Shikaku Nara froze mid-thought, his sharp mind swirling with disbelief. Could it be that Tsunade-sama was also connected to Kaito? If so, then what about Ino and Hinata? Were they truly tied to Ayanami Kaito as well?
The realization made his chest tighten. For a man of his intellect, this was like uncovering a world-shaking secret. Slowly, envy replaced his earlier doubt. Why hadn't he been blessed with a daughter? If he had, the Ino–Shika–Cho alliance would have secured a future bound to the God of Shinobi himself. The Ino family, with a son-in-law like Kaito, could prosper for a hundred years.
Yet a nagging thought held him back. No, wait! Kaito is only a teenager… how could he already be this Senju-like figure in the shadows? For once, Shikaku found himself tangled in his own logic.
"Shikaku," Yamanaka Inoichi whispered, tugging his sleeve. The reminder brought him back to reality, and Shikaku quickly composed himself.
"My apologies," he said, bowing slightly. "I was lost in thought."
"It's fine, Shikaku-senpai. What should we do now?" Chojuro asked nervously, clearly out of his depth in this situation.
"Relax," Shikaku said calmly, his tone easing the tension. "Because of the relationship between your Mizukage and our Konoha, there's no need to be so tense. We'll take you to see Hokage-sama first, then assign soone to guide you through the village."
"This… this is acceptable?" Chojuro stamred.
"Of course. Don't worry. Your Mizukage-sama won't bla you," Shikaku reassured him with a small smile. His sharp mind had already guessed Terumi i's true intentions. This delegation was little more than a formality.
At Kaito's Ho
anwhile, inside Kaito's residence, Terumi i had a playful smile as she looked at Hinata and Ino, both sitting nervously.
"So these are the sisters Hinata and Ino? I've heard Kaito speak of you often," she said warmly.
"Hello, Terumi i-sama. It's a pleasure to et you," the girls replied in unison, bowing politely.
With an elegant motion, Terumi i produced a sealing scroll from her robes. With a puff of chakra smoke, rows of glass bottles and jars appeared, filled with costics and perfus. "These are specialties from Kirigakure. I thought the two of you might enjoy them."
Hinata and Ino gasped softly. Even as heirs of noble clans, they had never seen such a dazzling collection. So of these products were exclusive even to daimyō families. Their eyes lit up with girlish excitent, and within monts, the three won were chatting like old friends.
Kaito could only shake his head with a wry smile. So that's all it takes? The secret bond of won is costics.
Later that afternoon, the group wandered the streets of Konoha. Ino and i chatted animatedly while Kaito trailed behind them, arms full of shopping bags and sweat beading on his forehead. Even with his Sage-enhanced body, his legs ached from hours of walking.
By evening, they finally returned ho. Kaito collapsed onto the floor, arms spread wide in exhaustion. So much for being invincible. Shopping with won is a battle no man can win.
He muttered to himself, Next ti, I'd rather fight Obito than do this again.
The three won laughed and headed straight for the kitchen, leaving him sprawled out like an old man waiting for dinner.
Just then, the front door slid open. Kushina stepped in, wearing simple ho clothes. Her eyes imdiately fell on Kaito, looking utterly drained.
"Kaito, are you alright? Did you not recover from the last battle?" she asked, genuine worry in her voice.
"It's fine," Kaito replied, sitting up halfway. "I just went shopping with i today. I'm exhausted."
"Terumi i? The Mizukage? She's here?" Kushina's eyes narrowed.
"Yeah. She's in the kitchen," Kaito said without thinking.
Kushina frowned, muttered sothing under her breath, and marched straight into the kitchen. Kaito blinked in confusion. Why does she sound upset? Maybe I should go eat at Shikaku's house instead…
Before he could move, the door opened again. This ti, Tsunade entered, her face dark with irritation.
"Where's that little babysitter, Terumi i?" she asked flatly.
"In the kitchen," Kaito replied cautiously.
Tsunade hesitated for a mont, then sighed and plopped down beside him. "Forget it. I'll wait until after she's done cooking."
An hour later, Kushina, Hinata, Ino, and Terumi i erged from the kitchen with dishes in hand. They froze at the sight of Tsunade already seated.
"Sister Tsunade, you're here!" Hinata greeted quickly, while Ino echoed her words.
Kushina's voice carried a note of surprise. "Tsunade, what brings you here?"
"I heard Terumi i was visiting. Thought I'd co see for myself," Tsunade answered with a smile.
Terumi i's lips curled into a playful smirk. "Well, if it isn't the legendary big-breasted princess herself."
"No bigger than yours, little babysitter," Tsunade shot back without missing a beat.
The tension crackled instantly. Their eyes locked, sparks practically flying between them.
Kaito could only sigh. After all these years, these two still clashed like fire and oil. He ignored them and instead called Kushina, Hinata, and Ino over for dinner.
The younger girls sat stiffly, unnerved by the powerful aura radiating from both won.
Finally, Terumi i stood. "Big-chested woman, if you're so confident, let's settle this outside."
"Gladly," Tsunade retorted, rising with a dangerous smirk.
The two stepped into the courtyard, and without hesitation, unleashed their chakra. Two pillars of energy erupted into the sky, pale and blinding, shaking the very air.
It was the sa fierce clash they had shared years ago, back when Terumi i was still young and unpolished. History, it seed, was about to repeat itself.
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