Monday, 9:00 a.m.
Inside the grand audience hall of the royal palace in the Fire Nation Metropolis, the weekly court meeting was in session.
Kitazawa sat at the highest seat, listening as everyone delivered their work reports.
Back when he was Hokage, there hadn't been a fixed meeting like this.
But after becoming Emperor, he had to hold one once a week.
Mainly because the shinobi world was simply too vast—too many matters, too much work.
Even though Kitazawa wanted to be a hands-off boss and dump everything on the Hokage Secretariat, court meetings weren't troublesome anyway.
There was only one thing he had to do: assign tasks.
But today's meeting was different from the usual.
Because it involved something directly related to Kitazawa himself.
"Your Majesty."
An elderly man stepped forward. "I have something to report."
"Speak," Kitazawa said, looking at him and nodding.
The old man was a longtime veteran of the Fire Nation, in charge of etiquette, rites, and major ceremonies.
Hiashi Hyūga and the others were confused when they saw him.
He rarely attended court now.
Aside from his age, his responsibilities had effectively been handed over to the Hokage Secretariat.
"Your Majesty."
The elder began citing classics and precedent, explaining his purpose.
Boiled down, it came to two key points.
First: Kitazawa had been on the throne for five years—it was time to establish an Empress and consorts.
Second: Kitazawa should work to have an heir as soon as possible, to reassure the shinobi world.
Hiashi and the others weren't stupid—they immediately understood.
This old man had clearly been arranged by Kitazawa.
Their gazes instinctively shifted toward Kurenai Yūhi in the distance.
Kitazawa could guess it as well.
His plan was to marry Kurenai.
A lot of people suddenly felt the strange whimsy of fate.
To them, Kurenai Yūhi was an incredibly lucky kunoichi.
She hadn't done anything, yet she was about to become the most noble woman in the shinobi world.
As for the elder's talk of an Empress and consorts, no one overthought it—they treated it as him speaking according to tradition.
Besides, if it were true, they'd be even happier.
Who wouldn't want ties to Kitazawa?
If a kunoichi from their clan could become a consort, their entire clan's status would soar.
And any child born from that union might even have a chance to compete for that supreme position.
Unfortunately, other than Kurenai, no other kunoichi had ever been rumored to have anything ambiguous with Kitazawa.
Soon, Hiashi and the others began echoing their support one after another.
"Then who do you think I should appoint?" Kitazawa asked casually.
"Your Majesty, the decision rests with you," the elder replied at once. "Any woman in the shinobi world—so long as you wish it—may be chosen."
"Good."
Kitazawa gave an order. "Prepare the wedding. Set the date for December."
He had a three-step plan for marriage.
Step one: establish the long-standing tradition—daimyō, or rather emperors, could have multiple wives and concubines.
Step two: launch a public-opinion campaign so the shinobi world accepted the idea that the Emperor could marry whoever he wanted.
That was why he planned to wait eight months before marrying.
Besides needing time to prepare a wedding, he also needed time to spread the message.
And the final step would be announcing that his marriage partners were Tsunade and Kurenai.
"Shizune-senpai, leave this to the Hokage Secretariat," Kitazawa said, turning to Shizune.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Shizune nodded.
She thought the same as Hiashi and the others—Kitazawa was preparing to marry Kurenai.
And since she was close with Kurenai, she was fired up with motivation, ready to give it everything.
Behind her stood Hinata Hyūga and Ino Yamanaka.
They were now the heads of the Hokage Secretariat—deputy heads, but still high-ranking officials of the Fire Nation—so they were qualified to attend court.
Hinata felt happy even as she envied Kurenai.
Because she'd taken the elder's words to heart.
Kitazawa would not only establish an Empress—he would also establish consorts.
She didn't ask for anything else. She only hoped she could become one of those consorts.
Ino's feelings were more complicated.
Before, her thoughts had been simple: compete with Hinata and Kurenai.
After all, Kurenai hadn't formally married Kitazawa yet.
And if Hinata was being that proactive, Ino couldn't fall behind.
But now it seemed the situation wasn't what she'd expected.
Ino wasn't mentally prepared.
For a moment, she found herself stuck in hesitation.
After the court meeting ended, Kitazawa returned to the Hokage's office.
Even though he had handed wedding preparations to the Hokage Secretariat, the most crucial part didn't actually lie with them.
