After the meeting ended, Tsunade showed no eagerness to return to her office and tackle the paperwork.
When everyone else had left, she remained seated, lingering instead of getting up.
"C'mon, Shouta's probably going nuts waiting."
Kawaki actually had a shred of conscience—it had been a long meeting.
"Not really. I just remembered something I'd forgotten."
Tsunade offered a weak excuse as she slowly rose from her chair.
"I won't even bother calling you out on that."
Kawaki rolled his eyes at Tsunade—a bold move for him.
"You're getting gutsy, huh? Daring to roll your eyes at me?"
Tsunade shot him a furious glare and raised her hand as if to slap him.
"Ha ha~"
Kawaki dodged swiftly and ran out of the conference room.
Tsunade chased after him but quickly resumed her composed posture—her status was different now.
Otherwise, she wouldn't stop until she landed a hit on Kawaki.
Once they returned to the office, they saw Shouta sitting at the desk, scratching his head in frustration.
The towering stack of documents had been significantly reduced.
This guy's got some serious talent!
"Nice work! Looks like my choice wasn't wrong."
Kawaki walked forward with a smile. Shouta glanced at him but said nothing.
The bitterness in his gaze seemed almost tangible.
Your choice wasn't a mistake… but you sure did me wrong.
Keep this up, and I'll end up with a full-blown case of premature baldness.
"Oh come on, you're still young. This is a great chance for self-improvement, right?"
Kawaki put on a serious expression, though he still looked smug.
Upon hearing those words, Shouta finally lifted his head, staring blankly at Kawaki.
Only someone with your shamelessness could say something like that.
You're young too—why don't *you* try improving yourself by doing some work?
If it weren't for knowing he couldn't beat Kawaki in a fight, he'd definitely show Kawaki what "rage of a common man" really meant.
"Shouta, take a break. I'll handle things here."
Ultimately, Tsunade relented and stepped in to replace Shouta.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
In an instant, Shouta felt the world overflow with love—and even turned around to thank Tsunade.
As if he'd forgotten both she and Kawaki were cut from the same cloth, while he alone was the victim.
"Don't mention it. It's all part of the job."
Hearing this, Tsunade smiled beautifully, while Kawaki beside her almost choked laughing.
...
With Shouta's help, Tsunade finished the paperwork effortlessly.
She even found time to visit the hospital where Orochimaru, Nagato, and the newly joined Misaki were busy working.
As Nawaki's mentor, Orochimaru took particular care in mentoring Misaki.
The girl indeed had great talent, and under Tsunade's guidance, had already mastered the fundamentals of medical ninjutsu.
"How did today's in-vivo experiments go, my dear medical director?"
Tsunade approached Orochimaru wearing a white lab coat.
Fugaku had secretly delivered a considerable number of death-row inmates, fulfilling Orochimaru's immediate needs.
"Teacher, Teacher's wife."
"Sister Tsunade, Big bro Kawaki."
Nagato and Misaki greeted both newcomers politely.
"Four subjects died. Continued observation is still required."
Orochimaru stated coldly, showing no emotional change, nor did Tsunade.
"Exactly as expected—the rejection reactions are perfectly normal."
Tsunade walked over to the filing cabinet and flipped open the experiment records for a quick look.
"Hmm, I think..."
Orochimaru began offering his suggestions and ideas for improvement.
Tsunade listened carefully, and soon the two were engaged in an in-depth professional discussion.
Kawaki and the two children looked completely baffled. Clearly, they didn't understand a thing.
"Let's go outside first."
Sensibly, Kawaki led the two kids out of the lab and had them sit on the sofa outside.
"Are you adjusting well, Misaki?"
Both children were quiet types, so Kawaki took the initiative to start a conversation.
"Not bad. Orochimaru-sensei is really nice."
That was Misaki's genuine feeling.
"Sensei."
Nagato called timidly.
"What's wrong?"
Kawaki turned his gaze toward him. Nagato still seemed hesitant.
"Go ahead, tell me. Sensei will support you."
"That... Can you please talk to Orochimaru-sama?"
"He keeps staring at my eyes—it really scares me."
After all, Nagato was still quite young. Orochimaru's aura was too much for a child to handle.
Not to mention that whenever he had free time, Orochimaru would often look at Nagato with curious eyes.
"Haha, if he stares again, just tell him."
"I gave you those eyes, so do me a favor—swap them for a nicer pair."
Kawaki understood Orochimaru's curiosity. He himself had once considered transplanting Madara's Rinnegan.
With Tsunade and Orochimaru's current skills, such a procedure was entirely feasible.
However, as he gradually developed deep feelings for his disciples through prolonged interaction, Kawaki naturally abandoned such thoughts.
"I'm too scared."
Nagato imagined what might happen next, and immediately his mind conjured up Orochimaru's excited face.
What kind of ridiculous idea did Sensei come up with?
"Don't worry, he's just curious."
Kawaki defended Orochimaru. After all, he truly cared about his own people now.
Nagato let out a half-believing "Ohhh!"
"You won't be staying here for long."
Kawaki smiled and ruffled Nagato's hair.
This was still before Nagato became the infamous figure shouting things like, "[One bag of rice—how many floors can you carry?]" Right now, he was actually quite adorable.
"Really?"
Forgetting to ask Kawaki why, Nagato joyfully jumped up.
Even though Orochimaru tried his best to restrain himself, he had unknowingly left a huge shadow in Nagato's young heart.
"Really."
Kawaki nodded seriously, while Misaki quietly thought, "Orochimaru-sensei seems quite friendly though."
Ohhh!
If you like *Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade*, please add it to your favorites!
The three chatted idly outside, mostly listening while Kawaki did most of the talking.
The two young ones just listened quietly, chiming in only rarely with their thoughts.
After a long while, Tsunade and Orochimaru finally finished their professional conversation and decided on the future direction for their experiments.
"Then I'll leave the rest to you. From now on, I definitely won't be able to visit often."
Now that she'd become Hokage, there was no way Tsunade could spend every day buried in the lab.
"Alright then, my Hokage-sama."
Orochimaru teased with a smirk. The position of Medical Department Head really suited him quite well after all.
"Alright then, I'll take my leave first."
Tsunade took off her lab coat and put it back where it belonged. It was already getting late in the day.
"Hmm, can I remove Pakura's seal when I go back?"
Orochimaru looked at Tsunade and asked softly.
"Oh, you haven't done it yet?"
Tsunade had almost forgotten about it, assuming Orochimaru had already removed the seal for her ages ago.
"No, I've just been waiting for Hokage-sama's permission."
A faint smirk played on Orochimaru's lips. It was just a formality.
Just like how he would knock before entering the Hokage's office—it had nothing to do with anything else.
"Of course you may, but there's one thing I need to say."
Tsunade's expression began turning serious as she spoke.
"Go ahead."
Seeing her serious expression, Orochimaru wiped the smirk off his face, thinking she probably had some other conditions regarding Pakura.
"Make sure you don't get drained dry."
"No, I mean don't get steam-dried."
"Hahaha~"
Tsunade had spoken too quickly and jumbled her words slightly before correcting herself.
"You two really are made for each other."
Orochimaru ended up with dark lines across his forehead. Indeed, Tsunade and Kawaki were made for each other.
Only family could end up under the same roof!
If you enjoy Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade, please bookmark it: (m.
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