"Yurou? Never heard of her."
Tsunade's tone was sharp, her expression clearly displeased.
This treehouse had been her and Heiyan's private retreat. Now, a stranger had arrived—an unfamiliar woman who'd even used her bathroom.
It frustrated Tsunade greatly.
Startled by her reaction, Yurou quickly explained, "I'm Katsuyu, Lady Tsunade."
"Katsuyu?"
Tsunade looked surprised, studying the other woman closely. "You're... Sage Slug?"
"That's right. Master Heiyan created a physical body for me so I could live like a human. Also, he summoned Shikkotsu Forest to Penglai Country. Didn't you notice when you arrived?"
Yurou stepped closer, linking arms with Tsunade affectionately. "Come with me."
She led Tsunade out of the treehouse, bringing her to the top of the God Tree at an open vista.
From this vantage point, Tsunade immediately saw the calm sea under the moonlight, and two islands nearby—Fangzhang on the left opposite the Shikkotsu Forest island, forming a triangular standoff.
"The island on the left formed when Samehada absorbed the power of the Dragon Vein. It's called Fangzhang (meaning 'longevity'), though no one lives there yet. The one on the right is Penglai Island. It already has several thousand villagers and is usually lively."
Pointing into the distance with her pale, slender hand, Yurou played tour guide for Tsunade.
Tsunade was deeply impressed.
She could still recall how Heiyan had once led the Uzumaki clan overseas, settling on a small island to establish their village. She never expected that in just a few years, this village would grow silently but substantially.
In the night, the Penglai Ninja Village gleamed with countless lights, appearing remarkably prosperous—though not yet comparable to Konoha, it wasn't far off either.
"Lady Tsunade, I've also joined Penglai, and have taken two apprentices. I'm really enjoying myself here."
Yurou shared her joy enthusiastically, extending a warm invitation. "Do you ever think about becoming part of Penglai too? If you agreed, Master Heiyan would definitely be thrilled."
"Er..."
Taken aback, Tsunade found this a bit overwhelming.
After all, she had always been a ninja of Konoha, serving as both Director of the Medical Department and a member of the Elders—an enduring commitment to her village.
As Tsunade hesitated awkwardly over how to respond to Yurou, she suddenly heard the other exclaim softly, "Here comes Master Heiyan!"
Oh?
Sensing a familiar chakra presence instinctively, Tsunade subconsciously lifted her head—and there she spotted a figure descending slowly from midair, draped in white robes with silver hair.
Behind him loomed a full moon, its clear glow illuminating his ethereal descent, like an immortal sage descending from the heavens onto mortal land.
It was the first time Tsunade saw Heiyan's new appearance, which completely startled her.
"Heiyan, have you become someone like the Sage of Six Paths?"
Regaining her composure, Tsunade asked delightedly. She circled around Heiyan once, making appreciative sounds, and curiously reached out to touch the pair of horns on his head.
"Tsunade, don't touch! That spot..." Heiyan blushed, hurriedly grabbing her hand to prevent further mischief.
"Giggle…"
Yurou watched the flirtatious exchange between them from the side, covering her mouth and laughing softly. Unexpectedly, a slight longing for romance also arose in her heart.
Tsunade then suddenly remembered that Yurou was still present.
So, she withdrew her hand, pretended to cough twice by covering her face, and resumed her serious demeanor.
"Come, let me show you around Penglai."
At this moment, Heiyan spoke, extending one hand toward Tsunade.
"Alright."
Tsunade was really curious about the village Heiyan built on his own, so she happily agreed.
"I won't go with you. You two can go enjoy your big villas in Penglai—I'll borrow this cabin tonight and stay out of your way."
Yurou knew when not to intrude and immediately wrapped herself in her towel, dashing into the room quickly after speaking.
"What are you staring at?"
As soon as Yurou entered, Tsunade couldn't wait to pinch Heiyan's arm because she noticed his gaze was off again.
"Hiss!"
Heiyan sucked air through his teeth, offering Tsunade an apologetic smile while secretly rubbing the red, swollen area she pinched.
Unfortunately, Yurou had such a curvaceous figure that any normal man would instinctively steal a few extra glances upon seeing such a beauty wrapped only in a towel.
"Hmph, you better behave yourself—we're not even officially a thing yet. I could change my mind anytime."
Tsunade turned away with her arms crossed, puffing out her cheeks indignantly.
But the next second, she let out a startled gasp as a cloud rose up from underground, lifting her high into the sky.
