"That's a bit ticklish,"
Natsume shivered.
Uzumaki Hinae paused her massage, took a sip of water, then continued.
A warm, moist sensation kept coming from his ear.
Natsume thought—this was the real way to enjoy life.
Real-life ASMR was great.
After massaging Tsunade last time, he'd wanted to try it himself. Now, with Hinae doing it, it truly was enjoyable.
She wasn't very skilled yet, but serious enough.
With this attitude, her proficiency would improve in no time.
Then he could have her try other spots.
All according to plan.
Natsume lay sideways on Hinae's lap, admiring her clothes.
Today, she wore an outfit he'd designed.
Not the previous Ram or Ishtar—this time, it was an elf named Celestine Lucross.
Let's just say, those who know, know.
And those who don't—don't ask, just stay innocent.
The dress was white, but not much fabric.
Natsume's eyes wandered appreciatively over Hinae's scantily-clad form as he reclined in her lap. The white "dress" - if you could even call it that - left very little to the imagination. Its sheer fabric clung to every curve, the plunging neckline exposing a tantalizing amount of cleavage.
From his vantage point below, Natsume had an unobstructed view up the dangerously short skirt. Only that teasing black strap stood between his gaze and Hinae's most intimate areas. His breath caught as she shifted slightly, causing the strap to slide to the side.
Hinae's face was crimson, like a cat, as she kept massaging his ear.
Gentle, helpless, but obedient—hard not to feel sorry for her.
Natsume felt his body responding to the erotic sight above him. He longed to reach up and caress Hinae's trembling thighs, to slide his hands beneath that flimsy excuse for a dress. But for now, he simply enjoyed the view, drinking in every detail of her barely-concealed body.
After half an hour, Natsume finished his happy time, looking very satisfied.
Hinae wiped sweat from her brow, feeling parched, and drank another cup of water.
"Thank you."
Natsume pinched her blushing cheek—felt warm.
"As long as you like it,"
Hinae replied shyly, but her tone was still gentle—like a mother who didn't mind a child's mischief.
Natsume didn't stay; tonight was Hinata's birthday banquet.
…
Four days had passed since the Cloud Village envoys arrived, but negotiations still weren't done—neither side's demands had been met.
Cloud wanted maximum benefit.
Hiruzen, as the war's real winner, also made demands.
So things were at a standstill.
But negotiations are always a tug-of-war—rarely settled instantly.
Tsunade, Natsume, Shizune, and Kabuto arrived at the Hyuga estate.
It was dusk, but the place was lively—guests coming and going, Hyuga clan members busy everywhere.
As one of the Sannin, Tsunade was treated differently.
"Lady Tsunade,"
Hiashi quickly greeted her. "We've prepared special sake for you tonight—please enjoy."
"Good sake? Then I'll have to try it. If it's not good, I'll hold you responsible," Tsunade's eyes lit up at the mention of good alcohol.
"Don't worry, it is,"
Hiashi promised, leading the four into the courtyard.
He favored Tsunade not just for her title, but because as a medical ninja, she increased everyone's chances of survival.
"Lady Tsunade, you and your three disciples can sit anywhere. I need to greet more guests, so please excuse me," Hiashi apologized and left.
"Quite a crowd,"
Tsunade looked around—most were familiar faces: major clan ninjas and jonin civilians.
At least several hundred people—very lively.
Reasonable, though.
The Hyuga were not just one of Konoha's founding clans, but one with deep roots since the Warring States period.
Strong and, unlike the Uchiha, easy to get along with—so they had good relations with other clans.
Now it was Hinata's birthday, so everyone showed up.
Even the Uchiha sent someone—Uchiha Mikoto, who came because of Hyuga Rinka.
The men fought, but their wives were close friends.
"Lady Tsunade, Kabuto, Natsume—"
A familiar face approached: Yakushi Nonou.
"Director,"
Natsume and Kabuto stood up and greeted her.
"Sit, no need for formality,"
Nonou smiled kindly.
Natsume was now being promoted as Konoha's new genius.
And Kabuto, staying true to his roots, had secured more funding for the orphanage.
Both fame and money—Nonou felt proud of her two foster sons.
"Director, now that Konoha manages the orphanage, why not work at the hospital?" Natsume suggested during small talk.
"Why do you think that?"
Nonou was surprised.
"You're a medical ninja—being at the orphanage is a waste,"
Natsume looked to Tsunade for support.
"True,"
Tsunade caught his drift. "I know your skills. If you want, I can get the old man to make you vice director at the hospital. What do you think?"
Natsume gave a thumbs up.
Nice one, sis.
Staying at the orphanage always left her vulnerable to Danzo's threats—it wasn't valued. But the hospital was central to the medical system, and as vice director, Hiruzen wouldn't send her on dangerous missions.
Plus, with Tsunade's recommendation, even Danzo would hesitate.
Previously, Natsume hadn't brought it up—he hadn't thought of it, and they'd been too young.
Also, Nonou wouldn't abandon the orphanage at first.
But now, with the village's help, her burden was much lighter.
At least she didn't have to struggle to make ends meet.
"But the orphanage…"
Nonou hesitated.
"Leave it to me," Kabuto said. "I'll look after it, and if there's trouble, we'll ask Tsunade-sensei or the Hokage for help."
With Tsunade as backup, Nonou was reassured.
[Because of your actions, Yakushi Nonou's fate has changed. You gain 49 Fate Points.]
With that, Natsume's Fate Points broke a thousand.
Worth celebrating.
But he didn't spend any—saving up for Sage Body or for emergencies.
"Why are they here?"
"So bold…"
"The villages are at war, but we can't just attack the envoys."
Suddenly, whispers made Natsume look up.
At the door stood twelve Cloud ninja, their headbands on display.
At the front was the Cloud envoys' leader, Samoya.
Natsume raised his eyebrows.
He'd long wondered how Samoya got close to Hinata in the ultra-secure Hyuga estate.
As the saying goes, the most dangerous place is the safest.
Hinata's birthday banquet had gathered almost all of Konoha's elite.
No one would expect trouble now.
But thinking outside the box—that's exactly why the Hyuga let their guard down.
In the party's later stages, with everyone eating and drinking, it would be easy to sneak into the inner house and take Hinata.
No matter what, Natsume decided to keep an eye on Samoya.
PS: Bonus chapter at 100 PS.