After Danzō was imprisoned in Konoha Prison, Sarutobi Hiruzen returned to the Hokage Building.
When he entered the Hokage's office, he found Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane already waiting for him.
"Hiruzen, how could you imprison Danzō?" The moment Hiruzen appeared, Koharu was the first to question him, her voice sharp with agitation.
Her reaction was not only because of her long-standing friendship with Danzō, but more importantly, because of unease.
If even a Hokage advisor like Danzō could be thrown into prison, then what did that mean for them?
That implication was something she absolutely could not accept.
Sarutobi Hiruzen ignored her. With a grim expression, he walked to his seat and slowly sat down.
Seeing this, Homura hesitated. Though he had originally intended to support Koharu, he instead spoke more cautiously.
"Danzō has, after all, rendered great service to the village. For a decision as serious as imprisoning him, you should have consulted us first."
"That's right. Homura is correct." By now, Koharu had regained some composure, and her tone softened slightly.
"Danzō took action against Aoshi and Nono without authorization, and the incident even involved the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki of Takigakure."
"I've already shown restraint by not executing him." Sarutobi Hiruzen's words caused both of their expressions to change drastically.
"Is there some misunderstanding here?"
"Danzō has always devoted himself wholeheartedly to the village. How could he possibly do such a thing?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at them and shook his head faintly. "The evidence is conclusive. There is no need for further discussion."
"But—"
They still wanted to argue, but Sarutobi Hiruzen had no intention of listening further. He raised a hand, signaling for them to leave.
Exchanging glances, the two sighed and turned to depart together. Yet it was obvious they remained dissatisfied with Hiruzen's decision.
"Even if Danzō made a mistake, he shouldn't have been imprisoned in Konoha Prison."
After all, doing so was tantamount to acknowledging him as a criminal.
"Hiruzen is acting out of anger right now. Let's speak with him again after some time."
"No matter what, we cannot allow Danzō to remain in prison indefinitely."
---
Evening arrived.
Yakiniku Q.
To celebrate Aoshi, Nono, and Minato's promotion to jōnin, everyone gathered here.
"Drink! Drink! I want to drink!" Sitting to Aoshi's right, Tsunade was in high spirits and loudly demanded alcohol.
She had despised Danzō for a long time, and seeing him finally sent to Konoha Prison left her feeling exceptionally refreshed.
"It should've happened long ago. That man was never good." Kushina, seated on Tsunade's other side, immediately chimed in.
Having grown up under Tsunade's influence, she naturally held no fond feelings toward Danzō either.
"Who exactly is this Danzō?" Yukimura Tomoki asked in confusion.
Ayame, sitting beside him, looked just as puzzled.
They were Mikoto's subordinates and Minato's comrades, and since they also knew Aoshi, they had naturally joined the celebration.
Seeing their confusion, Mikoto—seated to Aoshi's left—quickly explained Danzō's identity and deeds.
Upon learning of all the despicable acts Danzō had committed, both Tomoki and Ayame were filled with righteous indignation.
"He really is a terrible person." Minato nodded immediately. "I'd heard about him from Jiraiya-sensei before, but only today did I truly realize what kind of man he is."
Mai, sitting beside Minato, spoke with lingering unease. "It's a good thing Hokage-sama imprisoned him."
Danzō's methods reminded her all too much of her past experiences in Kusagakure.
Noticing the atmosphere growing heavy, Aoshi spoke up at once. "Alright, alright. Let's not talk about unpleasant things on an occasion like this."
"Aoshi-nii is right. Right now, we should just enjoy ourselves." As she spoke, Nono stood up and flipped the grilled meat, with Mikoto helping beside her.
"Come, drink with me." Tsunade raised her glass toward Aoshi and Mikoto.
Among everyone present, only three were drinking alcohol. The rest settled for tea.
After a few rounds, a light blush appeared on both Tsunade's and Mikoto's faces. Tsunade was clearly tipsy, while Mikoto's flush had an entirely different cause.
Beneath the table, Aoshi—who appeared perfectly composed on the surface—was constantly moving his left hand.
He simply couldn't get enough of Mikoto's fair, smooth legs. Before long, dissatisfied with just that, he tried to go further.
This immediately earned him an indignant glare from Mikoto. However, given the situation, she dared not make a sound and could only reach out to stop him.
Aoshi merely smiled mischievously, showing no intention of restraining himself.
Seeing Mikoto like this only made it more stimulating for him.
Letting out a soft hum, Mikoto leaned close to Aoshi's ear. Her breath was warm, fragrant like orchids, as she whispered softly,
"There are too many people here. You can do whatever you want when we get home."
Feeling the heat of her breath against his ear, Aoshi could even catch the faint, delicate fragrance that clung to her.
"Oh, Mikoto-sensei, why is your face so red? Are you feeling unwell?"
At that moment, Ayame's voice rang out suddenly, causing Mikoto's slender body to stiffen.