Taking advantage of Tsunade's unstable footing, Heiyan swiftly wrapped an arm around her waist and flew straight toward Penglai Island.
That night,
Heiyan gave Tsunade the full tour of Penglai Village, introducing her to ninja from several powerful clans, and then they headed back to their mountaintop villa.
On the rooftop terrace, Heiyan pointed at the three islands scattered across the sea below, describing in detail to Tsunade his vision and plans for Penglai's future.
His dream remained unchanged—it was to establish here a beautiful nation, far removed from worldly conflict, like a paradise beyond the world.
Penglai wouldn't replace the positions of the Five Great Ninja Villages, nor would it become a Sixth Great Village, because it was fundamentally different.
The village he envisioned would never initiate wars against others but instead uphold peace as its core principle.
Penglai wouldn't seek dominance.
"In the future, I will welcome more people who share these ideals—kind souls weary of the conflicts in the world of shinobi, and innocent people persecuted by other ninja villages."
With burning eyes fixed on Tsunade, Heiyan said this solemnly, personally extending an invitation to her,
"So... would you consider making this your home?"
Hearing this, Tsunade fell silent for a moment, then smiled helplessly.
"Should I take this as you asking me to leave Konoha and join another village?"
"Yes."
Heiyan nodded with a gentle smile, though his blazing gaze made clear he was completely serious—not joking in the slightest.
In that case, Tsunade had no choice but to become serious too.
She lowered her head, falling silent once again.
When she looked up again, her expression had turned serious. Gazing at Heiyan, she softly made her request.
"I'm sorry, Heiyan. I can't give you an answer right now. You mean the most to me, Heiyan, but I also can't abandon Konoha. So please, give me a bit more time to think, okay?"
"Of course. There's no rush. Take your time considering."
Heiyan still wore a smile as he hugged her shoulder and gently patted it.
He completely understood Tsunade.
After all, it was her grandfather Hashirama Senju who personally founded Konoha. And for decades afterward, the Senju clan lived in hiding, blending their bloodline into Konoha's big family.
One could say the Senju clan made tremendous sacrifices for Konoha, and Tsunade's own immediate family gave everything to it.
As the granddaughter of the First Hokage and the last remaining member of the Senju Clan, Tsunade's position in Konoha wasn't merely that of a high-ranking elder—she was also a symbol and emblem.
She also had many subordinates and students, making it impossible for her to simply walk away and abandon them all.
After a while, she asked, gazing at Heiyan with mournful eyes.
"So, Heiyan… you really don't plan on returning to Konoha anymore?"
"My connection with Konoha has ended. Let the past remain in the past."
Heiyan sighed softly as he ran his fingers gently through her hair.
Upon hearing this, Tsunade felt a deep sense of disappointment.
A part of her had secretly hoped Heiyan would return to Konoha in triumph, like a long-lost hero. Now, apparently, she had overestimated his feelings. Heiyan had already completely lost hope in Konoha.
For a moment, the atmosphere between them grew somewhat somber.
Just then,
"You two are here! Come on, have some fruit and snacks."
Pakura pushed open the door to the rooftop with one hand while balancing a tray in the other, cheerfully walking toward the pair with a smile.
Her sudden entrance was just what they needed to break the heavy atmosphere between Heiyan and Tsunade.
Heiyan sent Pakura a grateful glance before picking up a piece of watermelon and handing it to Tsunade.
"Onee-san, are you staying overnight? I'll take Mei Terumi to the village inn later, so feel free to enjoy your romantic evening alone!" Pakura covered her mouth as she smiled, wearing a knowingly playful expression.
"No need. I'll sleep with you."
Tsunade grinned, speaking openly as she cast a glance at Heiyan. Then she took Pakura's hand of her own accord and pulled the girl toward the room.
As Pakura was dragged away by Tsunade, she glanced back at Heiyan, her expression filled with innocent confusion—as if saying she hadn't intentionally interrupted Heiyan's intimate moment.
Shaking his head, Heiyan didn't mind much. After spending some quiet moments gazing at the moon from the rooftop, he returned to his room to rest.
The night passed quietly.
At dawn the next day,
After waking up, Heiyan went to the living room for breakfast. However, only Pakura, Mei Terumi, and Yurou were sitting at the table—there was no sign of Tsunade.
"Heiyan-sama, Tsunade-sama came to Shikkotsu Forest early this morning and used the [Reverse Summoning] technique to return to Konoha. Before leaving, she entrusted me with a letter for you."
Yurou said as she handed a scroll to Heiyan.