"Konan."
Kitazawa took out a scroll and instructed, "Go notify Anbu. Have them promote the contents of this scroll."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Konan accepted the scroll and nodded.
Now the Fire Nation had two departments responsible for propaganda and public opinion.
One was Anbu. The other was the Film and Media Department.
On the Film and Media side, Kurenai would handle it.
He only needed to give Anbu a brief instruction.
"Also have Anbu collect everyone's reactions," Kitazawa added after thinking for a moment.
He understood how important public opinion was.
Of course, personally, he didn't care.
In the end, the shinobi world respected strength above all.
But Tsunade cared—so he had to make sure public opinion worked in their favor.
Fortunately, with his current status, doing that wasn't difficult.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Konan changed into Anbu attire and turned to leave the Hokage's office.
Kitazawa leaned back into the Hokage's chair.
He stroked his chin, thinking about what special training he should give Hinata today.
Over the past week, he had learned her physical data in every aspect—only the final step remained.
But there was still the same old issue: she would faint at the slightest provocation.
Kitazawa didn't want to be in the middle of something and have her pass out halfway through.
So the special training had to continue.
Not long after, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in."
Kitazawa stood up and walked to the sofa.
He already knew who it was.
The door opened.
Hinata walked in, her small face flushed red.
"Hinata."
Kitazawa lay facedown on the sofa and said, "Massage me."
"Huh?"
Hinata immediately looked surprised.
Was today's special training just a massage?
Her nervousness eased a lot—but for some reason, she also felt a faint disappointment.
Hinata walked to the sofa.
She bent over, placed both hands on Kitazawa's shoulders, and began kneading.
When Kitazawa turned his head, he saw a scene with overwhelming impact.
Hinata's long hair cascaded down like a waterfall, and her slender, long legs tensed slightly, making her full hips stand out.
Of course, the curves of her clothes were the most breathtaking part.
Hinata didn't notice his gaze.
She was focused, seriously massaging his shoulders.
As a member of the Hyūga clan, she understood the human body and pressure points extremely well.
Even though she'd never learned massage, the principles were connected—she knew which points relaxed the body and produced the desired effect.
"Change the method," Kitazawa said after a while.
Hinata looked at him in confusion.
"Step on my back," Kitazawa said calmly.
Hinata nodded instinctively, but her expression froze and her face reddened.
Because he said "step."
If she was stepping, it obviously wasn't with her hands.
Hinata lowered her head and looked at her feet.
She was wearing high-heeled sandals, her delicate toes exposed.
"Um…"
Hinata hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping herself.
She couldn't really understand Kitazawa's thinking.
To her, stepping on someone's back felt improper.
But she had already promised Kitazawa she would listen and take part in special training.
After hesitating for a few seconds, she took off her shoes.
She lifted her soft, pale foot, about to step onto Kitazawa's back—when he caught her by the ankle.
"Put on the white stockings I bought you," Kitazawa said without changing expression.
Hinata froze for a moment, then did as she was told.
Sitting on the sofa, she rolled up her pant legs and took out the white stockings.
Her toes slipped into the opening, and she pulled them up until they stopped at her thighs.
Then she lowered her pant legs again.
Kitazawa felt a slight regret at the sight.
He couldn't get the full view.
He thought maybe next time he could have her wear a skirt or something similar.
After she put them on, Hinata—blushing—used her white-stockinged feet to step up and down across his back.
But habits really were frightening.
As time went on, Hinata stopped feeling quite so embarrassed.
"That's enough for today," Kitazawa said, glancing at the time.
The court meeting had taken two hours, and Hinata had massaged him for another hour—by now it was noon.
Hinata stopped at his words.
With a light hop, her white-stockinged feet landed on the floor. Her body trembled slightly, then steadied smoothly.
Kitazawa's eyelid twitched.
Hinata had no idea what a treasure she possessed.
"Let's go eat," Kitazawa said with a smile, openly admiring her striking curves.
Hinata nodded happily.
She took off the white stockings and followed Kitazawa out of the Hokage's office.
After lunch, she returned to her own office to keep working.
Kitazawa also returned to the Hokage's office.
"Your Majesty."
Konan took out another scroll. "These are the initial reactions people have to your marriage."
"Read it aloud," Kitazawa paused, then added, "Sit on the sofa."
Konan immediately understood.
