"If you think it's cold, then just let go!", Konan unhappily shook her hand several times, but still couldn't shake it off.
"Come eat at my place," Aoba's attitude was very firm.
With no other choice, and already not having a firm stance, Konan chose to comply.
The two of them, hand in hand, began strolling through the marketplace together.
In the end, Aoba and Konan carried large and small bags back to the Senju ancestral home.
What surprised Aoba a little was that Tsunade and Shizune were also there. He had originally planned to go over and call them, this saved him the errand.
However, when Tsunade saw Aoba, her expression still carried displeasure.
And when she saw Konan coming in behind him, she unintentionally furrowed her brows again.
But she didn't say much, just let her gaze fall on Konan from time to time, giving her a look-over.
While Aoba was preparing dinner, she also discreetly and indirectly probed Konan's intentions for staying in Konoha.
Once again, she refreshed her understanding of this brat.
The Seduction Technique to unify the ninja world had advanced another step.
Before dinner began, Aoba also called over the neighbors, Uzumaki Kasui and Karin.
They had a lively dinner together.
"Aoba, you must be careful…"
When leaving, Konan once again seriously reminded Aoba, "...Just treat it as for me… okay?"
"Mm."
Looking at Konan's eyes filled with undisguised worry, Aoba didn't joke around this time, his expression was equally serious.
"During this time, remember to stay by your sensei's side. Don't go around eating food from outside carelessly. You must be careful of the ninjas from Sunagakure. Also, be wary of people wearing black clothes, and..."
Seeing that Aoba obediently agreed, Konan nagged like an old mother for a long while.
And Aoba responded one by one.
Looking at his obedient and well-behaved appearance, Konan couldn't help but pinch his cheek, then left satisfied.
She found that, whether it was the usual back-talking Aoba or the obedient Aoba at this moment, both were quite cute.
Made her want to tease him a little.
Aoba returned to the living room. Everyone was cleaning up the bowls and chopsticks on the table.
Tsunade suddenly said, "These next few nights, you'll stay at my place."
"?", Yugao and Terumi Mei simultaneously paused what they were doing.
They stared blankly at Tsunade.
If Tsunade didn't give a reasonable explanation, they'd be ready to roll on the floor in protest.
"Someone offered five million ryo, put a bounty on his little life. Staying with me will be a bit safer," Tsunade casually explained.
"This…", Yugao and Terumi Mei were both speechless.
Aoba also understood Tsunade's reason for coming to his home. Konan probably only told him, so this intel must've been passed on again by Uchiha Itachi.
"We'll go back first, once you're done cleaning up, remember to come over," Tsunade didn't dawdle, pulled Shizune, and left.
"Aoba…", Yugao and Terumi Mei's eyes were full of worry.
Five million ryo, this was no small amount.
Most S-rank missions were only around one million ryo.
And those missions were usually carried out by the village Kage or top-tier jonin.
Now that the village was full of mixed elements, the risks were indeed high.
"Don't worry, don't forget, I have Flying Thunder God, that kind of life-saving divine technique," Aoba smiled as he explained, completely relaxed.
"And my strength isn't weak either. During this period, I'll mostly be staying by sensei's side, there's absolutely no problem with safety."
"That's good."
After hearing Aoba's explanation, both women breathed a sigh of relief.
Terumi Mei suddenly remembered that Aoba's strength was stronger than hers. Seems like they didn't really need to worry after all.
"Wait, you'll be staying with Lady Tsunade every night during this period?", The two came back to their senses.
Aoba nodded.
Yugao and Terumi Mei exchanged a glance.
Tacitly, they put down the bowls and chopsticks in their hands.
———
"Aoba, you're here!"
Shizune happily pulled Aoba into the house, "I already tidied up your room."
"Thank you, Shizune-nee," Aoba thanked her.
"These days, don't go running around with those little girls anymore."
Tsunade looked at him and directly said, "Just stay with me properly, understand?"
"Then what about my special training?"
"Special training? Heh!", Tsunade couldn't help but sneer.
"You're already bold enough to cooperate with Orochimaru, and you're still thinking about Kurenai's special training? Are you perhaps thinking about Kurenai instead?"
"Sensei, don't always misunderstand me like this."
Seeing Tsunade's look, Aoba knew whatever he said would be useless, so he simply agreed right away.
"Just right, during this time you can help me deal with some village affairs, gain a bit of experience."
Tsunade suddenly curled the corner of her lips, revealing a smile of having succeeded in her scheme.
Aoba's eyes narrowed suspiciously, "Sensei, your real goal isn't to make me handle your work while you slack off, is it?"
"What are you saying? I'm training your overall ability so you won't get tricked too badly by Orochimaru next time."
Tsunade said righteously, "Alright, go sleep quickly. We still have to get up early to go to the Hokage building tomorrow!"
Aoba could only shrug helplessly and head toward his former room.
Tsunade looked again at the restless Shizune beside her, curled her lips, and also got up to head toward her bedroom.
"Don't disturb my rest."
Shizune's eyes lit up, and she ran lightly toward her own room.
After a while, she wrapped herself in a coat and sneaked into Aoba's room.
———
Meanwhile—
After Konan left the Senju ancestral home, she arrived at a tavern.
Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame were already waiting for her.
"The mission failed," Konan got straight to the point.
"Failed?", Hoshigaki Kisame was a little surprised. Though they didn't know the deputy leader's exact strength, being able to become deputy leader meant she should be stronger than them.
'She failed to assassinate a genin?'
"Deputy leader, is it convenient to tell us the reason for your failure?", Uchiha Itachi rubbed the ring on his left ring finger, expressionlessly staring at Konan.
"The target was accompanied by several Konoha jonin of considerable strength, and one of the Sannin, Tsunade, was present. I couldn't find a chance to make a move."
Konan's tone was cold, her face carried a clear "keep away" expression.
"Need us to help?", Hoshigaki Kisame grinned, revealing a mouthful of shark teeth.
Konan shook her head, "The target is likely to remain with Tsunade for now. There's no need to stir up trouble over this mission."
"Then how do we explain things to Rasa?", Uchiha Itachi asked.
Killing intent briefly flickered in Konan's eyes.
"Ignore him. When he clashes with Tsunade, if there's a chance, we'll take him out then."
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