Gurgle gurgle gurgle~

Gurgle gurgle gurgle~

Gurgle gurgle gurgle~

Gurgle~

'What are those two doing in that room?!'

A blush, like the flush of intoxication, crept up Samui's cheeks. Her toes curled against the floor in unease. The soundproofing in the shinobi world, without the aid of jutsu, was, shall we say, average.

A continuous, strange sound seeped through the cracks beneath the door and the very air of the walls, pouring into Samui's ears.

It was… bizarre!

Samui swore she had never heard such a sound, not even during her ANBU special training in Kumogakure.

The training had included "Sound Identification," where they learned to discern the type of jutsu used based solely on the sound. If that were the case, the sounds emanating from the room would suggest-

The sizzling of steam created by the collision of Water Release and Fire Release, accompanied by waves of scalding heat. Then there was the dull thud of Earth Release clashing against Earth Release. It sounded less like two people in a hospital room and more like a full-blown ninja skirmish.

With this unsettling thought in mind, Samui decided Konoha Hospital's ventilation system was overrated. She hadn't been there long, yet the air already felt thick and heavy. She could withstand the direct blast of a snow-style jutsu in the Land of Snow without a flinch, but this…

This was stifling.

Despite her discomfort, Samui had to maintain her vigilance, keeping an eye out for passing medical personnel and patients. This was a ninja's basic instinct.

If this were discovered, Gojo Kaigetsu's reputation in Konoha would plummet, further jeopardizing his position as an elder. It might even be seen as a symbol of a "Konoha x Kirigakure" alliance, strengthening the bond between the two villages and making it even harder to disrupt their relations.

'Calm down… I'm losing my composure!'

Tap tap tap-

Suddenly, rapid footsteps echoed from around the corner. Samui instantly recognized someone approaching!

Without a second thought, she knocked on the door, her voice urgent. "Hurry up and come out! Someone's coming."

As her words fell, the strange sounds from within abruptly ceased. Even the expected rustling of clothes was absent.

'So, they weren't even undressed this whole time? Then what were they doing?'

The question plagued Samui's mind.

Soon, the two emerged from the room, seemingly composed.

From Samui's perspective-

Mei Terumi's face was unusually flushed and alluring, especially her cheeks, which appeared slightly swollen, as if from prolonged, high-intensity Fire Release jutsu.

Faint traces of Water Release lingered around the corners of her mouth.

'Were they practicing jutsu in there? Are they insane?'

Her gaze drifted downwards. Nothing seemed amiss, except for the faint water marks on the black mesh covering Mei's chest.

'this sloppy ninja, unable to control even basic Water Release.' A hint of disdain flickered in Samui's mind.

Looking further down…

'Wait, why are her knees slightly red? And there are marks on her thighs, like she's been squatting.'

'Strange…'

Despite the numerous oddities, the worst-case scenario hadn't unfolded. This meant Samui still held the advantage in the "Competition for Gojo Kaigetsu's Affection."

"Shouldn't we be going back now? We've confirmed everything we needed to at the hospital." Samui's voice was muffled by her mask, her eyes fixed intensely on Gojo Kaigetsu, making him feel uneasy.

"Ah ha… yes, it's about time."

Gojo Kaigetsu was uncharacteristically bashful, like a guilty man caught in the act. He touched his nose and scratched his head, a classic gesture of discomfort, then turned to the visibly drained Mei Terumi.

"Mei-san, I confirmed your integrity…"

"As for your jutsu assessment, my evaluation is… unsatisfactory. You need more practice."

"Practice? Who am I supposed to practice with?!"

Mei glared at Gojo Kaigetsu, as if he'd struck a nerve. She wiped the remnants of her Boil Release from her lips with the back of her hand.

"For practical training, you can only practice with me. That's the rule, the bottom line. When I'm not available… you should focus on controlling the temperature and maximizing the simultaneous use of two nature transformations."

"Tch-"

Mei glanced at Tsunade (Samui Disguise), then, as if afraid of being seen, quickly fled the hospital.

