XX-level Hokage

"Han went out to play, why didn't Tayuya go out with him?" Mashiro asked softly.

Since Mashiro allowed Tehan to come and go freely, Tehan would stay at home when Mashiro was around, but would actively go out shopping whenever Mashiro wasn't there.

“I don’t have permission to go out, and besides, there’s nothing fun to do outside,” Tayuya replied.

One reason is that she doesn't have the authority, and another is that Tayuya is a little uncomfortable going out. As a Sound Ninja, she really doesn't dare to wander around Konoha Village. Moreover, Tayuya's childhood experiences have left her with no concept of shopping, which is something girls like.

"I'll take Tayuya shopping tomorrow, okay?" Mashiro said, stroking Tayuya's face. "Okay, Master," Tayuya replied, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Chapter 71: Commercial Street

Soon, Tehan returned, and before she even entered the door, she happily exclaimed, "Tayuya, I brought you a cake!"

Because her two younger brothers were not around, and Mashiro was always in a dominant position, Temari had been suppressing her maternal instincts. However, Tayu was different; she was thin and weak, and they shared the same plight. To Temari, Tayu was a natural younger sister, so she cared about her and would feed her from time to time.

Seeing that Tayu didn't respond, Tehan ran into the room and saw Mashiro smiling.

Handa suddenly felt awkward. She looked at Mashiro and smiled, saying, "Um, Master, would you like some cake?" "Thank you, but I don't really like sweets. You should give it to Tayuya," Mashiro said with a smile.

"Master is back. Are you tired? You must be exhausted." Shouhan put the things he was carrying on the table, then ran behind Zhenbai and gently massaged her shoulders.

Then she gave Tayuya a look, and Tayuya immediately got up, knelt on the ground, and gently massaged Mashiro's legs.

"Seeing how good your relationship is, I'm relieved," Masashi said with a smile. Sisters, even if they're fake, it's not bad.

"Go cook." "Yes, Master." (x2)

After the meal, Temari changed Mashiro's clothes.

Then Mashiro walked into the bathroom and said softly, "Tayuya, come with me."

Tayuya's heart skipped a beat, then she nodded and walked over. Tehan watched silently from the side. For some reason, she felt a strange excitement at the sight of her "little sister" being bullied by Mashiro.

In the bathroom, Tayuya looked at Mashiro's body, her face flushed. "Aren't you going to take your clothes off? They'll get wet," Mashiro kindly reminded her.

Upon hearing this, Tayuya blushed almost entirely, and with trembling hands, she began to undress.

Mashiro didn't actually do anything to Tayuya, but after coming out of the bathroom, she still acted as if she had been bullied.

After Tehan finished washing up, the three of them went to bed together. The next day, Mashiro got up very early and went to the Anbu prison. She entered Yugito's cell and looked at Yugito, who was still fast asleep.

Mashiro gently fell asleep beside her, but Yugito, being a seasoned Jonin, was not particularly vigilant, yet she was immediately awakened the moment something unusual happened beside her.

“It’s me,” Mashiro said softly, then hugged Yugito.

"Lady Mashiro, please let go," Yugito said, suppressing her discomfort. No one had ever been so close to her before.

"Cheng, don't talk, go to sleep." Mashiro held Yugito's mature and soft body and closed her eyes. Yugito wanted to resist, but then she remembered the saying that one has to bow one's head when under someone's roof, and ultimately remained silent. Soon, Mashiro's soft breathing could be heard.

Yugito was initially very wary, but seeing the faint fragrance between Makoto's white hair, hearing her calm breathing, and feeling the soft body behind her.

"If she really wants to kill me, I can't resist." With that thought, Yugito closed her eyes.

The two slept for a long time until noon. When Mashiro accidentally placed her hand on Yugito's sensitive area, she woke up with a start and quickly distanced herself from Mashiro. Mashiro also woke up and greeted Yugito sleepily, "Good morning."

Yugito looked at Mashiro with shame and anger, but ultimately said nothing.

"It's already noon," Mashiro said, looking at the sun outside the window. (There's a small window at the top of the wall of the special cell.)

"Yugito, let's go out for a meal. I'm negotiating with the village leaders about letting you out, and I estimate it will be successful in a while. But taking you out for a meal is no problem." Mashiro said, stretching. Of course, this was a lie. Mashiro hadn't let Yugito out because she hadn't decided where to put her yet.

Looks like I need to move to a bigger house.

Yugito did not doubt Mashiro's words. In her mind, such matters required consultation with the village's higher-ups. Soon, Mashiro took Yugito out of the prison. Although the seal was removed, the sealing technique on Yugito's body remained.

Looking around Konoha Village with curiosity, this was Yugito's first time visiting the village. "It's as prosperous as the rumors say," Yugito remarked.

Compared to the other four ninja villages, Konoha's climate and environment are incredibly suitable for living. "Want to eat something?" Mashiro asked, her hands behind her back.

