Naruto: We Agreed on a Simulation, But They Actually Came to Life? Chapter 49 49: The Answer

The Hokage's Tower, Hiruzen's office.

His pipe rested on the corner of the desk as Hiruzen Sarutobi stood with his hands behind his back, staring at the map.

"Sunagakure has retreated across the board, and the Hidden Rain has proactively withdrawn their troops. The eastern front has stabilized."

He turned around, glancing at the three people standing before him.

"The title of 'The Three Legendary Sannin,' bestowed by Hanzo himself, has already spread to the front lines of every nation."

Jiraiya crossed his arms and gave a cheeky grin.

"Heh, of course! The great Lord Jiraiya—"

"Mainly because Tsunade neutralized Chiyo's poisons on the western front, and Hagoromo Kaede held the line against Hanzo's Kusarigama in the east."

The smile froze on Jiraiya's face.

"...Teacher, could you please not do that every single ti?"

The corner of Tsunade's mouth quirked up, but she ignored him.

Hiruzen sat back in his chair, picked up his pipe, and lit it.

"The Second Great Ninja War is drawing to a close, and the nations are scaling back their forces. The three of you should take so ti to properly rest and recover."

He took a puff, his gaze drifting slowly back and forth between Kitahara Kaede and Tsunade.

He didn't say anything more.

"Alright, you may go."

As the three reached the door, Jiraiya suddenly slapped his forehead and turned back to shout at Hiruzen.

"Oh, right, Teacher! The first draft of my novel is almost finished. Want to let you look over it when it's done?"

Hiruzen frowned, the pipe still clenched in his teeth.

"Stop spending your days on such indecent things."

"Hehe, once it's finished, I'll just leave it right on your desk."

Hiruzen coughed, but he didn't deny it.

Having gotten his way, Jiraiya gave Kitahara Kaede a wink and then turned to Tsunade.

"Let's go, together?"

"I'm going with Kaede. You go on ahead," Tsunade said.

"Fine then. I'll take a stroll through the streets and look for so writing inspiration."

Tsunade's eyelid twitched.

"Liar, speak the truth."

"Fine. I'm going to the bathhouse to 'observe the scenery.'"

A shoe sole flew past, grazing the back of Jiraiya's head and embedding itself with a thud into the doorfra.

Jiraiya howled, clutching his head as he scrambled down the stairs, his voice fading into the distance.

Kitahara Kaede looked at Tsunade.

"Wait for outside for a mont; I have a few things to discuss with Teacher."

Tsunade blinked, nodded, and closed the door behind her.

Only the master and disciple remained in the office.

"Teacher, are there any high-paying missions lately?"

Hiruzen looked up at him.

"Didn't you just co back from the battlefield? Aren't you going to rest?"

He took another puff of his pipe.

"Are you that short on cash? Given your current mission rank, your savings should be quite substantial."

Kitahara Kaede didn't answer.

Hiruzen stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled.

"I watched both of you grow up."

His tone softened as he leaned back in his chair.

"Have you two finally made it official?"

Kitahara Kaede didn't deny it.

Hiruzen waved his hand dismissively.

"Fine. I'll have the Anbu send the files for recent high-paying missions to your house. With your current strength, you can just pick whichever you like."

"Thank you, Teacher."

Kitahara Kaede nodded and turned to leave.

Hiruzen stared at the closed door for several seconds.

The smile remained on his lips, but his brow furrowed slightly.

Rushing to take high-paying missions imdiately after a war ended... it wasn't like the boy's usual style.

But he didn't dwell on it.

Perhaps he really was just short on money.

***

Dusk.

Kitahara Kaede led Tsunade along a side path past the Hokage Rock, ascending a mountain trail rarely traveled by others.

Tsunade followed behind him in silence.

She knew what he intended to do.

Ever since he had said "I'll get ready" that night, she had spent an entire night tossing and turning, thinking about it.

But the closer she got to the answer, the more anxious she beca.

'What if it's not?'

As soon as the thought erged, she felt it was absurd.

From becoming playmates in a pavilion at the age of four, to entering the academy together, graduating together, and heading to the battlefield together.