"Say, Kaigetsu-kun, now that the bothersome person is gone, shall we return?" Samui looped her arm around Gojo Kaigetsu's, her hand disappearing into the depths of his sleeve, a warm smile on her face.

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

"Ahem, Ai, how can you call her bothersome? Mei-san and I had a very pleasant exchange in the room."

"What exactly were you and Mei Terumi discussing just now? And what's this about Tsunade-sama and Kirigakure's collaboration?"

Such questions might seem forward, but Mei Terumi had recently interacted with Tsunade. Asking Tsunade-related questions at this time wouldn't arouse Gojo Kaigetsu's suspicion.

"Of course, it was about jutsu!" Gojo Kaigetsu replied smoothly, discreetly adjusting his waistband with his other hand. "Even among Chunin, there are disparities! Despite my appearance, I'm a veteran Chunin in the village. Guiding an ordinary Chunin like Mei Terumi is a piece of cake."

"As for the collaboration… Kirigakure wants to send medical interns, and Tsunade returned to the village to oversee these matters. I can't divulge more; it involves the village's confidentiality protocols."

I see!

Samui nodded, feigning understanding.

Jutsu…?

Based on her experience, Mei Terumi was practically Jonin-level. Her dual Kekkei Genkai slowed her progression compared to other ninjas, but her combat prowess was far superior.

Mei Terumi was likely invincible among her peers and capable of fighting those of higher ranks. Even veteran Jonin and Special Jonin might not be her match.

And Gojo Kaigetsu could instruct her?

Samui remained skeptical. The sounds from the room hardly resembled proper jutsu training!

The explanation about overseeing medical ninjas seemed somewhat plausible. However, the real Tsunade hadn't returned; it was her, the imposter, who was here. Which meant…

Samui's eyes lit up. It meant Konoha never truly intended to ally with Kirigakure! It was merely a superficial collaboration! If she relayed this intel to her village… if she casually revealed to Mei Terumi that Tsunade was an imposter…

'No, I'm probably the only one who knows this right now. If it gets out, my cover with Gojo Kaigetsu might be blown. Even he, despite his idiocy, would suspect me.'

'I need to create an opportunity, to lead Mei Terumi and Kirigakure to discover the truth themselves. That would effectively sabotage the relationship between Kirigakure and Konoha.'

"Ah… we're home."

Lost in thought, Samui followed Gojo Kaigetsu into the house.

This was the… she'd lost count of how many days they had been living together.

Despite their prolonged cohabitation and her attentive care, she hadn't won Gojo Kaigetsu's "affection." Upon seeing that promiscuous Mei Terumi, his soul seemed practically captivated.

A market needed healthy competition to thrive. A monopoly was detrimental to both consumers and businesses.

Just like the "Female Ninja Rivalry Effect" Gojo Kaigetsu had mentioned before their departure.

Samui felt a sense of urgency.

Whether it was the open-mindedness of the shinobi world or her own conservative nature as an undercover kunoichi, she couldn't maintain the status quo any longer!

No matter how much she had previously loathed Gojo Kaigetsu's character, after witnessing the formidable opponent that was Mei Terumi, she had to change!

Sitting on the plush sofa, Samui's gaze towards Gojo Kaigetsu hardened with resolve.

Every cell in her body seemed to scream a single phrase. In this rivalry with Mei Terumi, she-

"Will win!"

Back in Kumogakure, the Raikage often emphasized, "Our bodies are our most powerful weapons as ninja." At the time, Samui, skilled in ninjutsu, hadn't fully agreed with his words.

No matter how strong a body was, it couldn't overcome ninjutsu.

But now, she understood.

'The Raikage-sama was right. Our bodies are our most powerful weapons.'

'What ninjutsu cannot achieve, the body can easily accomplish.'

'Farewell, my chastity. Farewell, my weakness… Mabui, I'm sorry.'

Due to the Heart-to-Heart Communication Jutsu, the sensations she experienced would be transmitted to Mabui to some extent. So, even though Mabui wouldn't actually lose her chastity, she would still feel the pain vividly.

