She had changed back into her maid outfit, her previous look of desperation and exhaustion completely gone.
Shinho glanced at her pristine white stockings and delicate feet before settling into the Hokage's chair.
Ichikishima-hime floated behind him, intending to climb onto his lap, but before she could, he grabbed a handful of her now long hair.
"Haven't you learned your lesson yet?"
Shinho asked calmly.
Ichikishima-hime blinked, but instead of looking scared, her face showed an expression of anticipation.
After all, she was experiencing the happiest years of her thousand-year existence.
"Konan will be here soon."
Shinho let go of her hair and pinched her chest lightly before saying, "Go play in the lounge."
"Yes…"
Ichikishima-hime pouted, floating dejectedly toward the rest area behind the bookshelf.
"Hokage-sama."
Half a minute later, Konan appeared before him.
"Something on your mind?"
Shinho's gaze drifted momentarily toward her black-stockinged thighs.
Since Konan never seemed to mind his eyes wandering, he saw no reason to be reserved.
"Nagato asked me to convey his gratitude."
Konan said.
"It was nothing."
Shinho smiled. "It was a mutually beneficial arrangement."
He knew she was referring to the bandit extermination mission.
In a way, Nagato was just as pure-hearted as Naruto.
Compared to them, his own motives were much less idealistic.
But Shinho firmly believed in judging actions over intentions.
Regardless of his reasons, the ninja world had indeed achieved peace.
"There's another matter."
Konan continued, "Naruto has returned from Turtle Island."
Shinho raised an eyebrow.
If things followed the original timeline, then Naruto had already mastered the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.
However, he still wasn't a perfect Jinchūriki.
Above this form, there was still the Kurama Mode.
"I have something to discuss as well."
Shinho looked at Konan and asked, "Are you familiar with dimensional spaces?"
"I know a little."
Konan hesitated for a moment before answering, "They are special spaces independent of the ninja world."
Obito's Kamui, the three Great Sacred Lands, and the extradimensional creatures like the Mōryō all qualified as such.
"I've discovered a new such dimensional space."
Shinho paused before adding, "It's vast, large enough to fit multiple Land of Rains."
"Hm?"
Konan caught the deeper meaning in his words and asked directly, "Hokage-sama, are you suggesting…?"
"The Land of Rain has suffered from constant rainfall for years. You know better than myself that It's not an ideal place to live in."
Shinho chuckled lightly and said, "If you and Nagato are willing, you can move Amegakure into this dimensional space."
Konan was stunned.
She stood motionless, falling into deep thought.
The Land of Rain held irreplaceable significance for them.
But as Shinho had pointed out, the environment there was far too harsh.
What was more important.
The land of their memories, or a better life for their people?
"Would you like to take a look?"
Shinho noticed her hesitation and asked.
"That would be appreciated, Hokage-sama."
Konan nodded and spoke softly.
Shinho stood up, placing a hand on her shoulder.
In the next instant, the two of them appeared inside his immortal aperture.
Konan's eyes widened in astonishment.
She was now standing at the peak of a mountain that towered into the clouds.
Looking down, she saw dense forests, vast mountain ranges, and mirror-like lakes stretching endlessly into the horizon.
"I've already surveyed the area."
Shinho glanced at her and said, "There are no signs of prior human habitation."
"In other words, this land belongs to no one."
"This is… unbelievable."
Konan couldn't help but exclaim in wonder.
"And that's not all."
Shinho prompted, "Try sensing the air around you."
Konan closed her eyes as he instructed.
Immediately, her body trembled slightly.
Her face showing genuine surprise.
Chakra!
She could feel it.
A density of chakra saturating the very air itself, far beyond anything in the outside world.
"What… is this?"
Konan asked in disbelief.
"Perhaps it has something to do with the Sage of Six Paths."
Shinho stated seriously, though he was completely making things up.
When it came to forbidden techniques, blame Tobirama.
For anything mysterious or strange in the ninja world, blame the Ōtsutsuki.
In truth, what Konan was sensing wasn't chakra.
It was his immortal essence, but she had simply mistaken it for chakra.
"Living here long-term would allow the body to absorb this chakra-rich air, providing immense benefits."
Shinho's tone was subtly tempting.
Konan pursed her lips slightly.
She was undoubtedly tempted.
This dimensional space was superior to the Land of Rain in every possible way.
It wasn't even a contest.
"Would everyone be able to come and go freely?"
Konan fell silent for a few seconds before asking.
"I can teach you a technique to enter and exit."
Shinho replied. "Anyone can learn it, including ordinary civilians."
Of course, this so-called "technique" was merely a signaling method.
Only after receiving the signal could he allow someone to enter or leave his immortal aperture.
And in a way, anyone who lived here would be under his control.
Because this entire world… belonged to him.
"Hokage-sama, could you teach me first?"
Konan gave a slight bow and said, "This is a major decision, I need to discuss it with Nagato."
"Of course."
Shinho casually demonstrated the technique once.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
A rare smile unconsciously appeared on Konan's face.
With this dimensional space, the Land of Rain would finally have a future worth looking forward to.
"Konan-nee."
