The rain hammered down on the roofs of Amegakure, its gutters overflowing, spilling salty streams into the narrow alleys. The air was thick with the scent of blood and rust. The war had just receded, but its shadow still loomed heavy.
Hanzoor rather, Jin-Woo in this young bodypushed open the heavy door of his main residence. Behind him, drenched and scowling, stood Tsunade Senju, arms crossed, her expression tight.
"You think I'll cooperate?" she growled.
"No. I think you'll listen," he replied coldly, not even glancing at her. He paused in the entryway, wringing out his soaked cloak, and pointed down a dark corridor. "Third door on the left. There's a bath. You stink of sweat and mud."
Tsunade narrowed her eyes. "You have no respect for me."
He finally turned his head toward her, his violet eyes gleaming in the torchlight.
"I'm not exactly in the mood…"
"You might be a princess in Konoha, but here, you're just a prisoner. So go wash up, or you'll sleep in a cell."
A tense silence followed. Tsunade clenched her fists but eventually looked away. "Tch. You're not even worth responding to."
She turned on her heel and strode down the corridor, her wet blonde hair leaving a trail of water behind her.
Hanzo watched her for a moment, then sighed deeply. He gestured to a guard.
"Bring her clean clothes. Female. Something… modest. Or whatever you can find."
The guard nodded and disappeared. Hanzo moved into the grand hall, sinking into an old, cracked leather couch, his gaze drifting toward the window. Rain streaked down the glass.
"I've won a battle… but not the war yet."
The System had sent the reward for capturing Tsunade. But not for ending the war. No shadow soldiers. No bonus. Nothing. Never a good sign.
[Secondary Objective: Rebuilding Ame – 12.6%]
[Alert: Enemy Activity Detected – Analysis in Progress…]
He tilted his head back. He was tired, but rest was a luxury he no longer had. Since his reincarnation into this world, his goals had shifted. First, survive. Then, build his own kingdom. And finally… maybe, find some human warmth.
"Harem, huh…" he muttered. A small smile tugged at his lips. "What a stupid idea. Let's just survive this shit first."
But could he truly ignore the war? The deaths? Yahiko, Konan, Nagato… Those children, who would likely become criminals. Now that he'd seen the cruelty of this world, could he let wars continue when he could stop them? Let people he cared about die? This wasn't a manga anymoreit was reality. And he'd have to ensure his Amegakure became the most powerful, to dictate the new order of the Shinobi world.
At least the System would help, he thought. He'd considered summoning those waifus from other worlds, but for now, he'd have to stop this damn war, rebuild his village, and then begin the conquest.
He could no longer be a spectator.
Tsunade returned twenty minutes later, wrapped in a white towel. Her skin still glistened with steam. Her wet hair clung to her shoulders. When she entered the hall, she looked up… and froze at the sight of Hanzo.
He was standing there, towel in hand, rubbing his wet hair.
Their eyes met. The moment stretched into eternity.
"Wh-What are you staring at, you perv!" Tsunade shouted, her face turning scarlet.
Hanzo blinked, looking unimpressed. "Your clothes are under the bed."
He turned on his heel, strode calmly toward the bathroom, and closed the door behind him.
In the hall, Tsunade stood frozen, her heart pounding a little too fast. She hadn't seen a body like that since… Dan. No. It wasn't the same. This boybecause he was onewas nothing like the grotesque, deformed old Hanzo. He was… well-built. Too well-built.
"This can't be…"