That night, when Tsunade returned home, she found Kaito in the study. He was lounging on a recliner, looking perfectly at ease as he read a book.
Beside him, one maid fanned him gently while another peeled a piece of fruit and brought it to his lips. He looked for all the world like a young master.
"Oh, you're back." Kaito didn't even lift his eyes from his book, merely giving her a simple wave. "Come on, there's fruit here. Help yourself, don't be a stranger."
"???" Tsunade was baffled. For a second, she almost thought this wasn't her house and that she was the guest.
"Seeing you having such a good time puts my mind at ease," Tsunade said with a smile. "But why haven't you gone out for a walk?"
"Because I didn't have anyone to take me."
"Couldn't they have taken you?"
"With their stamina? Would they have been taking me, or would I have been taking them? It was better to just wait for someone strong and sturdy."
"Alright, fine. Tomorrow, then. I have the day off tomorrow. I'll take you for a tour," Tsunade said.
"Deal. It's a promise."
The next day, Kaito woke up early for his morning training. When he was finished, he coughed twice to clear his throat and began to sing at the top of his lungs.
"Sister you're too beautiful, baby~ Sister you're too beautiful, baby~..."
He'd only been singing for thirty seconds before a sleepy Tsunade burst out of her bedroom and furiously threw a pillow at him. "Are you insane?! What's with all the noise so early in the morning!"
Kaito caught the pillow and flashed a grin. "Naturally, I'm waking you up. You didn't forget what you promised me last night, did you?"
"Ugh." Tsunade scratched her hair and grumbled, "Of course I didn't forget, but it's way too early. The shops aren't even open yet."
"We can go to the shops later. First, take me to see the beautiful sights of Konoha."
"Fine, fine. Just give me a minute, I'll be quick." With that, Tsunade flickered and disappeared.
According to the theory of relativity, "quick" often means "slow."
Kaito wasn't about to fall for that. He decisively left the courtyard and went to find the lovely maids to get some breakfast.
He was gradually immersing himself in the maids' doting service when Tsunade finally made her appearance.
She had changed into a simple, casual outfit: a white short-sleeved shirt, loose-fitting red pants, and her hair tied back in a single ponytail. She looked ten years younger.
Tsunade glanced at Kaito and his young-master routine, shot him a look of disdain, and quickly finished her own breakfast.
"Alright, let's get going."
"Okay."
Morning in Konoha was bathed in the rosy light of dawn, making it look particularly stunning.
There weren't many people on the streets yet, mostly students with backpacks. They chased each other, laughing and playing, their faces beaming with smiles.
Mixed in among them, however, was a green figure walking on his hands, letting out strange shouts as he sped into the distance.
"Is that...?" Kaito had a good idea who it was, but he asked anyway, feigning ignorance.
"Hmm, he's a genin. I think his name is Might Dai?" Tsunade said, sounding uncertain. "What's wrong? Are you interested in him?"
"A little, yes. You don't often see someone who trains that hard."
"Really? I think he's pretty average. Anyway, never mind him. What are your impressions so far?" Tsunade asked with a smile. "Konoha isn't so bad, is it? Which is better, this place or your sanctuary?"
"Let's see a bit more before I decide," Kaito said noncommittally.
Following the direction the students were heading, the two soon arrived at the Ninja Academy.
The main building was impressively tall, standing at seven stories, and its architecture was more magnificent than any other building in Konoha.
"The Ninja Academy has existed since the founding of the Hidden Leaf. It's been renovated many times over the years to look the way it does now. I remember when I was a student, the classrooms were still built from wooden planks." Tsunade sighed with emotion. "Time really flies. Twenty years have passed in a flash."
"Back then, Orochimaru must have been the genius, and Jiraiya the dead-last, right?"
"Yup, that's right. But neither of them dared to mess with me. When it came to fighting strength, I was the strongest one of all!"
"Heh." Kaito chuckled softly and tilted his head back to look at the distant cliff face, where three distinct faces were carved into the stone.
"That's the famous Hokage Rock," Tsunade explained, following his gaze. "The First Hokage, my grandfather, was both powerful and gentle. He's the person I admire most. The Second, my granduncle, always had a serious expression on his face. He was the one who scared me the most. And the Third, my teacher... he was actually pretty funny when he was young, not as stuffy and boring as he is now."
"Impressive," Kaito remarked.
The Hokage lineage was a force to be reckoned with. No matter how powerful the other clans in Konoha were, they could only serve as vassals. The line of succession had never truly changed.
"Let's go up."
With Tsunade leading the way, they reached the top of the Hokage Rock in just a few leaps, taking in a panoramic view of the entire village.
"From here, the village looks like a single leaf extending out from the Hokage Rock, with the streets and alleys forming the veins of the leaf."
"So, the Hokage is the stem of the leaf?"
"That's right. Everything is under the Hokage's leadership." Tsunade gazed into the distance, just in time to see a few fallen leaves drift away on the breeze.
"So, do you want to be Hokage?"
"Me? No way. I get tired just thinking about it. I'd rather let Orochimaru and the others fight over it; they're better suited for it than I am. As for me, all I want is a stable life, maybe hit the gambling dens every now and then to blow off some steam."
"Is that so?" Kaito shook his head. "I actually think you're more suited to be Hokage than anyone else."
"Hahaha, you're the first person to ever say that to me." Tsunade clearly thought he was joking.
Once the sun was high in the sky, shining down with all its might, Kaito and Tsunade left the Hokage Rock and descended to the streets below.
By now, the streets were bustling with activity. The doors of the shops on both sides were wide open, and many owners were loudly hawking their wares.
"Hmm, not bad, not bad. It's been a while since I've wandered around like this. Is there anything you want to buy?" Tsunade asked.
"Of course! The one and only Ichiraku Ramen!"
How could he possibly come to Konoha and not check out such a famous spot? Kaito had been intensely curious about the taste of Ichiraku Ramen for a long time, and now was the moment of truth.
"Ichiraku Ramen? I wouldn't call it 'one and only.' Did the maids tell you that?" Tsunade said with a dismissive pout. "But if you want to go, I'll take you."
"Less talk, more walking. Lead the way!"
"..."
After a few minutes of walking, Tsunade jutted her chin towards a food cart on the side of the street. "There. That's Ichiraku Ramen."
"Let's go, my treat!" Kaito waved his hand, and the two walked up to the cart.
"Welcome! What can I get for you two esteemed guests?" a young Teuchi greeted them enthusiastically.
"Two bowls of Ichiraku Ramen, thanks!"
"You got it! Coming right up!"
With a series of fluid movements, Teuchi confidently placed two bowls of ramen in front of Kaito and Tsunade.
"Please, enjoy your meal."
"Alright, I won't be shy." Kaito picked up his noodles and slurped down half the bowl in two quick motions, but his expression wasn't one of satisfaction.
"Sigh. He's still a bit too young. It didn't quite meet my expectations."
Quickly finishing his ramen, Kaito paid the bill and, under Teuchi's crestfallen gaze, listlessly pulled Tsunade away.