A white flower

"Are you okay, Tsunade-sama?" A black-haired assistant, filling a cup of coffee, looked at Konoha's evening landscape.

"If I only knew..." The Hokage groaned, resting her forehead on the office's desk.

"I see it's about Kaname-san. Kyaa!" Shizune shrieked when someone tickled her side.

"What is it about me?" Kaname asked.

"It's always about you. Wherever you go, trouble follows." Tsunade whispered.

"K-Kaname-san! Don't scare me like that! I thought Tsunade-sama and I were alone!"

"Do you even understand the concept of privacy or chain of command, Flat Board? It's my office - you can't just pop in and out whenever you like."

"Yeah, I know of these, but I don't see any correlation between those and our situation?"

"Like bashing my head through a wall..." The female Hokage groaned.

"Hehe, once you think it through, Granny, you're one of the few that can bring a wall down only by headbutting it. Right, Shizune?"

"Huh?" The assistant didn't expect to be called out, "Umm, yes, Tsunade-sama knocked down multiple brick walls while drunk. Mostly by falling onto them." She admitted.

"Hey!" Shizune flinched at Hokage's scream.

"Stop scaring poor Shizune, Granny."

"Like you're any better! Haah..." The blonde sighed with difficulty, "Did you attack Daimyō, Flat Board?"

"She what-?!" Shizuka staggered on her feet.

"Oh, so you read my report!"

"Answer me!"

"In theory catching someone in a genjutsu could be counted as an assault. But, as I promised that stupid Kazuma multiple times, no one can prove it was me."

"And the mysterious new chancellor?! You didn't have to blank out his name. There is only one man insane enough you trust - I know very well who had the balls to even consider helping you in that... Stupidity."

"Excluding Asuma, no one will remember my super-secret agent's face." Kaname smirked, "Those nobles are civilians - their minds were completely defenseless. Who do you take me for, Granny?" the blonde Hokage stared at her, "Yeah, some of the guards were a little better - that's why it took me two full days to take control of the palace. Hmm, now that I think about it, I just pulled an Obito on them, huh?"

"Haaa." Tsunade leaned over her desk, "I just skimmed through your report, Flat Board. I want the details - tell me what happened."

"Asuma almost let that fucker get away again - he must have been tired after getting his ass whooped by Akatsuki. Luckily, Utakata was watching their fight."

"Not very fair to Kazuma."

Kaname shrugged, "We're shinobis, Granny. We don't play fair. Now I know how Kazuma survived the last time. His summons, tanukis, were masters of deception - they could transform into an ideal copy of their summoner."

"Yeah, that could fool even the best. What about Orochimaru and Akatsuki?"

"Ibiki-san was thrilled to get his hands on an unkillable test sub... Unwilling informant. Anko-chan just couldn't wait to get her hands on him. But I doubt they will get anything out of him. Hidan is too small of a fry to know anything of importance." She revealed, "I didn't find Kakuzu. Even if he is alive, my last kick must have made a eunuch out of him."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"Don't sweat it, Granny."

"Haah... What about that boy with Kyūbi's chakra? Did you kill him?"

"I tried to, but I couldn't do it." Kaname replied depressedly, "Sora-kun is the same as him."

"You know that Akatsuki will turn the world upside down to look for the boy? That boy is a much easier target than Naruto."

"I know, and I couldn't kill him."

"Shit. Okay, where is he?"

"With Chiriku-san. They went into hiding."

"Shizune, bring me a bottle!" Tsunade ordered.

"At this hour? Shops are closed already." her assistant asked.

"Just do it. There is a 24/7 open nearby." Once Shizune left the room, Hokage continued, "I saw the look in your eyes, Flat Board. What's going on?"

"Do you really believe I should have killed Sora? Letting my emotions and gut feeling decide to save a single life instead of hundreds if not thousands of potential victims was a bad choice?"

"I want to say that you were wrong in sparing his life, Flat Board. Truthfully, I'm not sure I would have killed Sora. Does that make us bad shinobis? Maybe. At least that's what differences us from our enemies. We have a clear conscience."

"I know what Orochimaru would say about that." the Uchiha deadpanned.

"It's a weakness in his eyes. He doesn't feel any remorse for his actions anymore."

"You know he is most likely right, Granny?"

"See if I care. Orochimaru crossed the line a long time ago, his sick research butchered thousands. I won't let any of my subordinates follow in his footsteps. And that's including you, Flat Board. The world isn't just black and white, it has infinite shades of grey. The shinobi must complete the mission, but I always leave the last call to the individual. Someone that would complete all the missions over the countless dead bodies would have a hard time with me at the helm."

"Orochimaru... He got away." Kaname admitted sadly.

"I noticed - you wouldn't be so glum otherwise. I thought you could eliminate that bastard by yourself?"

"Yeah, I got caught in an obvious trap because of overconfidence. Don't make me remember it. Utakata is still pissed about me going off without asking for help."

"Well. He is right, you know?"

"Even you? Where is the feminine solidarity?"