Shinho looked at her and said, "You should smile more, it suits you."
Konan was momentarily taken aback, realizing only now that she had been smiling.
She averted her gaze and muttered, "I'll try."
"You can smile freely in front of me."
Shinho added.
"..."
Konan's heart trembled slightly.
She lowered her head, saying nothing.
"This is your first time here, so let me give you a gift."
Shinho reached out and plucked the pale blue paper flower pinned to her hair.
Konan looked at him in confusion.
In the next moment, the surrounding immortal essence gathered, condensing into a tangible form.
A vividly detailed blue rose bloomed into existence.
"A beautiful and practical flower."
Shinho placed it in her hair, just above her right ear.
"When your chakra is depleted, you can draw energy from this flower."
Konan reached out and touched the rose gently.
Her expression turned dazed, not because of the immense power it contained,
But because of Shinho's actions.
They stirred emotions within her that she hadn't felt in a long time.
"It's nothing."
Shinho smiled.
With his infinite immortal essence, creating a flower like this was effortless.
But if it increased Konan's favorability toward him.
Then it was definitely worth it.
"Let me know when you and Nagato make a decision. I'll help with the relocation."
Shinho examined her for a moment before smirking.
"You look even more beautiful, Konan-nee."
"Hokage-sama…"
Konan gazed down at the lake at the mountain's base.
A faint smile curved her lips.
"Would you be willing to accompany me for a walk?"
"Of course."
Shinho chuckled along with her.
The two of them descended the mountain and walked along the lake.
For once, Konan seemed different from her usual cold and aloof self. She was looking around, appreciating the pleasant scenery.
Shinho walked at a leisurely pace, unhurried.
Today had been a fruitful day.
His relationship with Konan had taken another step forward, and he had also found suitable residents for his Immortal Aperture.
The only question now was, what kind of resources would this place produce?
"Hokage-sama."
Konan suddenly stopped in her tracks and spoke. "I'd like to take a day off tomorrow to meet Nagato and settle this matter as soon as possible."
After walking around the place, she had grown increasingly satisfied. She was already tempted.
"Alright."
Shinho gave a slight nod. "I'll send you out."
Just as he was about to place his hand on her shoulder again, Konan unexpectedly reached out her hand instead.
Shinho was slightly surprised but quickly grasped her hand.
It was soft and warm.
The two of them disappeared from their original spot and reappeared inside the Hokage's office.
"Thank you."
Konan withdrew her hand, her voice carrying a hint of unnatural stiffness.
"Go ahead and take care of your business."
Shinho smiled.
"Mm."
Konan turned and left.
As she shut the door to the Hokage's office, she let out a breath of relief.
Today's events had significantly changed her perception of Shinho.
She reached out and touched the Blue Rose on her head before returning to the Hokage's secretary office.
The sun set, leaving only a dim golden glow at the horizon.
Shinho stretched lazily. It was finally time to get off work.
"Shin—huh? You seem... a little different?"
Shizune walked up to him, eyeing him carefully.
"Different how?"
Shinho caught a faint fragrance in the air.
"I can't quite put my finger on it."
Shizune tilted her head in thought.
"Is that so?"
Shinho reached out and grabbed at the hem of her fitted skirt, smirking. "You'll understand soon enough."
Shizune indeed had more stamina than Ichikishima-hime, but not by much.
"…?"
Shizune didn't understand what he meant, looking at him with a puzzled expression.
Seeing her reaction, Shinho didn't hesitate any longer, he lifted her up and carried her toward the lounge.
"Wait!"
Shizune lightly punched his shoulder twice. "If we go home too late, Lady Tsunade will be mad again!"
"Relax, it won't take too long."
Shinho replied casually.
"What do you mean by that?"
Shizune rolled her eyes at him.
She wasn't that naive.
But soon, she realized the real issue.
Shinho's strength had undergone a qualitative transformation.
She was like a small boat caught in a violent storm, unable to stop for even a moment, nearly crushed to pieces.
"Six minutes."
Shinho shook his head and sighed.
"Y-You… go ask Lady Tsunade for help!"
Shizune's face was full of panic.
Because at this point, she couldn't even move a single finger.
"Come on! Don't be dramatic."
Shinho picked her up once more and brought her to the Senju Clan's estate.
Tsunade, upon seeing the two of them appear in such a state, was momentarily too stunned to react, before she too was dragged into the battlefield.
That night, she discovered that even her Yin Seal had lost its function.
Seizing this opportunity, Shinho forced her into agreeing to several conditions.
The next morning.
Shinho opened his eyes, full of energy.
Last night's efforts hadn't affected him in the slightest.
But Tsunade and Shizune were a different story, both of them were still deep in sleep, their faces carrying an unmistakable exhaustion.
Shinho didn't disturb them. He got dressed, activated Fixed Immortal Travel Gu, and instantly appeared in Hinata's room.
The soft sound of even breathing filled the air.
He looked toward the bed, there lay Hinata, with only her head exposed while the rest of her body was covered beneath the blanket.
But even through the fabric, the graceful, alluring curves of her figure were impossible to ignore.
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