By dinnertime, Yahiko and the others arrived one after another at the Hatake family courtyard.
Yahiko and Konan had been on the road nonstop and now looked visibly tired.
Yet their smiles remained as bright as ever.
Nagato and Nonou arrived slightly later, entering the courtyard and joining Yahiko and Konan who waited in place.
"Nonou, Sister, why do I feel like you're somehow different?"
Konan keenly noticed the change in Nonou—she had gained a subtle feminine charm that was particularly captivating.
Konan keenly noticed the change in Nonou—she had acquired a subtle feminine charm that was especially captivating.
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Translation:
Konan keenly noticed the change in Nonou—she had gained a subtle feminine charm that was especially captivating.
"What nonsense is that?"
"There's nothing different!"
Nonou blushed immediately, her grip tightening instinctively on Nagato's hand.
"Really nothing?"
Konan frowned. Being a novice herself, she couldn't quite articulate what she felt.
"Not at all."
"Just hurry up and go inside, or Teacher will get impatient again."
Nonou pulled Nagato forward quickly, trying to escape Konan's questioning.
"It's all your fault."
"Why'd you have to do it that many times?"
Putting some distance between them, Nonou vented her frustration on Nagato.
It wasn't like anyone would mind much if they found out—it'd only lead to teasing from Yahiko and Konan—but she still felt shy.
"My bad, my bad."
"I'm sorry."
Knowing he was in the wrong, Nagato could only endure the pain coursing through his hand.
But it wasn't entirely his fault either—once you've tasted forbidden fruit, wanting more is only natural.
In the end, both were swept up in passion, unable to control themselves. And since they were both medical ninjas, doing it multiple times wasn't even that strange.
"You better not say anything."
"Or else—you'll regret it."
Nonou threatened him verbally before finally returning to normal upon seeing Nagato nod in agreement.
"Don't you think there's something off?"
Looking at the backs of Nagato and Nonou walking away, Konan wasn't done yet.
If she didn't figure it out, it would really bother her endlessly.
Like a thorn lodged deep in her flesh, it would keep nagging at her.
She turned straight to Yahiko, but he himself was clueless. How could he possibly understand?
"I don't see any difference."
"She seems exactly the same to me."
"Stop being so dramatic. Let's go."
Yahiko was completely lost but grabbed Konan's hand and hurried after them.
Because Nonou intentionally kept her distance, Konan never got the chance to speak until they entered the dining room and sat down.
"What's with you two?"
"Acting like grown-ups chasing each other around like kids."
Kawaki watched the four nearly burst in like a storm, feeling completely baffled.
"Hehe~"
"Not much, we're just kind of hungry."
Nagato laughed it off, and Kawaki didn't think much of it anyway.
To him, no matter how capable or old his disciples became, they'd always be children.
Even if they started fighting in the dining hall, he'd just mutter a couple lines like that.
"Show some grace and solemnity. You're people of status now."
Sakumo said this without flinching, conveniently forgetting all those embarrassing moments when he and Kawaki squabbled publicly.
"Understood, Uncle."
Yahiko and the others nodded. Meanwhile, Konan's gaze still lingered on Nonou, her stare making Nonou shiver involuntarily.
Tsunade caught sight of this and seemed to sense something.
His gaze lingered for a few seconds on Nonou and Nagato, and he wore a mysterious smile.
My kids have grown up!!!
He then looked at Yahiko and Konan, giving a disapproving shake of his head.
These two are as pure as a blank page. Honestly, who knows when they'll ever catch on.
"The dishes are ready."
"Everyone, eat."
Natsuki served Sakumo first with a pair of chopsticks, then gestured for everyone else to dig in.
Faced with such delicious food, Konan finally took her eyes off Nonou.
"Teacher, this time we're fighting on two fronts."
"How's the troop deployment between Land of Wind and Land of Lightning?"
The departure was scheduled for tomorrow, yet only now did Yahiko think to ask about these small details.
It was really because they were too confident.
They couldn't even imagine what losing would even look like.
"We don't care about that."
"We've given you the people; decide among yourselves."
Kawaki played the part of a lazybones boss shrugging off responsibility, while Tsunade remained silent.