"I see."
Heiyan's gaze hardened slightly as he nodded. After receiving the scroll, he returned to his room, opened it, and carefully read its contents.
In the letter, Tsunade politely declined Heiyan's invitation.
Of course, she could come to Penglai and live a blissful life with Heiyan, free from worldly worries and conflicts.
But then, Konoha would very likely fall into the hands of masterminds like Gamamaru or Danzo.
Heiyan's dream was to build Penglai into an earthly paradise, while Tsunade's dream was to protect Konoha and safeguard the Will of Fire.
That place—her battlefield.
"You truly are amazing, Tsunade."
After reading the letter, Heiyan smiled knowingly.
Tsunade was different from most other women. She had never been the kind of woman who relied on men, but rather someone with her own opinions, sense of responsibility, and perseverance—a strong, determined woman.
That was exactly why Heiyan had come to love Tsunade.
Compared to her figure, her inner spirit was even more fiery.
Still, Heiyan wasn't going to give up, so he decided to try a different approach—to win Tsunade over and bring her to Penglai another way.
Tsunade wanted to protect Konoha, but Konoha wasn't just a location; it was a group of people, a philosophy, known as the "Will of Fire."
Heiyan also held that belief in high regard.
What if one day Konoha lost the Will of Fire, and Penglai became its new home?
Wherever the Will of Fire resided, that was where Konoha stood. And wherever Konoha was, there would be Tsunade.
Therefore, Heiyan resolved to travel the world next, continuing his efforts to recruit talents from all over the shinobi world—even from Konoha—to further develop Penglai into a true bastion carrying forward the Will of Fire.
At that time, he would invite Tsunade again.
If she still refused, then Heiyan had only one last option left—what he called "persuasion through force."
To put it simply: kidnapping.
By then, no matter what position Tsunade held in Konoha—even if she had become the Fourth Hokage and was worshipped by thousands—he would still take her.
Even if Tsunade surpassed Hashirama Senju, singlehandedly defeated the Four Great Ninja Villages, unified the shinobi world, and received tribute from all nations, Heiyan would still descend from the heavens and storm Konoha to carry out the kidnapping.
Because she was his woman—forever destined to never escape him.
"With the current situation in the shinobi world, the Second Great Ninja War is definitely coming soon. I bet all the countries have already rolled up their sleeves, eager to launch foreign wars."
Heiyan mused inwardly.
Now among the Five Great Ninja Villages, aside from Mist Village, which had barely escaped Madara's grasp and was now recovering, the others were all building up their strength, amassing armies and facing a serious surplus of ninja.
It was always the same principle:
Unless someone unifies the entire shinobi world, war will never disappear. No matter how much civilization advances, it will never satisfy human greed.
The age of chaos was drawing near.
Not only the Five Great Ninja Villages, but also countless small ninja villages and those mysterious forces previously hidden from sight would now make their grand entrance onto the battlefield.
Massacres, bloodshed, chaos—this was what awaited.
This also meant Heiyan would be busier than ever.
As an immortal sage, he would walk through this chaotic era, punishing evil while rescuing gifted youths whose lives were unraveling or who stood on the brink of ruin, bringing them all back to Penglai.
For the Penglai Ninja Village, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for growth.
Time was not on their side; action had to come swiftly.
Before setting foot in the world of shinobi,
Heiyan pushed the window open and cast his gaze toward the distant horizon.
There, the morning sun had not risen yet, and a crescent moon floated along the edge of the horizon.
Heiyan knew this moon had been formed by the Sage of Six Paths with Planetary Devastation. Its purpose was to seal the Ten-Tails' physical body—the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
The Sage's younger brother, Hamura Otsutsuki, remained on the moon to guard the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, his lineage enduring to this day.
Yet, Hamura's descendants have long forsaken their original aspirations. They now see all beings in the world of shinobi as inferior failures—creatures unworthy of survival, destined for destruction so they may forge a new order.
Therefore, Heiyan's first destination would be beyond the sky.
He intended to first neutralize the Otsutsuki Clan on the moon to eliminate the threat before establishing a base there.
The moon would become the fourth island of the Penglai Kingdom.
From this orbital outpost, they could monitor both the situation on the world of shinobi and the movements of the Otsutsuki from outer space.
Once they arrived, Heiyan would be able to detect their descent before they reached the world of shinobi, allowing him ample time to prepare a countermeasure.
Therefore, securing the Moon as a strategic stronghold became his highest priority.
That very day.
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