Time flowed quietly.
Before long, it was dusk, the end of workday.
Shinho spent a calm and uneventful afternoon.
No one disturbed him, not even Shizune.
Ever since the railway was inaugurated, the Transportation Department, Marketing Department, and Finance Department had been overwhelmed with work.
The Transportation Department was responsible for constructing railroads across the Land of Fire's major cities.
The Marketing Department, which primarily focused on the Konoha Jewelry Company, was working overtime to produce and distribute ornaments and jewelry.
As for the Finance Department, it managed everything related to money, and the workload there spoke for itself.
In addition to these departments, there was another division operating at full capacity, the Konoha Police Department.
Under Shinho's direction, they were tasked with providing security for the Transportation Department's operations.
However, relying solely on the Uchiha Clan for this responsibility was impractical. At his suggestion, the Konoha Police Department was opened to outsiders.
In truth, this was the right approach all along.
The Konoha Police Department wielded considerable authority, and allowing only the Uchiha Clan to control it was bound to cause resentment.
By bringing in external shinobi, it mitigated risks and garnered allies through shared interests.
Shinho set down the documents in his hand and let out a yawn.
"Master."
From his lap, Ichikishima-hime, who had been asleep for a long time, opened her eyes.
"Had a good rest?"
Shinho reached out, gently ruffling her hair as he asked.
"Mm, it was very comfortable," Ichikishima-hime replied, her eyes narrowing like a satisfied cat as she enjoyed his touch.
Shinho gazed at her thoughtfully.
Ichikishima-hime was diligent in her work. Even if she didn't have much merit to show, she endured considerable hardship, often having to work with hard objects all day.
Keeping her confined to a penholder all day didn't seem appropriate.
It was time to set up a rest area for her.
It would be convenient for himself as well. After all, he couldn't keep napping on the office sofa during lunch breaks.
Looking around the office, Shinho quickly formulated a plan.
To his left was a massive bookshelf. Behind it, he could place a single bed, not too large, just enough for comfort.
"Let's head home."
He gave Ichikishima-hime a light pat on her bottom.
Ichikishima-hime straightened up and suddenly leaned forward, bringing her face close to his.
In the warm light, her lips looked soft and slightly glossy.
Shinho bent down and kissed her.
Several minutes later, their lips parted.
Ichikishima-hime gasped softly, her expression dreamy as she looked up at him.
"I'll deal with you when we're home," Shinho said, flicking her forehead.
Ichikishima-hime broke into a smile.
She leapt lightly to her feet, her silken white legs touching the floor as she stabilized herself, then transformed into a small snake and slid into his sleeve.
Shinho let out a sigh and walked toward the door.
"Lord Hokage."
Uzuki Yugao bowed hastily as she greeted him.
"Arrange for a single rest area to be built behind the bookshelf," Shinho instructed, gesturing to the location.
"Understood," Yugao replied promptly, "I'll make arrangements immediately."
With a slight nod, Shinho left the Hokage Tower.
He paused on the bustling street, looking toward the distant Hokage Rock.
There were now six Hokage faces carved into it.
After taking office, Shinho had ordered the carving of his face, and the work had been completed in a month.
The craftsmanship was exceptional, lifelike, and an almost perfect match to his features.
The only discrepancy was that compared to the previous five Hokage, his face looked far too young.
Shinho withdrew his gaze and returned to the old Senju residence.
To his surprise, Tsunade wasn't there.
Though, to be fair, it wasn't entirely unexpected.
Occasionally, she stayed out late, usually gambling late.
Shizune wasn't home either.
As the head of the Finance Department, she had been swamped with work lately and often came back late.
A faint blue glow flickered.
Ichikishima-hime reverted to her human form.
She was a high-ranking figure of Ryuchi Cave, one of the three great Snake Princesses. Combined with her mastery of senjutsu, her power far exceeded that of an average jonin.
Otherwise, Tsunade or Shizune would have long since detected her presence.
Now that she realized no one else was home, she took the initiative to emerge on her own.
"Master, let me take off your shoes!"
Ichikishima-hime knelt gracefully, reaching out with both hands.
"Thank you," Shinho said, slightly lifting his foot.
Watching her adopt such a maid-like posture, he found it oddly appealing.
After work, a bit of indulgence wasn't too much to ask.
"Pour me a glass of water," Shinho instructed as he walked into the living room.
"Yes, Master!"
Ichikishima-hime quickly brought him a water glass.
Her eyes sparkled as she lowered her head, took a sip of water, and kissed him, transferring the water into his mouth.
"Where did you learn that?" Shinho asked, casually taking the glass from her hands.
The taste of this mode of drinking water.
"Master, did you dislike it?" Ichikishima-hime asked nervously.
"Not at all," Shinho replied, taking another sip of water before setting the glass down. "I'm just curious."
"Ryuchi Cave has many books about the shinobi world," Ichikishima-hime said, her face flushing slightly. "I've read a few."
"...?" Shinho looked at her, puzzled.
"Don't worry, Master!" Ichikishima-hime hurriedly explained, "I only read about it; I've never got to practiced!"
"That's not what I meant," Shinho said, shaking his head.
He was well aware of her inexperience.
