"Lady Hokage, you're looking well today," Shōta remarked as soon as Tsunade entered the office.
"No, I look like this every day," Tsunade replied, briefly touching her flushed cheeks before walking briskly to her seat.
"Today is exceptionally good," Shōta joked, their familiarity making such a joke harmless.
"Get to work," Tsunade shot back, glaring at him while muttering sothing under her breath about Kawakaze.
"Heh," Shōta snickered before burying his head in the docunts and returning to work. He was already used to this relentless pace, though it was certainly taking a toll on his thinning hair.
His Yamanaka Clan friend, who had initially promised to help with the workload, had yet to show up. It seed Shōta would need to push himself harder, and if that didn't work, he'd have to sweeten the deal with so incentives. The thought dampened his mood further.
Inwardly, he cursed Kawakaze, though he refrained from doing so aloud in front of Tsunade.
"Shōta, the docunts that were previously backed up and waiting for funding can be approved now," Tsunade said, drawing his attention.
Many of the funding requests that had been stalled could finally move forward. The recent acquisition of 200 million ryo, which Kawakaze had extorted from Kirigakure, had resolved their financial bottleneck.
This windfall was also part of why Tsunade had been so close to Kawakaze lately. Of course, last night's "cooperation" had its own implications, and she had spared no effort in showing her gratitude—though Nayuki's knowing looks earlier still lingered in her mind.
"Huh? Where did you get the money?" Shōta asked, visibly surprised. The sum was significant, and he hadn't been working the day before, leaving him unaware of Kawakaze's successful negotiation with Kirigakure.
"Don't worry about it. 200 million will be deposited within a month," Tsunade said, avoiding ntioning that Kawakaze had brought it back. Sothing about it felt too much like banditry—going on a trip and returning with 200 million ryo was beyond belief.
"Did Lord Kawakaze go and rob Kirigakure?" Shōta imdiately guessed the truth upon hearing the news.
"What do you an 'robbed'? That's such an ugly word," Tsunade replied, frowning slightly. "It's Kirigakure's village, after all. Let's just say it was hard to refuse their hospitality." She mimicked Kawakaze's shaless excuse without hesitation.
"Are you sure?" Shōta rubbed his chin, finding it hard to believe. The people of Kirigakure must have so serious issues.
"Cut the crap. Just let take a look after you're done," Tsunade said impatiently, annoyed by his lack of trust.
"Okay, I got it," Shōta replied, suppressing a smirk as he went to retrieve the previous docunts. Whether or not Kirigakure's leaders had lost their minds, the money was undeniably a boon for Konoha.
Before long, Shōta placed the processed docunts on Tsunade's desk. "It's all been approved. Please take a look," he said before returning to his seat. The mountain of docunts still waiting for him reminded him just how demanding his role as Hokage's assistant was.
"Well, how have things been going with the Yuki Clan lately?" Tsunade asked as she flipped through the docunts. It was a matter she had barely followed up on since assigning it.
"It's been going okay. The Uchiha have been very helpful," Shōta replied, understanding that Tsunade had tasked him with keeping an eye on the situation.
"We're getting rich now, so give them a bit more funding. Otherwise, people might think Konoha is stingy," Tsunade said, now much more generous than she used to be, thanks to the recent financial windfall.
"Okay," Shōta replied with a glance at Tsunade, shaking his head slightly. She's acting like a nouveau riche now. Tis had certainly changed from when every penny was spent cautiously.
...
"Nayuki, let's go shopping," Shinku Yūhi's wife said as she hugged Kurenai and brought her to the Hatake Clan.
"You're here," Nayuki said warmly, welcoming her guest. The two had planned to go shopping for clothes together.
"Kurenai."
"Kakashi."
The two children greeted each other happily. Kurenai Yūhi's mother set her down, and she imdiately ran toward Kakashi. They headed toward each other eagerly, with Shiromaru circling them playfully.
"Kakashi, hold Kurenai's hand and let's go shopping with mother," Nayuki called out, but she didn't get the response she wanted.
