As night fell, the stars shone brightly, and the moon hung high in the sky. It was then that Ginji, led by Nawaki, knocked on the door of the Hatake Clan.
"I thought you were going to sleep with your Great-Grandma today."
Tsunade's voice ca from behind the old butler as he opened the door.
"Mom."
"Sister."
Ginji threw himself into Tsunade's arms like a spoiled child, while Nawaki respectfully greeted her.
"How old are you? Don't be shy."
"Have you set a date?"
Tsunade petted Ginji's head fondly before turning her attention to Nawaki.
"Yes, 23 days from now," Nawaki replied, scratching his head with slight embarrassnt.
"So my brother is also going to get married soon. Behave yourself from now on. You have more responsibilities on your shoulders."
Nawaki vowed silently, noting he had never seen his sister smile so tenderly.
"I know. I will try my best," he said with a serious expression.
"Co in and have a seat?" Tsunade invited.
Nawaki hesitated, pondering the inevitable questions. "Never mind, just pass my regards to my brother-in-law. I'm heading back."
"Okay, I won't keep you. Go back." Tsunade waved him off, showing no need for further politeness.
"Goodbye, uncle."
After bidding Ginji farewell, Nawaki turned and left.
"Butler, you get so rest early. Leave the door-opening to soone else," Tsunade advised, glancing at the elderly man.
She knew he was more than just a servant—he was soone who had watched the Hatake brothers grow up and held himself to high standards for the clan's reputation.
"I'll go rest now. I just happened to hear soone knocking earlier," the butler said obediently, his back slightly hunched.
Tsunade sighed, knowing full well the butler wouldn't rest early no matter what she said. "You... Forget it. I'll take Ginji over there myself."
"Take care."
The butler bowed deeply, waiting until her footsteps faded before straightening up. He adjusted his mustache, then lted into the shadows.
"My son is back! Co to papa!" Kawakaze called from the table, arms wide open.
Ginji, though reluctant, eventually threw himself into his father's strong embrace.
"Where did Great-Grandma take you to play? You're back so late," Kawakaze asked indulgently.
"Look at his bulging stomach," Tsunade said with exasperation. "I'm sure Grandma didn't take my words to heart."
As expected, unless the sun rose in the west, Mito would never listen to her advice.
"I didn't eat much either," Ginji protested. "Great-Grandma was in a good mood today, so she took for a long walk. It's boring just walking around, so Great-Grandma bought so food."
Though still young, Ginji was sharp and explained himself with clear reasoning.
"How much is 'so'?"
"I'm just asking what you had for dinner."
Tsunade's two questions left Ginji montarily speechless. In truth, there hadn't been any real dinner—just a collection of snacks to keep him full.
"I ate dumplings, sushi, squid, sashimi..." Ginji began, counting on his fingers as he tried to recall everything. His earnest expression was so cute it was almost hard to handle.
"You ate sashimi too? Grandma never eats that kind of thing."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow in surprise. The bond between generations was closer than she'd expected.
"I saw Great-Grandma eating it," Ginji explained, scratching his head. He'd thought Mito enjoyed the sashimi, even giving her half of his portion. Now that he looked back, her expression at the ti had seed a little... off. But in the mont, he hadn't noticed.
"You're lucky. Your uncle and I never got that kind of treatnt when we were kids."
"We got beaten up pretty badly," Tsunade added, raising her hand as if to demonstrate. Ginji flinched instinctively, clearly not having forgotten similar "lessons" of his own.
"Why scare him? Just hit him if you feel like it," Kawakaze teased, smirking as he scooped Ginji up and plopped him into Tsunade's lap. "What's the point of having kids if you don't ss with them a little?"
"Mommy wouldn't dare hit ," Ginji declared boldly, wrapping his arms around Tsunade's neck with shaless confidence. He seed to have conveniently forgotten how miserable his cries had been the last ti she disciplined him.
"You're overthinking it. I absolutely would," Tsunade replied flatly. His sudden charm didn't faze her—she'd seen this exact tactic from Kawakaze far too many tis.
"Haha, you're just being sentintal," Kawakaze teased with a laugh.
"Co to your auntie," Nayuki said, unable to suppress her own laughter. She was probably the only person in the family who had never laid a hand on Ginji.
"Auntie, you're the best to Ginji!" he declared with exaggerated affection, his voice dripping with sweetness.
Then, as if on a whim, he wriggled free from Tsunade's arms. "I'm going to find my brother and Shiromaru," he announced, planting a quick kiss on Nayuki's cheek before darting off in Kakashi's direction.
"This child is really adorable," Nayuki said with a soft laugh, covering her mouth. Her warmth and gentle deanor made her easily the most motherly figure in the family.
"Caring mothers often spoil their children," Sakumo muttered under his breath. The mont Nayuki's sharp glare turned to him, he quickly fell silent.
"Have you set a date for Nawaki and Misaki?" Nayuki asked, her tone gentle as she smoothly transitioned back into her role as the gracious, virtuous wife.
"Yes, twenty-three days from now."
"Sotis I think, ti really flies," Tsunade said thoughtfully. "As far back as I can rember, Nawaki was just a little boy following around. And now, he's about to get married and start a family." Her voice carried the weight of her emotions. She was no longer the young girl she once was—she had long since beco both a wife and a mother.
"Who's to say that's not true?" Nayuki added, her tone tinged with nostalgia. "In the blink of an eye, I'm already over thirty." mories of her early days with Sakumo felt as vivid as if they had happened just yesterday.
"All right, all right, you two are still as radiant as ever," Sakumo interjected with rare praise. "Lady Mito will be busy with Nawaki's marriage, so you should help out more often."
"You don't need to tell ; I'll go tomorrow," Nayuki replied with calm assurance. Her natural attentiveness ant she hardly needed reminders from Sakumo, whose blunt deanor was no match for her delicate sensibilities.
"Sister-in-law, thank you for your hard work," Tsunade said sincerely. "Tomorrow, let Kawakaze go with you. He's got ti to spare."
"Who says I'm idle? I'm just taking a break from work!" Kawakaze protested.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Sleeping at the office every day counts as taking a break?" She didn't hold back, knowing that Kawakaze wouldn't learn until he faced the truth.
"Cough, cough... I was tired, that's all," Kawakaze muttered, scratching his head in embarrassnt. He couldn't deny it—everything Tsunade said was true.
"Just go already. Cut the excuses," Sakumo said firmly, adopting his role as the elder brother.
"Fine, fine," Kawakaze relented. "I'll report to Grandma first thing in the morning." Despite his grumbling, he was genuinely interested in Nawaki's wedding—it wasn't sothing Tsunade needed to push him toward. Nawaki had always been close to him.
"That's more like it," Tsunade said with a satisfied nod, deciding not to press Kawakaze further for the night.
"Speaking of Nawaki and Misaki, their bond really is miraculous," Sakumo said, his thoughts drifting to the past. "He even brought back a wife from the war." He recalled the timid Misaki, whom Nawaki had brought back to camp. The way fate had worked was extraordinary.
"Who's to say? That brat's got so serious luck," Tsunade said with a burst of laughter. She had no doubt Misaki would make an excellent wife and mother.
"I think Misaki's the one with the luck," Kawakaze added quietly. He didn't elaborate, but he knew how hard Misaki's life could have been without Nawaki.
"Anyway, we should just be happy for them."
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