"Co on, let's go to my place for a drink," Kawakaze said as soon as they left the Hokage Building. It was nearing lunchti, and he was already urging his friends to gather.
"Let's have so fun together," Sakumo chid in, clearly in a good mood as he offered to help with the preparations. Though usually less attentive, his enthusiasm for drinking sake was unmistakable.
"I'll go back for a bit and get my wife and kid," Duy said. A true family man, he never forgot his loved ones, even during big gatherings.
"Okay, I'll go with you," Sakumo replied, leaving with Duy.
" too," added Shinku Yūhi, heading toward his ho. He was perfectly comfortable joining a gathering at the Hatake household.
"You should. Don't forget Kurenai," Kawakaze reminded him, proving himself to be a thoughtful uncle.
"Don't worry, my girl misses Kakashi too," Shinku said, raising his right hand in a wave without turning back.
"Do you mind if I bring Pakura along?" Orochimaru asked slowly, waiting until the group had thinned out.
Fugaku raised an eyebrow in surprise. He had heard rumors that Orochimaru had taken the acting Kazekage ho to study her Kekkei Genkai, but it seed there was more to the story. This gathering now felt more like a family event.
"I have no problem with it," Kawakaze replied, then glanced at Tsunade.
"Why are you looking at ?" Tsunade asked, narrowing her eyes at him before turning to Orochimaru with a smile. "As long as you're happy."
"Okay, see you later," Orochimaru said, his lips curling slightly as he turned to leave.
"They're all gone, so I'd better go back and get Mikoto," Fugaku said with a helpless smile. It would feel a bit awkward if he showed up alone.
"Haha, go ahead. I'll be waiting for you at ho," Kawakaze said, patting Fugaku on the shoulder before leaving with Tsunade.
As they walked, the two suddenly rembered Nawaki and the others. If they didn't invite him, the kid would surely scold them later.
Kawakaze took Tsunade's hand, and the two disappeared from the spot, reappearing in Tsunade's room.
"Can't you just change the place?" Tsunade said, a bit exasperated. "Leaving a mark isn't that much trouble."
"I forgot, I forgot," Kawakaze replied with a laugh as he pushed open the door and walked out.
As they passed through the living room, they ran into Mito.
"Finished the eting?" Mito asked. She wasn't entirely out of the loop when it ca to village affairs.
"Well, it was just a formality," Kawakaze responded.
"Let's not talk about this," Kawakaze said, quickly changing the subject. "Grandma, have you set a date for my wedding to Tsunade? It's been so long."
Tsunade looked at Mito expectantly, clearly eager for an answer.
"What's the rush? Tsunade isn't going to run away, is she?" Mito replied, her emotions settling quickly as she smiled teasingly, the corners of her eyes crinkling with amusent.
"Well, I was just asking," Kawakaze said, scratching his head. In front of Mito, he couldn't help but act properly.
"Grandma~" Tsunade coaxed, her tone playful. Her cuteness was sothing neither Kawakaze nor Mito could resist.
"Okay, I'll tell you," Mito relented. "In a month. I found this lucky day after consulting many masters. Don't cause any trouble then."
Mito hadn't planned to hide the date; she was just teasing Kawakaze. Tsunade had already been won over, and Mito was more focused on the idea of holding a great-grandchild soon.
"Don't worry, Grandma," Kawakaze and Tsunade said in unison for once.
"Fine. You're looking for Nawaki and the others, aren't you? They're in the dojo," Mito said, easily guessing their true purpose for visiting. It was clear they hadn't co specifically to see her.
"Heh heh... We're going to have a al together. Do you want to join us, Grandma?" Kawakaze asked honestly, not bothering with pretense.
"Forget it. You young people eat together," Mito replied. Though she looked youthful, there was undeniably a generational gap.
"Okay, we'll leave then," Tsunade said, not waiting for Kawakaze to respond. She grabbed his arm and started pulling him away.
"Bye, Grandma," Kawakaze said, turning back to wave as they left.
At the dojo, they found Nawaki teaching Misaki so basic Ninjutsu. Misaki's Uzumaki heritage gave her ample Chakra, making her Ninjutsu surprisingly powerful.
"Misaki, you're learning fast," Nawaki said, clearly trying to flatter her.
"Brother Nawaki, you're really despicable," Kushina chid in, her trash talk aid squarely at him.
"Stop fighting, let's go to my house for dinner," Kawakaze said, finding their antics amusing.
"Sister, brother-in-law," Nawaki greeted them, cutting his argunt with Kushina short when he saw Kawakaze and Tsunade.
"Hurry up, we're leaving," Kawakaze said, grabbing Tsunade's hand and disappearing with her before the three could even react.
...
Half an hour after the two arrived ho, their guests began to gather. The table was laden with sumptuous dishes and sake. Everyone found their seats with ease, except for Pakura, who appeared more reserved due to her special status.
She recognized quite a few of the people present; they had once been enemies, yet now they were sitting together, sharing a al. Life is full of surprises, she thought.
Orochimaru noticed her unease. As he stepped outside for a mont, he spoke to her directly. If Pakura didn't want to join, he wouldn't force her.
"Don't be nervous. They're all my friends," Orochimaru said, gently patting her hand.
"Yes, I understand," Pakura replied softly, her voice unusually quiet—so unlike her usual self.
Orochimaru decided not to press further, as Sakumo had already begun his opening remarks.
"I won't say much more," Sakumo began, standing at the head of the table as the host. "Let us first congratulate Tsunade, who will soon beco Hokage."
"Congratulations, Lord Hokage," the guests cheered, raising their cups. Adults sipped their sake, while the children enjoyed their own drinks. The atmosphere grew lively and celebratory.
"Thank you all."
Tsunade didn't bother with formalities like saying the appointnt hadn't been finalized, a common phrase for such occasions. Today, everyone felt like family.
"Okay, it's ti to eat and drink," she said.
At Kawakaze's signal, the waiters and waitresses sprang into action as soon as everyone had finished their initial drinks. anwhile, only three girls huddled together, whispering among themselves. Konan and the two red-haired sisters had grown familiar with each other.
"Fugaku, aren't you going to introduce us?" Kawakaze asked, noticing Mikoto's lingering reservation. He deliberately pointed at Fugaku to draw attention.
All eyes turned toward them.
"This is Mikoto Uchiha, my fiancée," Fugaku announced, standing up and holding Mikoto's hand as he introduced her.
"Hello, everyone. Please just call Mikoto," she said.
Mikoto, was just like Misaki, both shared a similar personality—quiet and shy.
"Mikoto, you can spend more ti with..." Kawakaze paused mid-sentence, realizing he had nearly suggested Tsunade, but knew the two could never get along. He quickly adjusted. "You can spend more ti with Misaki and Kushina."
Through Fugaku's guidance, Mikoto understood whom Kawakaze ant. "Okay," she agreed softly.
Kawakaze then stood to make another announcent. "I have so more good news to share with you all. In a month, Tsunade and I will be getting married."
The room buzzed with excitent.
"Good," Sakumo declared as he imdiately stood up, his face alight with joy. He had been waiting for this mont for a long ti. If it weren't for Mito, he would have already organized their wedding himself.
"It really is good to have two of everything. Today is a happy day, so let's have so more sake!"
Sakumo signaled to a servant nearby to refill the sake cups.
The al stretched from noon into the night. By the end, the n were so drunk that none could walk without help.
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