The moonlight curved like a hook, luring the night into its embrace.
"Jiraiya is moving tomorrow."
"He invited us to join in the celebration."
Tsunade rested her head on Kawaki's shoulder.
Her hair was disheveled, and her eyes remained unfocused—she hadn't yet shaken off the exhaustion from the recent battle.
"Come to think of it, it's been ages since we all got together."
Kawaki naturally had no objections. Moving into a new home was indeed a joyful occasion.
That tradition actually existed on this island nation too.
"Once he settles into his new place, Jiraiya's wedding date must be right around the corner too."
Tsunade felt happy for Jiraiya. It would've been pretty inconvenient if he kept focusing so much attention on her.
"Mm, Orochimaru's not far off either."
Kawaki had spoken with Orochimaru. The wedding preparations were already underway recently.
"One piece of good news after another—that's a lucky omen."
Tsunade smiled slightly, adding even more charm to her beauty.
"When will *our* good news finally come?"
"Maybe we're not trying *hard enough*?"
Kawaki moved closer, letting a wandering hand cause mischief beneath the blanket.
"And how exactly do you plan to 'try harder'?"
"Till I drop dead?"
Tsunade shot Kawaki an exasperated glare. Right now, she felt utterly drained and limp, with no energy left at all.
"Haha… That went too far."
Kawaki didn't press further—he was actually more exhausted than Tsunade.
"Alright, let's sleep."
Tsunade snuggled down, finding a comfortable position before closing her eyes.
"Goodnight, beloved wife."
Kawaki tucked Tsunade in tighter, holding her close as they both drifted into dreamland.
They slept peacefully through the night.
The next morning, they woke up refreshed and full of energy.
Over breakfast, the entire family brought up Jiraiya's move.
Sakumo also planned to go—he and Jiraiya got along really well.
"I heard Jiraiya bought quite a big house."
Sakumo started the conversation first, though his information came secondhand.
At least Jiraiya hadn't personally confirmed it to him yet.
"It should be pretty spacious. He basically drained his entire savings."
Tsunade knew more about it, indirectly verifying Sakumo's hearsay.
After so many years completing missions, Jiraiya had earned quite a bit of money.
"Haha, then you can really squeeze him for cash."
Kawaki cracked a joke—Jiraiya hadn't been officially appointed to any position yet.
Partly because he'd returned late, and partly because he said he wouldn't fully commit to work until after the wedding.
Tsunade hadn't forced him either.
"You're such a greedy capitalist."
Natsuki fed Kakashi a bite of food, glancing sideways at Kawaki.
"Big sis, you've got me all wrong!"
"I'm only trying to help Jiraiya earn more money."
Kawaki shoved a steamed bun into his mouth while spewing out excuses.
"So Jiraiya should be thanking you for that, huh?"
Sakumo immediately turned into a sarcastic master.
"No need for thanks. I'm just one of those friends who gives everything for his buddies."
Kawaki rambled on shamelessly, piling gold-plated flattery onto himself.
"Pfft!"
Sakumo spat out a seed of disdain, expressing his contempt for his younger brother.
"Actually, there's probably no need for me to squeeze him at all."
"He plans to write novels to bring in some extra cash."
Honestly, Tsunade herself was genuinely surprised. She'd never seen this side of Jiraiya before.
"Write novels? Does that kind of thing actually make money?"
This clearly hit a nerve with Sakumo. Most people couldn't make money outside their area of understanding.
"How come not? Did the books you read fall from the sky?"
Natsuki may have had long hair, but she wasn't short on wisdom. She fired back at Sakumo.
"I think he could write something men like to read."
Kawaki gave a peculiar look, though his words held merit.
In the original storyline, Jiraiya's first book flopped. Make Out Paradise was actually his breakthrough work.
Kakashi was his loyal fan, always carrying a copy of Make Out Paradise with him.
"Dirty!"
Tsunade shot Kawaki an annoyed glance. Where did that suggestion even come from?
"I was just kidding around."
Kawaki scratched his head awkwardly before diving back into his meal.
"I think Kawaki has a point."
Sakumo was also a secretly perverted guy. He immediately got what Kawaki meant.
"Just eat your food."
Natsuki stuffed a Rasengan into his mouth, shutting Sakumo up.
Indeed, these two brothers were cut from the same cloth.
Clearly, both brothers were into that kind of reading material!
...
The sun dipped below the western horizon, bathing Konoha in golden light.
Within a secluded courtyard mansion, the place was lively and bustling.
Located near one of Konoha's busy streets, this estate was worth a small fortune.
This was Jiraiya's new home, and his housewarming banquet had already kicked off.
