After finalizing the squad assignments, Hikaru smiled in satisfaction.
He glanced at the darkening sky outside the window and turned to Izuna.
"It's getting late. I think I'll wrap up for today. I'll head out first."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Hikaru's figure vanished from the office in a flash, leaving Izuna alone to sigh helplessly.
Using the Body Flicker Technique, Hikaru reappeared in his home in an instant.
The lights were dim, and the house seemed empty.
He blinked in mild surprise—but then remembered the group of women had gone shopping. The realization made him smile wryly.
After all, if even he could lose track of time while playing games, how could women not lose themselves in the chaos of retail therapy?
He quietly opened the door and stepped into the living room—only to freeze at the sight before him.
Tsunade was waiting for him, dressed in a stylish and unfamiliar outfit.
Her face glowed with youthful energy, and her signature ponytail swayed slightly as she moved, lending her a playful, spirited air.
Bathed in soft lighting, she looked like a goddess descended from the moon—so stunning that Hikaru almost didn't dare to look directly at her, afraid he might break the illusion.
Her outfit, though tailored to fit, seemed loose around her shoulders, slipping slightly to reveal smooth skin like fine jade—creating a relaxed yet undeniably seductive allure.
Her long legs, wrapped in black stockings, exuded elegance and sensuality with every slight motion.
Even her delicate toes, just peeking out from the edge of her slippers, seemed to sparkle beneath the lamplight like pearls teasing the gaze.
In that moment, Tsunade was like a living painting—brimming with energy, grace, and irresistible charm.
Her beauty wasn't just skin-deep. It radiated confidence, strength, and a kind of natural magnetism that made it impossible to look away.
Hikaru felt a heat surge through him—a flush of excitement welling from deep in his core, igniting every nerve in his body.
But just as he was about to speak, Tsunade pressed a single finger to his lips.
Tonight, Tsunade radiated a powerful aura of dominance.
Perhaps the recent additions to their home had stirred a subtle sense of competition within her—her eyes were filled with determination and assertiveness.
In this silent contest of willpower, Tsunade took complete control—and even demanded the top position, asserting both her identity as a kunoichi and her independence.
Hikaru, of course, was more than happy to oblige.
He knew her strength and her temperament. There was no use arguing when she was like this.
The room fell into a rhythm of soft breathing and unspoken tension.
Hikaru casually picked up a stray black stocking and tossed it aside, breaking the silence.
He raised a brow at her and asked teasingly, "Didn't you all go out shopping together? Why'd you come home early?"
Tsunade playfully smacked him, her expression both proud and mischievous.
Blushing slightly, she whispered, "I snuck back. Left a Wood Clone in my place. They won't notice. Don't worry."
Hikaru couldn't help but laugh.
He reached out and flicked her forehead gently, his eyes filled with affection and exasperation. "You really are something else."
Just then, a voice rang out from outside the room—Chiri, her tone laced with mockery:
"Oh, is that so? Tsunade, you're underestimating us a little too much, don't you think?"
Her words were bold, but her voice gradually softened—as if she too realized what had just transpired inside that room.
Knowing Hikaru all too well, she understood that speaking up now was practically walking into a trap.
The other women picked up on it instantly. Their faces changed, and they quickly turned to leave.
But Hikaru was faster.
In an instant, the world spun—and the next thing they knew, they were no longer in the house, but inside a mysterious new space.
It was Hikaru's personal dimension, a space entirely under his control.
That day, no one knew exactly what happened.
Only that the Hokage and his wives collectively vanished from the public eye for several days...
Time flew by.
Before long, the ninja academy graduates had all received their squad assignments.
At this moment of excitement, the elderly Toki Chi stood at the front of the classroom, eyes kind as he looked down at the students.
But his smile quickly faded as he slammed the desk with force and barked:
"All that noise—what do you think you're doing?! Your instructors haven't even arrived yet!"
"For now, you're still my students! And while you're in this room, you will follow my rules and stay quiet!"
"To be honest, you're the worst class I've ever taught!"
His words hit like a thunderclap, silencing the entire classroom.
The once-rowdy students froze, not daring to make a sound.
Outside the door, Hikaru, Jiraiya, and the other instructors could barely suppress their laughter.
They were all former students of Toki Chi themselves and had heard that same line—"worst class I've ever taught"—many times.
It brought back memories and a warm sense of familiarity.
Soon, the other jōnin instructors began arriving and filing into the classroom.
After a few words with Toki Chi, they each took their newly assigned teams and left.
Only Hikaru lingered outside, trying to fend off Jiraiya's protest.
After all, Jiraiya had originally been selected to mentor Minato's team—until Hikaru swooped in and claimed them for himself.
Jiraiya saw this as an opportunity.
Sure, Hikaru was technically in the wrong. That gave him leverage.
Maybe… just maybe, he could use this as a bargaining chip to convince Hikaru to remove the seal placed on him.
Yes, Jiraiya still made generous donations to financially struggling young women…
But let's be honest—charity and "research" were two completely different things in his mind.
And it had been far too long since he'd gone out to collect material.
The deprivation was taking a serious toll on his body and soul.
So now, with a sly grin, Jiraiya made his move—and laid out his terms to Hikaru.