"Feminine, you?" Tsunade quipped, "Sachi and Ryuichi-kun have asked me to keep my eye on you. They believe you have a knack for getting into trouble."

"Haah..." Kaname dropped onto a sofa behind her.

"Pakura, Anko, Kakashi, Yugao, Guy, Genma, Inoichi, Jiraiya, and Hiruzen-sensei thought so as well. Somehow I do seem to agree with them." Every name was like a needle piercing her heart. At this moment, the two heard two pairs of loud steps coming from the other side of the door.

""Tsunade!"" Two elderly voices thundered even before the two entered the office. "We have a big problem!"

"Oh, for fuc-" Tsunade groaned, heavily planting her forehead on the desk.

"... It's you. What are you doing here?" Koharu's venom-loaded voice judged certain kunoichi's presence.

Kaname curtsied, "My displeasure, Koharu-san, Homura-san."

"Hmph! We don't have the time to argue with her, Koharu! Tsuna-" old man's caught a glance of Hokage's first clenching tighter in anger, "H-hokage-sama." He quickly corrected himself.

"What!?"

"Uh... It's... High Councillor Furido-sama is missing. We need to find him!" The grey-haired woman pleaded.

"So? Daimyō would have his Twelve Guardians looking for him already if the same Furido didn't outlaw the creation of such a group. He reaps what he sows."

"Haha! Karma is a bitch." The elderly glared with suspicion at her, "Before you say that. First, I didn't kill Kazuma. And secondly, I really don't give a shit about your opinion."

"Kazuma? We're talking about High Councillor Furido-sama, girl!" Homura chided.

"Yeah, that's what I said."

'Heh, just look at them squirm. Always so infallible, yet so harmless in front of Kaname.' Tsunade cheered on her rival. "I'll look into that situation. Is that all you wanted?"

"I'll make it easier for you, Tsunade! It must have been her! This girl was inside Fire City's cell! It must have be-" Koharu's outcry was interrupted by her old teammate's hand put on her shoulder.

"Yes, Hokage-sama. We need to find Furido-sama as quickly as possible. Without a High Councillor, we won't receive Daimyō-sama's orders."

"That won't be a problem."

"Flat Board?!!"

"See! It was her! She killed him!" Koharu pointed her finger.

'If Chiriku is in hiding, then the only one left is...' Tsunade quickly understood what was going on, "You two, leave."

"But-"

"ANBU!" Two masked shinobi flickered to Hokage's side.

"Koharu-chan. They're unnecessary, Hokage-sama - we will leave on our own." Homura pulled his teammate out of the room, slamming the door.

"Are you insane?"

"Who else could I choose, Granny? Tōu-chan is my friend - I know she can manage it."

"Fuck... I need that sake."

-----

'Ha! Hahaha! So close, yet so far.' Kabuto walked down the corridor with a visible skip in his step. 'A year, no, maybe half a month more.'

Iryōnin stopped in front of a chamber and tried to hide his self-satisfied grin. After a moment, he opened the wooden doors and stopped dead.

Orochimaru writhed on the stone floor, cold sweat dripped down his body.

"L-leave!"

"Orochimaru-sama?! How can I help? What has Kaname done to you this time?"

"I SAID LEAVE!"

"You need my help. So, no, I won't leave." Kabuto put his palms on Snake Sannin's forehead.

"Bastard..."

Kabuto used his chakra to calm the Sannin down. "So what happened? You're not wounded."

"It was Kana-chan. She... My Sharingan."

'Ah, a man scared of death was shown his end?' Kabuto deduced.

"She is special... Uh-" Orochimaru sat on the floor, "Kana-chan is special. I have seen how my fight with Obito would turn out. I've simulated it with Nagato too. Neither of them was able to do what she has done. I've never experienced my death so many times in such a short time."

"What do you need of me?"

"I need to get stronger. I thought I was as strong as Kana-chan, but I was wrong. I've to follow in her footsteps. Uzushiogakure, I need to study Uzumaki seals."

'Uzumaki's? Their knowledge would accelerate my research into Edo Tensei!' Kabuto almost jumped up, "I'll find a way into Uzushiogakure, Orochimaru-sama!"

-----

Utakata was woken up by the mouth-watering smells coming from the kitchen. He jumped off the bed with a smile on his face. After clothing himself, he walked to the dining room. Kaname stood in front of a stove in a lilac apron with a sizzling frying pan in her hand. His children - waiting for their breakfast, were sitting at the table.

Just before Haru called out to him, he quickly put his finger next to his mouth, asking his son to keep silent. Utakata sneaked through the kitchen and waited for his soon-to-be wife to put the pan on the stove. The late jinchūriki pulled Kaname off her feet.

"Ah-" Kaname was greeted by a kiss, "Heh, someone seems happy today." She blushed lightly, hearing Kushina chuckling at her parents.

"Good morning."

"Hi, now sit your ass on the chair and wait for the breakfast like a good boy. I don't have much time today."

"Haha!" He laughed out, marching towards the table, "I heard that some of your friends want to use you as a dressing doll, Kana."