"It might be a little too hot in here. I'll go outside for some fresh air." With those words, Mikoto rose somewhat flustered and quickly left.
Seeing this, Aoshi's eyes flickered with an idea, and he stood up as well. "You all keep eating. I'm going to the restroom."
After leaving the private room, Aoshi spotted Mikoto standing alone at the end of the corridor, quietly cooling herself. Without hesitation, he pulled her close and leapt away with her.
In the next instant, the two landed in a deserted alley behind Yakiniku Q.
Aoshi immediately set up a sound-blocking barrier seal.
As the name implied, it was a small barrier that isolated all sound from both inside and outside. It wasn't difficult to master—Aoshi had learned it after healing a jōnin who specialized in barrier techniques.
Before Mikoto could say anything, Aoshi lowered his head and kissed her directly.
At first, Mikoto struggled slightly. After all, they were outside, and she was worried about being discovered.
"Don't worry," Aoshi whispered. "It's already night, and no one will come here. Besides, I set up a sound-blocking barrier."
Gradually, her resistance melted away, and she found herself unable to pull free.
"Hmph, you bad man. You always come up with such shameless ideas." Despite her words, Mikoto still accepted his advances.
In fact, she found the thrill intoxicating and couldn't deny how much she enjoyed it.
"Who told you to make me this infatuated, Mikoto?" Aoshi's words filled her heart to the brim with happiness.
For a woman, there was no greater joy than knowing the man she loved loved her just as deeply.
After a while, the two quickly straightened their clothes and returned to Yakiniku Q together.
"So slow. Why did it take you two so long to come back?" Tsunade complained with dissatisfaction, having lost her drinking partner.
Mikoto's face flushed with embarrassment. Not knowing how to answer, she could only look at Aoshi for help.
"Then we'll drink three penalty cups." As he spoke, Aoshi began pouring the alcohol.
Nono, meanwhile, proactively picked up some grilled meat and placed it into his bowl.
"Aoshi-nii, don't just drink. That's bad for your health. You should eat something too."
Seeing this, Kushina couldn't stay idle either. She grabbed some grilled meat of her own, but instead of putting it in a bowl, she fed it straight to Aoshi.
"Aoshi, this is the meat I grilled for you." After saying that, she shot Nono a challenging look.
Naturally unwilling to lose, Nono also picked up some grilled meat and fed it to Aoshi.
"Aoshi-nii, eat mine! Mine tastes better!"
"No, eat mine!"
"Eat mine first!"
"Eat mine first!"
Watching the two bicker endlessly, Minato and the others wisely kept silent.
Only Uzumaki Mai followed suit, grilling meat and feeding it to Minato.
After finishing the food offered by both Kushina and Nono, Aoshi quickly appeased them. The two snorted softly and finally let the matter drop.
"This is what you get for being greedy."
At that moment, Tsunade, wine glass in hand, casually wrapped an arm around Aoshi's shoulders and spoke.
If they could, every one of them would have wanted Aoshi all to themselves.
But Aoshi was a shameless man with both the strength and the means to maintain a harem. In the end, they could only accept it.
After some time passed, Tsunade stood up. "It's really hot in here. I need to get some fresh air, too."
Before leaving, she boldly grabbed Aoshi, her meaning unmistakable. Clearly, she had already figured out what he and Mikoto had been up to earlier.
And now, she wanted her share as well.
Since Tsunade had extended an invitation, Aoshi naturally went to the rendezvous fully prepared.
"You all keep eating. I'm going to the restroom." Hearing this, no one paid much attention—except Mikoto, who shot him a sharp glare.
Even so, she didn't stop him.
After leaving the room, Aoshi saw Tsunade waiting ahead of him.
Once again, they headed to the deserted alley behind Yakiniku Q, and once again, the familiar sound-blocking barrier was deployed.
"You little brat. You can't even behave yourself during a meal."
With that, Tsunade pushed Aoshi to the ground and took the initiative, pressing her lips to his. Compared to Mikoto, she was far more aggressive.
Feeling the unique charm of the mature older sister once again, Aoshi said nothing, expressing everything through action.
"…Again… don't rush back so quickly…" Naturally, Aoshi satisfied Tsunade's request.
Thankfully, his strength was more than sufficient, and his chakra reserves were vast enough to handle the consumption.
Otherwise, anyone else in his position would have collapsed from chakra exhaustion.
With a hint of pride, Aoshi finished indulging Tsunade before tidying everything up and returning to the private room with her.
Before long, everyone was full and tipsy, and the celebration finally came to an end.
After leaving Yakiniku Q, the group passed by the Konoha Hot Spring Inn. It wasn't that they planned to soak in the baths—it was simply along the way.
Even late at night, the inn remained brightly lit. Many villagers who worked all day only had time to relax here after dark.
But one figure completely ruined the atmosphere. A man was lying flat outside the women's bath, peeking with a lecherous grin.
"Die, Jiraiya!"