrusts, Saiki pulled her into a crushing embrace.
He was panting heavily; the session had been beyond frantic.
Even with Saiki's superhuman stamina, a layer of sweat coated his forehead.
Kushina was in an even more extreme state.
Her fair skin was flushed a deep, scorching red, and her body was drenched in sweat as if she had just been pulled from a river.
The stimulation had been so overwhelming that her consciousness had shut down as a form of self-protection.
Holding Kushina's soft, burning body, Saiki truly wanted to just drift off to sleep right there.
But he knew he couldn't; there was another woman waiting for him.
He stood up and looked at the mess on the bed, feeling a bit amused.
A large portion of the sheets had been soaked through by Kushina's arousal.
She had been ravaged by Saiki until she was red and swollen, unable to endure even one more strike.
It was already very late, so Saiki moved quickly.
He cleaned Kushina thoroughly and performed some basic medical treatment to soothe her.
He replaced the bedding with clean sheets and tucked her in comfortably.
Leaving a Shadow Clone to stand guard in the living room, he slipped out of Kushina's house.
Saiki walked home, his steps a bit slower than usual.
He rubbed his lower back—Sensei Kushina had been a bit too enthusiastic after two years.
Although he had eventually exhausted her into a deep sleep, he had paid a significant "price" himself.
The constitution of the Uzumaki clan was certainly no joke.
At the thought, a bitter smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
When he left two years ago, the boundary of his relationship with Kushina had been breached, but their emotions were still in an ambiguous, undefined state.
Now that he was back, everything had fallen into place naturally—it wasn't bad at all.
His waist was just a bit sore.
He looked up at the night sky; the stars were sparse and the crescent moon hung high.
By this time, Tsunade should be asleep.
After all, she had a mountain of official business to attend to tomorrow.
However, as he approached the familiar estate, he noticed the living room light was still burning.
The warm yellow glow from the window looked especially inviting in the cold night.
Saiki pushed the door open; the light in the entryway was also on.
He took off his shoes and stepped quietly into the living room.
Tsunade was sitting on the sofa, holding a scroll in her hands, but her eyes were clearly not focused on the text.
Hearing his footsteps, she lifted her head, her face an expressionless mask.
"You're back," she said flatly.
"Mm." Saiki walked over to her side. "Why aren't you in bed yet?"
"I had some documents to review." Tsunade set the scroll down and took a sip of tea that had long since gone cold.
"And you? Where did you go so late?"
The question was asked casually, but Saiki caught the flicker of unease in her eyes.
He understood immediately, and a small smirk touched his lips.
"I went to check on Sensei Kushina."
The air in the room went still for a second.
Tsunade's fingers subconsciously traced the rim of her teacup, her gaze fixed on a random point on the table.
"Oh. And... how is she?"
"She's doing well," Saiki said, sitting down beside her.
"Now that she's not being monitored, her work with the Sealing Corps is going smoothly. Her complexion is much better than before."
"That's good then," Tsunade muttered, picking up the scroll again to pretend she was reading.
But Saiki noticed she was holding it upside down.
He couldn't help but let out a chuckle, reaching out to take the scroll and set it aside.
"What are you laughing at?" Tsunade glared at him, but a flush spread from her neck to her ears.
"Are you jealous?" Saiki leaned in close, staring at her beautiful, blushing face.
"Who... who's jealous!" Tsunade snapped, looking away like a flustered young girl.
"As the Hokage, I am simply concerned with the well-being of the village's vital assets. Kushina is the core of the Sealing Corps; her status affects—"
Before she could finish, Saiki reached out and wrapped his arm around her slender waist, pulling her voluptuous, soft body into his chest.
"Hey! You—"
"I'm sorry for making you wait so late," Saiki interrupted.
He rested his chin gently on her shoulder, breathing in her unique, intoxicating fragrance.
"I should have come home sooner."
Wrapped in Saiki's embrace and hearing his tender words, Tsunade's struggle ceased.
She was quiet for a few seconds, then let out a long sigh, relaxing completely against him.
"I wasn't waiting for you," she said stubbornly, though her voice had softened into a whisper.
Saiki didn't know the full details of her life over the last two years, but he could feel how exhausted she truly was.
Otherwise, she would never have shown such a vulnerable side.
"Mm, you weren't," Saiki played along, his palm gently stroking her back.
"It was I who missed you and wanted to come back early to see you."
These words caused Tsunade's heart to melt into a puddle.
She bit her lip and finally reached out to hug him back.
"That red-headed brat..." she grumbled. "Did she do anything to you?"
Saiki chuckled. "What do you think?"
"Hmph." Tsunade gave his shoulder a sharp, playful bite.
"I knew it. You come back and immediately... you lecherous brat."
Despite her words, she squeezed him even tighter.
Saiki could feel her underlying insecurity—two years of waiting while holding Konoha together alone, only for him to see another woman first the moment he returned.
No matter how broad-minded she was, there would always be a thorn in her heart.
"Tsunade," he whispered her name. "Look at me."
Tsunade hesitated before lifting her head.
Under the lamp, her eyes were slightly misty, perhaps from fatigue or emotion.
"I'm back," Saiki said seriously, looking into her eyes.
"I won't leave for that long again. I will face Konoha's crises with you. You are no longer alone."
He paused, then continued. "As for Kushina... she is also someone I must protect. Just like you."
He was being blunt, essentially laying his cards on the table.
Tsunade stared at him, her eyes swirling with complex emotions.
After a long silence, she let out a weary sigh.
"I just..." she whispered.
"Just what?"
"I just still feel uncomfortable about it," Tsunade admitted honestly, her fingers digging into the muscles of his back.
"I am Tsunade Senju, the Acting Hokage of the Leaf, and yet I have to share..."
She couldn't bring herself to finish, burying her face in his chest instead.
A surge of tenderness washed over Saiki.
He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "I'm sorry."
"Don't say you're sorry," Tsunade shook her head. "It was my choice. I knew it would be like this the day I decided to accept you."
She looked up, a mix of helplessness and a liberated smile in her eyes.
"I suppose it's my own fault for falling for such a greedy brat."
Saiki smiled too, cupping her face and pressing his lips to hers in a gentle kiss full of apology and promise.
When the kiss ended, Tsunade leaned against his shoulder and whispered.
"But we have a deal. Tonight, you belong to me. You aren't allowed to think about anyone else."
"As you command." Saiki scooped her up into his arms and headed for the bedroom.
"Ah! What are you doing!"
"Didn't you say I belong to you tonight?"
"I... I didn't mean it like that... put me down!"
The protest was ignored.
The bedroom light flickered, then went dark.