At night.
Izumi Uchiha rested her head against Yuzuru's shoulder, one hand tracing slow circles across his chest.
"Big Brother Yuzuru, tell me honestly. After you acknowledged me as your little sister, did you just forget about me?"
Yuzuru considered it for a moment before answering, "I did neglect you. Mainly because you never came looking for me either."
Izumi pouted in irritation. "Big Brother Yuzuru, you're the lofty Emperor, while I'm just an ordinary Uchiha clanswoman."
"If it weren't for Grandmother, I would never even have had the chance to meet you."
"How could I possibly dare to approach you when you never came to see me?"
"What if you were only being polite back then? Wouldn't it have made me seem terribly inconsiderate if I came looking for you?"
"You could have asked Itachi to mention it," Yuzuru argued.
Izumi sighed. "Itachi always visited me in your name. How was I supposed to ask him about it?"
"Then it's all Itachi's fault. I'll teach him a lesson someday."
Izumi gave him an amused look and scolded, "Itachi is a good boy. Don't bully him."
"In the end, I just don't stand out enough. That's why you forgot me so easily."
Yuzuru smiled. "Then you'll have to make more of an impression from now on. Otherwise, it'll be troublesome if I forget you again."
"And how am I supposed to do that?"
"You'll have to figure that out yourself."
"You bad big brother."
"...Izumi, your comprehension is really that good?!"
——
——
One week later.
The joint grand examination concluded smoothly, and Yuzuru sought out the Third Raikage and Onoki.
"Yuzuru, it's been a long time!"
Upon seeing him, the Third Raikage strode over and gave his shoulder a hearty slap.
Yuzuru was equally moved. He patted the Third Raikage's shoulder in return and laughed. "Third Raikage, it's been too long! Tonight, we drink until we drop."
When Yuzuru had led the Uchiha clan in defecting to the Land of Lightning, it had been a mutually beneficial partnership. Still, the Third Raikage had taken great care of them.
Even now, some members of the Uchiha clan remained settled in Kumogakure and had no desire to return.
After chatting for a while, Yuzuru turned to Onoki beside him.
"Onoki, you should join us too."
"That was precisely my intention."
The three entered a room and took their seats. After several cups of wine, the atmosphere gradually became livelier.
Yuzuru asked, "Third Raikage, how has Kumogakure been lately?"
The Third Raikage smiled. "No problems. A is managing everything now, and I no longer involve myself in those matters."
"I'm getting old. I don't have the energy I used to."
Yuzuru looked him over and realized that, compared to before, the man truly had aged considerably.
Aside from his still-powerful, knotted muscles, the Third Raikage's hair, beard, and eyebrows had all turned completely white.
Onoki laughed. "Who would have thought that even you, Third Raikage, would one day say something like that?"
The Third Raikage shook his head. "It can't be helped. These days, I can't even beat that brat A anymore."
A's strength was closely tied to his physical condition and spiritual energy. The stronger those two aspects were, the greater his combat ability.
However, once a person passed their physical prime, both their body and spiritual energy would decline.
This was especially severe for shinobi like the Third Raikage, who primarily relied on ninja taijutsu.
At this point, Yuzuru understood why the two had come.
He smiled. "Onoki, Third Raikage, I now possess a technique that can grant immortality."
"As long as you are willing, I'll have Orochimaru arrange the procedures for you."
The Third Raikage immediately burst into laughter. "Hahaha! Onoki, I told you Yuzuru wouldn't be stingy with us over something like this, but you insisted on testing the waters first."
"Yuzuru, can this immortality technique restore someone to their peak condition?"
"After watching the recording of your battle against Isshiki Ōtsutsuki, I've wanted to have a proper fight with a member of the Ōtsutsuki clan."
Yuzuru smiled. "Returning you to your peak is nothing. It can give you even greater strength than before."
"Whether you want to beat up your son or beat up an Ōtsutsuki, neither will be a problem."
The Third Raikage drained his cup in one gulp. "That's perfect."
Yuzuru looked at Onoki and added, "The same goes for you, Onoki."
Onoki smiled, raised his cup to Yuzuru, and said, "Lord Yuzuru, there is another matter I would like to discuss with you."
Yuzuru raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
Onoki spoke slowly. "You have met my granddaughter, Kurotsuchi, haven't you?"
"Would you consider taking Kurotsuchi as your wife?"
Yuzuru's eyes lit up at Onoki's words.
Kurotsuchi was widely known as the "Leg Kage." Her legs were long, straight, fair, and flawless enough to be admired for years.
The reason he had spared Kitsuchi back then had been because of Kurotsuchi.
He had originally intended to find an opportunity to get closer to her. He had not expected Onoki to bring it up first.
Before Yuzuru could respond, however, the Third Raikage spoke up.
"Onoki, why didn't you tell me in advance that your granddaughter was getting married?"
"Yuzuru already has so many wives, while my son only has one."
The Third Raikage was somewhat annoyed when mentioning this.
A had been married for years, yet he still did not have a single child. No one knew whose problem that was.
Onoki snorted. "What kind of nonsense is that? Can A compare to Yuzuru?"
"Outside of Kumogakure, what girl would like a man who looks like a human-shaped beast?"
The Third Raikage choked on his reply and protested, "Say what you want, but don't make personal attacks."
"If Yuzuru doesn't fancy your granddaughter, our families might still become in-laws."
Onoki rolled his eyes. "Keep dreaming."
Seeing that the two were about to argue, Yuzuru cleared his throat.
"Enough. I accept."
"What can I do? I'm simply a man with too much love to give."
Both the Third Raikage and Onoki were left speechless.
A lecher was a lecher, yet he still made it sound so noble.
How could someone's skin be so thick?
Still, jokes aside, all three of them were in excellent spirits.
After all, everyone had achieved their goal. By every measure, it was a happy ending.
They drank until dawn was nearly upon them before Yuzuru, the Third Raikage, and Onoki finally left in high spirits.
Yuzuru kept his word. The next day, he had Orochimaru arrange immortality procedures for the Third Raikage and Onoki.