"So this… is your world?" Tsunade asked, curiosity lighting her eyes as she took in the scene before her. It was completely different from what she had imagined. So this is the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan… she thought. Ridiculously convenient.
To Tsunade, it was a beautiful world—lush green trees casting deep shade, soft clouds drifting through mist-veiled air, a vast blue sky stretching endlessly overhead. From time to time, crisp, melodious birdsong echoed through the air. At the heart of it all stood an enormous palace, majestic and serene.
It was impossible not to marvel at it.
"What a beautiful world…"
"Tsunade-nee, this world isn't complete yet," Uchiha Ran said honestly. "When I evolve further, it'll continue to expand—slowly becoming a place truly suitable for us to live in."
Even so, Ran still had many dissatisfactions with it. But just like himself, this world would continue to evolve.
"Come on," Ran said with a smile. "Tsunade-nee—welcome to our world. Let me show you around."
He extended his hand, looking at her with open anticipation.
Tsunade froze for a brief moment, then her face flushed faintly.
After several days of… extremely close interaction, she already knew exactly what Ran meant whenever he lifted his hand or spoke in that tone.
Maybe he really does have some kind of 'evolution' ability, Tsunade thought sourly. Otherwise, there's no way to explain that terrifying stamina of his.
"F-fine, Ran," she said, clenching her fist and giving it a squeeze in warning. "But you'd better give me a proper tour. If I'm not satisfied, you won't like the consequences."
She raised her fist slightly, making her threat clear.
Cute… way too cute, Ran thought.
Looking at her slightly flushed cheeks, he couldn't help but marvel. Despite being in her thirties, Tsunade still carried herself like a少女—her expressions, her gestures, all brimming with youthful energy.
"Then… come with me, Tsunade-nee."
Naturally, Ran reached out and took her hand.
It felt surreal.
In his previous life, Ran had been nothing more than a lowly laborer, hauling concrete on construction sites. Outside of school, he'd never truly experienced a proper romance. And now—here he was, dating Tsunade, a woman in her thirties, yet feeling as though he'd been transported back to a high school campus.
So this is what they call fatal temptation…
A teacher's age, a twenty-year-old's adorable looks, and the clingy temperament of a teenager—dangerous. Absolutely irresistible.
Over the next two days, the two of them completely finished scouting the routes through the Land of Birds.
And during those two days, there was no more "sky as blanket, earth as bed."
Instead, they stayed within Takamagahara's castle—inside and out, moving freely through halls, balconies, rooftops, gardens. Windows, doorways, terraces—everywhere bore traces of their presence, along with beads of sweat left behind.
"So tired…" Tsunade murmured.
Every morning, she woke in Ran's arms, barely able to move.
She was one of the greatest medical ninja in the shinobi world—a Kage-class powerhouse. And yet, amid these days of relentless activity, she felt as though she'd returned to her youth.
"This is only the beginning," Ran said lightly, brushing her silken skin with gentle fingers. "It'll get even tougher later on. My body is still evolving."
There was no denying it—Tsunade's figure was exceptional. Perfect where it should be full, slender where it should be lean. No excess, no lack. Flawless.
"Tsunade-nee, rest a bit more," Ran said softly, stroking her golden hair as her head rested against his chest. "Once you're ready, I'll use Takamagahara. We'll return directly with space-time ninjutsu."
Meanwhile, Orochimaru was starting to lose his composure.
Ever since Tsunade and Uchiha Ran left to scout the Land of Birds, the Sand had clearly sensed something. Realizing Konoha's top-tier combat strength was temporarily reduced, they launched a series of aggressive probing attacks.
Manpower was stretched thin.
Facing pressure from three major villages at once, Konoha was truly struggling. With Tsunade and Ran absent, many matters had fallen squarely on Orochimaru's shoulders.
That day, Orochimaru was receiving a report from the eight members of the Uchiha Special Operations Unit when a sudden ripple of space-time chakra spread through the room.
Everyone looked up—
Uchiha Ran had returned, bringing Lady Tsunade with him.
"Orochimaru-sensei, Uncle Tahiko, Lihua-nee, everyone," Ran's voice rang out as he emerged. "We've completed the reconnaissance of the Land of Birds and are back."
Orochimaru was practically overjoyed.
Finally… they're back. With the two of them present again, his workload would drop drastically.
"Excellent," Orochimaru said. "Report the details of the mission."
Frankly, he was at his limit. If someone else could handle this, he'd gladly hand it over.
As the two reported, Uchiha Lihua—being a woman—picked up on something immediately.
Something's not right.
In just ten short minutes, Lady Tsunade had glanced at Ran several times.
And more importantly—her gaze was soft, shimmering, practically clinging to him.
Lihua also noticed something else.
Tsunade was already in her thirties. Even if she possessed secret techniques to preserve her appearance, one's spirit and vitality were hard to disguise.
Yet now… her complexion, her eyes, her manner of speaking and moving—all radiated youthful vigor, as though she'd become years younger.
I hope I'm imagining things, Lihua thought, rubbing her chin.
She had always held a favorable view of Ran. And as an Uchiha, she wasn't particularly opposed to the idea of someone she liked having multiple women around him.
Still… if Ran really managed to win over Lady Tsunade…
A thousand years of hatred and bloodshed between clans, resolved in the end through a man and a woman—
That actually sounds amazing.
Lihua's breathing quickened.
What's wrong with me? Why does that idea excite me so much…?
After the report concluded, Orochimaru leaned back in his chair, eyes closed, fingers tapping the table in a steady rhythm as he calculated silently.
Ran and Tsunade, meanwhile, noticed several Uchiha resting nearby—and Lihua, who was breathing slightly fast, her cheeks faintly flushed.
"Lihua-nee," Ran asked, puzzled, "are you okay?"
"Huh? Next time, are you taking me along?" Lihua blurted out, her tone carrying an inexplicable nuance.
She quickly coughed and corrected herself. "Sorry—my mind wandered. Is there a mission that needs me?"
"N-no," Ran replied. "Orochimaru-sensei hasn't assigned anything yet."
Ran couldn't help but feel—
Lihua-nee is acting really strange today.