Inside the dining room, seats were filled to capacity.
Luckily his house was large enough, otherwise there wouldn't have been space for everyone.
Although only close friends had been invited, there were still roughly thirty or forty guests.
Today alone, thanks to all the red envelopes, Jiraiya had certainly replenished his finances.
"Thank you all for coming."
"Don't be shy. Eat well and drink well."
Today Jiraiya sat in the main seat. Without lengthy pleasantries, he simply raised his sake cup and began drinking with everyone.
"Not leaving until I'm full."
Tsunade downed her cup in one gulp without putting on any Hokage airs.
She also feared someone might feel out of place, so she deliberately showed no pretense, ensuring it wouldn't affect the atmosphere at the banquet.
"Exactly!"
Everyone joined in enthusiastically, instantly warming the atmosphere.
"Of course! Drink as much as you want!"
Makoto understood everyone was just joking around, replying with a broad smile.
Then came rounds of toasts and conversations, echoing with laughter throughout.
"This one's for you, Lord Kawaki."
"Your visit to the Mist Village really boosted our Konoha prestige."
A Konoha Jonin slightly bowed and raised a toast toward Kawaki.
More to come soon!
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Recently, news about Kawaki's actions in the Mist Village had already spread throughout the Ninja World.
Kawaki had single-handedly entered the Mist Village, where Wood Release techniques greatly displayed their might.
He even directly killed the Mizukage, the Three-Tails Jinchuriki, right on the scene.
This news left countless people stunned.
The Kages who had fought against Kawaki all felt deeply unsettled.
Their vigilance toward Konoha had increased by more than just one level.
Currently, Konoha had become a mountain crushing the hearts of every Hidden Village.
The Mist Village did conceal the news about their Mizukage being controlled, because it was truly too embarrassing.
Losing to Wood Release techniques might be somewhat understandable.
But having a Kage being controlled—surely you're joking?
Kawaki didn't act all high-and-mighty like some arrogant master. He stood up, raised his cup, and took a drink.
"It's nothing much. All credit goes to Hokage-sama's leadership."
He followed up with a compliment to Tsunade that set everyone laughing again. His henpecked husband reputation was practically confirmed once more.
"Typical," Tsunade rolled her eyes at him but couldn't hide the smile on her face.
"You really aren't considerate at all. Didn't even call me."
Dai's White Fang remained bright.
"Well I left in a hurry!"
Kawaki made up a random excuse — Dai had only been joking, after all.
"You've certainly got quite the reputation now."
"The God of the Ninja World, tsk."
Orochimaru spoke out in his usual sinister tone, though no trace of envy could be heard in it.
"With Kawaki inheriting First Hokage's name, it'd make for a great story."
Jiraiya raised his cup in a toast with Orochimaru.
"Still, he's not quite as good as my grandpa."
To Tsunade, Hashirama had always been invincible.
"You're absolutely right."
Kawaki didn't argue back — Hashirama's strength was beyond doubt. In life, he was undeniably number one in the ninja world.
"I know you wouldn't dare say she's wrong."
Shinryu Yūhi teased Kawaki playfully, though truthfully speaking, he himself wasn't any better than Kawaki.
A hopeless wife-and-daughter man.
"If we pretend not to notice, we can still be friends."
Kawaki laughed heartily and raised his cup from afar to share another drink with Shinryu.
"No need to say it outright — everyone sees it clearly."
Fugaku was just here adding to the fun atmosphere. He wasn't particularly close with Jiraiya, but would definitely interact more with him in the future.
This remark caused everyone to burst into laughter once again.
"Lord Kawaki, your title of 'God of the Ninja World' has already spread throughout the ninja realm."
"This is truly Konoha's fortune."
Everyone felt proud to have such a powerful figure among them. Having someone so strong within the village gave them that extra bit of confidence when venturing outside its gates.
"Too kind. Let's all drink."
Kawaki didn't want to steal Jiraiya's spotlight; after all, this banquet wasn't for celebrating his achievements. Fortunately, everyone else had common sense and quickly shifted the conversation back.
Before long, Jiraiya announced his wedding date. Being an orphan, he could decide for himself without waiting years like Kawaki and Tsunade had.
Soon after, everyone started pouring drinks down his throat, making the banquet atmosphere even more lively.
When moonlight graced the treetops, the feast finally ended.
Satisfied and full-bellied, everyone went their separate ways.
Kawaki and Tsunade staggered side by side under the moonlight toward home.
Walking unsteadily ahead were Sakumo and Natsuki.
Minato and several others walked behind holding Kakashi's hand.
Beneath the moonlight, their shadows stretched endlessly.
The scene was surprisingly warm and harmonious.
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