Shinho glanced at the clock on the wall.
It was just past 5 PM.
It would still be a while before Tsunade and Shizune returned.
He reached out, brushing his fingers lightly against Ichikishima-hime's lips.
It had been quite some time since he'd experienced her playful, forked snake tongue.
Under his intense gaze, Ichikishima-hime's cheeks flushed deeply, and she seemed to realize what he was thinking.
She knelt on the floor, her head tilted up, with a faint purplish-red blush spreading across her neck.
Shinho looked down at her.
Her long blue hair fell naturally, swaying slightly in the air.
The white kimono outlined her figure.
Her slender legs, encased in white silk, bent gracefully, taut with a delicate curve.
Shinho closed his eyes.
After a full day of work, this moment of rest felt especially satisfying.
It was like soaking in a hot spring on a frigid winter day.
Warmth enveloped him completely.
He wasn't sure how much time passed before he furrowed his brows slightly.
A faint sting prickled him, but it quickly faded.
Glancing at Ichikishima-hime, he noticed her breathing heavily, her face contorted as if she were suffocating.
Still, for a mischievous snake princess like her, Shinho felt no sympathy.
She was probably faking it.
"Ma… Master…" Ichikishima-hime coughed as she tried to speak.
"Go freshen up," Shinho said, standing and heading toward the entryway.
Since Tsunade and Shizune were still not back, he decided to visit the neighbors.
It was a good opportunity to check on Karin and her mother's progress in their training.
Shinho raised a hand and knocked on the door.
After a brief wait, the door opened.
Shinho paused, momentarily taken aback.
Karin stood there, wrapped in a white bath towel that covered her body, revealing only her fair shoulders and bare feet.
Her damp red hair clung to her neck, as though she had just stepped out of the bath.
"Shinho-nii!"
Karin instinctively rushed forward, hugging him.
The towel slipped down slightly.
Fortunately, their close proximity stopped it from falling completely.
Karin's face turned bright red.
Hurriedly, she grabbed the towel and pulled it back up to cover more of her skin.
"Did you rush out in the middle of your bath?" Shinho coughed lightly and asked.
Despite her quick movements, he had already seen everything—things he shouldn't have seen.
Not bad, though she's still a bit flat, he thought to himself.
"Mm-hmm," Karin replied softly.
"Why didn't you finish bathing before answering the door?" Shinho frowned slightly.
"I… I planned to," Karin said, her eyes welling up with grievance, "But I sensed with my Kagura Mind's Eye that it was you, and I was afraid you'd leave, so I rushed to open the door."
Her response made Shinho feel like a villain.
After a moment of thought, he bent down and scooped her up.
Karin froze for a moment, then pressed herself closer to him, trying to suppress her embarrassment.
Her face grew hotter, and her damp feet swung slightly in the air.
"Finish your bath," Shinho said as he carried her to the bathroom and set her down.
Karin bit her lip before suddenly letting go of her towel. It fell to the floor.
Her body trembled slightly as she turned and sank into the bathtub.
When she looked back at Shinho, her face was as red as her hair.
"…"
Shinho hadn't expected her to be so bold.
Still, he remained calm.
After all, he was a Great Sage now.
But the innocence of a bashful girl had its own charm.
Though with Karin, this shyness was likely fleeting.
Shinho suspected she might become even bolder than Tsunade in the future.
For now, though, she still had some ways to go.
"I'll wait for you in the living room," Shinho said, casually closing the bathroom door.
Karin curled up in the tub, only exhaling after he left.
Her actions just now had been deliberate.
Covering her face with her hands, her cheeks flushed an unhealthy red.
Shinho didn't wait long before Karin reappeared.
She had changed into a long-sleeved knit top and a black pleated skirt.
Her red hair, now dry, was styled into twin tails.
Her long, slender legs were adorned with black over-the-knee socks.
Coupled with her cheerful smile… she was very girly.
Karin had worn this outfit before, knowing Shinho liked it. She often dressed like this when they were alone.
"Come here," Shinho beckoned.
Karin immediately trotted over.
The soft sound of her sock-covered feet echoed against the floorboards.
Shinho picked her up and seated her in his lap.
He reached out and lightly traced the edge of her socks.
Where the black fabric ended, her fair, snow-like skin began.
"Why were you bathing at this hour?" Shinho asked, glancing at her twin tails.
"I didn't have any missions recently, so I've been training," Karin explained, leaning against him like a contented kitten, "I finished my session and decided to take a bath."
"Where's Aunt Chisori?" Shinho asked again.
"She went out to buy groceries," Karin replied, gazing at him.
"That explains it," Shinho nodded, then inquired about their training progress.
Over the years, Karin and her mother had thoroughly mastered medical ninjutsu and sealing techniques, including the difficult Yin Seal.
After about half an hour, Shinho stood and prepared to leave.
He had sensed Tsunade's presence.
"Teacher," Shinho called out as he entered the living room.
Tsunade was lounging on the sofa, her shapely legs crossed, her full hips sinking deeply into the cushions.
Above that, her ample chest rose and fell, creating a breathtaking contrast with her slender waist.
join my patreon for 150+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/HyppoTL