Chapter 175: Kimono Tsunade, Unlocking a New Look

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The plot of the Naruto Shippuden: The Lost Tower movie wasn't particularly complex.

The only novelty was the unique Dragon Vein.

According to official lore, the Dragon Vein was the lifeblood of the earth, possessing chakra far surpassing that of any other location. Mishandling it could bring ruin to the land.

This description bore an uncanny resemblance to the concept of a "world's will."

As for its time-warping properties, they were likely linked to the Flying Thunder God Technique—an S-rank space-time ninjutsu.

With enough energy, time travel was theoretically possible.

The real question was whether it sent someone to the past or a parallel world.

In the movie, it seemed to be the former.

After all, the chakra blade Naruto accidentally left behind became Sara's keepsake.

Such a scenario would be far less plausible across parallel worlds.

There was another peculiar detail.

Though Gato and Naruto's group triggered the Dragon Vein's seal simultaneously, they traveled to different points in time—Gato arriving earlier.

This hinted at the Dragon Vein's instability.

Sasame wasn't sure: If Danzō Shimura activated the Dragon Vein now, would he really return to twenty years ago?

And if he did, what would happen if he recklessly altered the past?

At the end of the movie, Minato Namikaze erased everyone's memories to prevent historical disruptions—even refraining from revealing himself to Naruto.

This strongly implied the existence of a "world's will" that enforced corrections.

Regardless, Sasame couldn't risk letting Danzō go back alone.

At the very least, he'd have to accompany him.

No—the best approach was to scout ahead himself and see if he could harvest some Fate Points.

As for returning, if the Flying Thunder God Technique failed, he could always rely on the Ring of Fate.

Anything was safer than letting Danzō run amok.

"Sasame."

Kurenai Yūhi knocked and entered, walking up to his desk before bending forward to hand him a file. "Here's what you asked for."

"Thanks."

Sasame skimmed the contents, impressed.

Kurenai wore a white blouse, its top buttons undone, revealing her pale neck. Below, she still sported a black pencil skirt—but her usual black stockings had been swapped for white.

Both had their charm, but that wasn't the point.

Kurenai wasn't the type to frequently change outfits.

In the original story, she'd practically worn the same clothes until the end.

This shift had only started after becoming the Hokage's secretary.

Cough.

I'm not that kind of guy.

Sasame opened the file.

It documented Minato Namikaze, Shibi Aburame, and Chōza Akimichi's mission to Loulan in their youth—though the details were sparse.

Their memories had been self-erased, after all.

Still, the mission logs at least confirmed Loulan's location.

"Kurenai, return this for me."

After memorizing the coordinates, Sasame handed the file back.

She nodded, hips swaying slightly as she left.

Flying Thunder God Technique.

Sasame appeared in the Land of Wind.

He'd previously sent shadow clones across the ninja world to plant Flying Thunder God markers—this one was the closest to Loulan.

Sasame narrowed his eyes.

Barren desert stretched endlessly in every direction.

The Land of Wind and Sunagakure had the harshest environment, making them the poorest.

As Kazekage, Rasa had resorted to using Magnet Release to mine gold just to support his village—a pitiful state of affairs.

Such dire conditions forced Sunagakure to prioritize elite training, focusing on prodigies.

Why had Gaara become Kazekage at just fifteen?

This was part of the reason.

Strength alone sufficed.

Sasame clapped his hands together, entering Sage Mode. His sensory range expanded instantly.

Loulan's legends were ancient, its ruins well-known.

Sunagakure had no reason not to investigate.

But Minato's unbreakable seal had left them powerless.

The Dragon Vein's seal combined the Flying Thunder God Technique with Uzumaki-style sealing jutsu.

Sunagakure had no way to bypass it—until Danzō Shimura arrived.

In other words, the Dragon Vein site was likely swarming with ninja now.

Sasame's enhanced senses soon picked up activity.

He sped deeper into the desert.

The sandstorm intensified, reducing visibility to less than a meter.

For Sasame, this was perfect cover.

Finally, he reached the ruins.

Though reduced to crumbling walls, the remnants of a once-great city were still faintly recognizable.

Sasame rubbed his chin.

This meant Naruto would still travel back in time to defeat Gato (a.k.a. An Lushan).

Otherwise, instead of ruins, there'd be a thriving puppet city.

As expected, Sunagakure ninja patrolled the area.

Sasame activated his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and slipped inside.

At the ruins' center stood a familiar face—Maki, Sunagakure's elite jonin and mentor to Gaara, Temari, and Kankurō.

His status matched the Legendary Sannin of Konoha.

Clearly, the entrance was here.

Sasame extended his senses downward, detecting two familiar signatures:

Danzō Shimura—and the Flying Thunder God kunai left by Minato.

At the same time, he felt the Dragon Vein's overwhelming chakra and natural energy.

Its sheer volume surpassed even Kurama's.

No wonder it could warp time—this was an absurd concentration.

The ninja world had no shortage of wonders:

The meteor in Hoshigakure, the Hero's Water in Takigakure, the Shinigami, Jashin…

These likely had no connection to the Ōtsutsuki.

The existence of the Three Great Sage Regions suggested a native power system.

In Sasame's perception, the Dragon Vein's seal was already partially undone.

Full release wasn't far off.

The real question was—what did Danzō plan to do with it?

Sasame's earlier joke about him time-traveling to become Hokage made little sense—Danzō didn't even know the Dragon Vein could time-travel.

The most plausible scenario was Danzō using it against him.