"Anything is fine." Yu Muren has no particular requirements for food. When she was in Yunhu, in order to gain the villagers' approval, she cultivated and carried out missions almost frantically, and had no high requirements for food, clothing, shelter and transportation.

“Let’s go eat hot pot then,” Mashiro said.

Yugito hesitated for a moment, then nodded. She had never eaten stew before, because it took too long. Passing by an ice cream shop, Mashiro suddenly remembered something and smiled at Yugito, saying, "Wait for me here."

Then Mashiro went into the ice cream shop. After a while, Mashiro came out carrying a bag, took out a cream puff from the bag, and held it to Yugito's lips: "Ah~"

Yugito looked at the strange thing in front of her. She had never seen such food before, but Mashiro had already handed it to her, so Yugito opened her mouth and ate it.

Sweet and smooth, with a rich milky aroma. "Do you like it?" Mashiro asked with a smile.

After a struggle within himself, Yukito finally spoke, "It's alright."

"I thought someone like Yugito wouldn't like sweets. Since it's alright, there are some more in this bag. You can take them back and eat them in jail." Mashiro handed the bag to Yugito.

Yugito obediently and cleverly accepted the bag. [Yugito's affection level +10]

Mashiro wasn't surprised by the result; most women love sweets, and it's understandable that someone like Yugito, who had a difficult childhood, would have a fondness for them.

The degree is even higher. When she was in the Cloud Ninja, she might not have shown a love for sweets because she needed to conform to her status.

But things are different now. In a sense, she is Qi Bai's slave. She doesn't need to hide anything from Qi Bai, so when a delicious treat she has never tasted before comes to her, she doesn't resist it.

Soon, the two of them went to a restaurant. After finishing their hot pot, Mashiro learned that Yugito disliked two kinds of food: spicy and hot. After finishing their meal, Mashiro sent Yugito back to prison and then left.

In the cell, Yukito looked at the desserts in the bag, took out a cream puff, and popped it into her mouth. "It's really delicious."

Meanwhile, Mashiro returned to her room.

Perhaps because she was caught running away by Mashiro yesterday, Tehan was cleaning the house. She had been cleaning all day. Although Mashiro allowed her to go out freely, she still felt inexplicably guilty.

Tayuya was still lying on the sofa watching TV; she had never watched TV when she lived in Otogakure.

Seeing Mashiro return, Tehan cleaned even more diligently, while Tayuya quickly stood up and sat upright on the sofa.

“Tayuya, come on, I’ll take you shopping,” Mashiro said to Tayuya. The feather duster in her hand fell to the ground with a “clatter.”

Tayuya remembered that Mashiro had mentioned this yesterday, so she turned off the TV and went to Mashiro's side. Mashiro led Tayuya out of the Hyuga clan's territory and to the nearest shopping street. "Does Tayuya like shopping?" Mashiro asked.

Tayuya shook her head, looking at the dazzling street, she didn't know what to do. (Author's Note)

I want to eat cream puffs

Chapter 72: A New Member of Akatsuki

"Has Tayu never been shopping before?" Mashiro asked. Tayu shook her head.

“It just so happens that I don’t know how to go shopping either, so let’s look around together.” Mashiro said with a smile, holding Tayuya’s hand.

The two ate snacks together, listened to the vendors' coughs and shouts, and watched the laughing crowd. In the lamplight and twilight, an incomparably relaxed and free feeling arose spontaneously. Tayuya seemed to understand why Temari liked to go shopping so much.

[Tayuya's favorability +5]

“Tayuya seems to always wear the same clothes. Let’s go buy you some new clothes.” Mashiro said, pulling Tayuya to Yunzhi’s house. Looking at the various beautiful clothes in the store, Tayuya was a little overwhelmed.

"Let me see which one I should try on first, this one." Mashiro picked out a white dress with a pale yellow floral print and handed it to Tayuya. Tayuya took the dress, feeling a little embarrassed, but under Mashiro's urging, she went into the fitting room to change.

After changing into a dress, Tayuya pushed open the fitting room curtain. "It's beautiful," Mashiro praised.

Upon hearing Mashiro's praise, Tayuya's face inexplicably flushed.

"Take this outfit and let her take care of it." Mashiro said, handing Tayuya a piece of clothing.

Immediately afterwards, Mashiro handed Tayuya one outfit after another, which Tayuya obediently tried on. She was completely unaware that the clothes Mashiro was handing her were getting stranger and stranger: maid outfits, school uniforms, nurse uniforms, cat-ear outfits...

Tayuya seemed to be immersed in that wonderful atmosphere.

When they came out of Yunzhi's house, Tayuya was already carrying many gift bags, all of which were clothes that Mashiro had picked out for her that looked good on her—or at least, clothes that Mashiro thought looked good.

Mashiro led Tayuya to the front of the Hyuga residence, then suddenly turned around and patted Tayuya's head before taking out a gift box from her sleeve.