She nodded, sat down on the sofa, and neatly brought her long legs in black stockings together.
Kitazawa naturally lay down with his head resting on her thighs.
Konan picked up the scroll, about to read—when she suddenly thought of something.
Under Kitazawa's surprised gaze, she reached out and removed her women's suit jacket, revealing a white blouse.
But she still didn't stop.
In the end, pale skin filled his vision.
Like that, Konan picked up the scroll again and began reading.
Looking at her cool, detached face, Kitazawa felt a sharp sense of contrast.
After spending so long with him, Konan had completely learned his tastes.
And he didn't mind indulging in it.
His gaze drifted downward as he listened and admired at the same time.
Regarding his marriage, nearly everyone was supportive.
Even the hint that he wanted multiple wives and concubines drew no opposition.
Because the shinobi world respected strength above all.
With his power now, even former enemies like Cloud Village shinobi had to submit from the heart.
Next came continued publicity—until the day they learned his marriage partner was Tsunade, they still wouldn't be shocked.
"Thanks."
Kitazawa sat up.
Konan had finished reading. He had always been clear about rewards and punishments—he needed to "reward" her properly.
The afternoon passed quickly.
The next day.
Kitazawa arrived at the Hokage's office on time.
Hinata wasn't there yet.
But that was normal.
As the Hokage's secretary, she had plenty to handle, and sometimes she came in late.
Kitazawa casually picked up the documents on the desk.
But as soon as he opened them, he heard a knock.
"Come in."
Kitazawa put the papers down.
"Kitazawa-sensei."
Ino Yamanaka walked in.
She took a deep breath and stepped up in front of him.
After thinking it through yesterday, she had finally made her decision.
She understood clearly that with her strength and status, she couldn't monopolize Kitazawa.
Even against Hinata she wasn't confident—let alone Kurenai.
Besides, Kitazawa was simply too outstanding. She didn't feel she matched him.
"Kitazawa-sensei, my family just released a few new perfumes," Ino suddenly said, taking out several bottles.
With the shinobi world developing so rapidly, many new industries had emerged as well.
The Yamanaka clan seized the opportunity—expanding from selling flowers into selling perfume.
"They look pretty good," Kitazawa said, sweeping his eyes over them.
"These aren't on the market yet," Ino revealed her purpose. "Kitazawa-sensei, I want you to evaluate them."
"No problem." Kitazawa nodded.
"This is jasmine." Ino took out a bottle and sprayed some on her wrist.
Then, under Kitazawa's slightly surprised gaze, she held her wrist up to him.
"It's very fresh," Kitazawa said, looking at her snow-white wrist and taking a light sniff.
"This is rose." Ino brushed aside her golden hair and sprayed some on her neck.
She bent forward, lifted her chin, and exposed her neck.
Kitazawa paused.
Then he understood—and slowly leaned in.
Ino felt the warmth of his breath, and a faint blush rose across her pretty face.
"The scent is stronger," Kitazawa said, his gaze passing over her delicate collarbones.
Ino's eyelashes trembled. She steadied herself and stepped back half a pace.
She picked up a new bottle, hesitated for a moment, then sprayed it on her face.
Ino didn't dare look at Kitazawa, but she leaned forward slightly.
A pleasant fragrance spread out.
Kitazawa admired her face and figure.
If Tsunade was a lush, voluptuous beauty, then Ino was a slim, refined beauty.
In the end, Kitazawa's eyes settled on her soft, rosy lips.
He leaned in and kissed her.
Ino's whole body stiffened, a trembling sound escaping her.
She hadn't expected Kitazawa to be so direct.
After a brief shock, her defenses crumbled.
Her cheeks flushed red almost instantly, and her eyes grew hazy and dazed.
Kitazawa stood up and, without breaking the kiss, pulled her into his arms.
Holding Ino's graceful body, his right hand slid down to her perky hips.
Ino's eyes widened.
A bit of clarity returned. Shy and flustered, she retreated.
She didn't even grab the perfumes from the desk—she turned and hurried out.
Kitazawa couldn't help laughing.
Ino really was far bolder than Hinata.
But she was still a young woman.
Once Kitazawa pushed his advantage, she fled in panic.
Kitazawa looked at the perfumes left on the desk.
He unconsciously licked the corner of his lips, as if he could still smell that enticing fragrance on Ino.