330. Tsunade's Aura as the Main Wife

Hanekawa felt a wave of warmth in his drowsy state.

He instinctively opened his eyes.

Under the covers, there was a familiar silhouette.

Hanekawa froze for a moment.

A few seconds later, he fully woke up.

It wasn’t Tsunade or Yūhi Kurenai—it was Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.

The boldness of this Rabbit Goddess truly exceeded his expectations.

Hanekawa frowned slightly.

He opened his mouth, his voice infused with chakra, transmitting directly into Ōtsutsuki Kaguya’s ears.

Only one sentence: You have half an hour.

Ōtsutsuki Kaguya narrowed her eyes.

Her throat moved slightly as she replied using chakra.

Hanekawa let out a sigh.

He understood that forcibly driving Ōtsutsuki Kaguya away would greatly displease her.

After all, no one liked being interrupted during a meal.

Hanekawa waved his hand casually, forming a chakra barrier that completely concealed Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.

With his current strength, neither Yūhi Kurenai nor Tsunade would hear a thing.

Hanekawa relaxed his body.

Though Ōtsutsuki Kaguya’s sudden intrusion had made him tense, from another perspective, it was an unprecedented thrill.

He turned his attention to Tsunade.

She was using his left arm as a pillow, lying on her side, sleeping soundly.

His gaze drifted downward, settling on the weighty burden pressed against him.

In his line of sight was nothing but smooth, fair skin—a breathtaking sight.

Hanekawa instinctively wanted to reach out, but he found himself unable to move.

He turned to look at Yūhi Kurenai.

She was clinging tightly to his right arm, her black hair splayed out like a blooming flower.

Hanekawa could feel the softness of her chest against him.

Though not as ample as Tsunade’s, it was still more than enough.

Looking at her slightly flushed face, he recalled her performance from the night before.

With Tsunade present, she had clearly been more reserved.

But it didn’t matter. Once was enough to pave the way for countless more times.

Hanekawa closed his eyes again.

He could clearly sense the state of the three—two still, one moving.

What a wonderful day.

Under Ōtsutsuki Kaguya’s gentle caresses, Hanekawa drifted back to sleep.

He dreamed of an ocean.

Ōtsutsuki Kaguya swam with him in the sea.

But the Rabbit Goddess didn’t know how to swim and ended up choking on the water.

By the time Hanekawa woke up, it was already nine in the morning.

"Awake now?"

Tsunade shifted slightly, pressing herself closer against him.

"Mhm."

Hanekawa, utterly spent, reached out and stroked her hair.

"Rare to see you sleep in."

Tsunade glanced at the still-sleeping Yūhi Kurenai and pursed her lips. "Seems like you’re in a good mood today."

"It’s the first day of the new year. Aren’t you in a good mood?"

Hanekawa thought to himself—The only reason I slept in was because of Ōtsutsuki Kaguya’s ambush.

"What do you think?"

Tsunade snorted lightly in response.

"Thank you."

Hanekawa lowered his head and kissed her forehead.

"I’m hungry. Go make breakfast."

Tsunade stared at him for two seconds before sitting up and speaking.

"If it’s my teacher’s order, I’ll gladly obey!"

Hanekawa declared with exaggerated solemnity.

Tsunade blinked, then laughed.

She got out of bed and changed into a kimono, a New Year’s tradition.

Her curvaceous figure was now wrapped in the kimono, no longer exuding the seductive allure of the previous night.

But Hanekawa found this side of her equally captivating.

"I’m going to wash up."

With that, Tsunade left the room.

"You’re not going to keep pretending to sleep, are you?"

Hanekawa turned to look at Yūhi Kurenai.

"I wasn’t pretending."

Yūhi Kurenai opened her eyes. "I just woke up."

"Your eyes gave you away."

Hanekawa leaned in and blew softly into her ear.

"I… I was just…"

Yūhi Kurenai’s face reddened as she struggled to explain.

Truthfully, she was just embarrassed about facing Tsunade again.

But no matter how awkward it was, she couldn’t avoid it forever.

"This is all your fault!"

Flustered, Yūhi Kurenai glared at Hanekawa.

"My fault?"

Hanekawa smirked. "But last night, you were the one who—"

"Shut up!"

Yūhi Kurenai abruptly sat up and covered his mouth with her hand.

As she moved, her flawless figure was exposed to the air, rising and falling slightly with her breath.

Hanekawa couldn’t help but chuckle.

He reached out and pinched her plush thigh.

Yūhi Kurenai, caught off guard, fell back onto the bed.

"Alright, I’m going to make breakfast. Get dressed and come out when you’re ready."

Hanekawa kissed her once under her furious gaze before leaving.

"…"

Yūhi Kurenai watched him go, her anger dissipating as quickly as it had come.

