Konoha.
Police Department Headquarters.
In the new atmosphere of spring, the Police Department no longer carries the despised image of the past. Now, it radiates a thriving and prosperous aura.
After all, the Police Department was once solely under the Uchiha clan, but now, it represents a diverse system including multiple forces and a large number of civilians.
Monopolizing power within one family invites jealousy. However, when shared among various groups, the jealousy still exists, but it's distributed among many, leading to a different outcome.
Previously, there were no opportunities despite having strength. Now, opportunities are available to those who pledge loyalty, including chances to join the Police Department and even rise through the ranks.
In a bright and orderly semi-indoor space, Uzuki Yugao hesitantly entered that day.
Though engrossed in reviewing documents, Uchiha Yoru's ninja vigilance remained alert. With a discreet gesture, the hidden guards quietly chose to retreat.
After all, the fact that Uzuki Yugao was their clan leader's lover was unknown to the subordinates, but clear to those at the top.
Having power and belonging to a major family, it's considered abnormal not to have secret affairs. When such a person achieves good political performance, people secretly admire them, thinking this is what a good clan leader should be.
They don't mind the indulgences; what concerns them is the number of beneficial actions the minister or clan leader has done. That's what matters most.
"Yugao, is something the matter?"
Uchiha Yoru looked up, revealing a gentle smile. Uzuki Yugao's eyes shifted, and after hesitating, she spoke nervously.
"Lord Yoru, about our agreement."
Seeing Uzuki Yugao's lowered head and her reluctance to meet his eyes, Uchiha Yoru realized something and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I've been neglecting your feelings."
"No, no," Uzuki Yugao shook her head rapidly, then hesitantly said, "Lord Yoru, I really can't handle this status, but please believe me."
As she spoke, Uzuki Yugao hurriedly explained, "I've always firmly stood behind you, Lord Yoru. I believe in your will and ideals, but I don't want to continue in secrecy."
Before she could finish, Uchiha Yoru, with a comforting smile, gestured for her to stop, "I understand your feelings. After all, you've wasted your best three years with me."
"No, Lord Yoru, you taught me ninjutsu and even gave me a chakra blade. I haven't forgotten all that, but the gossip behind my back, and the comments from former classmates..."
Uzuki Yugao's weary gaze reflected her struggle. As Uchiha Yoru rose to be the head of his clan and the minister of the Police Department, more people began to scrutinize her, a once minor character now the subject of discussion.
Driven by jealousy, envy, or contempt, countless criticisms and disdainful looks, especially with the task from the Third Hokage weighing on her, have been a constant torment.
She was reaching her breaking point.
"Lord Yoru, I'm returning all these to you."
Uzuki Yugao made up her mind today to return all that she had gained over the past few years.
However, Uchiha Yoru simply smiled and gestured to the documents in his hand, "How about the rooftop at noon today? I still have some government affairs to deal with right now."
"I'm sorry, Lord Yoru, for the disturbance."
Uzuki Yugao, eager, bowed deeply at ninety degrees and then hurriedly left the office. This scene, however, caused Uchiha Yoru to shake his head.
He understood the pressure on Uzuki Yugao. After all, she was in the prime of her life. Previously, as a minor character, she went unnoticed. But now, in the police department, many had set their eyes on her. Given his status, anything he did, even interacting with those people, would be subject to discussion.
Not to mention being a lover, which was a huge burden for any woman.
The Anbu of the Third Hokage! Thinking of this identity, Uchiha Yoru's lips curled into a disdainful smile.
"Third Hokage, it seems I have won this chess game. When Uzuki Yugao decided to give up this role, she had already let go of your mission."
It might seem that Uzuki Yugao simply didn't want to be a lover anymore, but from another perspective, wasn't she giving up the high-level tasks of the Third Hokage?
At this moment, he had already won. But Uzuki Yugao was thinking too simply.
Uchiha Yoru shook his head. While her ninja talent was good, the things that had happened could never be fully concealed, like his least favorite tactic: framing.
Bright schemes were unbeatable.
At noon, on the rooftop of the police department.
