7:00 PM.
Hatake Residence.
Kamizuki Hikari pushed open the door with a look of resignation, stepping inside to find Kakashi holding up various outfits, utterly indecisive about what to wear. Hikari couldn’t help but scoff.
"Kakashi, seriously, aren’t you done yet?"
Hearing Hikari’s voice, Kakashi imdiately turned around. "Hikari! Quick, help pick which one makes look cooler!"
Hikari pointed at the mask covering Kakashi’s face. "So, you planning to take off that embarrassnt shield?"
"Embarrassnt shield? I’m not that bad-looking!" Kakashi touched the mask, briefly considering removing it before giving up. "Nah, I’ve worn this thing in Konoha for years. Taking it off now would feel like walking down the street naked."
"How about you just wear the mask and go out without any clothes? Sounds good, right?" Hikari teased.
"Heh."
And just like that, the conversation ended with a dry chuckle.
Kakashi, a master of the art of deflection, kept rifling through his clothes in front of the mirror before his eyes settled on his usual jōnin vest.
Ah, that vibrant green—a glorious color symbolizing Konoha’s strength! Wearing this to a blind date would surely make an impression.
"You’ve been at this for half an hour." Hikari groaned. "Tsunade-sama already called Shizune over. You’re both Konoha advisors now, practically equals. What, you scared she’ll beat you up after marriage or sothing?" Hikari was tempted to activate the Eight Gates just to drag Kakashi out the door.
"Alright, I’ll change right away! Wait for , Hikari!" Kakashi hurriedly grabbed his jōnin uniform and dashed into the changing room.
Hikari leaned against the doorfra, his gaze drifting toward the entrance.
Why was he even here for Kakashi’s blind date, anyway?
Shouldn’t people usually bring soone uglier to make themselves look better?
Was Kakashi really that confident?
---
Izakaya.
Tsunade and Shizune sat in a private booth, a few bottles of sake on the table as they sipped leisurely.
Well, more accurately, Tsunade was drinking while Shizune poured for her.
Noticing Shizune’s nervous, distracted expression, Tsunade set down her cup and poured one for Shizune instead.
"Here, Shizune, drink up!"
Shizune hesitated. "Is this really okay?"
"What’s not okay about it? You’re so tense, anyone would think you’re the one getting married!" Tsunade teased.
"Tsunade-sama!"
Shizune’s whiny tone sent a shiver down Tsunade’s spine.
"Ugh, stop! We’ve known each other for years, and hearing you like this makes my skin crawl!"
"Hmph!" Shizune grabbed the cup and downed it in one go. Afterward, she smacked her lips. "Tastes pretty average. I don’t get why you’re so obsessed with this stuff, Tsunade-sama. And it’s so expensive! Your Hokage salary can’t possibly cover this!"
"Well, that’s what you’re here for, right?" Tsunade swirled her cup lazily, the picture of a seasoned alcoholic. "You wouldn’t let starve, would you?"
"Tsunade-sama, you’re putting way too much pressure on ..." Shizune sighed. At this rate, people would think she was raising a daughter instead of serving under the Hokage.
Over the years, after Shizune had grown up, their roles had completely reversed—now it was Shizune taking care of Tsunade.
"Relax, relax! Even if you get married, I’ve still got Hikari to rely on. Heh, I won’t starve!"
"Hikari seed pretty unhappy earlier. Did you fleece him too hard this ti?"
"Pfft, don’t worry. Hikari’s not that petty!" Tsunade waved it off, exuding confidence.
Seeing this, Shizune could only sigh and drop the subject.
Those involved were blind, while onlookers saw clearly.
From Shizune’s perspective, Tsunade’s attitude toward Hikari had grown increasingly... ambiguous.
Sotis, Shizune even felt a twinge of jealousy.
She was the one who had been with Tsunade first. So why, after just a few days with Hikari, did Tsunade trust him so much? And now Tsunade was trying to marry her off? This was just unfair.
"Oh! Hikari! Kakashi! Over here!" Tsunade spotted the two and imdiately waved them over.
Hikari dragged a hesitant Kakashi forward. "Tsunade-sama, why don’t the two of us leave and give Kakashi and Shizune so space?"
"Don’t worry, I’ve got it all arranged. Shizune, take Kakashi over there. Hikari and I will stay here and drink. And I promise—just these few bottles, no more! I swear on my title as Hokage!"
Kakashi was stunned.
Using the Hokage’s na for this?
Hikari, however, wasn’t surprised.
Given Tsunade’s personality, if soone offered the right price, she’d probably sell Konoha without a second thought.
"Alright, we’ll head over then."
Seeing Kakashi even more nervous than she was, Shizune suddenly felt a lot calr.
As the two walked away, Tsunade poured Hikari a cup of sake with a sly smile. "Hikari, you must be exhausted these past few days. Sit, sit!"
Hikari eyed her suspiciously. Sothing was off about Tsunade today—like she was plotting sothing.
But fine. Whatever ca his way, he’d handle it. He sat, took the cup, sniffed it to make sure it wasn’t spiked, and downed it in one go.
"Hikari, if I’ve been a bit... unreasonable lately, or if I’ve done anything wrong, I hope you’ll forgive , okay?"
"Tsunade-sama, what are you saying? You’re the Hokage. How could you possibly do anything wrong?" Hikari looked at her with a mischievous glint.
[Tch. Eating my food, drinking my booze, spending my money, and now you think a simple apology will make it all go away? Who do you think you are, so kind of goddess?]
[And this apology? No sincerity at all!]
[Everyone knows a proper apology involves showing so cleavage!]
Tsunade’s smile slowly twisted into sothing far more dangerous.
’You bastard—!’
’I treat you like a friend, and you dare lust after my flawless, peerless body? And after spending so pocket change, you expect to strip? Hah! Do you really think the Hokage’s dignity is that cheap?’
’If you wanna look, show your wallet first. Maybe if you impress , I’ll consider it!’
"Don’t say that. Even though I’m beautiful, kind, gentle, and hardworking, nobody is perfect. I might’ve made a few mistakes here and there. So... you know what I an, right?" Tsunade preened shalessly.
[I’ve never t soone so utterly devoid of sha!]
-----
Read 40 advanced Chapters on my P@treon.
/KakuzuTL
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