Kaori's reaction greatly satisfied Samui. Amused, she thought to herself: Now that Kaori is a mature married woman, only moments like this can bring out her lively side again.
"An O-P-A-I alien, huh?" Samui's amber eyes lazily drifted toward the towering curves rising through the mist. She sighed with mock frustration. "Sigh~ What a waste… My man left too early. It's been years since I've been properly… nourished."
Kaori began hypnotizing herself internally.
Don't respond. Don't respond. I can't hear it. I can't hear it…
Seeing Kaori desperately defending herself, the teasing in Samui's eyes only grew stronger.
"Hey, Kaori… You've been married for so many years now. Don't you think Akira has probably lost interest in you already?"
"Absolutely not!"
With a splash, Kaori shot up from the water. Her wet hair flew into the air as she turned around, and the three "heads" on her upper body stared straight at Samui.
"What kind of garbage is stuffed inside that brain of yours made of fat layers and connective tissue, you idiot Samui?! Let me tell you—Akira is still extremely interested in me! Tonight we even made an appointment to—!"
"Such a great reaction. Now I kind of understand Akira's… preferences~."
"Y-You—!"
Seeing the smug look on Samui's face, Kaori instantly realized she had fallen into the trap.
Damn it, Samui! She just wanted to trick me into saying embarrassing things to satisfy her twisted curiosity!
—
On the other side of the wall, in the men's bath.
With his broad shoulders resting against the hot stone edge, Madara kept both faces above the water. All three of his eyes stared at Akira.
"Was that my imagination? I thought I heard Kaori getting pretty excited just now."
"Probably your imagination," Akira replied with a smile.
Inside, he thought: Samui must be teasing her again. Women sometimes joke around privately like that… indecent—no, harmless jokes.
Akira floated freely through the hot spring.
Madara's gaze followed him.
As Akira rose and sank in the water, his well-defined muscles revealed blade-like lines.
So that's how it is… He looks slim, but his body is extremely strong. Just like the First Raikage back then.
No wonder he could move like that against my Limbo clones. And no wonder he could combine his physical power with his ocular techniques to unleash attacks even I struggled to evade.
It all rests on this body.
Splash.
When Akira surfaced again, Madara noticed the scar on his chest.
A centipede-like line.
A blade wound, most likely. And an old one.
Madara glanced sideways at Obito, who was soaking quietly on the other side of a volcanic rock.
Then he looked away.
Obito seemed to know the story behind that scar.
But I don't…
Should I ask? Would that seem too sentimental?
Me, Uchiha Madara, veteran of countless battles, worrying about some old wound on a junior…
But if I don't ask, it's driving me crazy…
While Madara was struggling internally—
"Oh… After all these years, this scar still aches faintly. Hm, could it be that swimming too long in hot water makes it congested?"
Akira suddenly rubbed his chest and muttered.
Madara's eyes lit up. The corners of his mouth lifted, then settled into a composed, teasing smile.
"For a proud Uchiha man, pain is the best stimulant. Akira, you still need more tempering."
"Maybe so. This scar!" Akira eagerly followed up. "This scar really has a story! It means a lot to me! Ah, this scar…"
Madara smoothly picked up the cue.
"So, how did you get it?"
Akira began naturally, "Well… it's a long story…"
"No problem. We have plenty of time."
"Then, Uncle Madara, let me tell you slowly…"
—
After soaking thoroughly, pores opened, and dirt and oil loosened easily.
Kaori and Samui went to the washing area.
Samui helped scrub Kaori's back, parting her flowing wet hair and revealing her smooth, fair skin.
She rubbed gently with the towel.
The scene was still fragrant and sensual, but the topic became much more serious.
"Since even Madara and Obito are here, Akira's plan has officially begun, right?"
"Yes."
Hearing the confirmation, Samui paused. "Then what role do you play in his plan?"
Kaori also paused while washing her hair.
"Akira never included me in his plan."
"Why? Your ability could help him a lot."
"He said raising children is important and didn't want me distracted. He said he'd handle everything outside, and I should just take care of home."