After all these years, what else could it be?

And yet, she was panicking, her palms damp with sweat.

They reached the end of the mountain path.

The cliff top was open, with the entire Hidden Leaf village sprawling beneath their feet.

The setting sun dyed the rooftops, streets, and the moat in a deep, shimring gold.

A breeze blew up from the valley.

Kitahara Kaede stopped and turned around.

Tsunade stood three paces away.

The evening light fell upon her, her pale gold hair scattered by the wind, with a few strands clinging to her cheeks.

Her amber eyes were rendered transparent by the afterglow, hiding nervousness, anticipation, and a small, stubborn sliver of fear.

Kitahara Kaede opened his mouth, but suddenly found himself unsure of how to begin.

Silence stretched for several seconds.

The silence only made Tsunade more tense.

Kitahara Kaede looked into her eyes.

"The answer hasn't changed since the day I taught you how to roll dice."

Tsunade's breath hitched.

The mountain wind surged, and every other sound seed to fade away.

"I love you."

"From that mont until now, every single day."

Tears spilled from Tsunade's eyes instantly.

She bit her lip and punched him in the chest.

Then, she grabbed his collar and pulled him toward her with force.

Pressing her forehead against his chest, she spoke in a muffled voice.

"Do you have any idea how long I've waited for those words—"

Her voice was trembling.

"You idiot."

Kitahara Kaede reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist.

The woman in his arms was shaking.

Her shoulders, her back, the fingers gripping his collar—everything was trembling.

He tightened his embrace, resting his chin on top of her head.

After a long ti, the shaking slowly stopped.

Kitahara Kaede loosened his arms and cupped her face in his hands.

His thumbs wiped away the tear stains at the corners of her eyes.

Tsunade tried to turn her head away, but he gently stopped her.

The two of them simply looked at one another.

Her eyelashes were wet, the tip of her nose was red, and her lips were slightly pursed.

Her eyes were filled with the grievances and joy of all these years.

Kitahara Kaede's head unconsciously tilted forward.

Tsunade felt his breath drawing closer and closer.

She closed her eyes.

His lips pressed against hers.

It was light.

Soft, warm, and carrying a slight tremor.

The hand Tsunade used to grip his collar loosened, then slowly tightened again.

She leaned her entire weight into him.

The wind blew across the cliff, swirling their hair and the hems of their clothes.

When they parted, Kitahara Kaede looked down at her.

Her cheeks were flushed crimson, her lips slightly parted...

Kitahara Kaede tightened his grip on her waist even further.

Tsunade let out a muffled groan from the squeeze.

"Do you love that much? Why are you holding so tight?"

"Yes."

Tsunade looked up and glared at him, her eyes red, but she couldn't suppress the smile on her lips.

She struggled slightly in his arms, but she couldn't break free—and she stopped trying.

After another mont.

"Let go."

Kitahara Kaede didn't move.

"Let go! I have sothing to give you."

Kitahara Kaede grew curious.

"What is it?"

"How can I get it if you don't let go?"

He released her and took a half-step back.

Tsunade lowered her head and fished sothing out of her pocket.

A necklace.

It featured a dark green crystal pendant; as the evening light passed through it, the green appeared deep and rich.

It was the necklace left behind by the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.

Tsunade looked up at him.

Then, she wrapped her arms around his neck and placed the necklace around it.

They were very close.

As her fingers fastened the clasp at the back of his neck, her fingertips brushed against his skin, pausing for a brief mont.

Once it was fastened, she didn't pull away.

Her arms remained draped over his neck as she looked up at him.

There were still tear stains in her eyes, but her lips wore a smile.

"Grandfather left this behind."

Her voice was soft.

"Now, it's yours."

Kitahara Kaede looked down, his fingertips touching the green crystal.

He didn't speak, remaining silent for a beat.

Then, he looked into Tsunade's eyes.

"I will wear it always."

Tsunade smiled.

Her eyes curved upward as she buried her face back into his chest.

The sun dipped below the mountain ridge.

One by one, the lights of the Hidden Leaf village began to flicker on.

On the cliff top, the shadows of the two people stretched long, overlapping into one.