Samui's prior reservations had stemmed partly from this consideration. But the sudden appearance of a rival had forced her to abandon her principles.

Just… one small act!

'So, what is my most powerful weapon?' Samui instinctively looked down at her unseen toes.

Enlightenment dawned upon her.

"Kaigetsu-kun!"

"Hmm? What is it, Ai?"

Gojo Kaigetsu, now in relaxation mode, lay sprawled on the sofa like a salted fish, unwilling to move a muscle. His lost chakra would be replenished by Mahoraga, but who would replenish his lost magical power? Reverse Cursed Technique didn't work that way.

He could only rely on his body's natural healing abilities.

"Um…" Samui's face flushed, her voice hesitant. "Um, could you teach me some ninjutsu too?"

"Huh?"

Gojo Kaigetsu blinked. What was Samui up to? Didn't she know whether she was a ninja or not? Did she really need his, Gojo-sama's, instruction?

Or was she trying to use this opportunity to gradually unlock the limitations on her chakra, revealing her ninja talent bit by bit, and then cause trouble in the village?

As if he'd uncovered the truth, Gojo Kaigetsu's gaze sharpened with suspicion.

Oblivious to his scrutiny, hidden behind her disguise, Samui continued, "I… I've also developed a jutsu, and I'd like you, Kaigetsu-kun, to give me some pointers."

"You? Developed a jutsu?"

Such words coming from Samui, disguised as Tsunade, sounded incredibly strange. On the one hand, seeing Tsunade's face saying such things created an unsettling feeling of infidelity; on the other, Tsunade herself didn't specialize in offensive ninjutsu.

"But you can't even mold chakra, how can you use ninjutsu?"

"You taught me this morning."

"Oh, you mean… the Lightning Release: Lariat?"

"Yes!"

In the next instant, Gojo Kaigetsu's eyes widened, an urge to rip off the bothersome disguise overwhelming him.

As everyone knew, the Lariat was one of Kumogakure's few publicly known secret techniques, renowned throughout the shinobi world for its extreme difficulty and dramatic flair. It required two individuals to run towards each other with equal force, simultaneously striking the opponent's head. With speed too swift for the enemy to react, it instantly decapitated them.

Because of this, even if the technique was leaked, it didn't matter. Due to the demanding physical requirements and the need for perfect synchronization between partners, there was likely no other duo in the entire shinobi world capable of performing the Lariat.

Perhaps, once Might Guy mastered the Evening Elephant, he and Gojo Kaigetsu could perform a "Fatal Flight Evening Elephant" combo.

Clearly, Samui alone couldn't execute such a scary jutsu.

However, all she needed was the formula, the principle!

The principle of the Lariat was opposing forces. Therefore, as long as she could generate opposing forces, it would work. And what did Samui possess? Two arms, two legs, two… assets…

The Raikage's Lariat severed heads. Samui's version… might be severing something else entirely.

Gojo Kaigetsu froze, his mind going blank, much like the ninjas decapitated by the Lariat. He was completely caught off guard.

As for Samui…

'Eww… is that… how it works?'

'But why is it so wet? Like it's been hit with Water Release… and it smells like Mei Terumi.'

…

…

Far away in Kumogakure, Mabui walked out of the Raikage's office. As a diligent worker, she had reached her most anticipated moment of the day-quitting time!

Next, she would return to her cozy home and release all the stress accumulated from working at the Raikage's office.

That was the plan.

Especially after the suffocating sensation she had received from Samui that morning, which still left her shaken. She couldn't imagine what her dear friend was enduring in Konoha, likely being tormented by that scumbag, Gojo Kaigetsu.

As her best friend, all she could do was enjoy herself as much as possible in Kumogakure, transmitting feelings of joy to Samui. It was the only thing she could do.

But then…

"Eh?!!!"

"Wh-What is this?!"

Mabui clutched her chest, a strange, burning sensation engulfing her, as if she were being scorched by Fire Release.

"Stop, stop it, Samui!"