If so, the seal's release would likely coincide with the Suna-Konoha alliance ceremony.

A sudden surge of energy could easily kill several ninja.

Sasame could also use the opportunity to display his power and solidify Konoha's loyalty.

Assuming, of course, his guess was correct.

To verify, Sasame formed hand signs and summoned a slug no larger than an ant, sending it to scout.

Through shared vision, he saw the underground chamber clearly.

At its center stood a stone platform, impaled by Minato's special kunai.

Surrounding it was a barrier of Uzumaki-style sealing jutsu—recognizable even if Sasame couldn't use them himself.

(Thanks to Minato's wife, Kushina Uzumaki.)

Danzō was currently working to dismantle the seal.

Judging by his progress, it'd take a few more days.

Relieved, Sasame returned to Konoha—but left behind the slug and a Flying Thunder God marker.

If anything happened, he could react immediately.

Hokage's Office.

Shizune jumped at Sasame's sudden appearance.

"Must you use the Flying Thunder God inside Konoha?" she grumbled, pressing a hand to her chest.

"I was in Sunagakure."

Sasame took his seat behind the Hokage's desk. "Did you need something?"

"There's a surgery at the hospital tonight, so… could you make dinner for Lady Tsunade?"

Shizune blinked innocently.

This was, of course, a lie.

Tsunade had ordered her not to come home tonight.

Shizune had been stunned.

Had things really progressed this far?

Logically, knowing about Sasame and Tsunade's relationship, she should have moved out.

But she hadn't.

She wasn't sure what she was thinking.

"Got it."

Sasame, unsuspecting, agreed.

"That's all. I'll head to the hospital now."

Shizune glanced at him, keeping Tsunade's secret, and left.

Dusk.

Sasame stretched.

Without Tsunade, work had lost some of its fun.

But at least he'd see her soon.

Flying Thunder God Technique.

He appeared at his doorstep, stepping out of the genkan.

"I'm home, sis!" he called, toeing off his shoes.

"Welcome back."

Tsunade stood, meeting him with a gaze full of warmth.

Her tender smile made her look every bit the devoted wife awaiting her husband's return.

"How do I look today?"

She twirled, anticipation in her eyes.

"Beautiful."

Sasame had noticed her outfit immediately.

The fitted kimono hugged her curves, its collar slipped to her collarbones, framing a plunging neckline that drew the eye.

The high slit revealed plush thighs and feet clad in white ankle socks.

The kimono itself was white, dotted with pink cherry blossoms—elegant yet sensual.

The contradiction was mesmerizing.

Sasame recalled Tsunade's promise of a "reward" before their meeting with the Fire Daimyō.

Was this it?

"Do you like it?"

Her honey-brown eyes gleamed.

"Love it!"

Sasame pulled her close. "I love everything you wear."

"Such sweet talk."

Tsunade chuckled. "How about I cook tonight?"

"…?"

Sasame stiffened. "You're pregnant. Let me handle it."

"You don't trust me?"

She pouted playfully.

"Fine! But I'm helping."

"Good boy."

Tsunade tugged her kimono higher, smirking. "Guess what's under here?"

Sasame's breath hitched.

Thanks to Mikoto Uchiha's "lessons," he knew kimonos were traditionally worn without undergarments.

In other words—nothing.

"If you keep this up, dinner's canceled."

He swallowed hard.

"Who said anything about dinner?"

Tsunade licked her lips. "I was planning to serve you."

Done playing, Sasame swept her into his arms.

"Bath first."

Tsunade nuzzled his cheek. "Patience, love. Kimonos aren't easy to remove."

"Don't worry."

Sasame grinned. "I've had plenty of practice."

(Mikoto's favorite attire was the kimono, after all.)

One hour later.

Tsunade lay boneless on the bed, flushed from the long soak.

Sasame towel-dried her golden hair, fingertips grazing her bare back.

She shivered, meeting his gaze—her cheeks still pink.

"I could use the Strength of a Hundred seal…" she murmured.

"Absolutely not."

Sasame glared. "No risks. Not now."

Tsunade sighed.

Even at full power, she couldn't keep up with him alone.

Hinata's help was still years away.

The next morning.

Sasame returned to work.

With Tsunade pregnant, he couldn't overburden her.

The extra workload was unavoidable.

Opening his office door, he found an unexpected visitor—Hinata Hyūga, intently reading a report on the sofa.

She looked up, beaming. "Sasame-sama."

"What's so interesting?"

"Our mission report."

She handed it to him. "I wrote it. Please review it."

Ah, right.

After completing missions, ninja were required to submit detailed reports.

Most treated it as a formality, jotting down the basics.

Hinata's thoroughness was rare.

Her handwriting was impeccable—no surprise, given her noble upbringing.

"Let's see…"

Noticing her hopeful expression, Sasame smirked.

Hinata fidgeted, clutching her sleeves.

She ached for his approval—far more than she'd ever craved her father's.

(And that said a lot.)

"Truth or lie?" he teased.

"…Truth."

Hinata braced herself, gripping her skirt like a student awaiting scolding.

"Hmm… It's so good, I'm speechless."

He dragged out the pause, watching her panic, before finishing.

"Eh?!"

Hinata blinked, then flushed crimson.

The teasing left her delighted, not offended.

Sasame ruffled her hair. "Keep it up."

"Mm!"

"Take the next few days off. You've earned it."

(He needed to handle the Dragon Vein situation.)

After Hinata left, Kurenai returned.

"Sasame, Sunagakure confirmed the alliance ceremony—one week from now, in a desert near the Land of Wind."

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