Training Kurome

"The toxins in your body have been cleared, so you don't need to eat those cookies anymore, understand?" Kaguya said, wiping the sweat from her forehead. "Once your body recovers, I'll help you increase your strength."

Just as Kaguya suspected, those cookies were not merely a snack to satisfy Kurome's cravings. The truth was, they contained drugs that could enhance one's power. These drugs enabled Kurome to maintain her strength, but their harmful effects were also evident.

Clearing these toxins wasn't easy. Kurome had been injected with them since childhood, and they had penetrated deep into her bones, spreading throughout her body. To remove all the toxins, Kaguya had to meticulously purge them, a process as delicate as engraving on a strand of hair.

This task drained a significant amount of Kaguya's physical and mental energy, leaving her feeling a bit dizzy.

Luckily, Kaguya had visited the medical division back in the Naruto world and studied Tsunade's medical books, so this wasn't too difficult for her. The main challenge was that her power was suppressed in this world, requiring several times more effort and energy than usual.

But it was finally done.

Kurome was breathing lightly, seemingly not hearing Kaguya's words.

Kaguya didn't mind. Detoxification put a heavy burden on the body and caused intense pain, making it almost unbearable. The fact that Kurome managed to endure it was already surprising to her.

Kaguya left the room, instructing the maid outside, "Make sure she gets plenty of food; she'll probably be very hungry."

"Yes, Princess," the maid replied respectfully.

In the following two months, Kaguya carried out her plans methodically.

She secretly cultivated talent, recruited capable but marginalized soldiers and officers by promising them high ranks and wealth, and drew them into her fold. She planted her trusted followers in the army and established a communication network to covertly monitor the ministers and their allies. Additionally, she closely followed Night Raid's movements and kept informed of the latest intelligence.

Her forces had begun to take shape, albeit still somewhat limited, but it was a good start.

Under Kaguya's care, Kurome gradually regained her health. Furthermore, Kaguya taught her how to extract chakra—or energy—and personally trained her in martial arts. Although she was still far from matching Kaguya's strength, her progress was remarkable.

With autumn's cool breeze scattering the summer heat and blue skies stretching endlessly, the season was particularly invigorating and captivating.

Autumn was Kaguya's favorite season, with its mild temperatures and gentle breezes.

Yes, it was the perfect season for sleeping.

At that moment, Kaguya was lying on her lavishly decorated bed, hugging a soft goose-down pillow, breathing lightly. The soft sunlight bathed her exquisite face, giving her a peaceful and serene appearance.

Suddenly, a shadow flickered, and a long blade with a sharp wind edge came down on the sleeping Kaguya, aiming to cut her in half.

Just as the blade was about to strike her, Kaguya's eyelashes trembled, and her hand, still holding the goose-down pillow, reached out lightly. Her fingers curled slightly, catching the attacking blade's edge.

The attacker seemed to have anticipated this, twisting their wrist and trying to pull the blade back.

But the blade was unmoving, solid as a rock. The shadow hesitated in surprise, but before they could react, a tremendous force pulled them, causing them to fall onto the bed.

As the shadow tried to resist, they were pulled into an embrace by an arm as smooth as jade, hugged tightly like a pillow, with a white, silky leg wrapping around them.

"Is that you, Kurome?" Kaguya mumbled sleepily, as if she was still half-asleep. Her hand wandered over the body in her arms, slipping inside the girl's collar, pinching a few times as she smacked her lips.

The black-haired girl in Kaguya's arms was indeed Kurome. Her face flushed as she endured Kaguya's touch, her body stiffening. Her big, clear eyes gradually grew wet, yet she did not resist.

This was Kaguya's trial for Kurome: no matter the time or place, Kurome could attack her to hone her skills. However, failure came with a punishment, such as this situation.

Whether Kaguya was abusing her authority was unknown. However, the enjoyment on her face was apparent.

Since starting this trial, Kurome's skills had improved significantly.

"Princess, breakfast is ready. Please get up and eat."

"Mmm, mmm," Kaguya finally got up from bed, yawning as she covered her mouth. "Got it."

Kurome seized the opportunity to escape Kaguya's clutches, fleeing like a startled rabbit.

By the time Kaguya finished washing up and came out, it was already late morning, nearing noon. Her maid seemed accustomed to Kaguya's habit of sleeping in and wasn't surprised.

The royal breakfast was indeed extravagant: fried eggs, fruit salad, grilled steak, cheese pancakes, and more filled the table.

"It's really decadent, isn't it? While the people outside are suffering, the palace lives in such luxury," Kaguya said, biting into a piece of steak with a mock tone of compassion.

Hmm, it's quite tender—not bad. Give the chef a raise.

Though the breakfast was sumptuous, Kaguya wasn't worried about waste, because a certain little glutton would definitely clean the table.

Kaguya glanced at the black-haired girl wrestling with her steak.

Kurome seemed to notice and looked up at Kaguya. Seeing Kaguya's bright eyes on her, she quickly looked down, her face turning slightly red with embarrassment.

Kaguya smiled knowingly.

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps approached, shattering the palace's tranquility.

"Princess, bad news!" A guard in armor rushed in, kneeling on one knee and reporting urgently.

"What's going on? Why are you so panicked?" The intrusion into her rare moment of peace made Kaguya frown slightly, a little displeased.

"Your territory has been struck by a large-scale plague."