She covered her face with her hands.

For her, the biggest problem now was how to face Tsunade.

After wrestling with her thoughts for a few minutes, Yūhi Kurenai got dressed and headed to the bathroom.

"Good morning, Kurenai."

Tsunade had just finished washing up and ran into her in the hallway.

"Tsunade… Tsunade-sensei, good morning."

Yūhi Kurenai hurriedly responded.

"No need to be so nervous."

Tsunade smiled lightly. "Just treat this place as your home."

Yūhi Kurenai looked at her in surprise.

"I’m not the type to hold grudges over something like this."

Tsunade spoke magnanimously.

Yūhi Kurenai smiled sheepishly.

"Go wash up."

Tsunade stepped aside to let her pass.

"Thank you, Tsunade-sensei."

Yūhi Kurenai entered the bathroom and picked up her toothbrush.

Tsunade watched her, the corners of her lips curling slightly.

What was done couldn’t be undone, so there was no point in resisting it.

But she needed to ensure she remained in the dominant position.

That way, she would always hold the upper hand.

Tsunade sighed inwardly.

She never imagined she’d one day have to consider such matters.

Fifteen minutes later, the three of them sat at the dining table, sharing the first meal of the new year.

"Kurenai."

Tsunade bit into a rice cake. "Later, you’ll come with us to visit the shrine."

"Okay."

Yūhi Kurenai nodded in agreement.

Visiting a shrine on New Year’s Day was a tradition in the shinobi world.

Normally, it was something done with family.

But after last night’s events, in Yūhi Kurenai’s eyes, Hanekawa and Tsunade were practically family already.

The only issue was that her father, Yūhi Shinku, would be left out.

But that was fine—she’d pray for his well-being too.

"Did you sleep well last night?"

After swallowing the rice cake, Tsunade asked another question.

"Huh?"

Yūhi Kurenai froze, completely unprepared for such a question.

Didn’t Tsunade see how well she slept last night?

Hanekawa’s gaze shifted to Tsunade’s face.

He didn’t understand why she’d bring this up either.

"I slept well."

Suppressing her confusion, Yūhi Kurenai answered.

"Then you should move in with us."

Tsunade said this as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"What?"

Yūhi Kurenai’s eyes widened in shock.

Hanekawa was first stunned, then thrilled.

If Yūhi Kurenai moved in, the biggest beneficiary would undoubtedly be him.

But he was also puzzled.

What’s gotten into Tsunade? Has her personality changed?

He had to admit, she carried herself with the aura of a main wife.

The question was whether she could keep Ōtsutsuki Kaguya in check.

But the Rabbit Goddess was cold by nature—as long as she got what she wanted, she wouldn’t make a fuss.

"This place is too quiet with just me living here."

Tsunade added by way of explanation. "If you move in, Hanekawa can stay here permanently. With three people, it’ll be livelier."

Hanekawa paused.

He finally understood Tsunade’s reasoning.

She wants me to live here full-time.

Thinking about it, it made sense—constantly moving between two households was inconvenient.

If, in the future, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya and Samui could also move in, that would be even better.

Of course, that was nothing more than a fantasy.

Tsunade tolerated Yūhi Kurenai because she and Hanekawa had grown up together.

But Ōtsutsuki Kaguya and Samui? That was unlikely.

"I…"

Yūhi Kurenai instinctively glanced at Hanekawa, her resolve wavering.

But moving in before marriage—would her father agree?

"Are you worried about Shinku?"

Tsunade seemed to read her mind.

"Yes."

Yūhi Kurenai nodded, surprised.

"If you agree, I’ll handle the explanation with your father."

Tsunade spoke with confidence. "I’m more than capable of that much."

Yūhi Kurenai stared at her, dumbfounded.

For the first time, she experienced Tsunade’s commanding presence beyond just her strength—an unshakable sense of security.

"Okay. Thank you, sensei."

After a few seconds of hesitation, Yūhi Kurenai made her decision.

Hearing this, Hanekawa couldn’t help but smile.

Success!

He could feel a life of happiness beckoning him.

But the next moment, he noticed Tsunade’s sharp gaze.

"Sensei."

Hanekawa coughed lightly and picked up a bowl of miso soup. "You’ve talked a lot. Have some soup to moisten your throat."

Tsunade rolled her eyes but took a sip.

"You too."

Hanekawa then offered the bowl to Yūhi Kurenai.

Yūhi Kurenai blinked.

Under Tsunade’s watchful eyes, she took a small sip.

"Let’s finish our meal."

Hanekawa set the bowl down.

Tsunade glanced between the two, sensing something peculiar.

As a teacher, she should have been overseeing Hanekawa and Yūhi Kurenai’s marriage and life together.