"But I know that's just an excuse. With our finances, household matters are nothing. He just doesn't want to awaken those painful memories of when I was treated as a weapon…"
Samui set the towel aside and gently placed her hand on Kaori's spotless back.
"And you? What do you think?"
Kaori pondered.
"I actually want to help him."
"The pain of being a weapon came from fighting against my will."
"But now, I have my reason."
"Like what Akira once told me—'You're no longer a weapon. You're a person worthy of your name.'"
"Yes. I'm no longer a weapon."
"So I'm willing to take up my 'weapon' again for his dream."
"Because his dream is also mine."
Kaori poured water over her head.
Splash.
The foam washed away. She shook her wet hair lightly, a beautiful smile blooming on her face.
"But it's not time yet~ Akira's preparations are solid. His strength is reassuring. And now he has Madara and Obito too. Maybe I won't even need to step in."
"Mmm~"
She stretched lazily.
"Samui, let me scrub your back now~!"
They switched places.
While washing Samui's back, they chatted casually until they reached an old topic.
"Still, Samui, I was really surprised when you decided to come here—and even convinced Atsui."
"Hmph. We've talked about this so many times." Samui replied as usual. "Working like a slave in Cloud Village for pitiful mission pay—how could that compare to being a rich lady here doing nothing?"
"Really? You're sticking to that excuse forever, huh?" Kaori laughed.
Samui's amber eyes hid unspoken thoughts.
Seven years ago, about half a year after Jin's funeral, Akira once said to her in private:
"Samui, I'm sorry my brother left you and the children behind. As his brother, I want you to live happily. If you meet someone suitable, you're free to remarry anytime. I'll always be your family and your support."
"And you don't need to worry about Feng and Hua. Wherever they live, I'll protect them."
From that moment on, Samui decided to leave Cloud Village.
Not just because of 'being sensible' or 'thinking for the children.'
Jin was the man I chose.
If I married him, I am an Uchiha for life.
I will never remarry.
But Akira… I'm truly grateful for those words.
You brothers are both loyal and righteous men.
—
In the men's bath, Madara remained in the same posture, listening to Akira's story.
His biggest impression was:
Do young people's love stories nowadays all involve life and death?
Back in my time with Hashirama, there was no such thing as romance. Marriage was an alliance.
Even Hashirama was no exception. He married Mito, Uzumaki Ashina's daughter, as a political bond.
Still, with his personality, he somehow made it lively.
Akira glanced at his waterproof watch.
7:57 p.m.
"That's enough soaking."
He stood up.
Madara and Obito both looked over.
"This is…"
If dinosaurs existed in the ninja world, what they were seeing could definitely be called a Tyrannosaurus.
Madara was shaken.
"Whether you're truly the strongest—I'll reserve judgment until I see you fight seriously."
"But in terms of… this thing, I declare you the strongest."
Splash.
Madara stood up, revealing… black pants.
"Not scrubbing, Akira?"
"No need. I don't get dirty easily."
Splash.
Obito stood up too. Black pants as well.
With Edo Tensei bodies, their pants had become part of them.
Even if removed, they'd grow back instantly.
For Obito, that was fortunate.
He had long gotten used to soaking alone in corners.
Akira stepped out, put on a white robe, and turned back.
"Uncle Madara, Obito… Kaori and I will stay here tonight. You two can wander around."
"Edo bodies don't feel hunger, need sleep, or even feel the urge to relieve themselves. How will you pass the long night?"
Madara and Obito exchanged looks.
Crackle.
The sparks that had been interrupted earlier by Kaori and Yue reignited.
Akira ignored it and walked upstairs.
"Their grudges can't be resolved with words. They need to talk with their eyes. There's no better place than Peachland. After tonight, they can finally reconcile. Only then will our trio truly be complete…"
"And…"
Creak.
Akira pushed open the door.
A soft, fragrant body threw itself into his arms.
"Kaori…"
He smiled.
"And we should also have a long-overdue heart-to-heart 'conversation' tonight…"
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