"Today is your birthday, this is a birthday present for you," Mashiro said softly. Birthday? Even Tayuya herself had forgotten that today was actually her birthday.

Tayuya looked at the gift box in her hands with a complicated expression; this was the first time she had received a birthday present. Mashiro took the gift bag from Tayuya and said with a smile, "Open it and see."

Tayuya nodded, gently opened it, revealing what was inside: a purple flute.

“This flute is one I’ve had people search for for a long time. Purple bamboo is very rare in the ninja world now, and few people use it to make bamboo. I really like this rare thing, and I hope you will like it too,” Mashiro said softly.

Tayuya picked up the flute with a slight tremor and said expressionlessly, "Why did you give me this? I'm clearly just a loser. Someone like me doesn't deserve to receive a birthday present."

Mashiro suppressed her thoughts, her expression suddenly turning serious. She flicked Tayuya's forehead and said calmly, "Everyone is unique, and the birth of every life is worth celebrating. Not just you and me, but also the civilians who need protection, and the low-level ninjas who die like cannon fodder. Their births are all worth celebrating. Life is meaningless without it. So, happy birthday, Tayuya."

Tayuya suddenly grabbed Mashiro's collar, pulled her taut, and their lips met. [Tayuya's affection +20, reward: Music Mastery]

Fang Fen thanks, my master. Tayu also looked at Mashiro in the moonlight, her red hair incredibly vibrant. Meanwhile, in Amegakure...

Deep within the Tower of God, Obito appeared before Nagato.

"Is there something you need, Madara?" Nagato asked, looking at Obito.

"Nagato, I heard that Hyuga Mashiro infiltrated Amegakure a few days ago and escaped unscathed from your clutches," Obito said, mimicking Madara's tone. "She took Konan hostage, so I had no choice but to let her go," Nagato said calmly.

"It seems we need to speed up the capture of the Tailed Beasts. Hyuga Mashiro escaped from you, successfully obtaining information that you possess the Rinnegan, and from her..."

"Judging from the fact that we started with Amegakure, Konoha should already have a lot of information, and Akatsuki's existence can no longer be hidden." Obito said coldly.

"Uchiha Madara, don't interfere with God's plans. I will handle the matter of Hyuga Mashiro myself," Nagato said, looking directly at Obito.

God? Obito's eyes held a hint of sarcasm, but remembering the plan ahead, he calmed himself and said in a low voice, "Then I won't say anything more. By the way, Hidan has been dealt with. In order to ensure that the plan to capture the tailed beasts can still proceed quickly, I have brought a new member."

Obito's body began to fade into the background, and then a young man appeared before Nagato. The man had short black hair, fair skin, a handsome face, and a radiant smile.

Looking at Nagato, he smiled and said, "You must be the leader of Akatsuki. My name is Kaguya Shinji, and I'm here to join Akatsuki." Nagato glanced at Shinji, then turned to Obito and asked, "Who is he?"

Obito looked at Shinji and said, "He's an extremely strong ninja. In the current Akatsuki, besides you and me, no one else can defeat him." Nagato, hearing this, didn't say anything more, and calmly said to Shinji, "Welcome to the Akatsuki. From today onwards, you are one of the three leaders of Akatsuki."

The Azure Dragon group will be responsible for the Three-Tailed Beast. I will inform the other members about Ming Guan.

"Thank you, leader." True Self said with a smile, having no objections. Afterwards, Obito led True Self away from the Tower of God.

Soon, Mashiro received news of this new member of Akatsuki.

Kaguya's true self? Could this be another result of world upheavals? Mashiro muttered to himself. Black Zetsu shared some of the confusion with Mashiro.

Ever since Obito brought back Kaguya's true self, Black Zetsu had sensed something was off. Although it had lied to Obito, claiming to be the remnant will of Madara Uchiha, this...

Madara himself believed the lie without a doubt, but no one knew that it was actually the will of the Mother of Chakra, the younger brother of the Sage of Six Paths.

For thousands of years, it has orchestrated almost all the wars and chaos in the ninja world, and it knows almost all the powerful ninjas very well.

However, it had no impression of Kaguya Shinwa at all. Not only did it have no impression of her, it also felt that there was an aura about Kaguya Shinwa that it found extremely familiar.

He also asked Obito, who told him that he found Kaguya Shinwa in a valley. At that time, Kaguya Shinwa discovered him in the shadows. After their initial exchange, he realized Kaguya Shinwa's strength and then considered bringing him into the Akatsuki organization.

He explained Akatsuki's philosophy to Kaguya Shinga, who wholeheartedly agreed, and then he brought Kaguya Shinga back with him.

Black Zetsu didn't completely believe Obito's words. It sensed that Obito was hiding something, but it didn't say anything. Pretending to be stupid was the only thing it needed to do as Madara Uchiha's will.