Uchiha Ren and Uchiha Hikari spent the entire night playing games in the room.
And they were genuinely just playing games.
The home console had already become wildly popular throughout Konoha.
It even boosted television sales.
Many people bought complete entertainment sets just to play.
By the middle of the night, Ren could no longer stay awake.
The moment he returned to the bedroom and touched the bed, he immediately fell asleep.
Hikari quietly covered him with a blanket.
After changing into her sleepwear, she gently slipped under the blanket as well.
Carefully, she moved closer and curled up against him.
Half-asleep, Ren instinctively moved his hand.
"Pervert…"
Hikari whispered softly.
But she only adjusted her position slightly, finding a more comfortable spot in his arms.
The next morning, rain still poured outside.
Ren slowly woke up.
Something felt itchy against his nose.
At the same time, his hand unconsciously tightened.
Soon, his thoughts became clear.
Opening his eyes, the first thing he saw was Hikari's sleeping face—
And the faint view hidden beneath her loose clothes.
Hikari woke up shortly afterward.
More accurately, she was awakened by the pressure.
Their eyes met.
Ren did not move his hand.
At this point, moving it would only make things more awkward.
"Hikari…"
"Waking up and seeing you first thing in the morning…"
"Feels really nice."
A faint blush appeared on her face.
She gently pushed his hand away—
Only to hold it herself a moment later.
Their fingers intertwined naturally.
And they remained like that quietly for several minutes.
Until it was finally almost time for work.
Ren reluctantly got out of bed.
Looking outside at the endless rain and gray skies, he sighed.
"And I still have to go to work in this weather…"
Even so, he still went.
The situation in the shinobi world was becoming increasingly tense.
Even he could not completely slack off anymore.
Inside the Hokage Office, Nara Shikaku had already been waiting for quite some time.
"You skipped breakfast again."
"Want some buns? I brought soy milk too."
Ren casually handed him breakfast.
Shikaku shook his head.
He had no appetite.
"Hokage-sama, according to the latest intelligence, Sunagakure's forces have already reached the outer regions of the Land of Rain."
"They will most likely clash with Amegakure soon."
"This may become the trigger for the Second Shinobi War."
Ren nodded calmly.
"What about the other villages?"
"Iwagakure is still some distance away."
"Kumogakure is even farther. They still need to cross multiple countries."
"As for Kirigakure…"
"They are still preparing their ships."
Ren was unsurprised.
"Let them fight."
"Konoha only needs to patrol the borders and make sure the war does not spread into the Land of Fire."
"No matter how fiercely they fight…"
"It has nothing to do with Konoha."
"We simply sell supplies to both sides."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Shikaku hesitated briefly before speaking again.
"If Amegakure loses…"
"What should we do?"
Ren calmly wiped his hands after finishing the bun.
"There's no need to rush."
"Amegakure is not weak."
"Let them drag the war out for as long as possible."
"The longer it lasts, the better."
"The four great villages have rested peacefully for too long."
"It is time for them to bleed a little."
"If necessary, Kusagakure can secretly support Amegakure."
"They have been trained for this exact moment."
"And Amegakure can afford the cost now."
"They're rich."
Shikaku immediately understood.
"Hokage-sama is wise."
Ren smiled faintly.
"And besides…"
"They are not truly united."
"Things will become interesting very soon."
Shikaku sighed helplessly.
"You really do enjoy chaos."
"Plans never unfold perfectly."
"We simply adapt to the situation as it changes."
Ren waved dismissively.
"By the way…"
"Uzumaki Ashina arrived this morning."
"He's currently waiting outside."
Ren paused slightly.
"Uzumaki Ashina?"
"Why is he here?"
"Kirigakure plans to pass near Uzushiogakure's territory."
"He came to discuss the matter."
Ren frowned slightly.
"Bring him in."
Soon afterward, Uzumaki Ashina entered the office.
"Hokage-sama."
"Long time no see."
"Long time no see."
After exchanging brief greetings, Ashina surprisingly did not mention Kirigakure immediately.
Instead, he spoke about the Uzumaki clan members currently living in Konoha.
Their lives.
Their changes.
Their situation.
Ren listened quietly.
Then Ashina gradually brought up the past.
Back when Konoha had first been established, the Senju clan had once invited the Uzumaki clan to join them.
But at that time, the Uzumaki had refused.
Back then, the two clans had stood as equals.
Close allies.
But now—
Everything had changed.
Konoha had risen far beyond anyone's expectations.
And despite that, it still continued reaching out to help the Uzumaki clan.
Ashina looked directly at Ren, carefully choosing each word.
"Back then…"
"It was truly a pity."
Ren nodded slightly.
"It really was."
Ashina slowly continued.
"But now, the situation is different."
"The world has become unstable."
"Perhaps…"
"Konoha and the Uzumaki clan…"
"Should become even closer than before."
He paused.
Then quietly looked at Ren—
Waiting for his response.
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