Naruto: The Ninja World's Life Buyer

Chapter 262 The War Ends, the Target is the Ultimate Secret

On the long table in the hall.

Dinner was extremely lavish.

Besides tempura and braised meat, there are also several exquisite cold dishes.

Yugao, Chiba, and Maki are all there.

"Let's eat."

Sosuke picked up his chopsticks.

The atmosphere at the dinner table was relaxed.

"Bai Su, eat this."

Xiyan picked up a small piece of sashimi and handed it to her shoulder.

The little white snake didn't eat it.

Chiba stared at the snake.

"Miss Yugao, snakes love to eat live food. I suggest you feed them live animals that still have body temperature."

Yugao paused for a moment, then looked at Chiba.

"Brother Chiba, could you please not say such scary things while you're eating?"

Maki, standing nearby, nudged Chiba with her elbow without any hesitation.

"Shut up. Eat your food properly."

She picked up a large piece of carrot and put it into Chiba's bowl.

Chiba frowned, looking at the carrot, but ultimately ate it obediently.

After dinner, the summer heat gradually dissipated.

Xiyan jumped off the chair.

"Bai Su, let's go catch fireflies!"

She took the little white snake and ran to the bushes in the backyard.

Maki began to clear the empty plates off the table.

Chiba returned underground to continue his experiments.

"I'll go cut some watermelon," Kaori said, getting up.

On the wooden corridor.

Sosuke took off his wooden clogs and sat cross-legged on the floor. He held a palm-leaf fan and fanned himself every now and then.

Kushina sat down next to Sousuke, holding a can of ice-cold beer. She bent one leg, rested her arm on her knee, and took a sip of beer.

"ha"

She let out a long breath and looked at the starry sky.

"This feels so good."

Kushina looked at Sousuke.

"Did anything go wrong at the Hokage Building today?"

Orochimaru agreed to the requests of Iwagakure and Kumogakure.

Sosuke fanned himself with a palm-leaf fan, watching the fireflies twinkling in the courtyard.

"They won't bother us for now."

"That's good."

Kushina leaned against a wooden pillar.

"The war—has it finally stopped completely, right?"

"It should be stopped. Next is the negotiation," Sosuke said.

Kaori came over carrying a tray. On the tray were slices of chilled watermelon and several chilled, damp towels.

She knelt down on the other side of Sosuke.

"Have a piece of watermelon, Lady Kushina." Kaori handed her a piece.

"Thanks."

Kushina took the watermelon and took a bite.

"So sweet."

The three sat on the veranda, looking at the night view in the courtyard.

"How's Kakashi doing lately?" Sousuke asked casually.

"Him—"

Kushina sighed.

"He's still the same as always, diligently cultivating every day. However, lately he seems to have taken a liking to reading."

"What book?"

"The book 'The Tale of Rooted Ninja' written by Jiraiya-sensei."

Kushina bit into a watermelon seed and spat it into her palm.

"This child, who usually seems so cold, actually sheds tears secretly when reading those action-packed novels. Every time I pass by his room, he quickly hides the books."

Sousuke smiled.

"He also has passion in his heart."

He took an ice-cold towel and placed it on the back of his neck. The coolness seeped into his skin, and he closed his eyes comfortably.

On the left, Kushina is drinking beer.

On the right, a faint fragrance wafted from Kaori's body.

A gentle evening breeze was blowing.

A long-lost, luxurious tranquility.

"Sousuke." Kushina said suddenly.

"Um?"

What are your plans for the future?

She looked at the night sky.

"Your business is already so big, and you have more money than you can spend. What are your goals?"

Sousuke opened his eyes.

"The goal—"

He recalled Orochimaru's fanaticism, the Mizukage's cleansing of bloodline limits, and the strange, thin lines connecting the void in Hyuga Katsura's eyes.

The ninja's destiny, the curse of chakra.

"It's probably about exploring the ultimate secret of the ninja world."

26

Sousuke said calmly, "This world is too mysterious."

Kushina seemed to understand, but not quite.

"If you get the answer, remember to let me know."

Kushina said with a smile.

"I'm very interested too."

"no problem."

Sousuke smiled.

"You are also one of the secrets I've been researching."

"Get lost!" Kushina kicked Sousuke's shin in annoyance.

Sosuke didn't dodge, letting her kick him. It didn't hurt.

Late at night.

Fireflies danced in the grass, like tiny green stars.

Xi Yan got tired of playing, hugged Bai Su, and fell asleep on the grass.

Kaori went over, gently picked up her daughter, and took her back to her room.

In the corridor, only Sousuke and Kushina remained.

The beer was finished. Kushina crushed the empty can and set it aside.

"I should go back now." She stood up and dusted off her skirt.

"I'll have someone deliver it to you," Sosuke said.

"No need. It's just a few steps, I'm not a child."

Kushina looked down at Sousuke.

"Sousuke."

"Um?"

"that----"

Kushina hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.

The evening breeze ruffled her red hair slightly.

Sosuke looked at her quietly.

The faint chirping of insects came from the surrounding grass.

"What's wrong?" Sosuke asked softly.

