If the young lady admired Kakashi when she saw him, then she practically melted when she saw Naruto!
No way around it.
Ever since the end of the Fourth Ninja World War, Naruto's public image had become that of a hero who saved the entire world. Just like in his previous life, Naruto instantly became the object of admiration for countless girls—and even the target of admiration from plenty of boys as well.
So when Naruto appeared in front of the young lady, she almost lost her mind.
Naruto glanced at her, raising his hand casually. "Ah, hello."
Such a rare chance.
The young lady immediately fumbled out a blank sheet of paper and a pen. She rushed up to him, bent down slightly, and said with bright eyes, "Naruto-senpai, please sign for me!"
"Ah, okay!"
Naruto picked up the pen, borrowing Kakashi's back as a writing surface, and signed: Uzumaki Naruto.
The young lady practically sparkled when she saw the signature.
Naruto shot a look at Kakashi beside him, then leaned slightly toward the young lady. "Well, the Hokage is here too. Don't you want his autograph?"
Kakashi turned his head a little. "I already signed."
Naruto nodded. "Alright, I'm superficial."
The young lady giggled. Even with Naruto married, his status in her heart remained completely untouched.
"Naruto-senpai, are you also here to reserve a bath?"
Naruto waved his hands. "No, no, no. Not me—Mr. Kakashi."
He looked to Kakashi. "By the way, Mr. Kakashi, did you finish the bath reservation?"
Kakashi nodded calmly. "It's done. Just waiting."
Naruto exhaled in satisfaction. "Okay, then I'll head back. If I'm late, Hinata will be worried."
He turned to leave, but Kakashi grabbed his arm.
"Don't leave yet. I'm here alone—it's embarrassing."
Naruto shrugged. "I'm not staying. Shizune will really come later and see me standing here with you. That would be really embarrassing."
He extended his hands, explaining matter-of-factly: "Think about it. A woman comes for a private hot spring bath with you. Afterward, one of her acquaintances—especially someone younger—finds out? Do you think she'll continue?"
Kakashi froze.
Before he could answer, the young lady spoke up from the side. "Don't talk about Sister Shizune. Even for me, I wouldn't continue. It's embarrassing!"
Naruto gave Kakashi a helpless look and shrugged again. "See? Women understand women better. I should go."
And with that, Naruto vanished instantly.
Kakashi sighed. Fine. He could wait by himself.
Once Naruto left, the young lady stepped up to him again. "Sir Hokage, why don't you go inside first? Like Naruto-senpai said, it's embarrassing if an acquaintance sees you waiting out here. You go in first. When Shizune arrives, I'll bring her in."
Kakashi hesitated but realized she had a point.
Several customers had arrived already, and each time someone recognized him, they greeted him loudly. It had already happened five or six times.
Enough. He would go in.
Under the young lady's guidance, Kakashi collected the bath cards, changed into the provided clothes, and made his way to the couple's private bath.
After arriving inside, he sat for a bit. Shizune hadn't come yet. After thinking about it, Kakashi decided he might as well bathe first. Even if Shizune didn't show up, at least he would have enjoyed himself.
So he stepped into the bathtub alone.
"Ah… that feels good."
The warm water enveloped him completely, melting tension from his muscles. Kakashi leaned his head back against the edge, eyes closed, letting the steam wrap around him. For once, he allowed himself to relax.
He didn't know how long he soaked like that. In the peaceful daze of heat and silence, a faint rustle reached his ears. Kakashi's eyes opened.
Standing there—already changed into bath attire—was Shizune.
"It looks like you're enjoying yourself," she said with a soft, meaningful smile.
Kakashi jolted upright.
In his shock, the water-logged towel around his waist nearly slipped. He grabbed it frantically, immediately squatting lower in the water. His head dipped, his eyes peeking up shyly from below the steam.
For the first time in a long while, Kakashi panicked.
He tried to maintain composure and lifted his gaze again. Shizune stood there in a short-sleeved bathrobe, the soft fabric brushing her knees. Her exposed legs and feet looked pale and smooth against the rising steam. A blush warmed her cheeks, making her look even cuter than usual.
Her figure was slim—nothing like Tsunade's overwhelming proportions—but she had her own gentle charm.
"Yeah… it's very comfortable," Kakashi replied, his voice slightly hoarse. The mask helped hide his face, but his eyes betrayed everything.
Shizune noticed and smiled.
Just as Tsunade said—Kakashi was still a man, and even he could lose his composure.
"Why did you come so late?" Kakashi asked, trying to shift the awkwardness away.
Shizune answered, "I had something at home. Needed to tidy up, so I was delayed."
In truth, as Naruto had predicted, she simply hesitated for a while before finally setting out.
Kakashi nodded. Silence fell again, thick and warm.
Then a voice came from outside. "Hello, excuse me, I have something for you!"
Kakashi glanced at Shizune. She startled like someone whose chakra points had been released and quickly said, "I'll get it!"
Shizune ran to the door. The young lady stood there.
"Hello, this is the fruit plate and drinks included in your set."
Shizune nodded. "Oh, okay."
She took the items inside.
After she left, the young lady placed a wooden tag outside the door: Do Not Disturb.
In truth, Shizune had no idea the fruit and drinks were gifts from the young lady herself.
Shizune placed the tray in front of Kakashi.
"Where did this come from?" Kakashi asked.
"The clerk said it was a gift," she replied.
Kakashi nodded. Then the silence crept in once more, awkward and warm.
Kakashi lifted his gaze and met hers. He made the first move.
"Want to come in and take a dip?"
Shizune's heart trembled.
Kakashi… had just invited her.
"Okay… let me change my clothes."
She stood, walked to the changing area, slipped off her yukata, and returned wrapped in a thick white terry bathrobe.
Kakashi had been eating a piece of fruit. When he lifted the drink to his lips, he paused.
It was wine.
That young lady… seriously?
He looked up—just in time to see Shizune step into view again.
Her ears were bright red. This was the first time she had ever appeared like this in front of a man.
And Kakashi felt his heartbeat rise with the steam.
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