"Everyone says so." Tsunade had more or less understood the situation with Kawakaze and brazenly pretended not to understand Orochimaru's taunts.
"Haha, so you're self aware." Orochimaru couldn't help but laugh in exasperation; Kawakaze-kun was truly the root of all evil.
"Bye." Tsunade waved to Orochimaru and pushed open the door to leave.
"Finished chatting?" Tsunade erged at just the right mont. Kawakaze, anwhile, had reached his limit with the two kids—it had been pure torture.
"Yeah, let's go."
As soon as Tsunade spoke, Kawakaze took her hand, and the two of them vanished from the spot.
"The results of the live experint will be available soon. If they et our expectations, we can proceed with the fusion; if not, we'll need to continue refining it."
The two reappeared at the Hatake Clan estate. Without waiting for Kawakaze to ask, Tsunade began explaining the progress of the experint. After all, Kawakaze was the one who would undergo the fusion, and she was unwilling to take any risks. Her expectations for this experint were exceptionally high.
Judging by the current results, if these advancents had existed during Orochimaru's pri research period, they would have made him ecstatic.
"Okay, I'll do as you say."
Kawakaze agreed obediently. Being a layman in this field, he trusted the professionals to handle it. Tsunade, for her part, would never gamble with his life.
"Go et my Anbu Commander" she said playfully once the serious discussion was over.
Sakumo was the perfect choice for the position. If Tsunade couldn't trust Kawakaze's older brother, then who in Konoha could she trust?
"Let's go."
Kawakaze stood, and the two left the room together.
Sakumo received his appointnt letter shortly after the eting, though it didn't surprise him. What puzzled him was Kawakaze becoming the principal of the Ninja Academy. Was he really the right person for the job?
Tsunade didn't seem worried about Kawakaze corrupting the academy's atmosphere. The thought of Kakashi going to school and saying, "My uncle is the principal," gave Sakumo a headache. When did he end up playing second fiddle to his younger brother?
As Sakumo ditated alone in the living room, he heard Kawakaze's voice calling out.
"Big Brother, where's Kakashi?"
"He's not ho," Sakumo replied impatiently, as if wishing the boy would handle things on his own.
"He went to Shinku's house, didn't he?" Kawakaze guessed without hesitation.
"Well, your sister-in-law was so desperate that she took him there," Sakumo said.
Such a little guy, yet so utterly unreserved—clearly not taking after at all.
"That's good, that's good," Kawakaze said with a smile, sitting down beside him.
"Sakumo." Tsunade's voice interrupted at last, though she had waited patiently for the brothers to finish their exchange.
"Hm," Sakumo acknowledged, neither dismissive nor overly formal. He didn't treat Tsunade any differently despite her now being Hokage.
"I have sothing to tell you," Tsunade began. "I've agreed to let Nawaki beco a squad leader in the Anbu, and I'll need you to make the arrangents."
As the head of the Anbu, Sakumo was the obvious choice to handle this.
"Okay. I'll have him report to the Anbu later," Sakumo agreed without hesitation. He understood Nawaki's abilities well and was confident he could manage a squad effectively.
"I'll go tell him, then," Tsunade said, feeling relieved that she had fulfilled her promise to her brother.
"Nawaki is joining the Anbu?" Kawakaze chid in. "That's good. I've got soone I'd like to get in there too."
"Big Brother, let's talk about this," Kawakaze added, licking his lips and smiling as he leaned closer.
"Get to the point," Sakumo said dryly, his expression unchanging. He was used to this—Kawakaze had always been like this, especially when he wanted sothing. He could be remarkably well-behaved when he had a favor to ask.
"I plan to let Minato take Yahiko and the others and form their own team. You can put them in," Kawakaze said, looking at Sakumo with longing eyes. He had been thinking about this for a long ti.
Previously, the Anbu was under the control of soone from Hiruzen Sarutobi's faction, leaving Kawakaze unable to act on his plans. Yahiko's group lacked strength overall, except for Nagato, but with Minato overseeing them, it didn't seem like a major issue. Surely, with his own big brother in charge, getting in through the back door wouldn't be too hard.
"Ouch, my neck is a little sore lately," Sakumo remarked suddenly.
Hearing this, Sakumo gracefully twisted his neck, his deanor making it clear he wasn't taking the request seriously. Kawakaze imdiately stood up with a swoosh.
"Big Brother, let give you a massage." His smile was as flattering as it could possibly be.
Tsunade, still observing, didn't fully understand the situation but couldn't help laughing when she saw Kawakaze skillfully massaging Sakumo's neck.
"Brother, is this strength okay?"
"It's fine. Your skills haven't deteriorated," Sakumo replied calmly.
The scene was almost comical, a perfect image of brotherly love and respect. It was no wonder Kawakaze's massage techniques were good; he had clearly practiced on Sakumo before.
"What about what I just said?" Kawakaze leaned closer, speaking near Sakumo's ear.
"Good, good," Sakumo murmured, eyes closed as he directed, "Use a little more pressure."
"Okay, brother." Kawakaze continued the massage obsequiously, grateful that there were no outsiders present. His reputation as Kawakaze Hatake would remain intact.
After a while, Sakumo shrugged. "That's enough. Minato will take them to report later."
Kawakaze's persistence had finally paid off, and Sakumo agreed.
Shortly after their "brotherly display" ended, Nayuki returned, carrying Kakashi in her arms. As the family slowly gathered, the ti for dinner approached.
...
Orochimaru closed the door to his laboratory and walked slowly ho.
When he arrived, he found the door ajar—deliberately left that way by Pakura. This happened every day.
Orochimaru straightened his clothes before pushing the door open, his face displaying a clear "keep away" expression.
"You're back?" Pakura called out from the hall, hearing the door close behind him.
"I made pork ribs today. Co and try so." She bead and quickly dragged Orochimaru toward the dining room.
"Let release your seal," Orochimaru said, his expression unchanged as she tugged him along.
"No rush, let's eat first," Pakura replied without missing a beat, glancing back at him. Her tone made it clear that breaking Orochimaru's seal wasn't nearly as important as having him taste her cooking.
"Okay," Orochimaru said, offering no resistance as he followed her to the dining room and sat down.
Pakura handed him a bowl and chopsticks, placing the atiest rib into his bowl. She looked at him expectantly as he took a bite.
"How is it?" she asked eagerly before he even had ti to swallow.
"Not bad," Orochimaru replied curtly, but noticing Pakura's slight disappointnt, he quickly added, "Give another piece."
"Okay!" Pakura's face lit up again as she picked up another rib and placed it in his bowl.
"You eat too," Orochimaru said, noticing how intently Pakura was watching him. Today, her gaze seed even more intense than usual.
"Okay," Pakura agreed and sat down across from him, starting to eat as well.
The two didn't drink sake, and the al ended quickly. A large plate of ribs was cleaned out completely.
"Let's talk after I finish washing the dishes," Pakura said, gathering the dishes before Orochimaru could respond.
As she walked away, Orochimaru's thoughts began to drift. For so reason, he recalled sothing Tsunade had once said.
"What are you all thinking about?" he muttered under his breath. Pinching his thigh quietly, he brought his wandering thoughts back under control.
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