"Well, I think—"
"Don't send too many to the Land of Wind. The Sand ninja already have trauma towards Konoha."
"Just send two strong ones to hold things down there."
"The main focus should be on the Land of Lightning."
"The Third Raikage is no joke, and there's also the Eight-Tailed Beast Jinchūriki."
"Both of you should keep your wits about you."
Sakumo actually offered a serious suggestion, proving himself a reliable senior.
"Big Brother, I think the same way."
"The Land of Wind will fall easily, while the Land of Lightning will require more effort."
Yahiko expressed strong agreement—he secretly felt the same way all along.
"As long as you've got it figured out."
Sakumo nodded contentedly with a smile.
"Nawaki-kun, Senior Minato."
"How do you plan to divide things between you two?"
Talking about war, Nagato also joined in.
"I'll go to the Land of Lightning."
Nawaki and Minato said in unison.
Both wanted a real fight, completely disregarding the Land of Wind.
"Hahaha~"
"You two settle it with a duel; whoever wins gets to go."
Kawaki immediately saw through their intentions and eagerly encouraged the drama.
No doubt about it—he's the textbook example of a shameless elder.
"Fine by me."
Though usually close friends, Nawaki and Minato would never back down in such a situation.
"Stop, stop."
"What's the point in fighting?"
"You think damaging the garden doesn't cost anything?"
Oh wait!
Please continue reading "Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade":
"Draw lots."
Before the two could even stand up, Tsunade stopped them.
Once she speaks, it's not a choice—it's a command.
When two folded slips of paper were placed before Nawaki and Minato, each picked one up.
They stared at each other, wide-eyed, neither willing to open theirs first.
They both knew they could just watch the other's reaction to figure out the result.
"Enough stalling already, open them together."
Tsunade couldn't bear watching this act any longer and interrupted once again.
The others just sat back and watched with amused smiles, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
This little family drama was oddly entertaining.
"Hahaha~"
"I'm going to the Land of Lightning."
"I'll leave the Land of Wind to you. I trust you completely."
Minato wore a smug grin and even patted Nawaki on the shoulder.
"Show-off."
Nawaki angrily flicked the note aside and took a few bites of pig's trotter to calm himself down.
"Fine, we'll go with that then."
"Nawaki will go to the Land of Wind with Kakuzu."
"Kakuzu probably won't be too thrilled about seeing Minato."
"You, Minato, can go to the Land of Lightning with the rest of you guys."
Kawaki could read Kakuzu's thoughts clearly and had no intention of making things harder for him.
"Yes, teacher."
Yahiko and the others nodded their heads. Just like that, around the dinner table, they'd casually decided the personnel assignments for a major battle.
"I wanna go."
"Me too."
When Kakashi spoke up, Ginji immediately followed.
"You two really are brothers in sync."
Kawaki chuckled at the two of them—looks like they were getting battle-hungry.
"I'm fine wherever. Not picky."
"Same here."
Ginji directly became Kakashi's parrot, not thinking for himself at all.
"What do you think?"
Kawaki turned to Tsunade for input. He already knew Sakumo would wholeheartedly support Kakashi going.
In Sakumo's eyes, any true man belonged on the battlefield.
Especially being such an outstanding young man from the Hatake clan.
"Once those two go, a whole swarm will follow."
"I'm not getting involved."
Tsunade waved her hand, rejecting Kawaki's attempt at consultation.
"Here's the deal—if anyone wants to tag along, get your parents to sign a permission slip and turn it in."
"No signature, no going."
After all, not every parent would want their kid heading into battle. Kawaki had thoughtfully considered that.
"Sure, no problem."
Kakashi's eyes lit up instantly. This was gonna be a piece of cake.
They were practically bored out of their minds at school already.
Come to think of it, they could probably even get a blood-signed petition if needed.
"Then I don't have any issues either."
Ginji immediately chimed in, not sensing any negative impact at all.
Most of them were kids of Konoha's higher-ups anyway. Their fathers' political loyalty was rock-solid.
Plus, Yahiko, Minato, and the rest were reassuring presences.
...
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