But now, everything was turned upside down.

After breakfast, the three of them left the house together.

It was the first day of the new year, and the shrine was especially crowded.

Fortunately, as Hokage, Hanekawa had the privilege of skipping the line.

Truthfully, he wouldn’t have minded waiting, but the villagers had already cleared a path for him.

If he insisted on being polite, it would only waste more time.

"What are your plans after this?"

After paying their respects at the shrine, Tsunade asked.

"I’m heading to the Hokage’s office."

Hanekawa thought for a moment.

"I’ll go with you."

Yūhi Kurenai immediately said.

As the Hokage’s secretary, it was only natural for her to accompany him.

"Alright."

Tsunade nodded. "I’ll go talk to Shinku."

Yūhi Kurenai’s face flushed at the mention of her father.

She could already imagine the chaotic nights that awaited her once she moved in with Tsunade.

After exchanging farewells, Tsunade set off for the Yūhi household.

As she walked, she pondered how best to approach the conversation.

"Lady Tsunade?"

Yūhi Shinku opened the door upon hearing the knock and was visibly surprised.

His first thought was that Yūhi Kurenai had caused trouble at Tsunade’s place, prompting this visit.

But upon reflection, that seemed unlikely.

With Hanekawa around, Yūhi Kurenai wouldn’t have acted out of line.

"There’s something I’d like to discuss with you."

Tsunade got straight to the point.

"Please, come in."

Yūhi Shinku invited her into the living room and poured her a cup of tea.

"Hanekawa is an orphan."

Tsunade took a sip. "As his teacher, I’m practically his only family."

Yūhi Shinku hesitated.

He wanted to say that Hanekawa had grown up in his household—if anyone was family, it was him and Yūhi Kurenai.

But Tsunade wasn’t entirely wrong either.

In the shinobi world, the bond between teacher and student was akin to family, sometimes even stronger.

But why was Tsunade bringing this up now?

Everyone already knew about her and Hanekawa’s relationship.

"Hanekawa isn’t a child anymore."

Tsunade set down her cup and spoke deliberately.

"You mean…?"

Yūhi Shinku suddenly understood, his face lighting up with joy.

"It’s time he got married."

Tsunade nodded. "And the most suitable candidate is Kurenai."

"Exactly!"

Yūhi Shinku agreed enthusiastically.

He had been eagerly awaiting this.

In his eyes, Hanekawa was too outstanding.

If he wanted to marry, countless kunoichi would throw themselves at him.

Yūhi Kurenai’s only advantage was her childhood bond with him—a relationship with deep affection.

"I’ve spoken with Hanekawa. He has no objections, but he has one condition."

Tsunade paused. "He wants to wait until the shinobi world is unified before marrying."

Hanekawa had actually said he wanted to marry her first, but she couldn’t reveal that, so she fabricated a reason instead.

In any case, reasons could be adjusted later. If Hanekawa changed his mind by then, no one could force him.

"That’s not a problem."

After some thought, Yūhi Shinku agreed.

At this point, only Kirigakure remained as the last holdout in the shinobi world.

But everyone knew their resistance wouldn’t last much longer.

Or, more accurately, how long they lasted depended entirely on Hanekawa’s mood.

As for Amegakure, its leader was already working for Konoha—practically a Konoha shinobi in all but name.

"As the heads of our families, let’s settle it this way for now."

Tsunade smiled faintly.

"Of course."

Yūhi Shinku beamed.

"There’s one more thing."

Tsunade revealed her true purpose. "I’d like Kurenai to move in with me so she can get accustomed to it beforehand."

"This…"

Yūhi Shinku was taken aback.

"If living there full-time is too much, she can split her time between both places."

Tsunade compromised after a moment’s consideration.

"No, it’s fine."

After a brief hesitation, Yūhi Shinku relented. "Let Kurenai move in."

After all, she would have to move out eventually once married. This would just help him adjust to living alone sooner.

Besides, Tsunade’s place wasn’t far. Moving out didn’t mean she couldn’t come back.

Yūhi Kurenai and Hanekawa could always return for meals or to stay over.

With the matter settled, Tsunade took her leave.

As she walked down the street, her mood was neither good nor bad.

After all, Hanekawa would no longer belong to her alone from now on.

Lost in thought, Tsunade diverted her path toward the gambling den.

She had just helped Hanekawa resolve a major issue—he owed her a hefty gambling fund in return.

She’d gamble first and demand the money from him later.

___

After New Year’s came February.

Hanekawa planned to visit Kirigakure.

It had been a while since his last bet with Mei Terumī.

And it was obvious to everyone that Kirigakure had lost miserably—no amount of effort could possibly close the gap with Konoha now.

!