Kushina bit her lower lip. The words she wanted to say swirled in her throat, but she swallowed them back.

"It's nothing."

She suddenly smiled, her face full of slyness.

"I just wanted to say—your wine is good, I'd like to have it iced next time."

"That's all?"

"Otherwise what?"

Kushina put her hands behind her back, leaned forward slightly, and moved a little closer.

The distance between the two people shortened.

Sosuke could even smell her faint body fragrance, as well as the malty aroma of beer.

"Mr. Takaya, you don't actually think I'm going to say anything mushy to a big spender like you, do you?"

She raised an eyebrow.

Zongsuke laughed.

"That's such a shame. My heart skipped a beat just now."

"Come on."

Kushina straightened up and patted his shoulder, the force neither too light nor too heavy.

"I'm leaving. Don't bother seeing me off."

She turned around, stepped lightly out of the manor gate, bathed in moonlight.

Sosuke watched her figure disappear around the street corner.

He knew what she was about to say.

When people are extremely relaxed, they instinctively want to find something to rely on.

But she ultimately held back.

Kaori came out of the house.

"Lady Kushina is gone?"

"Um.

""

Sousuke reached out and took Kaori's wrist, making her sit down next to him.

"You've been back for a while now, haven't you?" Sousuke squeezed Kaori's hand, his tone teasing.

Kaori blinked.

"Isn't this creating an opportunity for you?"

Sousuke grabbed Kaori by the waist and pulled her into his arms.

"What do you mean by 'timing'?"

Kaori leaned against his chest, smiled, and said nothing.

Sosuke lowered his head and kissed her lips.

The next day, the sun was high in the sky.

Sosuke slowly got out of bed.

He walked to the window and drew back the curtains. The blinding sunlight made him squint.

"This awful weather, it's scorching hot again today."

After washing up and getting dressed, Sosuke left the manor.

The sunlight was blindingly bright, making the ground scorching hot.

With the news of the ceasefire, the streets of Konoha returned to their usual bustling state.

The ninjas on the front lines began to withdraw in batches, and the village was filled with reunion hugs and the noise of taverns.

Sosuke strolled leisurely to Red Fan Street.

A wind chime hung on the door of the "Sweetness Room." With a "ding-a-ling," Sosuke pushed the door open and entered.

A cool breeze swept over me.

There weren't many people in the shop.

Hazuki was dozing off on the counter.

Koizumi sat on the tatami mat in the inner room, holding a cloth tiger in her hand and chewing on it with relish.

Hearing the doorbell ring, Koizumi looked up.

Upon seeing Sosuke, she immediately threw away the cloth tiger and crawled over on all fours.

"hug----"

She shouted incoherently.

Hazuki woke up.

"Boss? You're here."

Hazuki quickly stood up and tidied her messy hair.

"Come here for some dessert to cool off in the heat."

Sosuke bent down and scooped the chubby little girl from the ground into his arms.

Koizumi grabbed his blindfold strap.

"Don't pull it."

Sosuke reached out to pry her small hand away.

But the little girl's grip was surprisingly strong; she held on tightly and wouldn't let go, while giggling.

"Quan! Let go! You can't be so unruly!"

Hazuki was startled and quickly went around the counter to try and bring her daughter back.

"fine."

Sosuke straightened the blindfold.

He carried Koizumi to the tatami mat in the inner room and lay down on his back.

"call----"

He lay sprawled out, staring at the ceiling.

"This kind of weather is perfect for lying down."

He placed Koizumi on his stomach.

Koizumi found it amusing and used him as a cushion, crawling all over him and drooling onto his clean shirt.

"Hazuki".

"exist."

"Give me a bowl of shaved ice. Watermelon flavor, extra sugar."

Sosuke closed his eyes.

"Yes."

Hazuki responded softly.

Shaved ice was served quickly.

Koizumi fell asleep again, emitting soft snores.

Sosuke placed her on the tatami mat.

He picked up a wooden spoon and scooped out watermelon shaved ice. The ice cubes clinked crisply in the bowl.

Hazuki knelt down beside him and fanned him with a fan.

"Are your hands tired?"

Sosuke swallowed the last mouthful of crushed ice and placed the empty bowl on the low table beside him.

"It's not sour."

Hazuki answered softly.

But she unconsciously switched hands.

Maintaining one posture while fanning yourself for a long time, how could you not feel sore?

Sosuke reached out and grabbed her wrist.

Hazuki's hands were cold. Her body temperature was low, and they felt like a piece of warm, smooth jade to the touch.

"Stop fanning yourself."

Sosuke pulled with a little force.

Hazuki fell to the ground with a soft cry.

She dared not press down on the sleeping Koizumi, so she could only support herself with her hands next to Sosuke's cheeks, her body dangling in the air.

A few strands of black hair fell and brushed against the tip of Sousuke's nose. It tickled.

"Boss—the front door isn't closed yet—"

Hazuki's cheeks flushed crimson. The astonishing heat emanating from Sousuke made her heart race.

"You feel so cool."