"Mom, I don't want to go," Kakashi replied bluntly, refusing without hesitation. Shopping with his mother was the most boring activity imaginable.
"Then I'm not going either," Kurenai said, standing firmly beside Kakashi in solidarity.
"These two kids..." Kurenai's mother chuckled, covering her mouth as she watched.
"I'll buy you sothing delicious," Nayuki tried negotiating with the two children, crouching to their level.
"Sister-in-law, I'm heading out," Kawakaze said as he walked out, having just finished eating. Noticing Kurenai's mother, he gave her a polite greeting.
"Uncle!"
The two children, familiar with Kawakaze, happily ran over, hugging his legs from both sides.
"Oh, who is this little beauty?" Kawakaze said as he picked Kurenai up in his arms, planting a kiss on her rosy cheek.
"Uncle is also handso," Kurenai said cheerfully, accepting his praise and kissing him on the cheek in return.
"I want a hug too," Kakashi said, feeling a bit jealous. Normally, his uncle hugged him the most. But since it was Kurenai, he begrudgingly let it slide.
If it were Guy instead, I wouldn't let go, Kakashi thought to himself.
"Okay, okay," Kawakaze said as he reached out and hugged both kids, one on each side. The two little friends squird playfully in his arms.
Seeing this, Nayuki suddenly had a new idea. "Kawakaze, let's go out and buy so clothes. Help take care of Kakashi and Kurenai for a while."
Kawakaze's face turned pale. "No, I have to go to work," he protested. He could handle himself in any situation, but taking care of kids was another matter entirely.
"It won't take you long. Besides, you can take them to the Academy with you," Nayuki replied, brushing off his objections. She knew Kawakaze didn't have much to do at the Academy, and it wouldn't interfere with anything important. Without giving him a chance to respond, she grabbed Kurenai's mother and headed out the door.
"Sister-in-law, I really do have sothing to do," Kawakaze called after her, taking a few steps to chase them. He wondered why he was stuck with the task. What's so cute about these two brats?
"I can't hear you. What did you say?" Nayuki replied, walking quickly and pulling Kurenai's mother along until they disappeared from view.
Onimaru, watching the scene unfold, rolled its eyes. Without even barking, the dog bolted after its master, moving like an arrow shot from a bow.
It wasn't concerned about Kakashi or the other kids—it just wanted to avoid becoming Kawakaze's next solution. The dog had no doubt that if it stayed, Kawakaze might try to transform it into a human babysitter. Taking care of those brats would be a nightmare—they can't be scolded or beaten!
"I'm also exhausted," Kawakaze sighed, stopping to adjust his hold on the two kids. For now, he resigned himself to experiencing a taste of fatherhood.
"Uncle will take you to the Academy to play, okay?" he asked. If the kids refused, he was already plotting to use a shadow clone to keep them entertained.
"Okay," Kakashi and Kurenai responded at the sa ti, surprising Kawakaze with their quick agreent.
"Behave when we get there. If you're naughty, I'll spank your bottoms," Kawakaze warned, placing the two children on Shiromaru's back before heading out of the house.
"I'll be good," Kurenai said quickly, covering her bottom. She was a little scared, having been spanked by her father many tis at ho.
"I don't believe you," Kakashi retorted mischievously. Kawakaze spoiled him too much and had never actually punished him.
Shiromaru carried the two children steadily, following Kawakaze obediently as they walked.
"Don't believe ? I'll send you to your father right now," Kawakaze threatened lightly.
The ntion of Sakumo, with his stern deanor, imdiately made Kakashi nervous. "No, no, I'll be good," he said, raising his hands in surrender.
"Little rascal, I can't handle you," Kawakaze said with a grin, pleased that his tactic had worked. His steps felt lighter as he continued walking.
Without using the Flying Thunder God Technique, Kawakaze took his ti strolling toward the Academy, the two children chatting happily on Shiromaru's back. Their cheerful voices filled the air, making ti seem to slow down.
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