"Chinatsu?" Kakashi and Tsunade were both stunned upon seeing her.
"Mom, I'm going with Kakashi and Sister Karin too," Chinatsu said, flashing an innocent smile. She walked over to Tsunade, gently kneading her mother's shoulders while acting coquettishly.
"No." Tsunade closed her eyes, feeling a headache coming on, and firmly refused.
"I'm strong! Even Kakashi is no match for me!" Chinatsu said anxiously.
Hearing this, Tsunade raised an eyebrow and glanced at Kakashi. The silver-haired jonin gave an awkward smile, rubbed the back of his head, and said, "That… Lord Tsunade, it's actually true."
Yesterday, after testing the strength of Naruto, Sakura, and Karin—and losing his bell to them—Kakashi was dragged by Chinatsu into a sparring match.
Although he hadn't used his full strength, Chinatsu's abilities greatly exceeded his expectations.
For a moment, it felt like he was fighting Fujiwara Kirito.
If he had fought seriously, the outcome might have been uncertain.
Hearing Kakashi admit that Chinatsu was stronger than him, Tsunade's eyes flickered with surprise.
But she still shook her head and refused. "No. You're too young."
"Why?! Mom!" Chinatsu shook her mother's shoulders and continued acting spoiled.
"It's useless to act cute," Tsunade said. Just as she was about to refuse again, a familiar voice suddenly rang in her ear.
"Just let her go."
Tsunade froze, then abruptly changed her response. She turned to Kakashi and asked, "What do you think?"
Hearing this, Kakashi was momentarily confused. After a brief silence, he finally gave a fair answer.
"In terms of ninjutsu, taijutsu, genjutsu, and battle awareness, Chinatsu is impeccable. Moreover, her sensory abilities are comparable to Fujiwara Kirito's, which is far more valuable than combat experience.
If we exclude her age, I believe she is more than qualified for this mission."
"Is that so?" Tsunade pondered for a moment before nodding.
"Fine. This mission will be entrusted to Team 7, along with Chinatsu. Additionally, since you'll be facing three Akatsuki members, I'll arrange for Might Guy's team—who are currently on a mission nearby—to assist you."
"If that's the case, then this will be much easier," Kakashi sighed in relief, knowing he would have Might Guy's support.
"Thank you, Mom!" Chinatsu cheerfully threw herself into Tsunade's arms.
"Don't celebrate too soon." Tsunade's expression turned stern. "Once you're there, you must obey Kakashi's orders. If you dare to act recklessly, I will never let you leave the village again."
"Hi, hi~" Chinatsu agreed without hesitation and was about to follow Kakashi out of the Hokage's office.
"Wait."
Tsunade suddenly called out.
The two stopped and turned around. Kakashi hesitated, then asked, "Is there something else, Tsunade-sama?"
Tsunade hesitated for a moment before speaking seriously.
"I've already said this, but Akatsuki is no trivial enemy. As Hokage, I cannot risk Konoha's shinobi for Sunagakure."
"Although Konoha and Sunagakure are allies, your lives are more important. If you encounter an unsolvable crisis, I permit you to abandon the mission."
"Especially Naruto. He's too impulsive, so keep an eye on him."
Kakashi was silent for a moment before nodding seriously.
"I understand."
"Alright, go." Tsunade waved them off.
As Kakashi and Chinatsu left the office, Shizune finally spoke up.
"Lady Tsunade, are you really letting the young lady go?"
"It wasn't my decision," Tsunade sighed. "Someone else asked me to let her go. Come out."
The moment she said that, Kirito—wearing his Akatsuki robe—stepped out from the shadows.
Shizune's eyes widened in shock.
"Master Kirito?!"
"Hey, Shizune, long time no see." Kirito looked her up and down, grinning mischievously.
"We're still at the airport, huh?"
Shizune's face instantly turned red, then frowned.
"Master Kirito, you've really reached that level…"
Just as she was about to say more, Kirito interrupted.
"Shizune, could you step outside for a bit? Tsunade and I have something to discuss."
Shizune glanced at Tsunade, who nodded slightly.
"...I understand," Shizune sighed, giving Tsunade a long look before leaving the office.
"When did you get back?" Tsunade asked casually.
"Just now."
Kirito lied with a straight face, without a hint of guilt.
In reality, he had returned last night.
He had spent the night at Kurenai's place and visited Hinata in the morning to check on her training progress.
Only after handling those things did he come to the Hokage's office.
But there was no way he would tell Tsunade the truth.
Otherwise, all hell would break loose.
"Alright, tell me what's going on," Tsunade said as she stood up naturally, walking around the desk.
Instead of sitting in her chair, she sat on Kirito's lap.
Kirito wrapped his arms around her, his hands sliding into her collar.
Tsunade let out a small grumble, then chuckled.
"As you guessed," Kirito said, smirking. "I participated in the Kazekage's abduction with Akatsuki this time. Not only that, I single-handedly captured the Five-Tails Jinchūriki before that."
"Why are you helping Akatsuki?" Tsunade slapped his hands away, then wrapped her arm around his neck. Her tone was filled with confusion.
"No reason. I just think it's interesting." Kirito grinned.
"Interesting?" Tsunade's eyes twitched with irritation.
"Yeah, interesting."
Kirito leaned in and kissed her gently.
"If it weren't for you and Chinatsu, I would have already slaughtered all the Konoha ninjas I fought against."
Tsunade pushed him away, her expression a mix of disappointment, confusion, and pain.
"What are you thinking?" she demanded. "What do you see human life as?"
"Didn't I just say?" Kirito's tone remained calm.
"If it weren't for you and Chinatsu, you wouldn't even be here. That's why I didn't do it."
He patted his thigh, motioning for her to sit back down.
Tsunade hesitated.
"No," she finally said. "If you don't explain yourself clearly, you're not touching me again."
Tsunade's uneasiness grew.
In the past, Akatsuki wasn't much of a threat. She could pretend it wasn't a big deal.
But now, they had abducted the Kazekage.
She feared that Konoha might be next.
If that happened, what would she do when confronted by Kirito?
Kirito fell silent for a moment, then gave a vague answer.
"I just want to witness the future of this world."
Tsunade blinked. "What do you mean?"
Kirito smiled.
"Tell me—what's the most important factor in uniting people?"
Tsunade instinctively answered, "The bond and trust between comrades?"
Kirito shook his head.
"Wrong."
He leaned in, his smile fading.
"The answer is an enemy."
(End of the chapter)