"... the war has started."

He heard Konan and stopped in his tracks for a moment. When he finally recollected himself, with a great sigh, he put his hands on Tsunade's hips and heaved her from his shoulder, putting her on her own feet. ​​

Tsunade was not happy with that message either. It meant she would have to stop finding excuses on why to stay by Rei's side and return to Konoha. She wanted nothing more than to snarl 'fuck you, bitch' at her past self who proclaimed she would go there but on the other side, she also wanted to help Rei by going there.

While she was conflicted, Rei walked towards the table and tapped the backrest of the chair in front of him to signalize the women to sit down. Both listened and the trio found themselves eating the breakfast in silence. When they were finally done, Konan started talking again.

"Karubo sent a word that the third Kazekage disappeared and Suna is speculating it's the work of Iwa... they are preparing for an attack, bolstering their border outposts."

"But that would lead to tension which would lead to..." Tsunade started bewildered.

"To an actual attack. Yes." Konan finished with a nod. "This is only my guess based on their previous behavior but I am pretty sure ROOT will also try to start these hostilities sooner. They will try to make Iwa and Suna fight to get more time for preparations. But Konoha doesn't have an effective way of getting intelligence from Iwa. At least, not from the high places. " Konan sighed. "Iwa's higher-ups are pretty much ready and if the hostilities start, they will immediately declare war against Konoha so this move is counter-productive."

Rei just hummed in acknowledgment and tapped his finger on the table while he pondered. The war didn't start just 'yet' but it was already inevitable since Iwa and Suna would give the first shots. There was only one thing he had to care about, however. "And our merchants?" He asked Konan who only smiled.

"As you ordered, they retreated to the safety of capital cities." She said, making Rei nod.

This war was a major opportunity for Biri-Biri company to climb higher and become a lot wealthier. Their main focus became seals and each country needed those. None would dare to attack them covertly as it would basically mean forfeiting their right to buy from Biri-Biri company.

Their seals were way too advanced for anyone to try offending them and losing the opportunity to buy them. Their Storage Seals could store even a limited amount of food for an entire month. They sold Healing Tags that may not heal anyone with injuries more serious than a few scratches but instead, could stabilize an injured long enough for him to reach the medic. They also had Explosive Tags, Night Vision Tags, Short-Range Communication Tags, and much more. This war will be fought with seals from the Biri-Biri company.

Rei was okay with that. While Mr. Biri-Biri owned some stock from Biri-Biri company, that was only for the department that dealt with electrical appliances. Anything with seals or other things belonged solely to Rei. The best part, Rei doesn't even need to worry about any assassination attempt as the only known owner is Mr. Biri-Biri and Rei's identity is still a mystery. Heck, the company is even named after Mr. Biri-Biri...

Rei made sure to change the headquarters in the Capital of the Water Country into a normal branch and shuffle the headquarters all over the Nations, making it impossible to know which branch was the real one. And Mr. Biri-Biri was a research maniac when it came to electrical gadgets therefore he was always hidden in the headquarters. There was literally no target for any assassin the Kages could send. Rei was well aware the Kages must hate his company due to them supplying seals to each country and not only them but he long ago made contingencies through deals with Daimyos so they could do nothing to the company and its employees itself.

More so now when they were in the capital cities. These cities were 'protected' by various treaties and even during the war, they would not be disturbed. Daimyos wanted their peace, after all. This was a Shinobi War and was mainly fought among shinobi.

The world still revolved around money and even during the war, shinobi could not anger their future clients. Only poor and small countries had no 'voice' to be able to threaten the shinobi villages.

Konan was really helpful when she went through the transactions of the Big Five and found out, these countries basically economically suppress the countries in between them in order to create a perfect battlefield for ninjas. This way, the war would be unlikely to be fought exclusively on their territory and most of it would happen outside of their country. Rei had to admit it was quite a sly move.

Rei suddenly stood up. "Wait for a second." He said and went outside of the kitchen only to return five minutes later with a package in his hand. He marched his way towards Tsunade and put the package in front of her. "Despite being able to see each other every day, you will be leaving for Konoha." He told her with a tender smile decorating his face. "I prepared a gift for you."

Tsunade opened her mouth in bewilderment while Konan covered her smile with her fan, her mirthful eyes staring at Tsunade's giddy amber eyes staring at the box with a child-like wonder. She was honestly surprised the blonde was not bouncing in her seat. After a while, Tsunade finally opened the box and a pair of fingerless gloves greeted her. Her eyebrows rose high as she spotted a cute engraving of a bear on them, making her unconsciously smile. She remembered those...

"I saw you look at a similar pair in the store," Rei said, "so I had these made. They have special metal padding made from chakra metal and the material is the most durable, flexible, and comfortable leather found on the market. Only best for my teddy bear." He said and embraced her from behind and kissed her cheek.

"Thank you." Tsunade quietly said, biting her lower lip and putting her hand onto his. Tsunade was embarrassed because she indeed liked a similar pair of gloves in the store a few weeks ago but she had no idea Rei noticed. She remembered herself cooing, of all things, and just the thought of him seeing her like that... She lowered her head even more, groan tearing out of her throat from embarrassment.

"I think it's cute." Konan quipped teasingly. "And it fits perfectly too... You are violent, brash, and easily annoyed." Konan said and Tsunade's embarrassment evaporated in the second. Rei wisely released her from the embrace and stepped backward.

"What did you say!?" She screamed at Konan, abruptly standing up and smacked her hands on the table while glaring at Konan.

"Exactly my point." Konan smiled, making Tsunade open her mouth in speechlessness. "But don't worry, little bear. We love you despite your flaws." She snickered when Tsunade just huffed and flopped back into the chair, trying to ignore Konan's laughter

Rei sat next to Konan and watched Tsunade happily try on her new gloves as a soft happy smile decorated her face since this was the first present he gave her that wasn't for her birthday. Rei leaned closer to Konan and whispered. "You really enjoy teasing her, don't you?"

"No, no..." Konan amusedly snorted. "I only do it because I enjoy how she runs to you and demands cuddles every time she gets butthurt because of my remarks." She said, snaking her arm around Rei's and before he could realize it, she kissed him. "After all, as a loving partner, I have to make sure you have your daily quota of cuddling." She quipped.

"Sure you do..." Rei smiled and returned the kiss. As he saw the happy faces of Konan and Tsunade, he decided to get through this war and then create a safe haven for himself and his family. These happy and leisure moments were what really mattered, after all.