บท 128: Uchiha Izumi lll

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The evening breeze blew softly.

Insects chirped in the background.

Uchiha Izumi listened intently as Takuya talked about things she had never heard of before. He spoke of the mysterious Ōtsutsuki clan deep in the universe, of Super Saiyans who could continuously grow stronger, and even of giants like Ultraman, as tall as a twenty-story building.

These were all beings and races she had never heard of before.

In the vast depths of the universe, could such strange beings truly exist? Compared to them, the shinobi of the ninja world seemed almost insignificant. Even though Takuya-sama was incredibly strong, the idea of conquering the universe seemed nearly impossible.

It really drove home just how weak she was in comparison. It seemed she would need to intensify her training if she wanted to be of any use.

"Takuya-sama, can you tell me more about what you were talking about?" Izumi asked, her curiosity piqued. But as she turned to look at him, she realized that Takuya had stopped moving.

Looking closer, she saw that he had fallen asleep.

Lying on the ground with his sharp profile illuminated by the moonlight, Takuya seemed almost too handsome. Izumi's heart skipped a beat as she watched him.

From this angle, Takuya-sama looked... overwhelmingly attractive.

"Takuya-sama?" she called softly.

When there was no response, she looked around to make sure they were alone. Gathering all her courage, she took a deep breath and gently pecked Takuya on the lips.

Then, in a rush of nerves, she covered her face and sprinted down the mountain.

Even as she reached the base of the mountain, her face remained flushed, and her heart was racing as though it might burst from her chest.

"I just... I just secretly kissed Takuya-sama?!" Izumi whispered to herself, her emotions a chaotic mix of excitement, fear, happiness, and nervousness.

After a moment, she managed to calm herself down, but then her expression changed dramatically.

Oh no! In her excitement, she had left Takuya-sama alone on the mountain!

The night wind was strong and cool; if Takuya-sama slept out in the cold and fell ill, she would never forgive herself!

Without hesitation, Izumi turned and sprinted back up the mountain towards Hokage Rock. But when she arrived, she found the place empty—Takuya was gone.

Staring at the empty spot where he had been, a terrifying thought struck her.

Could it be... Takuya-sama wasn't asleep after all?!

That would mean he knew everything she had just done!

At the thought, Uchiha Izumi's legs gave way, and she fell to her knees, overwhelmed by embarrassment.

It's over... Wuwuwu...!

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*Hokage's Office, Konoha Village*

The next day, in the Hokage's office, Takuya looked at Izumi, who had come to take her assignment wearing a mask, and nodded approvingly.

Then, he handed her a prepared appointment letter.

"Izumi, from today onward, you are a member of Anbu," Takuya said calmly. "Your duty is to serve as my personal guard."

"Yes!" Izumi responded, half-kneeling before him, her voice deep with resolve.

"Good. You may rise," Takuya instructed, then turned to the empty space beside him. "You two can come out now."

Two figures wearing masks appeared behind him—one with long purple hair, the other with short, light blue shoulder-length hair. It was Uzuki Yugao and Guren.

"From now on, you three will be working together as colleagues," Takuya said softly. "When you're not on duty, take the time to get to know each other and improve your cooperation."

"Yes!" Yugao, Guren, and Izumi responded in unison.

"You're dismissed," Takuya said, waving his hand. The three women quickly vanished from the office.

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*Nighttime, Konoha Village*

Later that night, Yugao, Guren, and Izumi removed their masks and gathered at a barbecue restaurant in Konoha. After finding a spot and settling in, Izumi spoke up first.

"Senpai, my name is Uchiha Izumi," she introduced herself cautiously. "I'm an Uchiha ninja with the Three Tomoe Sharingan. My specialties are Fire Style and kenjutsu. Please take care of me from now on."

The two women in front of her weren't just her seniors in Anbu; they were also the wives of Senju Takuya. One day, if she married into the Senju clan, they would also become her "seniors" in a different sense.

"No wonder you're so beautiful; you're from the Uchiha clan," Guren remarked, smiling.

"Oh no, Senior Guren and Senior Yugao, you're both very beautiful too," Izumi replied shyly.

The three of them began chatting, and Guren and Yugao introduced themselves as well. Since they would be working together closely, it was important to know more about each other.

As they chatted and ate, the bond between the three women gradually strengthened.

"Yugao, Izumi, do you two want to drink?" Guren asked as the evening went on.

"Okay," Yugao and Izumi agreed.

In the ninja world, it was common for both men and women to drink once they reached adulthood.

Seeing them nod, Guren ordered three bottles of soju. Before long, the three women's faces were flushed from the alcohol.

It was then that Izumi, feeling more relaxed from the drink, began to speak.

" Guren Senpai, Yugao Senpai... I'm really distressed right now!"

"Oh? What's bothering you, Izumi?" Guren asked, intrigued. "Tell us, maybe we can help."

Guren had picked up the phrase from Senju Takuya and found it amusing, so she decided to use it herself.

"Senpai, you sound just like Takuya-sama," Izumi said with a wry smile. Then, her expression grew more serious. "Well, the other night, I was... a little overwhelmed..."

Izumi hesitated before recounting the story of how she had secretly kissed Takuya that night. Now, she was too embarrassed to face him and wanted advice from the two women who knew him best.

"Izumi, you're so brave!" Guren and Yugao exclaimed, giving her a thumbs up.

In the entire world, how many people would dare to do something like that?

"I'm pretty sure Izumi is the only one!" Yugao added with a grin.

"You two, stop teasing me!" Izumi said, feeling more distressed. "Help me figure out what I should do!"

"It's simple," Yugao said with a smirk. "If you're embarrassed about what you did, do something even more embarrassing. That way, you won't be bothered by what you did before."

"That... actually makes sense," Izumi said, slurring her words a bit. "But Senpai, what should I do?"

Seeing her state, Yugao exchanged a mischievous look with Guren before leaning in to whisper a plan.

"Izumi, tonight, the two of us will help you sneak into your husband's room!" Yugao suggested with a wicked smile. "Once you're truly his woman, stealing a kiss will seem like nothing!"

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