At past midnight in Konoha, Shun stood in the forest, his Mangekyo Sharingan glowing faintly in the darkness.
He formed a hand seal and murmured, "Shadow Clone Technique."
A Shadow Clone leaped towards the outer gate of the Hokage residence, deliberately letting the patrolling Anbu detect him. Just as he expected, two Anbu immediately gave chase.
Shun's lips curved into a slight smile, and his main body transformed into a black shadow, moving swiftly along the shadows, reaching Tsunade's back window in a few bounds. The window was unlocked, this was their unspoken understanding.
Shun slipped into the room as lightly as a falling leaf, making no sound whatsoever.
"You're late."
Tsunade's voice came from the depths of the bedroom, carrying a hint of lazy reproach.
Shun took off his boots and walked down the corridor carpeted with soft rugs.
The moonlight, filtered through the sheer curtains, cast a silvery-blue glow over the room.
Tsunade leaned against the headboard, her long blonde hair spread across the white pillowcase, wearing only a thin nightgown.
Shun deliberately used a formal address, but his eyes twinkled mischievously. "My apologies, Hokage-sama. A few Anbu were particularly diligent, so I had to take a few detours. Perhaps I should learn the Flying Thunder God Technique, that would make it easier for me to come over."
Tsunade snorted softly and patted the bed beside her. "Alright then, I'll get you the Flying Thunder God scroll tomorrow. I hope you can learn it."
Shun walked over but didn't immediately sit down. Instead, he stood by the bed and gently caressed her cheek.
"For you, I will definitely learn Flying Thunder God, don't worry."
Tsunade looked up at him, her eyes reflecting the moonlight. "Today at the meeting, you were too aggressive. Shikaku later spoke with me for two whole hours."
Shun's fingers didn't stop, tracing down her shoulder. "But what I said was the truth, wasn't it? The Daimyo are indeed exploiting us."
Tsunade grabbed his restless hand but couldn't truly stop his movements. "Truth doesn't mean it has to be said publicly. Konoha needs stability right now, not internal strife."
Shun finally sat down and pulled Tsunade into his embrace. He sniffed the faint scent in her hair and whispered, "Stability is just a facade before the storm. The Daimyo's faction have already recruited over 5,000 ninjas. Sooner or later, they will stir up trouble."
Tsunade's body visibly stiffened. "Then do you have a plan to deal with it? You cunning Uchiha!"
Shun's hand slipped into her nightgown, feeling the smooth skin of her back. "In this world, individual might still reigns supreme."
Tsunade broke free from his embrace and walked to the window, the moonlight outlining her graceful figure.
"What are you trying to say? Or are you planning to make a move against the Daimyo?"
Shun stood up and embraced her from behind. "Not in the short term. The Daimyo recruiting over 5,000 people is just the beginning. To reach a scale that can contend with the Five Great Ninja villages, it will take at least another 5 years."
He felt Tsunade in his arms tremble slightly, whether from the cool night or from this news, he wasn't sure.
Shun tightened his arms, his lips pressed against her ear. "We have at least 5 years to prepare, enough to make Konoha stronger, and enough to implement some necessary reforms."
Tsunade turned to face him, her expression unusually serious in the moonlight. "What are your so-called reforms? A complete break from the Daimyo system? What about Konoha's economic source then?"
Shun didn't answer immediately. Instead, he leaned down and kissed her lips. The kiss started softly, then became deep and passionate.
When he finally released her, both of their breaths were a little ragged.
Shun's voice, exhilarated by desire, sounded. "We can establish a new economic system. Konoha has the best medical ninjas, the best ninjas, we don't need to rely entirely on Daimyo's funding."
Tsunade's fingers intertwined with his black hair. "You are proposing an economic revolution, not just ordinary reforms."
Shun pushed her down, her nightgown now completely open. "Call it whatever you want. What's important is that we must start acting, not sit around waiting for the Daimyo to make the first move."
Tsunade allowed him to press down on her, but at the crucial moment, she used her hand to brace against his chest.
"What if I don't agree with your radical plan?"
Shun grasped Tsunade's wrist and leaned down to whisper in her ear, "Then I will continue to oppose you in meetings, and at night, I will 'persuade' you like this."
Tsunade chuckled, the laughter quickly turning into gasps.
Shun, amidst the rhythm didn't forget to whisper, "In public, I am your opposition. In private, I will always support you."
Tsunade's fingers lightly traced his chin, responding in broken whispers. "You cunning… Uchiha…"
...
Afterward, Shun leaned against the headboard, with Tsunade resting her head on his chest.
Only their breathing and the occasional chirping of insects outside the window remained in the room.
Tsunade whispered, "Five years. Are you sure we have that much time?"
Shun toyed with a strand of her hair, saying, "The Daimyo needs time to integrate those ragtag ninjas. And we can plant a few people inside."
Tsunade suddenly looked up and said, "You sent Uchiha to infiltrate the Daimyo's Mansion?"
Shun smiled mysteriously and said, "Not just Uchiha but also some outcasts from other clans. They willingly serve Konoha."
Tsunade sat up, her nightgown loosely hanging from her shoulders. "You made so many arrangements behind my back?"
Shun also sat up, reaching out to smooth Tsunade's furrowed brow. "Some things, the fewer people who know, the better, even the Hokage is no exception. Trust me, just as I trust you."
The moonlight shifted to the other side of the bed, Tsunade's face falling into shadow, her expression unreadable.
After a long moment, she sighed and lay back down. "Starting tomorrow, I will gradually adjust the village's economic structure. But in public, you must appear to be reluctantly compromising."
Shun smiled and lay back beside her, his hands beginning to wander restlessly again. "As you command, Hokage-sama. Now, shouldn't we continue with a different position?"
Tsunade held his hand, a smile she couldn't hide on her lips. "You little pervert. You truly are an insatiable fellow."
Outside the window, a dark cloud obscured the moon, but from Tsunade's room, sounds of pleasure could be heard.