Sosuke's hand slid to her forearm, the delicate touch making him feel very comfortable.

"You're too hot; you're sweating a lot."

With her free hand, she pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped the sweat from Sosuke's forehead and temples.

"There's nothing I can do, my body temperature is always so high..."

Shinsuke, with his eyes closed, uttered a complaint.

"It might be quite comfortable to hug me in the dead of winter, but it's more of a torture in the summer. It's like hugging a furnace."

Hazuki smiled, pursing her lips.

"Actually, it's pretty good."

She gently rested her chin on Sosuke's chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat.

"It makes people feel—very reassured."

Sosuke lowered his head and kissed the crook of her neck.

The tip of my tongue touched a slightly salty taste.

That's the smell of sweat.

She was sweating from running around and hadn't had time to wipe it off yet.

Hazuki suddenly realized this as well, and her cheeks instantly turned bright red.

She shrank back in a panic.

"Boss, stop—"

Her voice was barely audible, and it betrayed her embarrassment.

"I'm sweaty—a little dirty."

"I love so much."

Sosuke hugged her even tighter.

"jingle."

Just then, the wind chimes at the front door rang.

Hazuki shuddered suddenly.

I instantly snapped out of my tender daze.

"Boss, boss—"

She was somewhat flustered.

"A guest has come in."

Sousuke slowly released his grip.

"Go."

He took a sip of ice water.

"People who are just here to buy snacks don't need to be so nervous."

Hazuki hurriedly scrambled off him.

She stood in front of the mirror. Her floral dress was slightly wrinkled, and two buttons at the neckline were undone.

She quickly buttoned up her clothes and pressed the back of her hand against her burning cheeks.

"I—I'll be right back."

She jogged through the curtain and arrived at the shop in front.

The woman who entered was wearing a beige trench coat and black-rimmed glasses.

Yamashiro Rena.

She was holding two thick folders in her hands, and there were faint dark circles under her eyes. Her gaze was like that of a dead fish.

"Miss Rena?"

She knew Reina; she knew Reina was the boss's personal secretary. She was usually a cold, aloof person who only talked about work.

"Do you have any desserts left in the store?"

Rena didn't mince words and went straight to the point.

Her voice sounded weak, clearly indicating she hadn't rested well.

"There's one more thing."

Hazuki quickly walked to the display case.

"Red bean daifuku is sold out. There are two pieces of yokan left, and some syrup for making shaved ice."

"I'll take them all."

Rena pushed up her glasses, the lenses reflecting light.

Hazuki quickly grabbed a cardboard box to pack it up for her.

As Hazuki bent down to prepare the snacks, Rena's gaze fell on her.

As an elite member of the intelligence analysis class, her observational skills are ingrained in her bones.

She noticed Hazuki's slightly disheveled sideburns.

Her cheeks were rosy, and her eyes were unusually moist.

She even caught a faint, familiar scent. It was the scent of Sosuke.

Rena's eyes remained completely unmoved.

She had already come to a conclusion in her mind. She had probably disturbed her boss's "rest time".

But she couldn't be bothered to think about it anymore. All she wanted to do right now was eat candy.

Rena took the cardboard box from Hazuki and eagerly opened it.

She picked up a piece of yokan (sweet bean jelly) and took a big bite.

The high concentration of sugar explodes in your mouth.

"She's alive again," Rena muttered softly.

She swallowed the yogurt in a few bites, took out a handkerchief, and carefully wiped her fingers and the corners of her mouth.

Hazuki poured her a glass of iced tea.

"Thanks."

Rena took it and drank it all in one gulp.

She closed the box and prepared to leave.

Just as she was about to walk out the door, she suddenly stopped and turned to look at Hazuki.

"Oh, right."

"Um?"

Rena pointed expressionlessly at Hazuki's chest.

"Your skirt, the second button is buttoned into the third buttonhole."

After she finished speaking, she gave a slight bow.

"Thank you for your hospitality. I'll take my leave now. Please give my regards to Mr. Sosuke."

"jingle."

The wind chimes rang, and Rena pushed open the door and went out.

The shop fell silent.

Hazuki's face flushed red all the way to the roots of her neck.

She wished she could disappear into a crack in the ground.

She was so flustered in the inner room that she didn't check carefully at all.

"call."

The curtain to the inner room was lifted again.

Zongsuke walked out.

He poured himself a glass of iced tea.

"What's wrong?" He noticed Hazuki's expression.

"That was Ms. Reina. She—she noticed everything—"

Hazuki stammered, covering her face with her hands.

Sosuke didn't feel embarrassed.

He went behind the counter, unbuttoned Hazuki's clothes, and then buttoned them up again.

"You figured it out, so you figured it out."

"She's a smart woman; aside from work and sweets, she's not interested in other people's private lives. Just ignore her."

"But----"

Hazuki still felt ashamed. In the minds of conservative Uchiha women, being caught doing something like this by outsiders was utterly humiliating.

"alright."

Sosuke patted her on the shoulder.

"Let's close early today. Close the door."

"yes.

""

Hazuki obediently walked out from behind the counter and hung up the "Closed" sign.