"Lord Yoru, you have been very kind to me, thank you. But I really can't take it anymore. This is my resignation letter. After handing over my work, I won't come to the police department anymore."
On the rooftop, the 1.7-meter-tall Uzuki Yugao, radiating the charm of youth, bowed deeply in shame, but Uchiha Yoru simply nodded lightly and accepted her resignation letter.
"Lord Yoru, these things."
As Uzuki Yugao returned some precious items he had given her, Uchiha Yoru chuckled and shook his head: "Yugao, you should know, although I am greedy, I never intend to take back what I have given."
He had never thought of using any means to pester or manipulate Uzuki Yugao.
Part on good terms, after all, he already had many women around him.
"Do you have any plans for the future?"
Seeing Uchiha Yoru change the subject, Uzuki Yugao trembled inside, thinking about his greed! Only they knew where all the money Yoru embezzled had gone.
"Lord Yoru, I want to go to the orphanage."
Hearing Uzuki Yugao's plan, Uchiha Yoru smiled and nodded, "Not bad, after so many years of fighting and killing, your spirit has always been tense. After all, you are still young, it's time to relax."
"But have you thought about it? After leaving the police department, you won't have such good treatment."
Facing Uchiha Yoru, Uzuki Yugao this time showed a bitter smile and shook her head, "Lord Yoru, I'm afraid if I don't leave, sooner or later I won't be able to resist your temptation."
For the man in front of her, she didn't know how to describe him. It wasn't just his appearance, but his unique charm, like a fatal poison, addictive to her.
She wasn't afraid that he would approach her again, but that she couldn't control herself.
His philosophy and will were so grand that compared to him, she felt like nothing more than a shell.
Over the years, his gentleness, consideration, and material support were undeniable. Besides some issues in their relationship, Uzuki Yugao couldn't find another man as outstanding as him.
Watching Uzuki Yugao make up her mind, Uchiha Yoru smiled, putting her resignation letter in his pocket, "Officially, I'll start by giving you a vacation, gradually fading your influence, letting everyone slowly forget, minimizing your impact."
In a final gesture of gentleness, Uzuki Yugao bowed her head, tears shimmering in her eyes. Could she let go? Did she love him?
"By the way, after work tonight, I'll give you a farewell gift."
Uchiha Yoru slowly walked downstairs, his light laughter echoing in her ears. Hearing this, Uzuki Yugao suddenly looked up, only to find him gone.
At that moment, Uzuki Yugao seemed to lose all her strength, collapsing to the ground, tears uncontrollably falling.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I just can't take it anymore. Why is it so hard just to live a simple life?"
As a spy for the Third Hokage, she faced immense pressure, behind-the-scenes gossip, and various other stresses. She was just an ordinary civilian ninja, yet at only seventeen, she had become a special Jounin.
Even in bloodline families, ordinary geniuses would only reach this stage at her age. Her achievements naturally attracted much criticism.
…
"Oh, it's Yugao. I'll treat you today."
In a meatball shop, Uzuki Yugao had just composed herself and was looking for a quiet place to relax when she unexpectedly ran into Anko and Kurenai Yuhi, who were drinking tea and eating meatballs in the shop.
Mitarashi Anko, ever so familiar, waved her hand and greeted her friend with a sincere smile.
Uzuki Yugao forced a smile. The trio knew the nature of their relationship well, but it remained unspoken.
In the tranquil and elegant private room, the observant Kurenai Yuhi seemed to notice Yugao's low spirits and subtly signaled Anko with her eyes. However, she didn't probe further, understanding that everyone has their little secrets.
After noticing, Anko continued eating her meatballs. She is straightforward and fun-loving, but not foolish.
"I've resigned."
To the duo, Uzuki Yugao felt there was no need for secrets. Having cooperated in battles and entrusted each other with their backs, they were more than just comrades.
"Resigned?" Kurenai Yuhi and Yuteira Anko were shocked, looking at their former team member.
The perceptive Kurenai Yuhi, seeing Yugao's dejected face and considering recent rumors, guessed something.
