"What?"
Hearing Tsunade ntion his older brother's na, Kamizuki Hikari froze in shock.
[Damn it, Tsunade, you heartless woman! You're actually making a move on my big bro?!]
"What's wrong?" Tsunade smiled playfully as she looked at Hikari. "I believe we already discussed this back in the Daimyō's residence, didn't we? Your brother, Izumo, is unmarried, and my clansman Mikan is also single. This is a match made by the heavens!"
"You're... against it?"
Hikari forced an awkward laugh.
How was he supposed to answer that?
Originally, he had planned to bring two beautiful won from the Daimyō's court to take care of his brother. After Tsunade shot down that idea, he had already started considering finding Izumo a partner within the village.
A jōnin might be out of reach, but there were plenty of single chūnin and genin won—more than enough for Izumo to choose from.
Never in his wildest dreams did he expect Tsunade to arrange a marriage within just two days of returning.
"Ahem... Tsunade-sama, people nowadays value personal freedom. A forced marriage like this won't lead to happiness. Besides, if my brother gets special treatnt from you, it'll invite gossip. That could seriously damage your authority as Hokage."
"If that happens, my brother might just commit seppuku on the spot!"
"How about this—why don't you establish a proper shinobi matchmaking system first? Let my brother find soone naturally. What do you think?"
As Hikari glanced at Mikan, the re thought of her becoming his sister-in-law made his entire body shudder.
Right now, he and Izumo lived together in the sa house. If Mikan married into the family, Hikari would have to move out. Given how poorly he and Mikan got along, it might even lead to a bitter feud between brothers. That would be disastrous.
"Tsk tsk. Mikan, it seems soone here really doesn't think you're good enough." Tsunade deliberately stirred the pot.
Mikan shot Hikari a fierce glare before taking a deep breath.
"Tsunade-sama, I'd rather not live in the sa house as that guy. Maybe you should consider soone else?"
"I recomnd Kotetsu Hagane. He's been diligently guarding Konoha's gates for years. Fully committed to the idea that 'Konoha is his ho'—a real sense of civic duty. A great man. Mikan-nee deserves nothing less!"
(Kotetsu: Wow. Thanks a lot, man.)
Mikan gave Hikari one last sidelong glance before turning away, refusing to even look at him.
"Hikari, won't you reconsider? You're putting in a very difficult position here." Tsunade said with a aningful tone.
[Good! The harder it is for you, the better!]
[Just don't marry Mikan to my brother, or I'll be holess!]
Tsunade's smile widened in satisfaction.
That's exactly what this Hokage wants—to see you holess. How does that make you feel?
*Knock! Knock! Knock!*
She rapped her knuckles against the table. "Co out."
At her signal, a figure erged from a nearby booth. Hikari's jaw dropped.
"Bro?! What are you doing here?"
"Why shouldn't I be here?" Kamizuki Izumo gave his younger brother a pointed look.
"I heard everything just now. Head nurse Mikan is beautiful, kind-hearted, and well-respected among shinobi. Many admire her. Yet here you are, trying to ruin this marriage arranged by Tsunade-sama. Hikari... you're such a wonderful little brother."
[What the hell, bro?!]
[Back in the capital, you agreed when I said I'd buy you two won!]
[If you're gonna betray like this, don't bla for being ruthless!]
Taking a deep breath, Hikari forced a bright smile.
"Tsunade-sama, Mikan-nee, let be honest. My brother is lazy—he can't even cook when he gets ho. He's a disgrace to modern shinobi and n in general. Marrying him would be a tragedy for Mikan-nee."
"If you ask , the best bachelor in Konoha is Hatake Kakashi! He's from a prestigious clan, incredibly strong, gentle, considerate, and always willing to help others. Compared to him, my brother is like a disgusting bug in the dirt—completely unworthy of even a glance!"
Izumo's smile froze, and he stood there, stunned.
(Hikari... you really are my precious little brother. Now I finally understand why I've stayed single all these years.)
[Don't worry, bro. Mikan isn't right for you. A man like you can't be tad by just one woman. Tomorrow, I'll go to the capital and buy you two beautiful, gentle, and virtuous won. I guarantee you won't leave your bedroom for three days!]
"Hikari, spreading malicious lies isn't a good habit!" Tsunade chided.
"Even if he's your own brother, you shouldn't slander him like this. If others heard, they'd think you're dishonest."
"I've reviewed Izumo's records—he's one of Konoha's top-performing shinobi over the past decade. Strong, hardworking, and never once complained about his gatekeeping duties. How could such a man be worthless in your eyes?"
"You should be more honest!"
By the ti Tsunade finished speaking, Izumo's eyes were glistening with tears, as if he were about to cry.
[Oh co on, bro! Tsunade is just buttering you up! Don't fall for it!]
Hikari scread internally, hoping that the bond between brothers would awaken Izumo's senses.
Alas, it was useless.
His ntal plea not only failed to reach Izumo—it was heard loud and clear by Tsunade instead.
'Damn you! In your eyes, the Fifth Hokage is so kind of scheming villain, huh?'
'Since you dare to think of like that, don't bla for being ruthless!'
Despite her inner fury, Tsunade kept her expression neutral as she turned to Izumo.
"What do you think of Mikan?"
Izumo's face lit up with joy. "Mikan is kind and beautiful—she's always been the person I admire and respect most. I just worry... that I might not be good enough for her..."
Hikari closed his eyes in despair at the shaless flattery.
[Bro, don't be a simp. Please...]
Mikan had initially been indifferent toward Izumo, but after hearing his earnest praise, she suddenly found him sincere and well-spoken.
Compared to that insufferable Kamizuki Hikari, his older brother Kamizuki Izumo seed like the perfect man.
"Well then, why don't you two go chat over there. We're all family here, no need to be shy. Mikan, show your best side!" Tsunade gave a warm and very pointed reminder, then waved at Izumo.
"Izumo, take the initiative."
Obediently, Izumo stood and extended a hand to Mikan.
"Head nurse Mikan, shall we?"
Mikan glanced back at Tsunade, then at Hikari—who still had his eyes tightly shut—and felt a surge of satisfaction.
'Hah! So you're scared now, Hikari?'
'Let this be a lesson—never ss with a woman!'
"Izumo, there's no need to be so formal with !" Mikan smiled.
"Tsunade-sama... and 'Hikari-kun', I'll be going now!"
When she addressed Hikari, Mikan felt an unparalleled sense of triumph.
'So. Damn. Satisfying.'
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Read 40 advanced Chapters on my P@treon.
/KakuzuTL
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