"Can't wait to see me all pretty for you?"

"Yes and no. I want to brag in front of Kakashi, Guy, and Asuma." Utakata smirked, "Sincerely, I prefer you without cloth-" he ducked before a flying ladle.

"Not in front of them, baka!"

"They're not listening to us, right?"

"We aren't!" their daughter replied.

"See? Our daughter can read minds." the kimono-clad man chuckled.

"Kushi-chan will always side with you." Haru nodded his head, "Okay, you two understand that today is an important day for your papa and me? Grandma will take care of you."

"You wedding! Hehehe." Kushina exclaimed, receiving a pat from her father.

"I'll take care of everything, Kana. Don't worry about it."

"Good, eat now. I'm going to mom's house. See you later."

-------

"*Sniff-sniff*!"

"Why the heck are you crying?" Kakashi took a step back.

"It's. I'm just happy for Kana-chan and Utakata-san!" Guy blew his nose.

"... I see." He took another step back. Even if he had to put on his best suit, Kakashi couldn't pass on his exclusive face mask.

"Be nice!" The silver-haired jōnin's partner nudged his side, pulling him back to her side.

"Yes, mom. I'm sorry, mom." Kakashi's comment earned him a painful under a rib nudge from the green-haired kunoichi.

"I think it's time for me. Try to keep them out of trouble, Pakura." Utakata waved his hand, walking towards the Hokage.

"Will do." the woman nodded.

On the other side of the garden, another group watched the proceedings, "I really like her, but I never thought Kana-chan would get married, she is..."

"Troublesome?"

"Well... Yeah."

"She has changed, Inoichi." Chōza joined in, "Okay, she still likes to get into trouble. But from what I have heard, she is appreciated both in the academy and the hospital. The children love her."

"I've heard that too. Ugh... Children, all that running and screaming! And she even has the energy to spare for her own."

"Shikaku, you're tired the entire day." His wife pulled his hand into hers, "Do you want me to tell Chōza-san and Inoichi-san how long did it take me to chuck you into the suit?"

"Ugh... No, dear. I'm sorry, dear."

"By the way, who is that? He looks... brutish." the Nara matriarch pointed at the front row guest, easily a head taller than anyone around.

"Huh? Wait, is that Zabuza Momochi?! What the heck is that mad dog doing here?"

"You haven't heard, Inoichi?" Shikaku questioned, "Safety measures. Mizukage came here herself. You know, with Kana-chan's enemies everywhere, you never have enough S-ranks shinobis."

-------

"Getting cold feet, Utakata?" Tsunade smirked.

"My son-in-law is just restless, Tsunade-senpai. It didn't take long to prepare my Little Butterfly - she got her looks from me."

"I remember when you started the Academy, Sachi-chan. I never met a more confident person. At least Flat Board didn't inherit that from you."

"Heh, yeah, she is much more like Asato in that regard. My Butterfly is judging everything with a critical eye, always finding faults in her steps."

"Yeah, so what, Utakata? Getting cold feet or are you restless?"

"No, not really. I just want it to end already. It's just a formality - Kana-chan and I, are a pair for almost five years now."

"Good. It would suck to waste a good sake you two got for the party."

"I prepared an additional crate for you and Jiraiya-san." He replied.

"Hmm." Hokage's brow jumped up in surprise, "Your in-law knows how to make a woman happy."

"Yes, I do like him too. Ryu-kun must get his act together - I require more grandchildren."

"I'll never understand all this children hype."

"Yes, children are a big responsibility, Tsunade-senpai - especially when they're young. All mothers experienced the pain of their children as if it was their own, despite all that, their smiles are ultimate compensation."

"Yeah. I still don't understand. Okay, let's begin... *Ehem*! Sit your asses! Pretty please!" Tsunade's commanding voice quickly took control over the massive group of people.

From afar, Utakata noticed a swarm of red butterflies flying towards them, "Heh, a show of."

"A light genjutsu? She always knew how to make an entrance." Tsunade agreed, trying to dispel the illusion, "Huh?"

"These are Kana-chan's summons."

"He is right. It's not a genjutsu, Tsunade-senpai. I hear the flock's wings fluttering towards us."

"From that far?"

"A seal enhances some of my senses." Sachi admitted.

When a kaleidoscope of butterflies in all shades of red parted, Utakata froze.

Kaname wore a sleeveless white kimono dress with a beautiful sewn-on flower and slits all the way up her thighs. Her shaggy hair now was falling in calm waves onto her left arm. She didn't require a lot of make-up, but her striking eyes were emphasized by an eyeliner, giving her an almost ethereal look.

Even if he was escorting her, Jiraiya was pulled along.

Kaname stopped when someone whistled at her. She took a quick glance at Asuma and winked playfully.

"He is going to have so many problems back home..." Tsunade commented, looking at Kurenai's expression.

"Yep." Kaname walked up to her, using her fingers to close Utakata's mouth, but it dropped back as he stared at her. "Heh, I see it will take some time." she snapped her fingers in front of Utakata's face.