"Yugao, why resign all of a sudden? Are we going to disband our trio?"
Anko, upon hearing this, showed urgency. She genuinely didn't want her teammate to leave, valuing their relationship over the years.
Unlike Anko's straightforwardness, Kurenai Yuhi seemed to have guessed the underlying reason and said to Anko, "Don't worry, Anko. Yugao must have her reasons. Besides, we've been on missions for years, and the police department's work is demanding. It's okay to take a break."
As Kurenai Yuhi explained, Anko, clueless about these matters, didn't understand. Given her dark past and personality, others found it hard to believe her. She didn't care about others' opinions or objections.
"I've made it clear to Lord Yoru. I can't take it anymore."
Facing the two, Uzuki Yugao showed a mix of envy and jealousy before she lowered her head, revealing everything.
Anko, being herself and fixated only on Uchiha Yoru, didn't need to be mentioned. Kurenai Yuhi, from a better background and adept at navigating the police department's system, exuded a strong woman vibe and faced fewer criticisms.
Yugao was the weakest among them, not in terms of skill, but background and personal issues. A competent ninja, yet not a qualified manager.
Being unable to gain others' trust, coupled with her commoner background, people tend to bully the weak and fear the strong. Naturally, she was the first to be attacked.
After hearing this, Kurenai Yuhi was initially stunned, then shook her head with a sigh. At this moment, her feelings were complex. Uchiha Yoru's current status and position were inevitable.
Compared to that, she even felt a bit reluctant to part with Yugao, as at least they were close friends. As for the others, she could only scoff.
Looking at Kurenai Yuhi and Anko, Yugao shook her head with a bitter smile, "Today, I will return everything to Lord Yoru."
"Return?" At this moment, Anko stared at Yugao with wide eyes, immediately shaking her head, "You've been with Yoru for three years, and besides, these things were gifts from Yoru. Why would you return them?"
Observing the innocent Anko, Kurenai Yuhi couldn't help but smile, "Oh, Anko."
In Anko's mind, whatever Yoru gave her belonged to her. If Yoru needed something, she would give it without hesitation. But why would she return something? Aren't these her own things?
…
In the sunset, on a street in the village, two figures walked one after the other. When they arrived in front of a flower shop, they stopped.
Turning her head, Uchiha Yoru saw Uzuki Yugao looking distracted and shook his head slightly. "This is the last gift I give you, I hope you can live freely in the future."
Suddenly, looking at the flower shop in front of her and hearing Uchiha Yoru's words, Uzuki Yugao shook her head repeatedly. "Lord Yoru, I don't need it, you have already given me so much."
"I remember you once said that your biggest dream was to own a flower shop, where you could drink tea in your leisure time, bask in the sunlight, and read in peace."
Looking at Uzuki Yugao's delicate face, Uchiha Yoru gently brushed a strand of her purple hair behind her ear with a gentle smile.
"I originally planned to give it to you for your birthday. I'm busy with work and worried I might forget, so I bought this shop in advance."
"Lord Yoru, I..." Her finger lightly touched her lips, and Uchiha Yoru shook his head with a smile, as if to say she shouldn't refuse.
After all, she was his woman, and he wouldn't be stingy.
"Lord Yoru, this is too valuable." Uzuki Yugao hurriedly shook her head. He had bought her an entire shop.
"Do you like it?"
Seeing Uchiha Yoru's gentle, assertive, and irresistible smile, Uzuki Yugao was momentarily stunned. This time, she smiled and nodded, "I like it."
"If life gets tough or you face any troubles, remember to come back to me. But you don't have to send me an invitation to the shop's opening. After all, my appearance would be a trouble for you."
After a gentle embrace, Uzuki Yugao's dazed eyes watched the man's figure slowly disappear into the sunset. In her hands, she now held a purple longsword and a bankbook.
The purple longsword was taken from Killer B by Uchiha Yoru and reforged. It was a masterpiece, strong enough to clash with the Kusanagi sword.
Upon opening the red bankbook, she saw a series of numbers and tears welled up in her eyes under the setting sun.
~~~
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